Good evening Ivy League Connection students,
I hope you all had a wonderful winter break. My name
is Courtney Mariano, and I am currently a third year at UCLA. My college
experience has been incredible thus far. I have definitely changed from the
first year I was two years ago. I would say I feel more confident and
comfortable in my surroundings; I have definitely found a home away from home
here in Los Angeles. I now live at an apartment close to campus so I am slowly
learning how to live without the conveniences of the dorms, such as the dining
halls. I have also taken on more responsibilities, such as a job at a clothing
store in order to not only gain a little money and be less financially
dependent on my parents, but to also be more responsible
and time-efficient. Balancing a job and school was definitely not as easy as I
first imagined. I definitely needed to learn how to manage my time well because
although school is a higher priority, I knew I could not slack off at work.
Also, having a job means less free time to hang out with friends or to waste
time and relax. But I appreciate all that I have learned by being a working
student. My job has also allowed me to meet great people outside of UCLA, to
learn how to interact with customers, and to gain experience in a fast-paced
environment. So, besides giving me a little extra cash, I have learned valuable
skills for my future career.
College has been going well academically for me as
well. I found out over summer that I was accepted into the Communication Studies
major at UCLA, which is highly competitive to get into, so I was ecstatic and
appreciate to learn I got into the major. Before, I was hesitant to even apply
because I heard how difficult it is for students to get in. But after taking a
general Comm Stds course, I developed a strong interest in learning more. With
hard work, I was able to keep my GPA up and was given acceptance into the
major. So, if there is anything you are hesitant about applying for, just know
that there is no harm in applying. Just work hard and hope for the best. After
finally deciding to double major in Communication Studies and Economics, I
started taking upper division courses last quarter. The upper div class sizes
are much smaller in my opinion, so I enjoy them because you get to know your
professor and peers better. I also think the subjects are more interesting
because rather than listening to a general overview about a subject, my
professors have been able to go more in depth in the material. This quarter, I
am taking on a heavier load academically, so hopefully I will be able to do
well in all of my classes.
Also, I was able to secure an advisor position for an
older camper program for UCLA Unicamp. Unicamp is UCLA's official student
charity, and this will be my third year volunteering with this group. For the
first two years, I was a regular volunteer acting as a counselor and then an
activity specialist. This year, I wanted to challenge myself and take on more
responsibility, so I applied and interviewed for one of the programs within
Unicamp for high school students. This process was definitely more competitive
than the regular volunteer process, so I am grateful to have gotten this
position. I definitely suggest that you find a student group or two that
interest you and fully commit yourself to it. They give you a nice break from
your studies and you have the chance to meet more people and expand your
university network.
I wanted to end by giving a few pieces of advice for
all of you before you enter college. Don't be afraid to try out whatever
interests you. Although I had no experience in the field, the hotel industry
always interested me for some reason. So over summer I decided to find an
internship to learn more, and I was able to secure a summer internship working
for human resources at a hotel in LA. It was a very valuable experience, so I
suggest that if a career or industry interests you, try to gain experience to see
if you will grow and thrive in the environment. Definitely take advantage of
all the resources your school has to offer. Whether it be a free tutoring
service, a career center to help you find internships, or even a free printing
lab, find out what the resources are and make the best use out of them. Don't
be afraid to ask for help. Go up to a professor or TA or peer if you're having
trouble at all because keeping your questions to yourself doesn't help at all.
You'll be surprised at how friendly and helpful people are. Also, try to make
good relationships with your professors. Use office hours to your advantage,
even if you don't have specific questions about the material, asking your
professors about their experiences or any advice they may have can be
beneficial for you. You will not regret putting in extra effort to getting to
know your professors and TAs.
Honestly, if any of the current Ivy League Connection
students want to know more about UCLA or have general questions about college,
feel free to email me with questions.
Best,
Courtney Mariano
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