Stefanie Schmitz graduated in June from Eleanor Roosevelt College with a double major in Language Studies and Music. A clarinet and saxophone player, she started her own band, Right Foot Blue, in her sophomore year with seven other UCSD students. She also served as director of the Pep Band and studied abroad in France. She is the recipient of the Oceanids Award for service based on her outstanding service to the university.

1.What were your first impressions of UC San Diego? 

Schmitz: What a gorgeous campus with such fantastic weather!  It was a little intimidating at first, but I quickly learned my way around campus and it became home.  Everyone I met was so welcoming and enthusiastic which made the transition easy.  I found that there was always something going on at UCSD.  I'm a big music geek and I was able to find several groups and ensembles to play in right away. 

2. What was it like to start your band, Right Foot Blue, at UCSD?  

Schmitz: It was the best thing I ever did! Being a part of many clubs and groups at UCSD made it easy to meet and connect with people. I found an awesome group of musicians and we made a great team, playing what we love. Our loyal friends and groupies came to see us play all over campus and supported us when we made it into a Battle of the Bands at the Price Center! The chance to be creative and rock out with an amazing group of people up on stage was really a dream come true for me.  

3. Which professors had the biggest impact on your education? 

Schmitz: All of my music professors. Most of my music classes were small enough that we got lots of individual attention and outside help. My professors really went above and beyond what was expected of them in order to help us fully grasp the material. They were extremely passionate about what they taught which made us eager to understand it all.  

4. What advice would you give to an incoming freshman student about succeeding at UC San Diego?

Schmitz: Be open to new things and ideas!  College is the place you're supposed to figure yourself out, so try everything and be willing to change.  Always jump at opportunities, no matter how scary they might seem.   I didn't declare my major until the end of my 2nd year, and by the end of my 4th, I decided I wanted another major!  So I stayed a 5th year and graduated with a double major.  You never know what's going to come up. 

5. What are some "out of the classroom" life lessons you learned as a UC San Diego student? 

Schmitz: I learned a lot by being on my own for the first time. I learned how to manage my time and money, and how to motivate myself. Sharing a room taught me patience and tolerance. I got to know the UCSD and San Diego area by going out and getting lost a lot. And I learned so much about the world and people in general by surrounding myself with the most diverse and amazing people from all over. I still haven't learned my lesson about procrastination, but I'm working on that one.

6. What are your favorite spots on campus? 

Schmitz: Porter's Pub is my favorite place to hang out after a long day.  You don't have to be 21 and they make the best sandwiches on campus.  I like walking to the cliffs or the gliderport to get a great view of the ocean and the sunset.  And it's fun to catch an ocean view from the top of Geisel or one of the tall buildings in Muir or Revelle.  Don't forget the farmer's market every Tuesday! 

7. What surprised you most about campus life? 

Schmitz: I was surprised at the number of people I got to know right away. The proximity of the residence halls, combined with things like Instant Messenger and the Facebook, made it so easy to connect with people and find things in common. Before I knew it, I was living in a community where I knew most everyone and had dinner with different and interesting people every night. Some of those people remained good friends of mine throughout college and I know we'll keep in touch.

8. What was it like to transition from UC San Diego student to alumna? 

Schmitz: After spending so much time at UCSD, it was weird to think that I had to leave the place where I spent so much time and that I was no longer a student anymore.  My friends and I kept joking, "Remember that time back in college?" and it sounded so silly.  But now that I've walked across that stage, and some time has passed, it's sunk in that that chapter of my life is over.  I still keep in touch with friends and professors, and I'll be back to visit.  I'm excited now for something completely new in my life.

9. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Schmitz: Probably starting my 5th career!  Instead of narrowing my search while at UCSD, I lengthened my list of career ideas and I'd like to try them all.  I'm guessing in 10 years I will have already been a music teacher, lived and worked in France for a while as a translator, become a sex educator in schools, gone to grad school to study conducting, conducted a huge symphony, and become a public speaker.  By that point, my band will be so huge that I'll spend the rest of my life touring the world.