UCMercedCarlos

Hey folks, my name is Carlos A. Guadarrama and I'm a proud sophomore attending University of California, Merced. I am a Political Science major interested in becoming a lawyer or going into politics. That being said it may come as no surprise that I am currently the Legislative Director for our External Office and am currently looking into running for ASUCM Senate. I'll be writing this blog in part for my job as a Marketing Intern for UC Merced Admissions but really due to my growing interest in politics and passion for student issues on my campus, in my state, across my country, and abroad.

[ucmcarlos]

Goodbye y’all

My name is Carlos Guadarrama, and I’m second year student at UC Merced.

As I’m sure you have heard, on Nov. 4 there was a tragic incident that took place on our campus.

Something that deeply concerns me is the way many people have begun to, from my perspective, come to the wrong conclusions about the campus I’ve come to love and the community I call my family without asking those who live here their opinion. With that said, I hope you don’t mind if I offer you my take on life at UC Merced following the incident, and what I believe the future holds for us as Bobcats.

This is my second year here in the Central Valley studying political science, and I have done my best to make Merced a place to call home. Having arrived here knowing quite literally no one, I  feel welcomed on our campus, and furthermore like to think myself as someone who contributes to our community in a positive, constructive way. That said, I join the thousands of students on our campus who do so day after day. I believe I’m a better person as a direct result of interacting with the friends I have made and the knowledge and the experiences I am accumulating here at UC Merced.

Still, despite all that, I cannot lie and say there wasn’t a sense of security that was lost last week, but what I can say is that we are fighting tooth and nail to reclaim it. Already our student body has mobilized like never before: showing up in the earliest hours of the morning to accompany affected students across our bridge, decorating our campus with ribbons and words of encouragement, meeting and organizing a vigil in a day’s time to which thousands of community members attended. Bobcats have come together to make us whole again.

So perhaps what I want to convey is that I know my words alone won’t convince you of our community’s strength and compassion … but perhaps their actions will … because even after what’s happened I won’t ever regret being a Bobcat, and instead I will remain privileged and humbled to have shared in our collective unity. So with that I just wanna let y’all know that I’ll be leaving my position as an admissions marketing interns to dedicate myself to my job as a Senator- at Large. I loved working for admissions and being a source of information and help to all prospective Bobcats… regardless though… I know I’ll be seeing you around soon.

Thank you.

[ucmcarlos]

Bad day...week...whatever.

So, these past weeks have...not been the easiest to say the least...

Though a lot of my distress was compounded by specific personal occurrences I think it was my midterms that offered the gift wrapped sucker punch that put me on the floor.

Normally, or at least last year, my midterms were scattered throughout a single month, perhaps two. This year however they were bundled up in a condensed package that was a single week. One test on Tuesday, another on Wednesday, and then another on Thursday. It was quite the extravaganza.

On top of studying for those midterms I had to attend various meetings for the external Office, committee Meetings, office hours, and a 4 hour long senate meeting on Wednesday that went till midnight... before my final 9:00 a.m. test... I stayed up til’ 2:30 a.m. studying.

If that alone weren't enough to get me down the weekend prior I had to attend a UCSA (University of California Students Association) meeting in Riverside-- that’s a 7 hour drive from Merced and this was the entire weekend, mind you.

Ultimately, I think it goes without saying that coming back home to a slew of exams wasn’t exactly the “welcome back” I wished for... I guess the biggest thing is I can’t afford to stop, ya know?

I somewhat feel sorry for myself but I try my best not to. College isn’t high school. It’s tough.

I had an awesome conversation with my bus driver today and though I hardly know the man he offered me the words I needed to get through the day:

 “Don’t give up” he said, “giving up on a class is you giving up on yourself”... “study strong, you’re not the only one who’s gone through this, and you will get through it...”

That’s UC Merced for you... and I dig it... Have a good one...

[ucmcarlos]

Elected!

Greetings!

So, I just got elected to Senate folks. Pretty exciting time for me (hopefully exciting for those who got me elected as well?).

I found out last Thursday after my political science class—I got a congratulations from one of my peers. The news was soon followed by an invitation to a dinner where I would be sworn in alongside the others who’d been elected. To be quite honest I’m thrilled to be elected. I think the process of running alone was a great experience for me —talking to literally hundreds of students is really a privilege-- and I hope being in the senate is just as great if not better.

Even so I feel I must say that as much as I’m thrilled, I’m anxious to get to work and anxious about living up to the standards I’ve set for myself and have been set for me by the students; my peers.

I think what worries me though is that I’m busy: I have a full course schedule —two classes which are my first ever upper division courses, two others which are lower division but no less time consuming— I have to work (usually) three days a week, I’m the legislative director for the external office, and now I’m a Senator.

I think there’s a lingering apprehension about embracing this new experience and a voice in my mind that is constantly self-criticizing coupled, now, with that of the students. Regardless however, I do feel confident in my ability to do what I need to do.

Tomorrow I’ll be attending a mock senate meeting which will be a basic rundown of how to make things happen on the table, should be good, I’ll let y’all know how that goes soon.

Toodles!

�|(*�

[ucmcarlos]

Running for Senate

Hey folks, so for those of you who’ve taken the time to read my little tumblr intro, you’re well aware that I am currently an ASUCM Senator.

As a political science major and as a student of UC Merced I find my interests lie in Student Government and inspire me to help my fellow Bobcats. To some extent I see it as my responsibility to bring my skills and passion to where they are most useful.

Our school is currently the youngest UC, the smallest UC, but it’s growing both in terms of population and constructs. More important than that, though, I see that the culture of our campus evolves with the increasing number of students as well as variety, and that is critical.

As an ASUCM senator I believe that I can have an effect on our society that is extremely positive and altruistic. For any students considering UC Merced and those who reside here already, you have this opportunity as well.

I’m placing what you might call my “bio” below which outlines my goal for the semester for you all to see ;) We’ll see how it all goes this year.

“Hello all, my name is Carlos Guadarrama and I’m a second year at UC Merced majoring in Political Science and am currently the Legislative Director for the External Office.

My political experience began my freshman year when I would intermittently attend ASUCM senate meetings. I thought about running for Senate at that point however until I was certain of my passion I didn’t want to offer myself to the students if my heart was not in the fight nor if my mind lacked the preparedness that comes with time and knowledge of student issues. Now, though I cannot say I’ve reached a point where I’m fully versed in every student issue- I realize that it would take a lifetime to do so- I know the best I can do for my school is focus on those concerns most pertinent to our campus, those where Bobcats suffer the greatest injustices.  With that said I want to bring to the Senate the issue of Food Insecurity among UC Merced Students. To those who are not aware there are students on our campus, fellow Bobcats, who go hungry due to the fact that they have to choose between a healthy and consistent meal or paying for other necessities like books, or transportation, or housing; understandably, as students, they are often forced to choose the latter.  Last year, I recall posts on UC Merced Classifieds where students were begging for help in acquiring food because their financial aid ran out or they weren’t fortunate enough to have a safety net to sustain them while they were going hungry at the end of the semester. Fortunately, however, those pleas were met with answers by fellow Bobcats who had copious amounts of money- sometimes up to $600- in their DC accounts.  

And so we arrive at our issue: there exists an abundance of money, and an abundance of food, yet still there are those who go hungry on our campus. I think we all agree this is blatantly unacceptable and what’s more there is something we as a campus can do. 

My goal is bring to our campus a program where students of their own volition, their own choice, can donate an amount of their leftover DC dollars. With that done the organization would then be responsible for identifying students in need of help, and dispensing food amongst them. By doing so we make use of student funds that otherwise go back to the DC and are not seen by the students until the next semester when one pays for their meal plan.  

This plan of course is not perfect; there are issues with it that need to be addressed, and questions to be asked as well as answered. Ultimately however, with your help you can create a culture on our campus where Bobcats help Bobcats. 

Thank you!”

[ucmcarlos]

What are you doing right now?

Right now, I am solving inverse functions for my Math 005 homework.

Do you enjoy math?

I love math.

Why?

Because there’s only one answer for one question, any more than that or any answer less absolute feels pretty arbitrary to me. In math there’s a clear cut sense of right and wrong. So I guess you could say I like being able to make the right choice.

So are you a Math major?

Actually I’m a double major in Computer Science Engineering and Cognitive Science.

Why’d you choose those for your majors?

Well, because I found that I have a passion for artificial intelligence and these two majors really help me study that.

Would you say that passion led you to UC Merced?

Definitely! There’s just so much opportunity to do interesting research! I was originally at Cal Poly Pomona but I transferred here last semester, and now I’m doing cog sci research about the theory of the mind at the Heit Lab! This is your first semester and you’re already doing research?

Yea! I applied about two weeks after my transfer and found myself working soon afterward.

That’s awesome, so since then how would you say you feel about UC Merced?

I think UC Merced is great, I feel like I have a home here. I love the people, they’re so nice. And the teachers are helpful-- it doesn't hurt that I get to get to know them.

So then what would you say to someone who’s considering UC Merced?

Well, I suppose I’d tell them to follow their passion like I did- if UC Merced is the school for you, then its the school for you and don’t let anyone say otherwise. If someone tries to criticize you for coming here let’m know that you have nothing to prove to them and to visit the school before you judge. Honestly I think the school’s achievements alongside my own speak for themselves despite our shared youth.

[ucmcarlos]

Like anything in life, happiness is not always free. Discover the hidden costs of living a life of meaning and fulfillment.

I read this article about happiness and I found I could relate to it very well.  I think as students we struggle with happiness, maybe this article can help change our view of what that really means.

:) go Bobcats!

[ucmcarlos]

University of California - Merced - The Best & Worst

Current students rank the best and worst things about UC Merced.

So I thought this was a really cool article/survey done by Niche. It points out the supposed "Best and Worst" attributes of our school, UC Merced. The most notable of which - to me at least- are how 83% of students surveyed returned to UC Merced after their first year to imply they were content here, 66% said our career center was a great help when trying to get hired or obtain an internship, 91% of students rated their professors as above average!

On the opposite hand the worst were "inflexible dining hours" which I personally don't deal with as I am of-campus, lack of athletic facilities (even though we have two gyms?), and lack of events for students over the age of twenty-one.

Despite those negatives, overall the good definitely outweigh the bad! Take a glance and see if you agree with how awesome we are- I know I do. GO Bobcats!

P.S. Tuition is referred to as "steep" as out-of-state tuition is $35,948  however it's important to note that in-state tuition is less than half that at, $13,070.

[ucmcarlos]

First of all, welcome back Bobcats!

I hope that you all are as ready and psyched for the new semester as I am! Personally I can't believe its already my second semester here at UC Merced. That being said, I cannot say I'm looking forward to my last; Merced is just too fun! Being back has been great! I'm looking forward to taking Cognitive Sci, Comparative Politics, Core, and especially Applied Ethics!  Anyways, I just wanted to share this awesome weather with you! As SoCal's winter game is invariably weak I love the cold change of pace here in Merced! Fog for days!

Go Bobcats!

[ucmcarlos]

Ladies and Gentlemen of UC Merced, as we are all undoubtedly aware (hopefully) the coming of Finals week is nigh upon us meaning that sleep, our most favored friend, will invariably begin to lose priority (at least in some cases) on our list of things to do before the end of the semester.

That being the case I wanted to share with you this awesome diagram for how students like ourselves can master the art of taking advantageous naps so we might find ourselves sleep-prepared for the long study hours sure to come.

Honestly, I think it goes without saying that many a college student often find themselves waking up for a 7:30 am class having NOT slept the recommended 7-8 hours. Hence we rise from our glorious slumber with the now proverbial thought:

which to be frank, might not be such a bad idea- in moderation of course- if you're about to have a mouthful of your semesterly serving of Finals. 

As the diagram states, 10-20 minutes of shut-eye alone- even if you don't fall asleep- "is ideal for a boost in alertness and energy" which is in turn an optimal amount of time for a break with benefits; after which you can get right on back to studyin'.

What's more if you have the time, experts might recommend you sleep a full REM cycle which is 90 minutes and supposedly "lighter" so you have minimal difficulty waking up. Also, you avoid the grogginess and irritability of a 30 or 60 minute nap and benefit both "emotionally" and mentally so you feel refreshed and energized for those Finals and study sessions! (Because stress shouldn't dictate our lives ;D)

All in all Bobcats, let's stay happy, let's stay healthy; that means SLEEP. Sure Finals rend the fibers of our very existences, but ultimately we can only take them in stride. And in the words of Christopher Robin, remember:

Sweet Dreams!

[ucmcarlos]

Just a couple of weeks ago my cousin came to visit UC Merced as a part of his AVID Junior Trip. He came with numerous of his classmates as well as my own AVID teacher from my senior year.

I was really excited to see so many familiar faces, not only that but he was the only relative I'd seen  in 3 or so months! 

Also I was especially thrilled to hear that not only he but numerous of his classmates loved our campus and were seriously considering applying, and later attending UC Merced because of their visit. A couple of them even bought UCM sweaters ;D

A couple of things they really seemed to love was our up-to-date facilities and resident halls, student to teacher ratio (1:20), and the opportunity to be a part of an up and coming generation of UC Students.

Clearly UCM is where its at, haha

[ucmcarlos]

How to become a memory master | Idriz Zogaj | TEDxGoteborg

Idriz is passionate about teaching others how to improve their memories and believes that with the right practice, almost everyone can get a super-memory.

Idriz Zogaj makes a fabulous TedX video, extremely applicable to student life.

During his video he points out the amazing potential our brains have in terms of its ability to learn. And as it turns out we're kinda doing it all wrong. Studying the way we do- monotonously and for long periods of time- really is not compatible with how our brain works.

Zogaj says that "our brains like fun" and by making whatever we're studying entertaining, we're really making it "important to our brain" so that it sticks in the long run.

Essentially, we are all memorizing masters when we try to memorize in the right ways.

Check out his video and perhaps apply his techniques/strategies the next time a midterm tries creeping up on you.

[ucmcarlos]

This year will be the longest period of time I spent away from home. But, I'm glad to say I'm doing well.

Merced has been good to me. I've found good roommates whom I'm now glad to be able to call my friends. My classes, though challenging, are exciting to take and a pleasure to experience; I can see myself growing. There are a few challenges though.

Besides having to go grocery shopping I find that the greatest obstacle for students such as I (freshmen and off-campus) is letting go of home. By that I mean we're constantly  fighting the urge to return to the sanctuary from whence we came every chance we get. We're homesick. And that's completely understandable.

This past month, after all, was my birthday; I've never spent one away from my family. It was disheartening not to see my parents and yet I find it necessary to remind myself of why I came to Merced: to learn, to succeed.

I miss my family, but I can't let that bring me down. So this year, even though it's a month late, I made my own cake to enjoy with my roommates. Being here is different, there's no doubt about that, but different doesn't mean sad so why not enjoy what what we have with who we're with. 

Chocolate cake for all.

.

[ucmcarlos]

Though waking up for 7:30 classes can be a struggle, Merced rewards me with a lovely sunrise and a UC education.