Embracing Perseverance and Accountability
Jacob Schmoll had three requirements for his college choice: a Christian college with a quality track team and nursing program. He hadn’t heard of Dordt until a friend mentioned it to him. After hearing good things about the school, he decided to visit for himself.
Dordt checked all the boxes for Schmoll. “After I visited campus, I saw that Dordt had each of those things and decided that I would go there."
In Dordt’s nursing program, students get hands-on experience early on in their education. Schmoll says that’s been a highlight for him. “My favorite classes have been the ones that are associated with the clinical experiences,” he says. “Once the clinicals started in the spring of sophomore year, it starts to feel real.”
While Schmoll’s passions aligned with a nursing major, it hasn’t always been easy for him. “My first ever nursing exam did not go well,” says Schmoll. “In nursing, there is an 80% exam average that needs to be met, and I received a 73 percent on that one, so I was starting in the hole.”
He wasn’t discouraged by that, though. “I met with my professor, and she went through the exam with me and helped me figure out how to study better,” he says. “I met with her after each exam, whether pass or fail, and continued to learn. I did pass the course, but not without putting in the work.”
He scored 98% on the final exam for that course.
Schmoll says the nursing program keeps him busy. “I would much rather be busy than bored."
That’s also why he loves being a part of Dordt’s track team, as “it gives me an outlet to physically move and stay in shape. I find that I focus very well after practice and my brain is rested in that way.”
Track has also reinforced his desire to work hard. “In high school, I was a decent runner and competitive in our meets, but I never even made it to state,” says Schmoll.
At Dordt, he remains committed to working hard and hopeful the results will speak for themselves. Between putting forth his best effort, remaining mentally strong, and embracing encouragement from upperclassmen, the hard work has paid off.
“I’ve improved my personal records in the 100 meter and long jump,” says Schmoll. “I also got to participate on the 4-by-100 team at Nationals,” he adds.
Schmoll does find time to escape the busyness, too. One outlet for him is a walk through Dordt’s prairie. Another is a new club he helped establish on Dordt’s campus.
“I am a co-founder and leader of the Pickleball Club,” says Schmoll. “We started it last year, and it has grown from around 40 people last year to around 200 this year.”
Schmoll has been encouraged and motivated by the sense of community at Dordt. “The track team has been a great thing for me to be a part of. I am pushed each day to be the best I can be, and I have seen massive results because of it.”
Really, Schmoll says he can find support and accountability anywhere on campus: “Whether it’s my professors, coaches, or older students, they all want to see me succeed.”
While Schmoll appreciates the accountability on the track and in the classroom, he’s also embraced the challenge of keeping himself accountable in his faith. “Although Dordt is a Christian school, chapel isn't required,” says Schmoll. “No one forces you to go to church or sign up for small groups, so it needs to be your decision.”
Schmoll regularly attends New Hope Church in Orange City. He especially appreciates how the church welcomes and supports college students: “They have an amazing college Sunday school class that is very well taught, and it’s well attended by both Dordt and Northwestern students.”
“Going to church is always a highlight of my week,” adds Schmoll.
Through his experiences on campus, Schmoll says Dordt has helped challenge and shape him to become more grounded in all aspects of his life, but especially in his relationship with Christ.
“My faith has grown at Dordt by truly and fully becoming my own,” says Schmoll.
