Accomplishing things in life comes faster and simpler with the right tools. Here at the U of O, I’ve found it has an amazing amount of support and resources to get you to where you need to be. Since school has started I’ve already struggled with math which has never been my strong suit, luckily I was able to get connected with tutors and that has helped me a ton this term. This is one of the many  resources they have for students. If a student doesn’t have a laptop or computer at home, they have access to free computers for students. Whenever a student feels lost about school, life, etc, there’s great counseling and drop in advising they can go to. I’ve met with four different advisors just this term and they’ve all helped me in different ways. I never thought I would meet with so many different advisors, in high school I had one counselor who I barely ever saw. If I ever want to get a head start on experiencing what career field I want to be in, I have the opportunity to apply for internships or job shadows to get a real life experience of what I could possibly be doing in the future. This is a really cool resource that I personally hope to use in the future. It’s a really cool way to sneak peek what you’re trying to do. There is so much more that the U of O offers that people don’t even know about. It’s important to dig deep for things because you never know what you will find to help you get to the next part of your life.

-Vanessa

Last week was a rough and draining week for many of us. A lot of hateful and inconsiderate actions were happening everywhere on campus. It was really eye-opening to see that sadly still today our world is filled with racist and hateful people. The idea of love peace and happiness is far from where our country is at and I don’t see anything getting better due to the future elected president. A lot of people have told me that I’m overreacting and that Trump really won’t do anything crazy. Yet all the people that have told me this, don’t really think anything bad will happen because Trump never targeted their ethnicity. Everything that Trump has bashed on I personally identify with. I am a woman and I don’t agree with his treatment and words towards them. I am Mexican-American and we’re not all criminals. Not everyone is here illegally and I don’t agree that my family who are residents and not citizens should be deported, when they’ve been here their whole lives working hard with no criminal background. I don’t agree on him viewing all muslins as terrorists. The list goes on and on his ridicule towards different people. Everyone claims that the media makes him look worse than he actually is but the media doesn’t control his own words coming out of his mouth. This is where I can’t understand others who are so convinced he’s a great guy. I’m not twisted by the media, I listen to him and what he has to offer and every time I listen to him, I get angry and scared. The ignorance people can have is unbelievable. The country has spoken (only half of it) and have elected Trump for the next presidential term, therefore I must accept it and find peaceful ways to keep fighting to keep the same rights I have today. One good thing has happened from Trump being elected, and that is that I have never been so determined and dedicated to finish my education for myself, my family, and to gain respect for my people by not being part of the stereotype. I will not let anything/anyone stop me from what I can fully become. I believe that is what this class is made for, to support and help people of color achieve their true potential.

-Vanessa,  a strong Latina

The most rewarding thing about going to this school is the endless opportunities being thrown at you. There are an incredible amount of resources on this campus, that when you first get here it’s quite overwhelming. A million things are at thrown at you and some people don’t even know where they should start, I know I didn’t. I particularly have this idea that I’m capable of being involved in everything (at least that’ s how I was in high school). Quickly I found that can’t be the case here. Who knew narrowing down your options would be so hard? Luckily I’m involved in such great programs like BBL, M.E.Ch.A, Spanish Heritage Program, IMPACT, PathwayOregon, and etc. Although, it can be tedious to have to meet with 5 different advisors constantly because one person doesn’t know all the answers to you specific plan, it’s still beneficial on making those connections, allegedly you are making great connections and possible references. I would love to be able to meet with more business professionals who work at prestige companies. I’d love to see what the really do on a every day basis. That is why last class when I heard about the job shadow opportunity here on campus,  I lit up. I feel like that’s everything I’ve been wanting to experience. I feel like I know what I want to do, but I have yet to see actual job duties in real life. Where exactly I’m trying to head specifically is still a little fuzzy due to the fact of having an interest in clothing, sports, and music marketing, but I figured I have time explore, so I hope to find out more about those areas. I think what I got from last class is that it’s never too early to start mapping out your life with a little direction, and if it turns out to be something you didn’t think it would be, you have opportunities to change the direction of where you’re going.

-Vanessa, future marketing manager

As a freshman in college, I thought I would enter a whole new world of academics. But it turns out taking advance courses in high school really did prepare me for hard heavy material. Last Friday’s class is what actually made me realize how many different ways I study and how I set my time for it. Although it’s only week six, I really feel like I have felt pressure from my academics especially because of midterms. With that being said I can’t say that my studying habits have changed at all. For me studying skills are different for every class subject. If I was to use the same studying habits in every class, there is no way I’d be successful. Math is a complex subject to me and studying notes in that class is something I can’t rely on. Repetition in that class is what helps me the most. That means me doing similar problems over and over again until I get the right answer. Yet with a history based class notes is something I heavily rely on. Especially my own notes, because other people’s notes are things that they need to remember and I definitely have a different brain than them. The list goes on and on for me on different methods, one day I could be watching youtube tutorials, another night I’ll  be stuck on quizlet playing games, or I’ll be hitting up people to get in a study group before a big exam. As for developing myself, I think there’s always room to develop as a student to become better, so if something isn’t working out I will seek a new method of studying by asking older peers that have gone through the same classes, until then still doing me.

-Vanessa, with the same old habits

Aye it’s lit! Super proud of my team for being up for a challenge, I love me a good competition. Shout out to my girl Cynthia for being able to present and win us the project, straight killed it.

Last Friday I saw how people with the same mission as you can really win something if they set their skills to it. Our challenge was to be able to prove to our mentors that we were the best group to win the project assignment over the other group that wanted it as well. We were given a minute to set up a mini presentation and speak in front of the class. Within that minute we brainstormed the best qualities of our group from current skills, past experiences, to resources that we had to give for this project. Also within that minute (I know it seems impossible that we thought of all of this in a minute but I swear we did) we found good hooks that would appeal to the crowd and make sure we would have their vote for us. It was really cool to have all our bright minds come together and prepare something really well together with so little time. We were all so prepared for all of us to go up there and present, but last minute they hit us with the only one person can speak for your group. Although we were all bummed out about our team not being able to kill it together, we were all so confident in going solo as well. I have no doubt in my mind that no matter who would of went up they would of won us the project because as a team we prepared the presentation so well. I’m excited to show the class the work our team can really do and put on a great social for the class.

-Vanessa, the best party planner

Everyone in this world has their own unique ways of doing things. Whether you’re the type of person who pours cereal in their bowl first and then pours in the milk, or vice versa (I tend to switch up my ways), at the end, both ways still give you the same result. But the way you choose to do things says a lot about your personnel and this is what I learned last class. People constantly are succeeding in the world but all succeed in different ways. Now in class I learned there’s  front runners (people who take charge and tell people what to do), builders (people who need time to think about details and learn more with others), planners (people who make decisions fast and learn by putting their thoughts into action), and closers (people who catch every detail and reflect on things) which are all different types of leaders. After a little test our mentors performed on us, it concluded that I was a front runner. I can definitely agree with this. I’m an independent person who feels obligated to get things done and have no problem telling people orders in order to finish a job. I would say these are my strong traits, but I have a lot of other traits that fit in other categories. All through high school I went to several different camps, leadership conferences, and workshops showing me a good leader should be able to adapt into all the other types of leaders because every obstacle is different and should be taken care of in a different way. I strive to be all four types of leaders, because I personally believe people who carry the characteristics of being assertive, thinkers, fast paced, detail oriented, and are reflective analyzers are the best leaders, which is what I want to be, one of the best to lead.

-Vanessa, future leader

Resumes can be tricky because depending on who you are, you could struggle on finding things to put on it, or like me have too many things to put on it and still try to make it look professional and clear. As a first year student coming straight from high school, currently my resume could be considered a little outdated. For example all my references are people that have evaluated the last 18 years of my life in Albany, OR. All my accomplishments are from high school although, I will have to say I have a pretty impressive/interesting work background that most beginning students don’t have I would think. As for having skills to build and organize a nice resume, I would say I have that under my belt. Things I know I could work on to make my resume look more professional would be creating relationships with current professors or advisors that work at UO and have more up to date connections. I would say that I make sure I get involved with school clubs/community service to create involvement throughout my community. Only time will tell what I can accomplish within this term.

-Vanessa, excited freshman

Last Friday the assistant dean of students Quantrell Williams, left the class with a message on prejudice and discrimination. I was able to look back and analyze on every rude stereotype comment that someone had been thrown at me. This is never something pleasant someone wants to ruminate on. The fact that I am not the only one that has been assailed with many different norms and stereotypes, is really what shook me the most. Everyday someone is mistreated and bashed on for something the majority doesn’t feel is right.

This is important because we cannot allow these norms or stereotypes to continue growing in our society. One’s skin color does not predetermine their skills or abilities. This is something we must remember before assuming anything about anyone for the greater good. Imagine a world where different nations come together for the greater good of all humans. A world where people don’t have to feel ashamed about their skin color, preferences, religion and etc.

I encourage you from now on to look at others with a more open mind. Don’t be afraid to break the norm or stereotype.

-Vanessa

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