Office Assistant
Major(s) and Minor (if any)
Psychological & Brain Sciences and Applied Psychology
If you are a first-generation and/or income-eligible student, what has your experience been like at UCSB?
As a first-generation student, it was initially difficult to acclimate to UCSB. I found myself feeling like I did not belong, struggling to find community, and hesitant to take advantage of my resources. Once I started putting myself out there and making an effort to utilize the resources offered by UCSB, my experience completely turned around. I now know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be, and I have a strong network of friends, mentors, and faculty that I can reach out to for support. I still encounter challenges navigating as a first-generation student, but I am confident in my ability to succeed, knowing that I have access to resources to help me along the way.
What would you like to share with students about your experience at UCSB?
As someone who came into UCSB excited to get it over with and graduate, my perspective has completely changed. By my second year, I began pushing myself out of my comfort zone and became more actively involved. It was scary, but so worth it, because I gained an appreciation for UCSB that I hadn't had before. Now that I am a fourth-year, I wish time had gone slower, because I know I am going to miss UCSB when I graduate.
Top tips for fellow students? (Study tips, self care hacks, fav resources on campus, etc)
Academic Tip: Go to your professor's office hours! It took me a long time to follow this advice, but as soon as I did, I understood why everyone recommends it. Meeting with your professors can be so valuable, whether it is to get help on something you may be struggling with or to build a relationship with them (great for networking)!
Student Life Tip: Check out the various student organizations at UCSB, and don't give up if the first one you try doesn't work out for you. Sometimes it takes a couple of tries before you find a community you click with.
Self-Care Tip: Make time for things that bring you joy, no matter how simple they are or how busy you are.
Best advice you've received that has helped you at UCSB.
The best advice I received that has helped me at UCSB is that there is no one correct path to follow. We are individuals with our own journeys, following our own timelines, and that is completely okay.
Why did you choose to be a member of the EOP Team?
I chose to join the EOP Team because I want to be a part of a community that empowers underrepresented students to succeed in higher education. EOP has done a lot to support me in my higher education journey, and my hope is to give back by supporting peers and making sure they know that they belong.