Anna Turnquist is a junior studying business with certificates in international business and political risk analysis. Turnquist serves as leader in Dance Marathon, STAR and fraternity and sorority life.
Turnquist came to the university knowing she wanted to get involved with Dance Marathon.
“My high school had a mini dance marathon, so I had already participated in the UIDM 24-hour event twice before I started college,” Turnquist says. “I knew I wanted to get involved so I started leadership roles early, which motivated me really early.”
Through her involvement with UIDM, Turnquist made connections with her peers and got advice from experienced mentors.
“After getting involved in so many things, seeing the same people makes me appreciate the University more, and it kind of unites to create one unique experience,” Turnquist says.
Turnquist says that her friends and peers encouraged her, along with listening to experiences from her orientation leaders and tour guides.
“I was really hesitant, but some of my friends wanted to do recruitment. I expected it to be just like the stereotypical experience, and I feel like it’s a lot more than that now, the people I met have pushed me in all my student org involvement but also just to be a better person,” Turnquist says. “You’re held more accountable to your actions, because if you’re mean, you have to see these girls for four more years.”
Inspired by the UI tour guides and orientation leaders, Turnquist joined Students To Assist Recruitment (STAR).
“I know what new students are going through now, but I was so thankful that I had that help coming into it, and I’m happy to be able to help new students.”
“I know what new students are going through now, but I was so thankful that I had that help coming into it, and I’m happy to be able to help new students.”
Turnquist says the most important lesson she has taken away from her Iowa experience has been time management. Like many other students, Turnquist has had to learn how to juggle class, a part-time job, volunteering, and organization leadership.
“Realizing that self-care is part of that time management is really difficult for me. Self-care is so important, but the UI has pushed it so much, and stressed how important it is, that it has become something that I use in my time management,” Turnquist says.
Turnquist takes full advantage of the opportunity to speak to many new students. Her advice? Try to find your passion by getting involved on campus.
"It seems like you have to have a leadership role to be a leader within an organization and I don’t think that’s the case," Turnquist says. "If you find something you’re passionate about you don’t have to have a position to make it a large portion of your life and do amazing things.”