'25-'26 Dev Corner: Creating Routine

November 8, 2025

Hello Troy Phi!!!!!! I hope you all handled midterm season very well and are excited to wrap the closing months of the semester. Troy Phi just had our family weekend tailgate, and turnout was nothing short of great. This event reminded me of how balance can help us approach our workloads and relieve stress. After a relatively rough week of exams myself, I needed to find a way to forget about it and just have fun. My primary way of unwinding is going to the gym and bonding with my friends. To me, the gym is a way to free my mind, doing whatever I please in between sets. This can be scrolling on TikTok or Reels, running into someone I know, or zoning out while my playlist blesses my ears.

As an accounting major, the moderate to difficult workload has allowed me to find a passion for lifting weights. Transitioning from a high school athlete to a full-time student was a challenge a first. I missed staying at school late for baseball practices, and now that the majority of my time has become devoted to studies, the gym has newly replaced my athletic passion. Given that I go often, I have learned how to be consistent to grow as an individual. Next semester, I will consider trying out for the USC powerlifting team, hence lifting 5-6 days a week is a bonus at the moment. I continue to build strength in order to achieve my goal. 

Many students have different majors and paths ahead of them, ranging from working a full-time job to undergrad to attending graduate school for further post-secondary education. I fall under the former, attending recruiting events and almost anything Marshall hosts. 

Spending as much time as possible outside of the room allows me to develop interpersonal skills that are essential to the world that lies beyond graduation. It helps with the internship search, professional development, and even just getting your name out there. Last year, that is exactly what helped me land a freshman summer opportunity I had coveted so early on in the year. The seemingly simple routine of attending class, going to the gym, and networking with professionals at speaker events has provided me with character development that I would not have foreseen as a high school senior. Given that everyone has various backgrounds and interests, these hobbies and habits will differ from person to person. 

As a college student, developing a plan to navigate the semester is crucial. By forming one that makes you happy and proud, you’ll continue thriving. Troy Phi has shown me that goals aren’t about achievements, but the people and practices that fuel us to improve every day. I am grateful to be in a community that values balance and connection. I hope everyone had a great weekend and is ready to tackle another week!

Signing off,

Teddy Gapuzan, Director of Development Intern