Senior accounting and finance double major, Olivia VanHouten, has recently been accepted to The University of South Carolina, where she will receive a master’s degree in accounting.
VanHouten believes that certain elements of FMU have prepared her for when she starts her master’s program next fall.
“The small class size and friendly atmosphere at FMU has allowed me to come out of my shell and be more extroverted, especially in my classes,” VanHouten said. “I feel more confident in my educational choices, and I feel that FMU has allowed me to have many opportunities in regard to choosing my graduate education.”
Now halfway through her fourth year at FMU, VanHouten reflected on some of her favorite aspects of the university that she has experienced during her four years on campus.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunities that have become available to me during my time at FMU,” VanHouten said. “My professors have all been extremely helpful and caring and have given me resources to help me in my future career. I have also been able to work in the school of business, as well as the Tutoring Center and have made some great friends and valuable connections with the campus community. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience here and am so thankful I chose FMU for my undergraduate degree.”
On top of the heavy academic load that comes with being a double major, VanHouten still finds time to be a part of different organizations on campus.
“I am a member of BCM and the Accounting and Finance Club,” VanHouten said. “I started going to BCM my freshman year, and it has been a great way to meet new people and relate to other Christians on campus.”
Being part of different clubs and organizations has allowed VanHouten to meet more people on campus as well as open doors to new experiences that will help her down the road with her career.
“The Accounting and Finance Club also allowed me to meet other students in my major and even allowed me to become a Becker Campus Ambassador, which is a nationwide organization that provides study tools for the Certified Public Accountant exam,” VanHouten said.
In addition to the academic load and being active with organizations on campus, VanHouten also works two jobs, making time management essential for her success. But thankfully, VanHouten likes to stay busy. Living on campus has also presented her with challenges, as although she enjoys it, she has to be further away from her family.
“I’m very close with my family, and living away from them has been hard, but it gave me a chance to grow independently and learn how to be on my own,” VanHouten said. “I usually try to work very hard during the week to complete assignments and study for exams so that I can minimize my workload on the weekends. I like to stay busy and enjoy the challenge of managing my time and being successful in my classes.”
VanHouten has one role model in her life: her mother. She admires her mother for the strength and courage she showed while battling breast cancer.
“My mom is definitely my biggest role model in my life,” VanHouten said. “When I was 16, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to have a double mastectomy, as well as harsh chemotherapy for over a year. There were many times when we thought we might lose her to this horrible disease, but she fought so hard and managed to beat it.”
VanHouten also said of her mother’s love and support in getting her entire family through the ordeal.
“Even though she was extremely sick for about two years, she always made sure my sister and I were loved and cared for, along with my dad,” VanHouten said. “She truly is the strongest person I know and the glue that holds our family together. I will forever be grateful to her and can’t imagine my life without her.”
VanHouten encourages incoming freshmen to be involved with organizations on campus and to talk to new people every chance they get.
“To any new freshmen coming to FMU, I would encourage them to get active on campus and talk to everyone you meet,” VanHouten said.
VanHouten feels FMU offers students many opportunities to put themselves out there, and she encourages new students to capitalize on these opportunities. Additionally, VanHouten feels each student must manage their stress levels and always find time to relax.
“There are so many opportunities here, and I believe that this school truly wants each and every one of us to succeed,” VanHouten said. “I would also recommend that everyone should find ways to relieve stress and have fun while they’re here. It’s so easy to get caught up in assignments and work, but it’s also very important to make the most of the time that you’re here and enjoy being a college student.”