Students blog

My housemate and I made one of our best decisions when we fostered Ana, a seventeen-year-old female cat. We specifically chose an older cat because she had less energy than a kitten and spent most of her days sleeping. This was ideal for our busy schedules. We found comfort in knowing she was content in a quiet environment.

Although Ana had several medical problems, she provided companionship. She also taught me to slow down and gave me a new sense of responsibility.

Companionship in a New City

Moving to college was a big adjustment, and being far from my family and pets made it harder. I craved the unique companionship that only a fur-baby could give. I started volunteering at my college’s local animal shelter to get my fur-fix, but it still wasn’t enough.

Then I looked into fostering. Because I live in a small apartment, I specifically researched fostering cats. That’s how I welcomed Ana into my home. Every time I came home, her cute little meows greeted me and instantly put a smile on my face.

She loved cuddling up next to me or sitting in my lap. Whenever I felt stressed or overwhelmed, Ana was there to listen. Her presence was a great comfort. Studies show that spending time with animals can release oxytocin, a “feel-good” hormone, and lower stress.

A Reminder to Slow Down

As a college student, I felt like I was always on the go. I had to be at this meeting, finish that project, and cram in some studying all in a single day. Running around trying to fit everything into my schedule was not sustainable in the long term.

When we brought Ana home, her slow-paced approach to life was a breath of fresh air. She was a constant reminder to slow down and appreciate the moment before it passes. I often found myself looking forward to the “next step” in life, but Ana took everything day by day and lived in the present.

A New Sense of Responsibility

Having a cat added new chores to my plate, but it felt good to care for something bigger than myself. My daily routine had to include cleaning her litter box, feeding her, and playing with her when she had the energy.

This change forced me to plan my days more strategically and intentionally. I needed to wake up earlier to care for her before I left for the day. I also had to use my time between classes more wisely so that when I got home, I had more time to spend with her.

Though Ana is no longer with us, I will carry the lessons she taught me for the rest of my life. She showed me the power of quiet companionship, the importance of slowing down, and the purpose that comes from responsibility. Fostering a senior cat didn't just change her final years; it fundamentally shaped my college experience.

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If you’re anything like me, the thought of joining a Panhellenic sorority both intrigued and terrified you. On one hand, you desired the lifelong friendships a sorority can could offer, but on the other hand, you didn’t know how you’ll fit into such a large sorority. On top of that, I wanted to join a club/organization where I would be surrounded by people who understood what it was like to be an Asian attending a predominately white institution (PWI). That’s when I discovered multicultural Greek organizations that are a part of a separate council called the United Sorority and Fraternity Council (USFC) on my campus, or more commonly called Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) on most other campuses.

I joined one of the Asian-interest sororities on campus and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. You might be asking: what are the benefits of multicultural Greek organizations? Here are three main benefits I’ve discovered:

1. A smaller, tight knit community

Multicultural Greek organizations are typically smaller in size than Panhellenic sororities. Because of this, it’ll be easier to get to know everyone in the organization on a deeper, more personal level. Additionally, sororities and fraternities within the Multicultural Greek Council often collaborate with each other for events, leading to great opportunities to get to know their organization and network with them.

2. Connect with Cultures

You could’ve probably guessed this one, but being a part of a multicultural Greek organization exposes you to cultures that you might not have otherwise crossed paths with. On my campus we have Latino-/Latina-interest fraternities and sororities, Asian-interest sororities, and a newly reestablished Divine Nine sorority in the council (that is, until more Divine Nine organizations become established, then they will be a separate council). And mentioned before, since organizations within the council work together, it opens opportunities for cultural exchange and allows for a stronger sense of belonging.

3. More leadership opportunities

Last but not least, in multicultural Greek organizations, there are more opportunities to pick up leadership positions in the organization because they are typically smaller in size. In my sorority, every member is encouraged to take on at least one position the term after joining and everyone has. These positions range from small-scale event planning positions, like organizing alumni coffee chats, to big positions on Executive Board. No matter how big the position, you’ll be able to develop important soft skills that you might not have a chance to develop in other places.

Although these organizations put an emphasis on their culture, they are not culture exclusive, meaning that as long as you are respectful of and willing to learn from their culture, you can potentially join. If you find yourself in a similar situation as me, consider joining a multicultural Greek organization. Who knows, maybe it’ll be one of the most fulfilling experiences at college, like it has been for me. Whether or not you choose to join a multicultural Greek organization, remember that you belong and you are allowed to take up space on your campus.

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As a born and raised Southern Californian, who lived 15 minutes away from the coast, and now attends college on California's central coast, I have a fair share of beach experience. In my “professional” opinion, I have created the ultimate beach tour guide with some of my favorite and not-so-favorite beaches that you should be sure to visit (or not to visit) the next time you find yourself in California, whether during Spring Break or any other time of year.

Crescent Bay Beach in Laguna Beach

This is my all-time favorite beach because of how perfect it is! The water there is always so clear and warm (most of the time), and the waves are not extremely big, but still big enough to dive under. Sometimes, if you’re lucky enough, you can see little baby leopard sharks and other fish swimming around the shore because of how clear and blue the water is. After a long, fun day at this beach, you don’t have to worry about bringing sand into your car either because there’s a shower station and bathroom right near the entrance of the beach too, and trust me, a shower station is not common in Laguna Beach.

There are a couple of downsides to going to this beach, but they shouldn’t be the reason you miss out on such a perfect beach! The first downside is the beach is on the small side. During busier seasons, Crescent Bay Beach can seem more crowded than other beaches because of how little beach there is. Despite this, there’s never been a time that I’ve gone to this beach and not found a place to lay out my towel. The other downside is parking. While parking is free, it’s mainly residential parking. This means that it can be hard to find a parking spot, but if you keep looking around, you will get a parking spot, I promise. I just hope that you’re good at parallel parking!

Strands Beach & Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point

I typically do not go down to the water at these beaches too often, because the walk down from the parking lot is long and steep. These two beaches are still on my list though because they are such a great spot to watch the sunset over the water and enjoy the ocean breeze.

At Strands Beach, you can watch the sunset from your car because the parking lot is on top of a hill that overlooks a neighborhood full of grand houses and the water. At Salt Creek Beach, you have to walk a little bit in order to find the perfect sunset-watching area. When you start walking down to the beach, you’ll come across this giant grass hill, and this is where everyone gathers to watch the sunset. In both places, you’ll get to watch a beautiful sunset, no doubt about it.

Doheny State Beach in Dana Point

This beach is definitely not my go-to swimming beach, but it is my go-to bonfire beach. Doheny Beach has a lot of bonfire pits that you can use for free (only have to pay for parking). What’s nice about it is that most of the pits are right next to the parking lot, so you can pull up your car and use your trunk for good seating (kind of) close to the fire. The pits aren’t that far away from the water either. However, if you choose to go swimming in the water, I hope you have strong ankles because rocks are in place of the sand. The rocks tumble and roll with the waves, making it highly likely that your toes will get stubbed. But if you brave it far enough into the water, you’ll start to feel sand!

Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County

Finally, a Central Coast beach! I might be biased when I say this since this beach is so close to where I live now, but Avila Beach is my favorite Central Coast beach. I don’t go in the water, though, because it’s colder on the Central Coast than in Laguna Beach. This beach is nice in that it has free parking, a bathroom and shower station, restaurants, and my favorite part, swings! It’s also nice because the beach is big, so it doesn’t feel as crowded as other beaches I’ve encountered. Then again, the air is colder, and the water isn’t as clear blue, making it less appealing to swim in.

Whether you’re visiting during your Spring Break, the summer, or any other time of year, I hope you find these recommendations helpful in finding the perfect spot for your beach adventure!

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started!