Balancing college life and a professional internship wasn’t easy for Emily Simonton, a business administration major with a concentration in marketing and management at Monmouth University. Each Monday, she woke up at 4:30 a.m. to commute from Long Branch to her internship at The Millennium Alliance in New York City, a journey that tested her endurance, discipline, and determination. Through early mornings, heavy workloads, and moments of doubt, Simonton transformed her struggles into strength, proving that perseverance can turn even the toughest challenges into opportunities for growth.
When Simonton accepted an internship at The Millennium Alliance, she didn’t anticipate how challenging it would be to balance her responsibilities. As a college junior at Monmouth University, she already had her hands full with classes, group projects, and the chaotic energy of living off-campus with eight roommates. Adding a 4:30 a.m. wake-up call and a two-hour commute to New York every Monday seemed almost impossible.
“At first, I thought, I can handle this—how hard could it be,” Simonton said. “But reality hit me hard. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and constantly worried I’d fall behind.”
Her Mondays started long before sunrise, creeping out of her shared house to avoid waking her roommates. With a planner full of deadlines and a laptop bag packed with homework, she boarded the 5:00 a.m. train from Long Branch, trying to mentally prepare for the day ahead. The train became a quiet bubble, filled with other sleepy commuters, but for Simonton, it was the first hurdle of the day.
“I would sit there on the train, so stressed about everything,” Simonton said. “I wasn’t just juggling two worlds—I felt like I was failing at both.” The weight of unfinished assignments, upcoming exams, and internship responsibilities often felt like too much to handle.
Even the little things began to pile up: the struggle to find professional outfits in a packed schedule, last-minute rushes to prepare presentations, and the constant battle to carve out moments for herself. Her housemates, while supportive, would tease her about her frantic Monday routine, often reminding her she’d left a trail of coffee cups or forgotten her keys in her rush out the door.
“It wasn’t just about time,” Simonton explains. “It was about energy. I felt like there wasn’t enough of me to go around, and that was terrifying.”
But deep down, Simonton knew she couldn’t quit. “I kept telling myself that this was temporary—that every struggle was teaching me something,” she said. “Even though I felt like I was running on empty, I knew I had to find a way to keep going.”
The first few weeks were particularly tough. Simonton often found herself sacrificing sleep to finish assignments, only to arrive at the internship feeling drained and unprepared for the fast-paced environment. On some days, she struggled to keep up with the demands of her internship, and by the time she returned home late Monday evening, her to-do list seemed even longer. Homework deadlines loomed, group projects piled up, and she often found herself battling the overwhelming fear of falling behind.
“I’d be so tired during class that I wasn’t absorbing the material,” she admits. “It felt like I was constantly running on empty, trying to give 100% to both school and my internship, but not doing either as well as I wanted to.”
At work, the pressure to perform weighed heavily on her. Simonton worried that her supervisor and colleagues might notice her fatigue and question her commitment. “I wanted to make a great impression, but some days, I felt like I was barely holding it together,” she said.
Simonton knew she needed to make a change if she was going to succeed in both her internship and her academics. The turning point came during a particularly chaotic Monday when she missed her train and arrived late to work. “That was my wake-up call,” she said. “I realized I needed to take control of my schedule instead of letting it control me.”
At school, Simonton’s grades improved as she learned to work smarter, not harder. She created time for her coursework without sacrificing the quality of her internship contributions. Surprisingly, she even found moments to bond with her housemates, sharing stories about her hectic Mondays over late-night snacks in their crowded kitchen.
Her roommate, Julia Puluka, admired Simonton’s transformation. “Watching Emily go through all of this has been inspiring,” Julia said. “She’s shown all of us what it means to stay determined. Even on the craziest days, she never gave up—and somehow still found time to laugh with us about it afterward.”
“It wasn’t easy, but I learned so much about myself,” Simonton said. “I realized I’m stronger and more capable than I thought, and having my friends cheer me on made all the difference.”
For Simonton, the struggles were worth it. Her weekly trips to Manhattan became more than just a commute—they were a testament to her ability to persevere.
“I used to think balancing school and an internship was impossible,” she said. “Now, I see it as one of the most valuable experiences of my life.”
Her time at The Millennium Alliance helped her gain confidence in her ability to succeed in a fast-paced, professional environment. Meanwhile, her struggles taught her resilience and time management, skills she’ll carry with her into her future career in digital marketing.
“If I’ve learned anything, it’s that struggles aren’t roadblocks—they’re stepping stones,” Simonton said. “Every challenge I faced brought me closer to the person I want to be.”
Today, Simonton still reflects on those challenging Monday commutes. They weren’t just a part of her Mondays, they were part of her growth and a testament to her resilience.
“Balancing school and an internship wasn’t easy, but I’m grateful for the lessons it taught me,” she said. “Now, I know I can handle whatever comes my way—even if it means waking up at 4:30 a.m.”
Those early mornings and long train rides taught Simonton more than just time management and professionalism. They showed her the importance of perseverance and adaptability. “I learned how to focus on what matters and let go of the small things that used to stress me out,” she said. “That shift in perspective made me not only a better student and intern but also a more confident person.”
Through the ups and downs, Simonton discovered a deeper sense of grit and determination that kept her going. “Looking back now, I’m proud of how I didn’t let those tough moments define me,” she said. “Instead, I let them push me to be better.”
Simonton also recognizes the value of the relationships she built along the way. Her mentor, coworkers, professors, and even her roommates played a part in her journey, offering advice, support, and encouragement when she needed it most. “It wasn’t just about proving to myself that I could do it—I had an entire support system cheering me on, and that made all the difference,” she said.
Looking ahead, Simonton feels ready to tackle whatever challenges lie ahead. Whether it’s the fast-paced world of digital marketing or another demanding role in a big city, she knows she has the skills and mindset to succeed. “Those Mondays taught me that growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone,” she said. “And if you can stay committed, even when it feels impossible, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.
