KIM “MOM” MARSDEN
As the so-called “mom” of her friend group prepares for senior year, Kim Marsden reflects on her time at Marist and looks to the future, which undoubtedly will be just as bright as her smile.
Year: Senior. “Ugh. Can’t I just stay here forever?”
Major: Psychology
Minor: Social Work
Hometown: Waldwick, NJ
Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
HC: What’s your favorite Marist memory?
KM: I think this is the hardest question. I have so many amazing memories here. This is going to make me sound like a mom, but I think my favorite are the little moments of having a group of people I love together laughing. If you want a cool Marist memory, though, I certainly peaked when I pet a groundhog here.
HC: What’s your favorite spot on campus and why?
KM: This is going to sound so random but my absolute favorite spot is the cross section of the roads in front of Hancock. Anytime when I have had a bad day, by the time I walk to that spot everything just seems a little bit better. I love it because it is the true heart of this campus. From that spot you can see the Rotunda and the river and there is always at least one person there. Every time I get to that spot, it reminds me just how lucky I am to be at Marist.
HC: What’s an event on campus you’d recommend and why?
KM: I have a personal bias of saying the Humarist show because my friends are in it and I think it is so funny and is always a good laughing break during finals. But what I would really recommend to people is to try a new event every semester. There is always so much going on here and I think it is great to support one another in the Marist community.
HC: What’s the best class you’ve taken at Marist?
KM: I have honestly loved most of my classes here. You can never go wrong with a psych elective. My personal favorite was fundamentals of counseling because I had my favorite professor and I was learning the basics of what I want to do in the future.
HC: You recently came back from your semester abroad. Can you tell us a little bit about that experience?
KM: I loved every single minute of it. If you can go abroad, do it. I was in London living down the street from Will and Kate. I got to reconnect with family members from England and Copenhagen. I got to travel to 9 different countries and 14 major cities. My program (FIE) was also amazing because I had an internship at this learning center for learning-disabled students. Most students were somewhere on the autistic spectrum ranging from fully functional to completely non-verbal. The center allows the students to reach their high school education level and helps to then find them a job in the workforce primarily in horticulture or retail. So my weekends were life-changing in getting to see new places while every weekday those students touched my heart and changed my perspective on life.
Pictured here in Denmark with family
HC: What are your main goals for senior year?
KM: The same as everyone else. Survive capping, get everything done that needs to be done, eat 3 meals a day, get some sleep, figure out what comes next and enjoy the last year.
HC: What about afterward? (not to scare you…)
KM: I think I would like to try being a Resident Director at a school for a little while. I have loved my time as an RA and I would like to see what challenges and experiences would occur at the next level. In the more long term, I want to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.
HC: As an RA, do you find it hard to balance your social life, your academic life, and your work life?
KM: It is hard. There are certainly days that one takes on a larger priority than others. Sometimes I just try to bring the two of the worlds together like inviting my friends to come to my programs. You just got to find a way to make it work.
HC: What advice do you have for anyone who is thinking of becoming an RA?
KM: My advice is get ready for one of the best experiences of your life. There are so many things that I have seen and done through this positon that I would never have imagined doing otherwise. You will meet so many people and make so many connections. Don’t get me wrong, it is hard at times when you are waiting for 3 a.m. to come or when you have to write up a friend. But at the end of the day, the good outweighs the bad. This job will change you but in the best possible way. I know that this job brings out the best in me. I cannot imagine what my college experience would have been without it.