Karina Santellano for Latinos in College

How to set goals for 2012

2012-01-27T07:26:00.001-08:00

2012. Wow. I am still stunned. How did time pass by so quickly? I was in high school just a year ago. I was waiting to hear back from universities and scholarships. I was trying to finish off high school on a strong note. It seems like so much has happened since then. I have grown up, become more responsible, become an independent young woman, and learned a lot about myself. Now with my first semester behind me, I am making goals for this semester as well as for the rest of the year.

I am always thinking about the future. I know I will be applying to medical schools in a few years so some of my goals are to start working on looking like a great candidate. That is why one of my goals this year is to start volunteering at a hospital near campus or work at a research lab. These are definitely feasible goals for me. I am not working at a job on campus this semester so I will have extra time to do pursue these things I want. And it is crucial to set goals that you know you will have time for and that you actually want to do; I mean, you need some kind of motivation to drive you, right?

So far, I have already applied to a summer program. This summer program offers a look into the medical and dental field to students of minority descent (although ANYONE can apply). The program is hosted at different university campuses. I applied to three. Hopefully this summer I will either be at Columbia (cross your fingers for me! Its my first pick), U of Washington, or UCLA. Whichever one would be awesome. Thinking about spending my summer at one of these universities makes me really excited. I am a nerd and what!! J

Besides these goals, I also have other simple goals that did not start in 2012---they are more like works in progress than anything else. I want to continue being a centered, at-ease, healthy, and kind person. I want to lead a balanced life.

Writing my goals down has actually been very helpful—I will reference this article every time I need some kind of motivation! I recommend that you write down your goals! Last but not least, share your goals with your family and friends. They love you so they want to help you accomplish these goals. And do the same for them!

Until next time,

Karina

Home for the holidays!

2011-12-28T13:45:00.001-08:00

It feels so good to be home! After four months of being away, there is no better Christmas present than being with my mom, dad, and my three brothers (aka three of my best friends ever. They are the best!). There certainly is something about going to college across the country that makes you realize how much your family actually means to you.

I honestly did not think I would have missed my family as much as I did. I was excited about the real world and being independent but being back home feels so right and awesome. I really love being back home, on my favorite couch, with my favorite blanket draped on me as I write this. I would not want to be at any other place.

I also realized how much of a family person I am. I love my family. I love the idea of families. I can’t wait to have my own family. Family. Family. Family. There is nothing better than individuals who love you no matter what. You can annoy them, or get them mad as much as you want but you always know that they will forever be there for you because they are family.

For the next three weeks, I will indulge in the warm San Diego weather, in my mother’s cooking, in the laughter and unconditional love my family has to offer, in all my beautiful reunions with friends and prepare my mind for another great semester off at college. Sitting here and reflecting about my life, I really do not have a thing to complain about. I am so fortunate to have the great people that I have in my life including my beautiful family and friends. It is more than what I could ever wish to get for Christmas.

Happy Holidays!

Not “Mexican” enough

2011-11-25T16:47:00.000-08:00

Growing up, I always felt like people were easily able to distinguish that I was Hispanic. No one ever guessed wrong. But now that I am older, people have a hard time believing that I am Hispanic, more specifically, Mexican. Is it my lighter-than-most Hispanic complexion or that I speak perfect English? Or maybe that I am 5’9 and not shorter?

Yesterday, I had someone tell me that I did not look Hispanic at all and that I was simply “too tall” to be Mexican. And then he began to speak Spanish with an American accent slowly to me so that I could understand. And that hurt me. It hurt me a lot. I answered his questions in complete Spanish to show him that I understand and could speak Spanish. I tried to answer with a confident tone even though I was trying my best to hold back my tears.

It feels like I am being stabbed in my heart when people question or doubt that I am Mexican. It is MY identity. I LOVE BEING MEXICAN. It irks me to the point of extreme anger as well as sad tears when people cannot recognize my ethnicity and respect that I do not fit the stereotype of a “Mexican”.

How dare anyone question who anyone else is? I am disappointed in myself for letting comments like that get to me. But I cannot help it. I want to be identified for who I am, for the country that my parents come from and ancestors thrived in, for the traditions that my culture has, for the ethnicity that I am proud of and love so dearly.

After having some time to think about those hurtful comments, I have realized how important it is to use this motivation to get through hardships and through moments when I need an extra push. YES, I am MEXICAN. I AM light-skinned. I AM educated. I AM 5’9 AND A HALF! What do you have to say about that? I break stereotypes wherever I go.

What are some great snacks?

2011-10-23T14:21:00.000-07:00

Food makes our taste buds happy and brings us comfort. Food brings people together. Food is always at celebrations. To say the least, food is delicious. And, it is also very tempting. Since being at college, I have been exposed to foods that I never tried in the past and foods that were not common staples at my household. College has also introduced a new definition of junk food to me. It has been very hard to stay away from all the sugary yummy goodness that brownies, chips, soda pop, and cookies have.

So, how can you stay away from all this (pleasing to the taste buds but not good for your figure) food?

Well, try to balance your snacks. And by balanced snacks I mean healthy yet delicious snacks. For example, number one on my list is oatmeal. There are packets of instant oatmeal that come with different flavorings like Apples & Cinnamon and Maple & Brown Sugar. With each packet (one serving) of oatmeal, totaling160 calories, you could get the sweetness that you might be looking for, but also something much healthier than Oreos or chips. Oatmeal has proven to have serious health benefits like lowering blood cholesterol. And since it has fiber, you’ll be full for a longer time than if you were to snack on Oreos. I make my oatmeal with soymilk since I don’t like regular milk and its healthy as well! You should try it sometime if you haven’t!

Delicious hummus!

Number two on my list of yummy AND healthy snacks is good ol’ hummus! Hummus is a dip made out of chickpeas, tahini (a sesame paste), olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. You can dip crackers, pretzels, and even vegetables if you want to have a snack. Most stores carry different flavored hummus. I currently have a Sabra’s Roasted Red Pepper hummus and if I do say myself, it is delicious!

Number three on my list is nuts! I love walnuts! Nuts are an awesome source of fiber and antioxidants so do not be afraid of grabbing whatever nuts you prefer and snacking on them while you are working away on your laptop, as I am doing right now J. Snacking on fruits (maybe with some yogurt and granola) and vegetables (perhaps with some low fat ranch or hummus) are also great alternatives to calorie filled snacks.

There are certainly other healthy alternatives, so I encourage you to try them out! But eating healthy doesn’t mean that you can’t indulge in a slice of rich chocolate cake once in a while! Practice good eating habits now so that you don’t have to suffer the repercussions of a bad diet when you are older.

Remember: Enjoy everything in life! But remember to balance things out and love yourself!

How to be a good roommate

2011-10-17T15:59:00.001-07:00

Roommates. I’m sure almost everyone who has shared the same room with another human being has some horrifying roommate story. When I hear roommate complaints in the dining hall or on the bus, I can’t help but to thank the gods for blessing me with such a great roommate. And I guess it is rare for people to say that they actually like their roommate, but I really do.

The school year starts off with a “honey-moon” period, also known as the time when you get to know the person who will be living with you. Everything is going well because you’re so excited to be in a new situation. And then the real test comes along: the ending of the “honey-moon” period. Your true self comes out. You realize that college is not some kind of short summer program, but your home for the rest of your undergraduate experience. You’re not trying to be as nice as possible at every single moment like you might have done when you were still looking for friends; you act like yourself (we’re all very nice people but you know what I mean!). Your roommate could then either becomes a good friend or merely someone who co-inhabits your room.

Luckily, my roommate and I get along very well. I would even consider her one of my best friends, if not my best friend, at college. We have similar tastes in humor, share some interests, and have a group of mutual friends. It’s nice to have someone who I feel comfortable telling anything that might be on my mind—serious issues and funny moments (there is literally never a day that goes without some kind of deep discussion or laughter).

I think we have been able to forge a great friendship because we communicate well. We make our concerns known to each other. We also respect each other’s ideas, beliefs, goals and aspirations, and of course, personal belongings. I think all roommates should attempt to be open with each other, if your Resident Advisor makes you discuss rules for the room (i.e time lights should be out, visitor policy etc), take it seriously, it is very important that you are both on the same note. Also, be open to learning. My roommate and I are from different coasts of the United States, have different religious beliefs, different organizing preferences (you should see my very messy desk!), and academic endeavors (Me= History major (but still Pre-Med) vs. My roommate= Psychology and possibly German minor) and I have learned so much and gotten to see a different perspective on many topics and life in general.

The most important aspect to having a good relationship with a roommate is a positive attitude. My roommate and I get along despite our differences because we want to have a great college experience. So, I definitely encourage you all to be communicate as best as you can, be open to learning, and have a positive attitude. I guarantee that your relationship with your roommate will be much fulfilling if you do so!

Is it vacation time yet?

2011-10-02T13:50:00.001-07:00

This week, I feel like school stresses have culminated and have reached to a point where I feel exhausted. Receiving a not so good first Chemistry test back, writing an essay stating the difference between biological essentialism and social constructivism when it comes to sexuality to explain why human beings want what they want, and reading a ton of pages has pushed me to the edge. I need some kind of opportunity to rejuvenate myself. So, that is why I ask: is it vacation time yet? Luckily, I have a fall break in a week so I am happy to finally be able to sleep in, relax, and give myself a dose of therapy to calm me down.

Work -.-

I think being on-the-go eventually causes everyone to feel “burnt out” or like they need some kind of break to rejuvenate and gain back the motivation they initially started with. And that is why I think the reading I did for my writing class came at such an opportune time. In this class, we focus on civil engagement to try to identify our motivations and why we should even care about volunteerism. We read a chapter from Robert Cole’s book The Call of Service titled “Hazards”. In the chapter, Coles talks about the moment when you have invested so much of yourself in a specific project that you are left feeling “burnt out”, depressed, cynical and/or exhausted because you do not see any results or feel like you’re actually making a difference.

I think what Coles was talking about also applies to life in general as well. One gets so fed up and so debilitated from everyday small stresses that they end up burnt out and needing time to recharge, similar to what I am feeling now.

Sometimes, you have to sit back, relax, and reflect.

So how to you get out of this slump? What are you supposed to do to “recharge”?

I connected with this quote because it reminded me that feeling exhausted and “burnt out” are mere temporary feelings. It helps me realize that it is indeed not the end of the world and to do one thing at a time and be happy that I was able to do that one thing. Life is constantly changing and I must enjoy every single moment of it even when it is not going well or if I am stressed.

So to those who recognize what I am going through or are going through the same, please know that you are definitely not alone. It is important to enjoy life in all of its glory. Take a break to reignite that passion within you.

First week of college: Disorientation Week

2011-08-28T07:28:00.001-07:00

Friday marked day five of me being at college. I arrived in Durham on Monday afternoon extremely excited to get onto my campus. On Tuesday morning, I took a taxi to campus and moved into my dorm. With enough space for even a third person, air conditioning, massage chairs located in the first floor of my building, I quickly fell in love with the place I am to live for the next school year.

My roommate, a student who I had met at a Latino recruitment program, welcomed me to Durham and made me feel a bit more comfortable. We walked around the campus and I was truly and deeply surprised at how my life has instantly changed and how much change I must now adapt to.

Although I had anticipated college oh-so- much and could not wait to leave, I began to recognize that California, my home state, is an absolute paradise, especially my hometown of San Diego. Why? Well, don’t palm trees, clear blue skies, warm weather, and a breeze sound quite attractive to you? They sure do to me! By the first few days of orientation week at Duke, I was definitely overwhelmed by the differences of the west and east coast. I felt extremely homesick and yearned to be back in my sunny state known as California.

My workspace for the next year

All the different cultures, faces, wardrobes, and interests of the many people I have met these past few days have overwhelmed me. Although the freshman class here is quite small, not even a mere two thousand students, I feel like I am almost lost in a sea of students. I come from a relatively small high school where the majority of the students had known each other for as long as seven years. Trying to find my place here at school has definitely been a challenge. Trying to seek out people who think the same things are funny and have the same way of thinking has actually been a real difficulty.

To be completely real and honest, I began to doubt my decision of being so far from what I knew. I began to think about what college would have been like to stay close to home. The transition might have been easier, I wouldn’t have missed my parents, brothers, and friends as much, and maybe I might have felt more at “home”. I began to think that maybe my parents did have a point in trying to convince me to stay closer to home.

Classes start Monday and I am one of the few who are actually ready to begin the school year. Being in a classroom setting and talking to people on a more personal level sounds so appealing to me at the moment. I want to find more people who I feel comfortable and happy around. I want to find my identity in this place. And I am in the process of trying to do so.

Although I do miss home and being comfortable all the time, I am sure this is what going to college across the country feels like. You are unsure, awkward, scared, sad, but excited for the future.

My beautiful dorm!

I have always been an optimist and in this case, I have to be an optimist. I can’t complain about my beautiful dorm, campus, and sincerely nice people I have met here. Nor can I complain about the motivation my school has given me when it comes to academics. I must “springboard into my future with confidence” as my academic advisor said. I plan to do just that.

With orientation week not even over, I have already been challenged in many different ways but I know it’s just the beginning. Many more struggles await me but at the same time much more fun and excitement are also on the horizon as well.

So today, I will leave you with a saying: “Winners don’t quit and quitters don’t win.” I have never been a quitter and I do not plan to be.

Please keep reading my blog as I continue blabbering on about my college experience! There will be plenty more to come!

The commencement of adulthood

2011-08-16T21:40:00.000-07:00

College. These seven letters hold such a great significance. I remember being in elementary and middle school and thinking that college was a lifetime away, that is, if I could even get to college. Considering that my parents were immigrants to this country and I knew no one who had gone to college or even what it was, the odds were definitely not in my favor.

Fast forward a couple of years and now I am preparing to leave sunny San Diego to live the next four years of my life in Durham, North Carolina. How crazy is that? Going across the country for college at Duke University? 2,500 miles away. Me? Whoa. Insane.

Besides the obvious shock of moving to another coast, I can’t believe how fast time has passed. I used to think that college kids were smart adults who knew what they were doing. Do I consider myself an adult? No. Do I know what I am doing? I wish. Do I know what I want to do in life? Not really. Am I scared? Yes, very much so.

The Big Day is approaching!

To me, college is a step into adulthood. And I am definitely being bombarded with my own pestering worries. I do not know what I want to do with my life. And definitely not secure with who I am or who I want to be. But I do know that I am willing to give it a try. I am excited to begin to individualize myself and become my true self by being in the real world.

And I can’t begin to describe how much I am looking forward to the independence and freedom that college brings. Away from my parents (although I love these two wonderful people who are freakin’ amazing), away from my secure home, warm city, and everything I know. I am looking forward to meeting new people, people like me and also people completely different from me, seeing different perspectives, learning new things, attending classes and overall just having a blast.

My parents have been giving me advice this whole summer since they know that my time at home is limited. They keep reminding me of what they consider a “mission”. The mission that has been assigned to me is to go to college and get my degree, to completely dedicate myself to do this. It is the whole point of going to college!

I want to make my parents proud and I cannot wait for the day when they travel to my college to see me graduate. But for now, I will enjoy being an adolescent and I will make the most out of college.

My next blog will be my first impressions of college so I am definitely looking forward to sharing you my first thoughts with you all! See you soon!

A Single Essay Submission: Free College Education

2011-08-03T16:46:00.000-07:00

Most grown-ups today would jump at the chance of writing a short essay to win a prize monetary amount. An hour of your day in return for $500, $1000, or for even a greater amount of money sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? But, in fact, it is very much true. Students have opportunities to decrease the amount of potential debt that they might find themselves in after they finish their schooling. With horror stories of students owing thousands upon thousands of dollars in college loans, applying to scholarships by merely writing an essay sounds more than enticing.

During the oh-so-stressful period known as the last and final year of high school, seniors have to apply to colleges and scholarships while at the same time continue to do well academically and keep up their leadership positions and extra-curricular activities. Coming fresh out of high school (graduated a bit over a month ago!), I know how tough managing senior year activities can be.

I remember feeling like I was drowning in a large lake and being unable to swim up to the surface to take a deep breath. All the deadlines I had to make, the piles of homework I had to complete, the activities and events I had to attend, and trying to craft my future was incredibly overwhelming. Not until the day I received my high school diploma did I really feel liberated; I could finally swim to the surface of the water and take as many gulps of air as I wanted. Well, at least for a few more weeks, until I begin to undertake college responsibilities at Duke University.

But before I completely bore or completely frighten you about your senior year of high school, I would love to share a very bright moment of my high school senior year. On April 18, 2011, I found out that I was a Gates Millennium Scholarship (GMS ) Recipient. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has funded the Gates Millennium Scholarship each year since 1999. The scholarship is awarded to 1000 well-deserving minority students across the United States who face significant financial struggles when it come to college.

GMS gives a good-through-graduation scholarship to the students to use at whatever institution they choose. That means an undergraduate, a graduate and possibly a doctorate degree is completely paid for. Yes, that’s right, completely paid for! No loans or work-study. I feel very blessed to have been a recipient this year. I won’t have any loans to pay back or be in any kind of debt when I finish college!

Seeing friends having to deal with loans and trying to find last minutes ways to gather up money for college is hard to do. But at the same time, I am realizing what GMS means. It means that I can push through and pursue my goals, which I am very happy about. But I also know that much is expected of me because of this gift. Part of my life will now be dedicated to giving back to the community that nurtured me and to the students who come from similar backgrounds as me.

So, to all you high school students out there, please start early and apply to as many scholarships as you can! Anything free is awesome. Free money is even more awesome! And if you are a high school senior, please complete the Gates Millennium Scholarship. 8 essays in return for having your whole schooling paid for? Totally, completely, and 100% worth it. The Gates Millennium Scholarship has become available as of August 1^st, 2011 and will close on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 so there is plenty of time to complete it. Also, look for other scholarships on your own. Fast Web is a free scholarship search engine, take advantage of awesome resources like this. Best of luck!

This is the first of my blog posts so visit soon, because there will be many more to come! Feel free to leave questions, comments, and concerns below. Also, please check out the "Paying For School" page on the Latinos in College website.

If you liked this blog, you should also read these:

Daniel Alberto Perez's Blog: A $100,000 Job Offer: Dreams Derailed?

Ana Sofia Vasquez's Blog: Memoirs of a Previously Clueless Highschooler. Part 1.