What College Has Taught Me

​​Nothing.

Okay, that’s not ENTIRELY true. I learned more about myself during these years than anything academic, but that doesn’t mean it was for nothing. I learned how to network. I became more comfortable in social settings. I took a lot of cool classes and still remember key points from those classes. I met awesome inspiring people that are going to change the world (I know cliché, but true) and have inspired me to do more than just learn. My mentors have introduced me to resources on my career that I may not have gained elsewhere. I also became a more creative, spiritual and independent person.
​
When I arrived at UC Riverside, the campus welcomed me with all types of opportunities. There was information about my career path, other careers, job opportunities, internships, programs, workshops, and more. It was overwhelming and exciting. High school does not, and I repeat, does not provide students with the necessary tools to survive in the real world. In my experience here at UC Riverside, taking advantage of the resources and opportunities presented, I do feel more prepared, but not entirely. This is a problem, we spend years of our lives going to school only to come out with next to nothing that will benefit us in the long run. I thought college was different from high school when it to learning, but for some classes it’s the same. 

All we do is learn for the test, not applying what we learned. Too much information, too little time going over the material, and a lot of stress when midterms and finals come around. Sometimes students themselves subscribe to their own demise by not studying, not going to class, and not seeking. Yet, doing those things are not a guarantee of an A plus. In certain cases, based off others’ experiences, professors just don’t care about their students. I’m glad to have had professors that taught to enrich our minds, not get a paycheck.

​Despite these issues, my time here has indeed enriched my mind academically, personally, and career-wise. I know how microphones and speakers work, I know how labor movements evolved, I learned walking can be a political movement/statement and what makes up a society! There are internship opportunities I can access from career fairs I’ve attended. I went to lobbying conferences two years in a row and a business conference that was really boring. I became the Project Manager for a creative club called Studio Riverside. Within that I worked on three films, all which I’m featured in. (Links at the end).
​

​​ The best achievements are completing my third book that I am prouder of than the other two and creating posters with magazine cut-outs that I am obsessed with! 

​College as an environment is what benefited me. I became an adult by living on my own, paying for things out of my pocket, and going downtown by myself. I got closer to God by attending bible study on campus every week. Coming here was not for nothing. The lessons I've learned will stick with me into the future.

*Photos by Nathan Dumlao and Jordan Whitfield on Unsplash.com
​**Links to short films: Stolen Muse: https://youtu.be/dM2wwhVECpI
I'm Not Batman: https://youtu.be/nw71JrD8fU0
Lost and Found: https://youtu.be/fjS2oXVJS4c ​