Adonis Hernandez-Solano, a Rider University Actuarial Club president, shares how he balances exam prep, campus leadership, and personal life while studying for MAS-I.
Hello everyone! My name is Adonis, and I am a junior actuarial science major at Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. As someone who has been involved on campus throughout college, I have learned a lot about how to balance academics, actuarial exams, and my personal life.
Treat Studying Like a Class
First, I treat studying for exams like a class. Just like I spend a few hours each day in class, I do the same when I study. When I prepared for Exams FM and P, I blocked off dedicated weekly study hours and stuck to that schedule. Now that I am studying for MAS-I, I am doing the same. Sticking to this routine helps me stay consistent and grounded.
Sticking to this routine helps me stay consistent and grounded.
Align Leadership Roles with Your Goals
Second, I align my leadership roles with my goals. As the founder and current president of Rider University's Actuarial Club, I create opportunities that directly support students pursuing actuarial careers.
Whether it is workshops or networking and internship events, my goal is to build a community that makes the actuarial path feel less intimidating and less overwhelming. Leading the club allows me to give back while reinforcing my understanding of the material and strengthening my leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
My goal is to build a community that makes the actuarial path feel less intimidating and less overwhelming.
Make Time for Yourself
Last, I make time for myself. Although passing actuarial exams is important, maintaining a healthy balance in college is essential. I know I am only going to experience college once, so I try to enjoy the journey while staying focused on my goals.
That means making time for friends, campus involvement, and moments to improve my physical and mental well being or simply relax. As a brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon, I attend philanthropic and social events after completing my work. I also go to the gym every day, usually at the same time, but on stressful study days I use that time to reset before getting back to work.
Finding balance takes time. It may not happen in one semester. It could take a year or more. But setting strategies and focusing on what truly matters will help you create a balance that works for you.
Finding balance takes time. It may not happen in one semester. It could take a year or more.
About the Author
Adonis Hernandez-Solano is a junior actuarial science major at Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ. He has passed Exams P and FM and is currently preparing for Exam MAS-I, which he plans to take this August. Last summer, he interned at Verisk, a data analytics firm, as an actuarial intern at its Jersey City headquarters, and he will be returning this upcoming summer. On campus, Adonis is the founder and president of the Actuarial Club, a brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, a former community assistant, and former vice president of the Men's Club Soccer Team. A fun fact about him is that he has played the saxophone for 10 years.