Melanie M
San Jose state university
B.A. in Behavioral Science
What has been the biggest overall lesson that going to college has taught you?
The best things in life are always the hardest
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that I can do whatever I put my mind to and that my health should always come before anything
Rate your experience
at college:
2020 & 2021 were extremely challenging under the confinement and constant menace of the Covid-19 pandemic. Hopefully there were some silver lining and lessons learned.
Tell us about the highlights or accomplishments of this academic year 2020/21, in spite of all!
Despite being sick with COVID and finishing off my last semester being extremely sick, I really believe that I am capable of doing a lot no matter my circumstances. I also learned that resting and taking time for my health are not lazy moments but moments to heal my mind and body. I think in college we get caught up and forget to take time for ourselves and that is very important.
Thinking of the whole 4 years, what were the greatest challenges you faced? How did you overcome them?
I think commuting my first two years was difficult and my social life wasn’t as great as those that live on or around campus but despite all of that I was able to move to San Jose for my last two years. I also really struggled with my mental and physical health a lot, especially the last two semesters of my 4 years but now I feel like I have a better understanding of what it means to really take care of yourself and being okay with taking breaks when I need them.
What were your proudest accomplishments or highlights from attending college?
Deans list, Honors Society
If you could go back in time 4 years ago, what would you tell your 18 year old self? If you could do-over, what would you do differently?
I would tell myself to look for help and use all the resources that are available to me. I would have spoken to people in the Health Department a lot sooner and I wish I would have taken advantage of all the Help Centers for writing and tutoring. A lot of the time I was not using these resources and I think I only made things harder for myself by trying to do it all alone.
What advice would you give to an incoming freshman?
Use the resources (always ask for help) that are available to you and remember to take care of yourself no matter what that may look like. Do not feel bad or guilty for taking care of yourself amidst all the homework, exams, and other college demands.
Now that you have graduated, have you formulated any new short term / long term goals?
As of right now I am just trying to figure out what I want to do next and and looking for jobs in the social services. I really want a job where I know I am helping people and making a difference in their lives in anyway that I can. I want to be able to use what I have learned over the last four years to change the lives of underserved and underrepresented youth within out communities
How did being a Bella Scholar contribute to the success of achieving your goals?
Being a Bella Scholar helped me more than I can say, this foundation has helped me not just financially and covering a lot of my school expenses but even went as far as helping me during a time where I was very sick and felt discouraged. I can’t thank this foundation enough for helping me out in my personal life with financial assistance when I lost my job due to Covid and barely had any money, they always sent encouraging words, spread kindness when people needed it the most. I am very grateful and honored to be a Bella Scholar.