As a second-quarter student at UCSD, I had been feeling inadequate at test-taking and other school skills. However, I was able to receive advice from other seasoned students during this quarter, which slightly relieved my anxiety in other courses. Through shared experiences and socializing, I was able to make bonds and develop relationships with other students that extend beyond the course. I believe that being part of the Life Course Scholars Program provided me with an opportunity to be part of a course where students get to learn from each other, improve life perspectives, chat with older folks, and develop as individuals.
In this course, I held the idea that the day-to-day changes I made could create ripple effects that impact other people's lives and I wanted to do the best I could at it. Chatting and being around strangers made me realize the value of living in the present moment while also learning from past experiences. As humans, we have the ability to reflect on our past mistakes and successes and use that knowledge to inform our present actions. I didn't want my expectations of others to hinder my ability to connect with them, so I stayed present with whoever allowed me to be present with them. I witnessed the joy and growth that came from authentic connections and conversations with others.