A Change of Scenery
Growing up in a big city was a fun experience for Tristyn Forde, but it always left him curious about what life somewhere else would be like.
Now in his second year at Midland University, Tristyn is experiencing life in the Midwest and loving it.
“I grew up in New York City, and I loved being in a big city. But the reason I left the East Coast is because I wanted to know what else was out there. I’m interested in business, and I wanted to see how different the business world is in other places. People and mindsets are different, and if I only learned about businesses in New York City, my mindset would not be as wide as it is now.”
Tristyn is a junior majoring in Business Management and Marketing. Along with his future as a businessman, Tristyn was also drawn to Midland by the bowling team. “There are a lot of good bowling colleges on the East Coast, but you have more opportunities to become a professional bowler in the Midwest. I had heard of a couple professional bowlers who came from Midland, so I knew the university had great success. Being on the professional tour would be great, but that isn’t really my focus right now.”
Tristyn’s bowling prowess earned him a scholarship to Mount Mercy College in Iowa, but the school lacked the variety he was searching for. “It was a great school academically, but I didn’t feel like I belonged there. It was a school made up mostly of people from the area and surrounding states. When I transferred to Midland, I met people from all over the country and all over the world.”
While switching schools midstream is never an easy decision, Tristyn has felt a strong connection with Midland since his arrival. “Coming to Midland, people treat each other like family, even if they don’t know you. It feels good to have other people who share the same mindset as I do. I’ve enjoyed the competition on the bowling team, and it makes me want to be better both as a bowler and a student. There are so many athletes on campus, and they all have a competitive mindset, so it makes you want to get better.”
Coming from a bowling family, Tristyn has always felt at home in the bowling centers. His parents got him interested at a young age, and that love for the game has stayed with him throughout his life. “To me, it’s more than just a job where you go out and throw a ball at some pins. You have to be willing to put in the work and get better, but most of all, you have to have fun. If you don’t have that love, you won’t excel or get better.”
Being a student-athlete offers its share of challenges, and Tristyn has learned to find a healthy balance between the two. “You have to manage your time, and it can be a bit overwhelming at times. You know what you’ve signed up for as a student-athlete, and although it can be a mental strain, what helps power you through is that you know you are given the resources here to succeed.”
After graduation, Tristyn plans on extending his education and will pursue his masters degree. Following that, a new adventure awaits on another coast.
“My end goal is to be on the West Coast. I love the people out there, and you get the feel of the big city, but nature as well. I’d love to have a business of my own or be high-ranking in a business.”
Tristyn Forde is a junior Business Management and Marketing major from New York City.
