Reach Out and Reach Success

Breathe in. Breathe out. This is the phrase I had to constantly remind myself of during my first week as a UCSD student. Nothing seemed real, I couldn’t believe that after years of working hard at my community college… the goalpost I had been running towards for so long was already behind me. The first quarter I spent at UCSD was such a journey in order for me to start peeling off the imposter syndrome and to begin to feel the confidence of a normal student. Being a new student, unsure of how to act in this new environment, it was easy for me to feel insecure in this new system. While at my previous college, I knew all of my professors well and built a connection with them semester after semester in my major — at UCSD I was having to start from blank all over again. How was I going to succeed in being a student? How was I going to succeed in connecting with my peers? How was I going to be a confident member of UCSD? My first few days of classes had left me so nervous, with such large classrooms, my professors and peers felt so far away. While being a commuter, I didn’t have roommates to become my instant friends or show me around the way. It took my 45 minute drive back home to allow me to sink into my thoughts, and evaluate. I know who I am; I am the student that always raises their hand in class to ask a question or have a discussion in class, I am the student who bonds with the person sitting next to them before class starts, I should not be scared in this new setting. With this in mind, the rest of the week I made sure to comfort myself with such a mentality as I had with the professors I used to know, and the old schoolmates I had. This development in my mentality is what allowed me to reach so many great opportunities and friendships at UCSD. Whenever I had a doubt, or thoughtful contribution I would raise my hand and connect myself to the environment. If I sat next to someone I felt an interest in getting to know, I would ask them about themselves. Through these interactions, I was able to succeed in getting my artwork used for a class event, to make new friends and build a sense of community at school, and to receive straight A’s as a first-time student. The piece I have created for this project represents the mentality I encourage others to take as someone entering a new environment of uncharted waters. The hand being raised in participation serves as a symbol of the opportunities and success that come from reaching out. You don’t need to drown in loneliness in a new environment – to feel as though there is no one to reach while you are already sinking will only sink you further. I wanted to create an art piece that connected with other students who have had similar experiences, and to encourage them to do the same as I did. To not allow themselves to let the imposter syndrome and anxiety consume them, but to instead reach out to the possibilities ahead of them – to reach out to who they could be – to reach out to succeed. At my previous college, I knew who I was – at UCSD I am excited to see who I will become