My experience with belonging is like a snowball. As I have moved forward, I only meet, work with, and serve more people I come to love. People that are just like me, students, scared of the future and trying to find their place. William Simpson My name is William, I am a Warren student studying…Continue Reading With the Right People by Your Side
What surprised me most wasn’t just the mental and emotional rigor of academics, but difficult it was to feel connected to others. Patiemma Rubio When I started graduate school at UC San Diego, I thought I knew what to expect. I had already been a Triton for two years, one of them being fully online…Continue Reading Beyond The Comfort Zone
It’s okay not to belong right away. It takestime. You’re not alone, even if it feels like it. And the pieces of your story that feel like barriersnow will one day become bridges for others. Anonymous When I first arrived in the United States at 18, I carried more than just a suitcase. I carried…Continue Reading Finding Belonging Through Adversity
[by: Tanya Dwivedi] “Belonging isn’t a reward you earn; it’s something you build, over time, by showing up and giving yourself grace.” When I started college at UC San Diego, I was overwhelmed by the pressure to “make the most” of every opportunity. I thought belonging would come from achievement, from proving myself. While others…Continue Reading Permission To Be Imperfect
[by: Jayda Tunstall] I learned that sisterhood isn’t about matching — it’s about mattering. Acclimating to college for some can feel like an entirely different world filled with unfamiliar people, unspoken rules, and a complex terrain of new emotions. There is undeniably a thrill in this newfound independence at the idea of boundless possibilities that…Continue Reading Belonging Through Sisterhood
[by: Anonymous] I wouldn’t say the experience changed who I am at my core, but it did make me appreciate how diverse connections can be. I talk to people wherever I go anyway it’s just my personality but learning how to create a community when there isn’t a clear one made me more intentional about…Continue Reading Finding Belonging Without a Map
[by: Anonymous] I try to remind myself that it’s okay to tell people that I need help. One of the biggest challenges I faced during my transition to college was attending community college during the COVID-19 pandemic. I had just begun my second year when the lockdown forced all classes to move online. I originally…Continue Reading The Road To Graduation: A Transfer Experience
[by: Minh Nguyen] For me, overcoming my self-imposed limits didn’t just bring lifelong friendships and connections; it also inspired me to challenge myself further. I’ve taken on roles as an instructional assistant and researcher, forming meaningful relationships in those new communities. Immigrating to America at fourteen was a monumental leap out of my comfort zone…Continue Reading The Journey of Growth and My Sense of Belonging
[by: Elisa Kim] Through all of this, I’ve found that community really does shape your sense of belonging. The people I’ve met here have become my closest friends. Being surrounded by other creatives who support and motivate each other has made me feel seen—and has made me want to give back just as much. Starting…Continue Reading Finding My Place Through Creativity