We are asking Boise State students 32 questions to see why they chose Boise State, how they stay involved, what a day-in-the-life looks like and more rapid-fire questions – all filmed in a single shot.
In this episode, we joined business student, lifestyle influencer and fitness instructor, Caroline Manning, as she sets up for her weekly barre class at Campus Rec. She shares her favorite memories and experiences she’s had at Boise State. From her favorite spots to study on campus to her personal goals and aspirations, Caroline spills all in these 32 questions.
Full Video Transcript
(Title Slide: 32 Questions with Caroline)
(Caroline Manning is in the lobby of the Rec Center at Boise State University. She picks up a basket of supplies and begins walking.)
Student Life: Oh. Hey, Caroline. Are you ready for your 32 questions?
Caroline: Yes. Let’s do it.
Student Life: What building are we in right now?
Caroline: We are at Boise State University’s Rec Center right now.
Student Life: And what are you up to?
Caroline: I’m about to go teach two shifts, a barre. I’ve got one at 4:30 and then one at 5:30. Should be fun.
Student Life: So fun! What is one of your favorite songs to program in your barre classes?
Caroline: Right now, definitely Heartburn by Wafia, but specifically the Jerami Remix.
Student Life: Oh, it’s such a good pick. So you’re an instructor on top of being a student. What does your weekly schedule look like?
Caroline: Every week looks different depending on my school load, depending on what my internship requirements are, my schedule for barre, and then also what content I decide to pump out that week. It just depends.
Student Life: What’s a passion of yours outside of your academics?
Caroline: Songwriting! Also playing piano. Fuse the two together and create some songs. That’s it.
Student Life: What would you say is your dream job?
Caroline: Ooh, probably to be my own CEO one day. I think running my own business would be the best thing ever.
(Carolyn turns to walk up a staircase and pauses in front of Boise State’s climbing gym)
Student Life: What’s a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know?
Caroline: When I was seven, I auditioned for Disney Channel. Not a lot of people know that one.
Student Life: That’s so interesting. So what brought you to Boise State?
Caroline: Oh, honestly, kind of random, but when I was little, I grew up in the Bay area. We moved either to Texas or Boise. Those were the two options. Ended up moving to Austin, Texas, which was great. I loved growing up there, but I always kind of knew that I wanted to be here. And so that’s how I ended up here.
Student Life: And what is your major?
Caroline: My major is entrepreneurship minor in marketing.
Student Life: Who is the person who has significantly impacted your time here?
Caroline: Alex Richman, best professor ever. He taught BUS101, and he’s the whole reason why I stayed through and stuck with COBE.
Student Life: Awesome. So what is your biggest tip on how you balance your content creation and schoolwork?
Caroline: Honestly, it’s my handwritten planner. Saves me so much stress.
Student Life: What is the best place to study at Boise State?
Caroline: Got to say the fourth floor library. Yeah, once you go up there, you’ll recognize the ambiance is just perfect for studying. Also, the views are incredible of the greenbelt.
(Carolyn walks through the doorway into the barre classroom and sets down the basket.)
Student Life: Have you ever studied abroad?
Caroline: I have. Sophomore year, I went on a semester at sea. So I did college on a ship with 600 other kids. And it was awesome. We went to three continents. And yeah, my appreciation for the world grew so much more.
Student Life: That is so cool. What was your favorite place you visited during the semester at sea?
Caroline: Cape town, South Africa. The people there were just incredible.
(Carolyn opens the supply closet and begins setting up Barre equipment.)
Student Life: What is your favorite thing you’ve been involved in at Boise State?
Caroline: Honestly, I’d probably say the supply chain management competition. I competed in it this year, and even though my teammates and I didn’t take first place, we still made the most out of it. And I learned a lot.
Student Life: What is your favorite thing about living in Boise?
Caroline: The Greenbelt. 100%.
Student Life: What is one word you would use to describe your Boise State experience so far?
Caroline: Wholesome. Very wholesome.The people here, the community, yeah, even all my professors. They’ve been great.
Student Life: Boise State football or basketball?
Caroline: Oh, that’s easy. Come on. Football. 100%.
Student Life: Great choice. I agree. What is your favorite restaurant in Boise?
Caroline: Wilder. If you ever go, you have to get the Honey Badger pizza. Get a side of ranch, maybe some chili flakes. You’re going to thank me later.
Student Life: That’s on. So good. What is your Boise hot take?
Caroline: The geese man. The geese. They don’t like me. I don’t like them. It’s kind of a come to accept it. Especially during spring. They go a little crazy. Those guys are vicious.
Student Life: What is your favorite season in Boise and why?
Caroline: 100% fall. Coming from Texas, we had crazy hot summers, but we did not have fall. And so nothing beats the red yellow orange foliage here.
(Carolyn begins stretching in preparation for class.)
Student Life: Yeah. What is your favorite spot on campus?
Caroline: Got to say, right outside of the business building, there’s this little courtyard area. I love getting a couple of my friends together just studying. Or even if you’re by yourself, just plug in some headphones, chill out, put your feet up on another chair. It’s like the best vibe.
Student Life: What is one thing every Boise State student should check off of their bucket list?
Caroline: You have to float the river. I don’t care when you do it. Whether you’re a freshman and you want to make new friends. That’s how I met one of my best friends. Or just do it in the summer. Seriously.
Student Life: What are you looking forward to most in the rest of your time at Boise State?
Caroline: I think all the little things, like getting ready for football games with your girlfriends, if you’re in a sorority, going to those events, or even just meeting new people and finding maybe lifelong friends randomly each time a new semester starts. Yeah.
Student Life: So you’ve been posting videos on YouTube for a while now. What would you say is your most viral video?
Caroline: So there’s this video of my sister and I, and she’s reacting to a song that I wrote for her when I was 14 years old. And it’s kind of like a going away song. So I titled it Dear Sister Leaving for College, and right now it’s sitting at 14 million views, and there’s lots of tears that were shed in that video.
Student Life: Oh, that is so sweet.
Caroline: Yeah.
Student Life: How do you gather inspiration for your songwriting?
Caroline: It happens at the most random moments. Someone actually asked me this the other day, and I explained that sometimes when I’m on a flight, mid-flight, I’ll just grab a Southwest Airlines napkin and start writing down ideas, or I’ll be in bed and I’ll just randomly wake up, start opening my notes app, and just write down random ideas. Yeah.
Student Life: What is one of the biggest lessons you learned in college so far?
Caroline: You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. So you could pack all your stuff up, move your life here and start college. But if you don’t show up to class, if you don’t put yourself out there to make new friends, you’re not going to get anything out of your experience.
Student Life: Amazing advice. What is the piece of advice you give to someone who’s feeling homesick?
Caroline: Honestly, doing little movie date nights is the best. I do these with my parents. You can also like Netflix share, I’m pretty sure, and start movies at the same time, so it kind of makes feeling homesick a lot better.
Student Life: What is something you would tell your younger self applying to college?
Caroline: Say yes to more things. I wish that I had done that more my freshman year, but seriously, saying yes to more things made all of the difference. Say yes to the ski trips here. Say yes to the random waterfall hikes. I actually went on one a week ago and I made six new friends, so there you go. If that’s any inspiration for you.
Student Life: And what’s the piece of advice you’ve received that’s really stuck with you?
Caroline: You are the closest five people to you, so let that soak in. Let it render in the head. Because seriously, it can be so easy to get lost in the sauce, get caught up with people who lead you down the wrong path. Surround yourself with five really great people.
Student Life: All right, last question. I’ll let you get your class started. What is a goal you’re currently working towards?
Caroline: I’m actually working on an album right now, so fingers crossed. If I can get this done by the end of the year, I think my life would be made. Yeah.
Student Life: That’s amazing.
Caroline: Well, thanks for hanging out with me today.
Student Life: Oh my gosh, thank you. Have a great class.
Caroline: Thanks. Bye.
(Title slide: Boise State University)
A Few Questions with Caroline
So you’re an instructor on top of being a student. What does your weekly schedule look like?
Every week looks different depending on my school load, depending on what my internship requirements are. My schedule for barre, and then also what content I decide to pump out that week. It just depends.
What brought you to Boise State?
Oh, honestly. I’m kind of random, but when I was little, I grew up in the Bay area. We moved either to Texas or Boise. Those were the two options. Ended up moving to Austin, Texas, which was great. I loved growing up there, but I always kind of knew that I wanted to be here. So that’s how I ended up here.
What’s a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know?
When I was seven, I auditioned for Disney Channel. Not a lot of people know that one.
About Campus Rec Classes
Explore the campus Rec center with Caroline Manning as she sets up to teach her weekly barre class.
Campus Recreation holds more than just a gym. Fitness classes, like Caroline’s barre class, are offered at no additional cost to full-time students. Explore classes, club and intramural sports, and the Outdoor Program trips.