Michaela exceeds bar that college sets

Michaela Blow is president of the Black Student Union at Claflin University.

Michaela Blow wakes up every day at 7 a.m. to begin her day no matter what time her first class at Claflin University starts.

She makes sure she has more than enough time to eat, shower, get dressed and even study for a class.

She leaves the house around 9:15 a.m. for her 15-minute walk to campus for her first class at 10 a.m., but that’s only on days she has early classes.

Not only does she start her days early, she makes sure she arrives at class at least 20 minutes early because she lives for being on time. “Early bird gets the worm,” she said.

She’s not like many college students. After class, she still finds a way to be productive because, according to her, “There’s always something that needs to get done,”

Michaela is so big on being the “bookworm” and “early bird” that she is because her necessary tactics have gotten her so far in life already.

She is rarely ever in her dorm room. Her dedication to school extends to taking advantage of any school-related opportunity she feels will benefit her.

For Michaela, success in college means striving for success in her future, so she does not settle for less. She strives to exceed the standard bar that’s been set in college.

“I am a Posse scholar with a full-tuition leadership scholarship,” she said. “I’m a rising junior studying politics and I have managed to maintain straight A’s since my freshman year,”

Michaela doesn’t believe in breaks. She’s the type of student who stays up all night just to make sure she has consumed enough information to succeed.

“You pay for college, so you have to put in the work and get your money’s worth,” she said.

This is the everyday life of Michaela. She barely has free time because she’s always being productive in some way.

In addition to dedication to her studies and earning a spot on the dean’s list, she is also president of the Black Student Union, a student intern and program director of a tutoring and mentoring program, treasurer of the NAACP chapter, membership development chair of the Student Activities Board and a campus tour guide.

Michaela has also taken on fun activities to fill her schedule and build her resume.

She joined the step team and has been committed to it ever since. “I absolutely love what I do and wouldn’t trade it for the world,” she said.

She shows her dedication daily and doesn't let anyone get in the way of what she does.

Michaela Blow grew up in a town called Fort Washington in Maryland. She attended Friendly High School with straight A’s. But she didn't have the easiest life.

That’s her biggest influence on why she’s so hard on herself and fully dedicated to school now. She pushes herself to “prevent her future from being anything like her childhood.”

“Without God, none of this would be possible,” she said.