Bethany Dyals

Hometown: Guyton, GA

Major: Exercise Science

What made you choose your major? I chose Exercise science to prepare for a future career in Occupational Therapy (OT) as the Exercise Science program at GC instills a strong understanding of how the human body functions, practical and clinical application of course material within everyday life, and the ability to study in a setting that allows for kinesthetic and visual learning. 

What was your favorite class/professor and why? While I loved nearly every professor I had at GC, I’d have to choose Dr. Grazer as my favorite. He was well-rounded and knowledgeable, available to meet and provide assistance when needed, and genuinely cared about each and every one of his students. He created a relaxed learning environment and ensured that his course was taught in a way that addressed every student’s learning style, making my academic experience efficacious, rewarding, and worthwhile.  
My favorite class was Anatomy and Physiology as it provided the foundation for not only my kinesiology classes but also my future career as an OT. I loved being able to take what I learned from this class and my kinesiology courses and apply them to my everyday life as well as apply them to my shadowing and observations of OT treatments. Additionally, A&P was my favorite because I had a professor, Mrs. Robinson, who made learning fun and applicable, and she was always available to her students for anything they needed help with or if they just needed to talk. She was also a wonderful professor to work with while I was one of her SI leaders.

Where was your favorite place on campus? My favorite place on campus was Front campus as it provided a meeting place to hangout with friends, play frisbee and other group games, study outside, and the campus ministries would gather once a year to worship the Lord as a community on Front campus.

What activities were you involved with? I’m an active member and on the leadership team of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) on campus, where I plan and facilitate Tuesday Night worship. Additionally, I am one of the band worship leaders for the ministry. I am also a member of Alpha Lambda Delta honor society. I worked as a supplemental instructor leader for 2 semesters in Anatomy & Physiology I and II, and I also worked as a tutor in the Learning Center for Kinesiology and Biology courses. Off campus, I was a private tutor for French, algebra, and literature in addition to volunteering with the Pre-K ministry and leading a middle school girls’ small group at my local church.

What was one of your favorite moments at Georgia College? My favorite memory at GC isn’t just one but rather a combination of all the times I could walk across campus or into the library and see so many of my friends. I loved the small feel of the university and the ability to meet so many people while also building life-long relationships and friendships with those around me who I’d see on a daily basis whether or not that meeting was planned. 

What do you plan to do after completing this semester?
After this semester, I will be attending Augusta University’s Occupational Therapy program, where I will graduate with an MHSOT. I hope to one day work in the school system with children with special needs as I assist in their path to independence and their preparation to, one day, join the workforce. I look forward to a career in OT.