By Avery Moulton – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law graduate Elly Van Waveren has started her college career at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida.

Van Waveren is playing club soccer and is majoring in Business Management. 

“I wake up around 8:00 to get ready for my classes that start at 9:00,” Van Waveren said. “For the rest of the day I try to make time for a lot of studying and then working out and seeing my friends.”

Van Waveren has adjusted to the change very well. She makes herself a schedule and plans out her day so she isn’t stressed or overwhelmed.

“The transition from high school to college is smoother than I thought it would be,” Van Waveren said. “The main thing with transitioning is you need to find a routine that works for you and stick with it.”

Van Waveren tries to manage school and soccer but still has a social life.

“It is very hard to manage everything going on in college,” Van Waveren said. “I try to set goals for what work I want to get done each day and I am motivated to get it done so I have free time to do what I want.”

Head coach Mrs. Francisco helped Van Waveren with the preparation for college. During Van Waveren’s senior privilege, they would spend the whole time researching different schools to find the best fit for her.

“We would sit together and research different schools that had what she wanted to major in and also a D3 soccer program because she wanted to try and play in college,” Francisco said. “ helped her write emails to different coaches, and put together a highlight film.”

Francisco is very proud of Van Waveren and loves to hear about the things she accomplishes in college. 

When Van Waveren isn’t in class or at soccer, she spends her time at the beach, the pool, and enjoying the heat in Florida. 

“My favorite part about college is the warm weather and all the things you can do in South Florida,” Van Waveren said. “If my friends and I get our work done, we can just go to the pool on campus and relax.”

She has a clean start to college at Nova Southeastern, but being far from home isn’t easy.

“I miss my family and my friends the most being at college,” Van Waveren said. “It is hard to be away from them for this long but I make sure to always stay in touch and call them all the time.”