Graduation 2020 - The Past 4 Years

Every day of Undergrad was different. So much laughter, growth, independence, and confidence boosters. There were also the cries to sleep, the lack of sleep, excessive worrying, and anxiety flares. A lot of my journey felt a bit solo but I was really never alone. The teachings of folks around me always stayed in my heart, and the things I learned in Undergrad never left my side even at the toughest moments.

Also, I wanted to put photos on my page with my friends but I wanted to respect that not everyone wants their photos online. So if you don't mind me having them on here, message me LOL.

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- My First Year -

The year when I broke my shell.

I came into university close enough to home but far away enough to not have my best friends there. I had moments where I wasn't sure if my alma mater was the right place for me. All that money I was spending, was it really worth it? It was easy for the feelings of loneliness to seep in. And somehow, all the teachings and ganas that I had from my past, helped me push through. I think this was the year I was the most anxious about the future ahead and also the most surprised of what I could achieve.

By Spring quarter, I finally made friends! My closest friends from the dorms know who they are and I am fortunate we still stay in touch. We grew so much in 4 years. I don't know how to explain the great feeling it is to see you and your friends grow through Undergrad together even in different majors and balancing our own commitments.

I also started to get involved on campus. As an undeclared freshman, I was painfully unsure of what I wanted to do with my life. AND I STILL DON'T BUT IT IS A BIT MORE MANAGEABLE NOW. I started to gain confidence in being a leader and sharing my experiences with others. And dang, I still had a long way to go! I loved being able to help incoming freshmen. I met some cool people through my internship (people who I got to eat acai bowls later in undergrad). I found a voice I was afraid to use to advocate for folks who do not have experiences like what is expressed widely on social media.

Go 1st year Taty!

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- My Second Year -

The year I found comfort in the uncomfortable!

I was no longer a freshie trying to figure out my financial aid package, where classes are, and being a little out of shape to go up the hills of my campus. I got closer to my best friends back home again since I really missed their everyday support. Being on a different campus started becoming a bit easier.

I had a single room that year, so I felt a bit more comfortable being my introvert self. I started practicing filming vlogs in my room which I don't want to show anyone lol. I spoke every day to my friends about things going on at school and stressors I was still not used to. I even started a bullet journal to gather my thoughts!

I got more involved on campus and made really close friends that I love to sass and that stayed along with me for this college journey. We made creme brulee, rice krispy treats, brownies, and just ate a lot LOL.

This is also where I met incredible professional staff that were so supportive and helped me being Undeclared and first-generation. A lot of these folks became mentors for me afterward and still talk to me about post-graduation plans and stressors with being an alumna.

I want to say my 2nd year was filled with huge self-confidence boosts and incredible friendships. Also, this was the year I finally declared my major. Hello Public Health Policy! Yes, this hits the spot with the pandemic and all so it is important even if you might not have known what the department even did until the pandemic struck.

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- My Third Year -

This is the year I pushed myself out of my comfort zone in almost all areas.

In my third year, I finally got involved in areas I was worried might not be a good fit for me or that others were going to judge me for. I took a lot of risks in what kind of involvements I was part of such as becoming a peer advisor for undeclared students, joining a sorority, and joining a student affairs program while being a Public Health major.

It might not seem like a big deal to be involved in student affairs while being Public Health but it was and still is! I enjoyed both career areas and it was hard to navigate this in therapy. It was like, do I choose Public Health jobs or Student Affairs? WHY CAN'T I DO BOTH?

This year helped me become more resilient and pursuant to do things I want to try out! To just give something a shot and if it doesn't work out, then that's okay! It just becomes a part of college and something I can talk about for years afterward. I finally didn't just think of doing something but put my thoughts into action!

My third year also pushed my relationships. This is the year my partner and I started our relationship and one of my best friends back home left for study abroad for an entire year. I didn't realize how much growth happens when your best friend goes to a different country and you don't know how to cope with such a huge change. Like giiiirl, I want to tell you things but you are in a whole different timezone sleeping lol. Or, when you navigate a long-distance relationship and put so much trust into someone else, that it scares you! Being in a relationship also opened up wounds from the past that I didn't know I still carried and being able to talk about it with that special someone without judgment, was a gentle, and necessary push I needed. So thank you. :)

I also visited Sacramento, CA and Chapel Hill, North Carolina for the first time and met so many wonderful people that I will never forget. My involvements within Student Affairs brought me closer to some of my friends/mentors and I will always be thankful for that. <3

Keep going Taty!

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- My Fourth Year -

This was the year that looked like none of the others and is the freshest and most historical of them all.

I started off the year trying to figure out my post-grad plans while becoming a Resident Advisor and helping my mom with her health. With so many huge changes, my anxiety flared up SO MUCH. Oh, and a pandemic with the much-needed push for the Black Lives Matter movement.

What started off as a year of trying to figure out if I should stay in my involvements and what I was doing after graduation, quickly became appreciation for what I have in the present-day and a constant reminder of the things I love the most in the world.

Thank you to my best friend back home sharing her thoughts about the Art world with me. Her love for Art pushed me to want to follow my heart's desire in my career no matter what that might be. No matter if it is Public Health, Student Affairs, and/or Sociology!? Sociology?? That's new?

Amongst all the anxiety, I learned how to be confident! My confidence increased in advocating for mental health support, being okay with not being "everything" for my residents (huge fear of mine by the way), and with starting a platform that I am passionate about. (Yes, you guessed it. Just Taty Things!)

My mom also had surgery in May, while I was trying to finish my last quarter of college in a pandemic. So, it is safe to say that I am amazed I am even writing this with smiles and positivity radiating out of me. It was not easy for sure. I recognize the individuals who checked in on me when I could not stop crying, when my anxiety was up the roof (still is to be honest), to my best friend letting me borrow her art supplies to cope, and for those who sent positive messages to me in one of the hardest moments of my life.

I don't feel like graduation is even real yet. I don't really feel the closure.

What I do feel is loads of appreciation and the want to pursue what makes me happy. I've never had such internal motivation to work out, to focus on self-care, to cook and love as much as I can. I'm even trying to eat my vegetables!

And last but not least, I have found special comfort in finding a new friend that my mom promised I could have prior to her surgery. I'd like to thank her for my new companion and for also being there, with my dad, through all the chaos that college has been. Without further ado, I introduce a picture I took a month ago of Flipper Von Waffles!