Posted on by Cesar

What Helped Me Stay Organized as a Student at UW-Bothell

 My time here at UW-Bothell has been quite the journey. I developed many new skills and experiences as I embraced coming and dorming here from my hometown. To me, it is still unbelievable that I will be graduating this spring quarter! Time goes by fast and each time I think of this, I still remember the chaos of my high school graduation and senior night. I knew that participating in the Running Start program at my community college would set me up for the ability to advance in college credits so that I would be able to graduate early. However, it is still shocking to see that in a couple of weeks, I will be walking across the stage. 

 This past academic year has proved to me that time goes by fast and that it is important to take advantage of each given moment. With this being my last quarter here at UW-Bothell, I wanted to share some of my skills and tips that I have developed and embraced throughout my two years of being here. 

Something that I used each day during high school that has stuck by me to this very day is: a planner. I find that by having a planner, it makes everything a lot easier. Not to mention that it can also help you develop other skills like organization, time-management and reduced stress/ procrastination. This can certainly help especially if you are a college student with a hectic schedule filled with demanding homework deadlines. 

When it comes to using a physical or an electronic planner, I personally enjoy a physical one. I like to have the physical copy of my planner so that I can customize it to my liking and so that when I do check things off, it feels more of an accomplishment. Not to mention that for me, having a physical planner is more aesthetically pleasing to have and it keeps me accountable for being consistent with planning out my weekly schedules. 

 

Weekly Planning For Beginners And Pros - Bordio
Image Captured from Bordio.com

Let me take you through my process when it comes to using my planner. To start, I enjoy planning my week every Sunday. This is so that I am aware of what is happening throughout the week ahead of me and so that I’m able to see what I have to get done for that given week. I am also able to prioritize my assignments to see which things require more attention. 

Every day, I like to start the day off by going to the gym. Incorporating weight training into my schedule is a way for me to take time for myself and for my health. I like to set aside about two hours of my morning that is dedicated to this. Within my planner, I write down “Gym @ 8am” for each day, Monday-Friday. This helps me be accountable for getting up in the morning and tackling the day with a good workout. 

Next, I like to write down my scheduled times for my job and for any lectures. With this, and the gym, I like to do a check box on the left-hand side so that once I finish this task, I can sigh relief after I have checked it off. When it comes to class assignments, I like to write them down on the days that they are due during the week, along with the times as well. I find that having Canvas opened to the monthly setting helps me get a clearer picture of how many things I have to do. It also gives me the ability to have some insight the week after to see if there are any important exams, projects, events, etc., need to prepare well in advance. 

Due to the majority of my coursework having deadlines on Sundays @ 11:59 pm, I’ve noticed that the Sunday box within my planner usually has more writing within it. To help manage my time with my classes, and with what I have assigned, I like to color coordinate my classes and assignments. What is nifty about this is that it makes my planner more organized and appealing to the eye. 

Whenever I have additional things that occur during the week, I also like to write them down so that I do not forget. This usually includes any scheduled times that an event or a meeting will happen. As a busy college student, having things written down is important because it helps me manage my time and priorities better. 

 

Photo of my planner for the week of May 20th – May 26th

Having a planner with everything laid out helps me with my routine. I am very routine-oriented, and I like to know what has to get done during the week so that I don’t rush or procrastinate at the last minute. I carry this around with me in my backpack so if there is anything I need to check off or update, I can do so.

Reflecting on how my planner has helped me throughout college, I developed new skills and strengthened some of the skills that I currently have. A new skill I developed is multitasking, and a couple that I have strengthened are prioritizing my objectives, organization, and time management. Some of the skills were ones that I already have, but with the help of a planner, I’ve noticed how it has helped me strengthen my skills because I can get a head start for the week and see which assignment deadlines were high and low-stakes. 

Learning these skills is something that I didn’t adapt to easily. If I were to pull out my previous planner, the resemblance would be apparent as it has taken me time and effort to implement exactly what I was looking for in terms of developing a routine, planning, and organizing. I think we underestimate the power of the planner. It is such a prime way to stay organized and consistent. The nice thing about a planner is that it only suits you and you. It contains your work, schedule, meetings, appointments, etc. A glimpse into your life on paper is the way that I like to think of it.

Looking at the planner example below, one thing that stood out to me was that the creator included a “Rest Day!” on a weekend day. I think this is something that I could see myself doing for the future of my planner because it’s such a great written reminder to prioritize ourselves at the end of a crazy and busy week. 

Some of these techniques were effective for me when it came to using my planner and I hope this blog post can inspire and help any new and current students who are thinking about using a planner or need some guidance to get started. 

Happy planning! 

 

Image Captured from Korrashay.com

 

Resources to help you get started on your planning journey:

Resources for UW-Bothell Students: 

Resources for Cascadia College Students: 

Posted on by Cesar

Stay Safe and Cozy During this Winter Season 

The change in seasons can effect people in different ways, especially when there is a significant change, such as going from a warm season to a cold one. It’s critical to be aware of some of the things that may happen so that you’re better prepared. While we, including myself, may think that we understand how to prepare, it may be a good idea to receive a refresher on some key points. This winter season has been a chilly one. 

     Image captured from The Animated Woman

Securing everything for the winter doesn’t have to be a huge hassle! All it takes is just double-checking that everything is working, and taking action to restore anything that might need to be replaced. This would ease some of the stressors during the winter for you and your wallet. 

Each upcoming winter season, my family and I like to take initiative steps to ensure we have some of the basics to survive a cold winter. We like to ensure we stock up on essentials such as perishable food items, water, portable charges (so that you’re able to charge your device without needing an outlet), flashlights, batteries, etc. Having these things on hand would be beneficial because as many of us know, Washington enjoys being unpredictable. It’s not fun having to make the trip to the store during harsh road conditions, so why not take these preventative measures so that you’re able to stay warm and safe during this chilly time?

Winter and Your Home 

  • Some things that you can do to winterize your house can be things like:

    • Ensure that electrical, installation, and wiring are free from any possible damages or tears. 
    • Check your heater systems, smoke detectors, alarms, etc.
    • Stocking up on any perishable and canned foods, water, medications, batteries, etc. (this would be crucial in case there were any power outages) 
    • Having extra blankets, candles, and flashlights at the ready 
    • Obtaining a fire extinguisher and first aid kit in the event of something unexpected
       Image captured from At Your Service

 

Winter and Your Vehicle 

Image captured from iStock
         Image captured from iStock

 Many people tend to enjoy driving in the snow. I encourage  staying home so that you’re safe, but with that said, there are times when it’s inevitable to make the journey outside. Having our vehicles prepared for these times is just as important as winterizing your house. Another factor to consider would be to make sure your vehicle is set for the winter. 

A few things that I like to do to make sure my car is prepared are: 

  • Checking my tires and tire pressure (to make sure the thread is still good and there aren’t any tears)
  • Having a first aid kit in the car 
  • Checking my overall engine for any potential leaks, smells, unusual sounds, etc. 

For more information about keeping your vehicle ready for the winter season, I’d recommend referencing the Kelly Blue Book. They provide excellent information that is concise and easy to follow.

Winter and School

Having to worry about school during the winter season can be stressful. I think it is important to be attentive to school alerts regarding a closure due to any inclement weather. If there isn’t an emergent reason to go out, especially since school might be closed, just stay home. Your safety and that of those around you matter. The bright side to this is that the University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College both have alert sign-ups so that you can be up-to-date with any updates about a potential closure. 

                 Image captured from iStock

When I have to commute somewhere, and there is snow on the roads, I like to reference the WA State DOT Traffic Cameras to get a glimpse of how prepared I should be or if I should remain at home until the time being. 

Preparing for the winter season doesn’t have to be hectic. I think that taking initiative to ensure you have everything settled is key to surviving a cold winter season. The following sources are a great reference to use when preparing for the winter season. 

Remaining indoors due to the inclement weather doesn’t have to be boring! The UW Bothell / Cascadia College Campus Library and the King County Library System both have excellent resources and online access for you to keep busy with e-books, podcasts, and more! If you’d like to search for podcasts or episodes, Listen Notes has an excellent selection of online podcasts that will help keep you entertained on a snowy day! 

Remember to stay safe and cozy out there! 



 

Title background image captured from: Wallpaperbat

 

 

 

Posted on by Cesar

My Experience as a First-Generation Latino College Student

Photo Retrieved from the Oswego State University of New York | Penfield Library

The behind the scenes meaning of a student being ‘first-gen’ is much more than what people realize. I find this topic very interesting because people who are first-generation will always have a unique story to tell. First-generation students often feel as if they don’t have the ‘light’ in front of them which serves as a guide for many of them in figuring out what to do with both their educational and personal decisions. They often feel lost when it comes to figuring things out such as college and scholarship applications, FAFSA, moving out for college, etc. The reason why I correlate these things is because I, myself, identify as a first-generation Latino college student and I’ve had to experience this recently. 

My parents migrated from Mexico for a better life filled with endless opportunities than what they had during their lives. Similar to other families, they sacrificed many things and worked tirelessly for everything they have. This is something that I continuously remember whenever things in college, or life for that matter, get challenging. It serves as a motive for me to push myself and work hard so that I will be able to repay them for everything they’ve done for my siblings and me. 

Photo from Unsplash

It really isn’t a joke when people say that high school goes by within a blink of an eye. On the day of my high school graduation, I recall sitting there during our commencement speech as I reflected on all the hard work I had endured. I recall the voices of my teachers saying things like ‘Make sure to keep a good GPA for upcoming college applications’ or ‘Make sure you apply for scholarships to help pay for school.’ I also recalled the additional support I had to seek when applying and filling out these applications. 

When filling these important documents out, I felt lost, and at the time I didn’t know how to manage that because I didn’t have the luxury of having a family member who went through this experience. So, what did I do? I took the initiative to meet with my career counselor various times to ensure I was on the right track when doing these documents. Discussing things like tuition, room and board, grants and loans was always a blur because I’ve never had any previous knowledge about this. It is without a doubt that if it wasn’t for my career counselor and their support, I don’t think I would’ve been able to manage the burden of tackling these things. 

After summer ended, the date of having to move into college came closer. It almost felt like I was in a dream because I’d seen people and heard stories about them moving into college, but I couldn’t realize that it would finally be my turn. I remember that saying ‘See you soon’ to my family was a bittersweet moment. Even though most of my emotions were just nerves about ‘being on my own’ and living away for the academic year, there was a part of me that was still excited and curious about the opportunities that came with the college experience. 

Did you know that The Postsecondary National Policy Institute mentions a study that only 44% of undergraduate students are first-generation Latinos? This came as a surprise to me because, from a bigger picture, I’m a part of this 44% and it’s exciting to see that this percentage is increasing as the years go by. Recognizing this fact is something that inspires me to pursue a higher education. Seeing that Latino students are excelling in academia is absolutely astonishing because a lot of these students are in the same shoes as I am where they too want to become a success story for their families and themselves. The Center for First Generation Student Success offers very insightful facts about the percentages of first-generation students from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. 

UW-Bothell Photo

 Reflecting back on everything I’ve done this past academic year,  I’ve made great memories. I maintained a high GPA while being a part-time student at the University of Washington-Bothell/ Cascadia College library attended events hosted by the Outdoor Wellness Program and LSU, and established lifelong friends in just a couple of months, and even got close with my roommates. During the initial months of this year, I was studying in different locations to see which one was my favorite and with that being said, my top location will have to be the library because this is where I made a couple of my initial friendships. I’ve learned and grown so much in just a few months and it’s certainly hard to believe that summer is nearing.  All of these memories and experiences are ones that I will cherish and remember forever.

If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, Remezcla does a splendid job of shining the light on the stories of a few Latinx students.

Additional Resources for First-Generation Students: