Sarah Cadet ‘16

Sarah Cadet

English and Secondary Education major


"Before choosing St. Joseph's University I had to choose whether I wanted to attend this college or Dowling College. I prayed about it and decided to let God choose. In my wait, a former alumni of St. Joseph's and member of my church came to me and was asking about my school choices. I explained to him my situation and he told me how St. Joseph's University was more affordable since they had offered me a scholarship and had a great staff. He said both schools are well known for education but St. Joseph's offered more for less. 

I love reading and writing so English just made sense to me.

"That conversation made me conclude that this had to be my answer and the school I was meant to enroll in was this one. In my experience, the professors here are very caring and awesome mentors. The classes are intimate and the staff are very friendly. 

"The teachers here actually care and want to see you succeed. I found it odd at first how much complete strangers were so willing to work their students. The professors here will work with you as long as you work with them. Meaning, if they see you working and trying then they will push you to succeed.

"I love reading and writing so English just made sense to me. For now I know I want to become an educator. Maybe if I am lucky, there will be a man insane enough to marry me. Then I will have a family and be an educator. 

The teachers here actually care and want to see you succeed. I found it odd at first how much complete strangers were so willing to work their students. The professors here will work with you as long as you work with them. Meaning, if they see you working and trying then they will push you to succeed.

"Before knowing I wanted to be a teacher, my dream job went from being a hairstylist to being a veterinarian. It was always all over the place and changed every time I saw a good movie. After Princess Diaries, I was determined to be a princess and after watching Peter Pan I wanted to be a flying child freeing others from getting old. 

Who was your favorite professor?

"Dr. Phagan of course! In all seriousness, she has been so patient with me when it comes to helping me with class advisement and general advice about everyday life. She has never made me feel forced to agree with her in anything and allowed me to explore my own view on things. I have always found comfort going to her office and I know she is one of the professors God had cross my path."

Favorite book? Quote?

"Sold by Patricia McCormick, Copper Sun by Sharon Draper and Paradise Lost by John Milton.

"I have two [quotes] that I live by:

'For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, and of power, and a sound mind' 2 Timothy 1:7

'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me Philippians 3:14

What has been the biggest influence on your life?

"My mother because she has showed me how so much can be made from so little. She showed me that all you need for success is to have a will to succeed."

Have you been a part of any service activities that were meaningful to you?

"I've been a part of the BASIC [Brothers and Sisters in Christ] worship night which was awesome and relaxing. I was able to see how other people worship God."

What was the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?

"My biggest challenge was my methods course. I remember being up at three in the morning knowing i had to catch the bus in another hour and a half to catch the bus and make it to school. That night I cried so much and questioned if I wanted to be an educator anymore. I had been so swamped with work both from school and my job that I was terribly overwhelmed. I was so anxious and kept stopping because I was just so discouraged. That night was my make it or break it and I am so glad I made it."

What is the best advice someone has ever given you?

"To not lean on my own understanding and trust God. There were times I went all the way to school with just about four dollars and faith that God would provide a way back and He always did. The only reason why I am still here is because I learned to not trust my own abilities but God's."

Aside from content material, what is the best lesson a professor taught you in class?

"To be honest I already received so much. I was able to work with a diverse group of people. I was and still am able to learn how other people think and see things. I have met awesome people of all different backgrounds, beliefs, and religions. This school has really help strengthen a lot of what I believe right now."

What do you do in your spare time?

"I enjoy reading poems and performing spoken word. In my spare time, I am usually with my loved ones or reading some kind of article. Right now I have filled a lot of my spare time with working out. I want to lose weight and have reached an unhealthy weight."

What have you learned about yourself while at St. Joseph's?

"I learned that I am much stronger than I could have ever imagined. I learned that I find more joy in telling the truth then making lies about why I could not complete an assignment. In learning my strengths I also learned my weaknesses. I learned that often, I was my worse enemy and the only one who was stopping me from doing a lot in my life was myself."

 

What inspired you to go into your major?

"I was at a friends house maybe freshman year of high school or a little bit before. We were watching Freedom Writers. This movie is about a teacher who risked a lot both in her personal life and in her career to help students of a lower economic background. She was more to her students than just an educator. She was hope and for some of them their only example of love. I knew I wanted to be that. I want to be that hope for students without hope."

Who would play you in a movie about your life and why?

"Coco Jones and Jennifer Hudson."

If you made front page news, what would be the headline?

"I do not quite know but hopefully it would be something on how I was the first woman to lose so much weight in so little time, prevented loose skin and created a miracle cream that rids all stretch marks. That would be awesome."

Aside from content material, what is the best lesson a professor taught you in class?

"I guess the best lesson I was taught in class was that I had create my own personal philosophy because on the days where I will want to give up, that philosophy will keep me going."