Student Spotlight Isaac Jones

Wow, what a journey! Buckle up because the next six years will be the greatest times of your life. Spoiler alert: You are just a kid who grew up in Oklahoma and find yourself taking two gap years to play junior hockey in Columbus, Ohio. Then you get recruited to play at West Virginia University for the next four years! Crazy, right? But don’t be scared: I will inform you about everything you need to know along the way to ensure your time here is most enjoyable and successful.

(Also, even though you’re only 5-4 now, you will end up growing to 6-1! Be patient – your time will come.

Congrats, you went with your gut! You may remember that you were fascinated with the world of physical therapy after that first surgery in high school. You remember the physical therapist at the clinic being kind and friendly and how that sparked your interest in the field. I am proud of you for taking that summer internship at Athletic Recovery Rehabilitation. That was a smart play, and it really motivated you to learn more about what it takes to become a physical therapist.

At WVU you will find yourself in the College of Applied Human Sciences where you will learn so much about the professional world. You will get connected with great advisors who will help you on your journey to get in to physical therapy school. All the work that you end up doing here at West Virginia University will pay off because you get to end up going back to Oklahoma to attend physical therapy school at Oklahoma City University.

Now that I have spoiled the journey, let’s set some ground rules:
1. Make sure to go to “Up All Night” to stock up on food. It’s free, and free food is important.

2. Get a mini-fridge for yourself. It might seem petty, but it is a good idea to have your food away from your roommates to avoid trouble.

3. E-mail your professors constantly. In high school that might seem kind of strange, but the professors here are really cool and understanding IF you communicate with them.

4. CHEM 116 is a hard class so make sure you attend CLC every chance you get.

5. The beginning of each semester is the most important. Make sure you familiarize yourself with your classes and due dates so you can be ready to weather the upcoming storms.

6. It is best to walk or take a bus to class. This allows you to stay more focused on school instead of worrying about how much time is left on your parking app.

I found these tips the most relevant for finding success here at WVU. Don’t forget them.

I am proud of you and the person we become. Good luck!

Isaac