January 6, 2026 by

Hi! I’m Sydney Amrine, and I am from Wichita, Kansas. I am a sophomore student who lives in Bates Hall on campus. Let’s walk through a day in my life as a civil engineering major! 

Late Mornings are a Blessing 

Since I’m a night owl, I like to wake up late. Luckily, I avoided having any morning classes this semester!  

I begin my day by making my bed and taking out my trash to prepare for room checks. (Room checks are when the Resident Director makes sure each room is well kept.)  

I also talked to my mom on Marco Polo, a video messaging app that helps me connect with my family regardless of our differing schedules.  

Starting My Day With Chapel  

I am not a big breakfast person, so I typically skip breakfast or have a quick breakfast bar on my way to chapel. After arriving at chapel, I sit in the balcony with my roommate, Maggie. 

I always appreciate the variation in chapel speakers, as it is nice to hear from people with different perspectives and different speaking styles. My favorite chapels tend to be Dr. White’s, especially because he always has clear and organized notes.  

Hands-On Learning in Civil Engineering Classes 

After chapel, I attend my Civil Engineering Materials class. This class is in the Civil Engineering Center, also known as the CEC. It is a super fun class where we learn about materials used in civil engineering.  

Lunch With Friends 

After class, a group of us get lunch at The Commons, which is a great option for a quick meal without long lines. These group lunches are always entertaining and allow me to get to know my classmates better. Today, I had a one-on-one lunch with my pre-med friend Sarah.

 

Surveying and Statics — My Favorite Courses 

After lunch, I return to the CEC for my Principles of Surveying lecture. This class allows civil engineering students to get a glimpse into the world of surveyors.  

I always look forward to this class because it is a smaller class and more conversational, which leads to some great jokes and personal connections.  

Once my surveying lecture concludes, I walked with a friend from the class to Statics and Mechanics of Materials. This is probably my favorite class this semester because of how challenging it is. 

Exploring Ideas Beyond Engineering 

Then, I walked with Kate, one of my mechanical engineering friends, to our Honors Seminar. I enjoy the Honors Program at Cedarville University because it allows me to take classes that I would not otherwise have in my civil engineering degree.  

The seminar that I am in this semester is on the works of the Russian author Dostoevsky. Last week, I listened to the first section of Crime and Punishment. In class, we broke out into our groups and discussed the various characters.  

Building Community Through Campus Events  

After class, Kate and I decided to go to the Stevens Student Center (SSC) for the Fall Fest at the Campus Store, which included games, snacks, and discounts. I enjoyed hot chocolate as we perused the store before heading our separate ways.  

Growing Spiritually Through My Local Church 

Later in the day, I went to my weekly church group. I always enjoy it when I am able to attend. I go to Gospel Heights church in Huber Heights, a newer church plant from University Baptist Church. 

I never thought I would be at a church plant, but my RA, Ally, invited my roommate, Maggie, and I to attend with her and Mia, another girl in our hall.  

My church group does different activities while meeting weekly. Some weeks we go over the sermon, share a meal, or just participate in the community. This time, I went over to the house of a couple in our group, enjoyed chili, and got to better know other members. 

Balancing Homework, Family, and Faith  

After my fun dinner, I drove back to campus and caught up with my family, then did some homework. I worked on my Civil Engineering Materials lab report and memo as well as on my truss design idea report before getting ready for bed. 

At last, I brushed my teeth and did my devotions. Currently, I have a devotional plan going on my Bible app. I am also working on reading through a book with short devotionals showcasing examples of extreme devotion. I find these real-world examples to be both fascinating and motivating. 

Ready To Start Your 1000 Days at Cedarville? 

If you think civil engineering might be right for you and are interested in attending Cedarville University, go check out our civil engineering program to learn more! 

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