Welcome to our Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN): Day in the Life series! This series is part of our innovative UF/FSHN Careers Advancement Project (CAP), which captures what it’s really like to earn degrees in food science, nutritional sciences, and dietetics. This project can help you discover your career passion through learning about the daily lives of students and professionals in food science and human nutrition.
Today’s topic: experience a day in the life of a second-year food science undergraduate student.
Our guest is Arianna Wittkorn, a soon-to-be third-year undergraduate student in the food science program at the University of Florida. Arianna is also a winner of the FSHN Rising Star Award. In this day-in-the-life feature, Arianna describes a typical weekday during her second year of college. Read on to learn why she changed her major after a lot of self-reflection, demonstrating how to be flexible in your academic pursuits while staying true to your values and passions.
Meet Our UF/FSHN CAP Guest
Name: Arianna Wittkorn
Year: Entering third year/Junior year
Major: Food Science
Hometown: Winter Haven, Florida
Why I chose my major: I didn’t choose food science at first. It was something I gradually realized I was already moving toward. I’ve always loved nutrition, but I found myself more fascinated by why foods behave the way they do, how they’re created, and how the food system influences what ends up on people’s plates.
Tell me about your decision to change your major from dietetics to food science: I originally entered the dietetics major because I was drawn to the science of nutrition and the idea of helping people improve their health.
Over time, though, I realized that what excited me most wasn’t clinical counseling or traditional dietetics work. It was the food system itself: how food is developed, produced, improved, and brought to consumers. Courses like Valuing Circular Food Economies with Dr. Jennifer Clark and Intro to Food Science, and professional events like IFT Supplier Night helped me realize my passion for food science.
Why I chose to come to UF: I wanted to stay in Florida to be not too far away from my family. I also wanted to be able to use my Bright Futures Scholarship. UF had one of the best dietetics programs in Florida. When I visited for a summer camp, I fell in love with the campus and found people who understood my passions.
Hobbies: I love to dance. Here at UF, I tap dance, salsa, and take hip-hop classes.
Future plans: I hope to secure an internship this summer and then begin my career as a product developer in the food industry. I am excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to growing professionally in this field.
Final thoughts: The most important thing I learned during my first years at UF was that success isn’t about working harder — it’s about working smarter and taking care of myself in the process. I had to completely rethink the way I studied, structured my time, and treated my own well‑being. Once I learned to build routines, take movement breaks, and actually support my brain instead of burning it out, everything else started to fall into place. That shift changed how I show up academically and personally.
Day in the Life: Arianna Wittkorn, Food Science Undergraduate Student
| Time: AM | MORNING ACTIVITIES |
| 8:30 |
Wake up and breakfast
I get straight out of bed and make myself a cup of black coffee with my Keurig. While my coffee is brewing, I toast a cinnamon raisin bagel and spread on cream cheese. |
| 9:00 |
Get ready and go to class
I put on my mascara, get my backpack together, and get ready to head out the door. Then I bike or drive to school.
|
| 9:30 |
First class On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, I go to my Organic Chemistry I class. It is very challenging, but I try to practice the content every day and I have help from tutoring. On Tuesdays, I go to my Physiology Lab. |
| 10:40 |
Second class On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, I go to Physiology lecture.
|
| 11:30 |
Lunch I always eat in the Reitz on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays because of the location of my next class. My favorite place to eat is Mi Apa so I can get a tequeno.
|
| Time: PM | AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES |
| 12:50 |
Third class On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, I go to Psychology lecture. I do not have classes during this time on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I do go to Florida Fresh Dining to work. I usually table nutrition events in the Reitz to educate students about gut health, benefits of coffee, or how to build a balanced meal. |
| 2:00 |
Study I always go to third floor Marston to help me focus and complete my assignments.
|
| 5:00 | FSHN meeting
Every other week, attend and help facilitate the FSHN Club‘s GBMs. I was the Social Chair last semester and am the upcoming Secretary for the club. |
| 6:30 | Hip hop fitness class
I go to Student Rec to have a high-intensity workout and dance with some friends to recharge.
|
| 8:00 |
Dinner Cook chicken, rice, and sauté spinach to enjoy a well-rounded, balanced meal!
|
| 9:00 |
Hang out with friends Me and my friends love to grab a sweet treat around Gainesville and or go to Bragging Rights to play arcade games.
|
| 11:30 |
Get ready for bed After hanging out with my friends, I get ready for bed. I make sure to brush my teeth, charge my electronics, and clean my room.
|
| 12:00 | Sleep
I try to be asleep by midnight to get eight hours of sleep.
|
Interested in learning more about careers in Food Science and Human Nutrition? Check out our UF/FSHN CAP series:
(1) What Can I Do with My Degree?
(2) Day in the Life
(3) Letters to Myself: Words of Advice and Encouragement
Learn more about FSHN’s renowned programs below!
Undergraduate Programs:
Dietetics
Food Science
Nutritional Sciences
Graduate Programs:
M.S. Dietetic Internship Program
M.S. Food Science and Human Nutrition
Ph.D. Food Science
Ph.D. Nutritional Sciences
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