Student Voices

Rory Julyan

I am a senior from Cape Town, South Africa. I am a student athlete and, in particular, a swimmer for the Wingate Bulldog swimming team. The swim team was actually my main attraction to the school and the reason I signed to attend Wingate University. Being a swimmer, the majority of my afternoons on campus are occupied by training with the team. However, my days aren’t only filled with events surrounding chlorinated water; I am also a finance major and economics minor. Feel free to drop me an email at bloggers@wingate.edu with the subject line 'Rory.'

Activities

I love playing volleyball in the sun during the summer. Hanging out at the Jefferson pool on the weekends is something I try to do each weekend when it is warm. We’ve set up a ping pong table in my apartment so that keeps me busy on some nights. A priority activity for me on campus is to nap. Haha! When I am home, I surf all along the coasts of South Africa, walk with my dogs, hang out with mates at the nearby pubs and hang at my favorite beaches.

Favorite Class Info

I have a strong interest in my economics classes and philosophical related issues. Unfortunately, my major requirements don’t give space for philosophy classes. I do enjoy my financial related classes because they are so relevant to me and open my eyes to the financial world, but the ideology behind economics interests me just a bit more.

So long my friend 426 - 12/19/2012

It’s a sad day for the swim team. Last night we found out one of our freshman will not be with us anymore and will return to his country after this semester. Losing a comrade is a tough notion when trying to move forward with the season.

The sport is a grueling one and being such an individual sport it’s mentally very taxing. From an outside perspective, it may seem like a bunch of individuals swimming hundreds of laps up and down a pool, following a black line on the bottom and repeating this 9 times a week, totaling about 20 hours. Who wouldn’t want to quit? However, there’s a lot more to it! Even though the majority of the time we may not show it, we love it. The feeling of accomplishment is such an empowering emotion that it’s hard to walk away from the sport that brings you such intangible joy. The hardship is what makes the glory so much sweeter, especially when you go through it with your teammates. It’s very little wonder why we are so close. When you endure hardship with someone, it usually brings you closer, especially if the outcome is favorable. Well -- with our team, we do this most days of the week, beginning with our first day of freshman year. We endure many harsh days; days where quitting seems to be the light at the end of the tunnel, days where thinking is not an option because your too exhausted, days where the only way to actually make it through the practice is to pull together as a team, as a stronger unit than an individual, to combine your motivation and strength. It is for this reason we are strong and for this reason we hold a strong bond, one that would take a lot to quiver, let alone break.

So to see a teammate have to walk away is a sad notion for us. It is in your freshman year, that you learn so much and especially about your mates. You learn where they come from, their customs, their beliefs and you figure out what made them who they are today and you may not notice it but you’ve probably invested just as much back into them. I think for our freshmen, they realized this yesterday. This happened to me at the end of my freshman year when my best friend had to leave.

But I know this will bring my team together as a stronger unit. They are such a great bunch of guys and I hope they can learn from this experience.

We will miss you Niklas. We appreciate your courage for joining us on this journey and wish you the best. Go do work out there!

Recent Blog Posts

So long my friend
Losing a comrade is a tough notion...

Where has this semester gone?
It seems like it was just yesterday...

Reminders
I’ve always believed that life happens (good or bad)...

The "Bucket" List
I’m sure it’s been said several times before, but I have no idea where the last three years...

Summer
It usually takes a few days for me to get used to everything again, the old friends, the old ways...

Junior Year
Well, this year has come and gone and absolutely flown by.

Easter Break
My four mates and I crammed into a tiny car and hit the road headed toward Satellite Beach, Florida.

It’s time for Special Olympics again!
The swim team is officially in off-season now.

Spring is upon us!
To me, spring is the best time of the year.

A week of anticipation
This past week has been an irritating week for a few of my mates and me.

Conference
It’s that time of the year when my swim team is reaching our “judgment day."

Break
It feels good being back at the Gate for the better half of my junior year.

A Little Reflection
Over my Thanksgiving break, I recently visited Washington, DC.

Thanksgiving break is on its way and I’m excited.
Despite not being American, this has become my favorite holiday.

Homecoming Weekend ‘11
For the last few days I’ve been looking forward to this weekend.

It’s that time of the year…
Festivities are around the corner.

A Needed Break
My full credit semester is mentally taxing and my swimming schedule is taking its toll on my body.

Laila Lalami
Today I was one of the fortunate students to be given a presentation/speech by author Laila Lalami.

Junior Year
My summer break was like a breath of fresh air...

Easter
I remember last year when I went to Myrtle Beach for Easter.

Service
Service is one of Wingate’s top priorities.

Off-Season
I’m halfway through my college swimming experience – that’s crazy!

Education
I’m starting to appreciate the fundamentals of a liberal arts university.

Anticipation for Summer
I feel like I’ve been exposed to the winter season for several years now.

Swimming Conference
It’s really quite a fun event, despite all the pressures that go along with it.

Senior Day Meet
Saturday came and we were ready.

Wingate, My Second Home
Wingate, My Second Home

My Christmas Break
I hadn’t had a break that I felt I deserved more than this recent Christmas break.

Thanksgiving, oh thanksgiving!
This is by far my favorite American holiday.

Homecoming Weekend
The weekend was filled with events taking pace all over campus.

The Importance of the First Throw-Down
I have my first test coming up.

Social Networking
What an awesome movie!

Fall Break
My quote for the break is: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

Taking the Positive Approach
I was in the heart of the Soccer World Cup!

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