November 3, 2026 by

 

Hello, my name is Keziah Schuler, and I’m a sophomore linguistics major with a concentration in modern languages. 

I am a commuter who lives in downtown Springfield, Ohio, with my family. I grew up on the Gulf Coast in Chickasaw, Alabama, and moved to Ohio with my family in 2023. 

I’m going to take you through my typical Monday as a Cedarville University student! 

Morning Routine 

My day as a college student starts at 7 a.m., when I get up and have my quiet time. 

I’ve been reading through the Old Testament for a while now and have reached the book of Job, which is particularly exciting for me, as it is where my name is from (Job 42:14). 

I have also been praying through my church directory because membership is very important to my local church, Cornerstone Baptist, and praying for members is a great way to get to know everyone in your home church. 

Next, I make my bed and get dressed. I love dressing up for every day of school because I have so many cool outfits from local thrift stores and pieces of jewelry that my little sister makes for me that I want to enjoy. 

I tidy my room, pack my things for the day, and head to breakfast. 

Family Breakfast 

My dad makes breakfast (he makes muffins on Mondays!), and then our family does Bible reading.  

We have been reading one chapter most weekdays, and we have reached Titus.  

Once we finish our Bible reading, I pack my lunch for the day (usually a grilled sandwich, an apple, and some fresh veggies from my mom’s garden) and leave for school. 

Image of a family made up of a dad, a mom, two teenagers, and one college student, eating breakfast together around a kitchen table.

Morning Class and Chapel 

Once I arrive on campus, I head straight for my first class — Old Testament Literature. Dr. Dunham is a great professor and explains hard-to-understand topics in the Old Testament well by connecting them to New Testament truths. 

Image of an open Bible that has been highlighted and written in along with a hand writing notes on a piece of notebook paper.

Next, I head to chapel. A variety of speakers are invited to speak in chapel, and I always appreciate when one of our faculty speaks in chapel because of their thoughtfulness. During worship, I especially look forward to hearing student orchestras like the Wind Symphony play. 

I can struggle with chapel due to sensory reasons, so last semester I visited the on-campus Counseling Services, and they recommended I check out the accommodations the Cove can provide. The Cove suggested sitting in overflow and wearing headphones, which helps.   

More Classes 

After chapel, I have Intro to Speech with Dr. Fultz. He is a very encouraging professor, and the skills I have learned in that class, such as establishing credibility through confidence and clear communication with friends and acquaintances, have already found real-world applications in my life. 

For my last class of the day, I have Elementary Arabic with Dr. Wright.  

I had no experience with Arabic prior to this class, and I have really enjoyed learning a foreign language from scratch. Dr. Wright is patient and consistent with all her students. 

One of my favorite pastimes is learning other people’s languages, which is why I decided to major in linguistics.  

Lunch 

Once Arabic class ends, I eat lunch with a faculty member because we are in the same building around the same time.

We discuss the chapel message, how classes are going, and future life plans. 

I find these conversations to be both comforting and encouraging, as I have learned that God can use all kinds of interests and callings for His glory.  

Study Time 

After lunch, I study in the Centennial Library for two or three hours before work.  

I find this large chunk of time useful for working on big assignments and studying for tests, and I have the added bonus of being near the main collection and the course reserves.  

I always try to sit near the front of the library so I can wave to my friends, but if I have work that I need to focus on in complete silence, I will go downstairs near the windows where there are silent zones.  

Student Employment 

My shift at the library starts at 5 p.m. I am a circulation assistant, and I absolutely adore my job. I spend most of my time checking out reserve material like textbooks for courses, whiteboards and markers, and portable batteries to students.

I also help students with basic research questions by using the library’s databases and give directions for where to find a book or study room.  

When my coworkers and I aren’t helping patrons directly, we reshelve returned books and make sure the books already on the shelves are in the correct order so that library materials can be easily located. 

Image of three library employees taking a selfie in front of a bookshelf.

Dinner, Family Time, and Evening Routine 

My shift at the library ends at 7:15 p.m., after which I drive home. Once home, I will have supper with my family, and work on some more homework. 

I try to spend a bit of time resetting my room, packing my bag, and picking out the next day’s outfit so I can wind down for the evening in an orderly space and wake up feeling prepared.  

My roles differ between school and home. At school, I am a student and a peer whose main focus is on studying. But once I arrive home, my roles shift to older sister.  

I have three younger siblings in high school who all require my attention during their late-night debriefs of how their days went. Sometimes, while I sit and listen and react appropriately, I work on a jigsaw puzzle or do something else soothing before bed.

Alternately, I will prepare my lesson plans and materials for a sewing class I am teaching at an after-school program in Springfield while I listen.  

Being able to spend time with my family in such a meaningful way is my favorite part of being a commuter.  

While my days are busy, they remain manageable, and I am happy to be getting an education in an environment that is set on giving me the tools I need to succeed by building up both my spiritual and my academic growth while still being able to prioritize my family.  

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