Coffee and city dreams: An inside look inside Shannon Manganelli’s busy life

as a college student

Shannon Manganelli says her hectic life is paving the way for a cosmopolitan
future

On a warm sunny morning in mid-March, Shannon Manganelli is sipping a cup of

coffee, with almond milk of course, inside Brew Ha Ha. Manganelli wears a pair of
Alo Yoga black leggings with an oversized Alpha Delta Pi periwinkle sweatshirt.
Her brunette hair slicked back in a high ponytail and a pair of grey Nike sneakers
compliment the relaxed look.

“Hey Christine, so great to see you,” she says.

Inside the busy coffee shop sat at least 20 other University of Delaware students at
different tables. Sorority stickers covered their laptops. The sound of baristas
calling out orders can be heard in the background.

“I leave my place early and get back late so this is the perfect morning pit stop to
dig into the pile of work that I have to do,” she says.

As a sophomore at University of Delaware, Manganelli is double majoring in

English and communications.

She is a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, UDress magazine, friends4friends and

an ambassador for f.y.b., a jewelry brand launched by UD alum Alyssa Kutcha.

Manganelli says dressing for comfort is her top priority since she is on the move
from class, to the library, to extracurricular activities and to the gym.

“I literally never stop moving,” Manganelli says. “Never. I’m trying to build up my
resume. I’ve got dreams, you know?”
Manganelli says her relaxed, efficient style reflects her “chill” personality. She has
been building a capsule wardrobe to avoid having “an obscene amount of clothes.”

The brands she is most interested in right now are Lululemon and Alo Yoga.

“I am rarely ever glam,” she says. “I’m too busy to be.”

She was born in West Chester, New York and frequently visited New York City,
which inspired her desire for an on-the-go lifestyle.

“I was a classically trained ballerina from sixth grade to high school so I’m used to
routine,” Manganelli said.

When Manganelli is not in class, at a meeting or working out, she can be found at
the library. She spends at least 4 hours every day to maintain her grades.

Walking into Morris Library, the smell of old books fills the air. The books line the
walls from ceiling to floor and the building is packed with students in every corner.
The quiet whispers of students working together can be heard throughout the
building.

“I would absolutely love to be a writer for Cosmopolitan Magazine,” she says.

“I’ve always adored New York City and that’s my biggest goal.”

She says she was inspired to join as many organizations on campus as she had time
for so she could build a diverse resume to achieve her goals.

“I’m all about being the change you wish to see in the world,” she says. “I love
when my friends tell me I’ve inspired them to work harder in class — makes me
feel like I’m headed in the right direction.”

The following day, Manganelli wakes up at 8:30 a.m. — her usual morning rising
time. She walks to the Bob Carpenter gym to fit in a workout before an extended
day of classes.
Sunlight shined through the gym’s ceiling to floor windows as students began to
walk in for their early morning workouts. Today’s hits played through the
building’s speaker system while the smell of lemon cleaning supplies wafted
through the air.

Manganelli’s workout included 30 minutes on the treadmill followed by an ab

routine. She says staying fit is important to her, because if she does not feel healthy
she has difficulty focusing on her school work.

“I always have to find time to work out, I even wear leggings every day so I can
straight from gym to class,” she says. “They’re universal.”

Christen Coleman, a sophomore elementary education major has been

Manganelli’s close friend and roommate for two years. She joined her for her
workout. They found each other on Facebook the summer before freshman year
and have been inseparable ever since, Coleman says.

“Shannon is hands down the most motivated person I know,” Coleman says. “I
don't know how she does it. She never stops moving. [If that were me,] I’d go
insane.”

Coleman says whenever she is watching T.V at their apartment, Manganelli always
motivates her to do her homework. She says Manganelli inspired her to join
friends4friends, which has allowed her to take steps to build her resume.

“I owe a lot of my success to her,” she says. “Honestly, if she wasn’t my

roommate, I’d probably be failing [my classes].

Manganelli says receiving recognition from her loved ones help keep her
motivated to always do her best.

“I have big dreams and every day I am more and more determined to reach them,”
she says.

By Christine Malecki
https://effortless-like-shannon.squarespace.com