Steph Goes To College

Stephanie has returned from her first year at college where she is double majoring in Astrophysics and Art! We are so proud of her. She is interning with GFC for the summer and we asked her to write about what her first year was like.

A Little Taste of a Banana Slug

I actually did it. My first year of college is complete.  I am Stephanie Ramirez, once a runaway and rebel. I attended Willow Glen High School and have been part of Girls For A Change for four years. During my senior year I was accepted to UC Santa Cruz; the first in my Latino family to attend a university.  I did not know what to expect. The summer right before my first year of college was interesting.  I was nervous, anxious and sad that I would be leaving the only life I knew in Eastside San Jose. I could not stop thinking about how many kids in my community who have never been encouraged to go to college. I was getting out of my “ghetto” neighborhood, but I would miss it dearly.

I arrived in Santa Cruz, home of the banana slugs, to face many other freshman (or as the university calls us, Frosh) moving into the dorm. I lived in Casa Huerta dorm, my soon to be home and a place where I would meet long time friends.  I had two roommates in the smallest room you could imagine. We all happened to get a long very well and had so many good times. My college experience has become a part of my life and will be for the next four years. Staying in the dorms is a unique experience. I remember telling my parents that I wanted to live off campus my first year, and I am so glad that I didn’t. The community of friends that I met became one of the most important parts of my college experience.  We would do work together pulling all-nighters, go to events and volunteer for causes we believed in, and party on the weekends.  The beach was our neighbor, so on a beautiful day we would take a gang of friends and take a break. It is no lie; Santa Cruz is one of the most beautiful campuses ever and the sky puts a person in awe.

The whole reason I was accepted to a UC was because of my academic record. I have always loved school and felt that education is priority. It takes so much dedication to succeed in college. College classes are so much different than high school classes and everyone looks forward to picking classes every quarter. They offer everything from Philosophy classes to Film classes. Some classes had over 200 students. We are so independent in college; it can be a positive thing or a negative.  The professors do not get on your case and force you to go to class. You have the responsibility to do your work, nobody else cares but whoever is paying for you to be there.  I learned to balance my time with work and friends. I would spend over 40 hours per week studying. Finals week is hectic. Everyone is stressed out and it is a huge toll on your mind.  It takes much potential to get through that week, but it is worth it. I ended up excelling in my grades and doing very well. I am a double-major in Art and Astrophysics. Creativity and the study of the universe seem to go hand-in-hand for me. The knowledge I have gained from my first year is unbelievable. I have matured and this experience has shaped my personality and my mind.  - Steph

Comments

[alina]

that is pretty amazing... astrophysics, huh? WOW!