Kayla enjoys the frequently asked question, “What’s your major?” When she says she’s a mathematics major with a minor in physics, students often shudder or offer their condolences. She just smiles; she likes being outside the norm. Kayla plans to pursue graduate studies in math, and she’s receiving good experience as a tutor in Northwestern’s academic support department. She has also been a multicultural connection intern and involved in helping plan activities in her dorm, Hospers Hall.

Satisfaction counts
“I had to take Physics I for my mathematics major, and I really liked it. The class was pretty difficult and time consuming, yet I was fascinated. Something about it made me want to keep learning more. I think it’s the fact that when I finally get to the end of a problem or task, I feel like I really did something. I didn’t just memorize facts or solve problems for the sake of doing it—I figured out how something works, and then I made it happen. That’s really satisfying.”

Awesome equation
“Knowing how things work in God’s world just awes me more and more. Even when I’m frustrated at not being able to figure out a problem, when I finally get it, there’s this rush (often resulting in a little happy dance) and I think, ‘Wow, that’s kinda cool.’ God is good. He made the world, and he is allowing me to delve into the nitty-gritty of how it works.”

Problem-solver
“Having a foundation in physics has really been helpful for my math classes. I don’t have to worry about struggling through the concept of the problem; I can get straight to solving it.”

Relationships figure
“At Northwestern, I have made friends for life. I cannot even begin to describe how blessed I am by the people here. I know the big reason we go to college is to get an education, but if there were a runner-up reason, it would definitely be relationships. I have learned it’s OK to be myself, even when everyone else is different. I am striving to be who God made me to be. That’s what is most important. I cannot let being ‘normal’ get in my way. I mean, seriously, I didn’t even pick ‘normal’ topics to study!”