Don't forget that your schooling does not have to end after your undergraduate career. Keep using the same study skills that paved your successful high school career to have a strong graduate school application. Go to office hours so that your professor knows who you are and knows how you work.

One of the most important lessons that I learned from Upward Bound was not to be nervous about reaching out to your community when you need it.

Learning study skills gave me an advantage when it came to studying for midterms/finals. While some students were not as prepared, I felt that my study skills were more than enough to help me get a good grade.

The easiest transition for me was the physical move. Going from the El Monte avenues to the beautiful and healthy green foliage of UCSC was the most enjoyable part.

The most difficult transition I faced was with my family. Before moving from South El Monte to Santa Cruz, I had only lived apart from my family for about a month- UB Summers- so, staying for three months was intense. I felt like leaving school at least once a month, but my family kept encouraging me to stay and finish.

I overcame this transition by joining student organizations that helped me develop my study skills and time management.

I chose to attend UCSC because they offered the best financial aid package.