With a clean, versatile look, this grad-student epitomizes the new kind of girl-on-the-go: ambitious, thoughtful, and wonderfully brainy. The twenty-one year old exercise physiology student from Brooklyn, Ohio, has lofty aspirations and the drive to match. Dreams of visiting Madagascar and going to medical school are only a few of the things Gesing has on the roster for her future and with a bachelor’s degree in biology already under her belt, the possibilities really do seem limitless for her. Here, the impressive graduate student contemplates the benefits of exercise, Steve Madden pumps, and her inspirations.
POISE: Why is it that you decided to come to OU?
BG: When I came to visit I saw how beautiful the campus was and it had that little college town feeling I had always wanted in a university. Also, when I met with a faculty member in the biology department, he said it would be very easy for me to graduate in two years with all of the credit hours I had.
POISE: What was it like to move through your classes so quickly?
BG: I went to a very small school and our academics were not very competitive. There were no AP courses available so I knew that if I wanted to get ahead and challenge myself, I had to do post-secondary. It was also nice to get away from the monotony of high school. When I came to OU, I actually felt that it was easier for me to adapt to the pressure that college places on students and schoolwork because I had already been through it. Although last year was difficult because I was taking all 300 and 400 level courses that are very demanding, while my friends were still in 100 and 200 level course. So comparatively it was much harder.
POISE: Have you always known the career path you wanted to follow?
BG: I’ve always been interested in science, and even though biology has been my focus, I love learning about new scientific ideas and discoveries. When I was younger, I always dreamed about being a doctor and when I came to college, there was no question that biology would be my major. Now I’m trying a new field, exercise physiology, because it’s something that I’ve always been interested in and it integrates biology and working with people. I’ve heard that people go through about seven career changes in life, so right now I’m trying to focus on one, and let the rest of my life guide me through the others.
POISE: How did you figure out how to manage your time so efficiently?
BG: Most of my activities are responsibilities to people and departments that have to be fulfilled. I have a schedule typed up that has everywhere I am supposed to be and at what times and I just stick to the schedule. I definitely need to have a schedule though!
POISE: Any advice to others aspiring to be as productive as you are?
BG: Know your limitations and don’t spread yourself too thin. In addition though, challenging yourself to do things that you think you don’t have time for can be rewarding. By being busy most of the time, I have learned to budget my time effectively and multitask, which I never thought I could do before. Also, don’t cut into personal time. I try to keep my weekends clear so I can spend time with friends and just relax. However, if I have to, I can usually use some of the time to catch up on schoolwork.
POISE: Are there any places in Athens that you particularly love?
BG: I really love Stroud’s Run. My first year at OU I was a coxswain for the women’s crew team and sometimes we would have evening practices and get to be out on the water when the sun was setting. It was amazing! I still love to go out there on beautiful days and just sit in the grass and relax.
POISE: What are your favorite ways to stay in shape?
BG: I’m no longer on the [crew] team but I still keep in touch with the girls on the team because they’ve become some of my best friends. I like to go to ping to workout or go running outside when it’s nice out.
POISE: How do you feel about exercise?
BG: Since I’m studying exercise physiology, I am constantly bombarded by reasons why exercise is beneficial to your health. It really is amazing what exercise can do, from keeping in shape to adding years to your life, so I try to get in as much as possible.
POISE: If you could describe your style in three words, what would they be?
BG: Simple, Versatile, Fresh
POISE: Where do you shop and what are your favorite pieces to buy?
BG: I used to work at American Eagle, so I can always find what I am looking for when I shop there. I really like simple tees, and jeans that can be dressed up or worn when just lying around. I’m also pretty spontaneous when I shop, if I see something I like I have to buy it even though I might not know why I like it, or when I’ll where it
.
POISE: Do you like to shop by yourself or with other people? We all know how unproductive shopping can be if you are (or aren’t) with the wrong people.
BG: I have to shop with people who shop the way I do. I can shop for a long time, just looking around and trying on different things. I have a certain friend that I love to shop with because we both can look around for hours.
POISE: How has your style changed since relocating to Athens?
BG: I’m more fearless about what I wear because my style has matured, and I’ve also learned to dress for the conditions. Since you have to walk everywhere, the shoes have to be tolerable and its always a toss-up whether to bring a coat or not because you probably won’t have a place to put it if you take it off.
POISE: Is there anything you that absolutely cannot live without?
BG: I have two! One, mascara because it brightens my eyes, and two, my brown Steve Madden pumps. I just bought a replacement pair because I had worn the heels off my old ones.
POISE: How do you feel about traveling?
BG: I have a major itch to travel! Unfortunately, since I had to squeeze a lot of classes into my last two years, I could not take the time to study abroad which is definitely something I wish I could have done. After graduation next year I plan on taking some time to see the world.
POISE: Who inspires you?
BG: People inspire me. I love stories about people making the most of their lives, whether they are from friends and family or stories worthy of national recognition. I feel like people making a difference in their lives and the lives of others offers me the most inspiration.
story by Samantha Strahota
photos by Ashley Youkilis
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