The first semester definitely had many lessons to learn. One thing I didn’t mention in my previous blogs is that I was pledging for Phi Iota Alpha, a Latino fraternity that focuses on uplifting the Latino community and bringing together the different people of Latin America. I feel strongly about my fraternity’s goals and that is why I chose to pledge my first semester.

For the next semester, I am definitely going to be even more involved with the Latino community on campus and try to reach out to the Latino students in the Boston area who are trying to make it to college. Now that I am a member of Phi Iota Alpha and involved with other Latino groups on campus, I am going to try to use my membership as a tool to reach out to the students who come from similar backgrounds as me.

Pledging for a fraternity and remaining involved in campus activities was very challenging but I definitely have learned how to manage my time in a way that I never thought possible. It was tough but my family back home and friends at school definitely gave me their support and with that I was able to be successful my first semester.

I am currently in Washington State right now as a guest speaker for a program called LCP, Latino College Prep. I shared my experiences as a first-generation American and first-generation college student and spoke about the importance of going to college and breaking the cycle. The students that I met in Everett, WA have definitely motivated me to continue reaching out to students and to continue working as hard as I can to succeed in college.

Remember, you need to go to college and be role models for all those who believe they can’t go to college because no one else in their family has.

Finally finished my first semester at Harvard!!! I can’t even describe how I feel. The first thing I did when I got out of my last final (Philosophy), was call my mom. She was at work so she couldn’t answer but I left her a voicemail thanking her for helping me overcome all the obstacles we have faced together. It was tough, but we made it!!

This semester was most definitely a challenge but it just takes adjusting. It’s nothing you can’t handle!

If I could give a piece of advice: learn to manage your time while still in high school; set your goals and in everything you do, ask yourself if it is helping you get to where you ultimately want to go. Also, always make time for family and friends; they are the ones that will help you get through the rough times.

The Holidays are here!! I can’t wait to come back home!! I just hope that I will be able to reconnect with all my old friends after four months. I have so many stories to share. College is definitely one of those life-changing experiences that help you gain perspective on the world. I never thought I would make it, but through hard work and faith, you can too!!

Keep working hard guys and enjoy the holidays! I’ll definitely blog again soon!

Thanksgiving was spent away from home but I was still able to enjoy it in great company. There is an organization on campus called RAZA which is centered around Mexican-American culture. Every year for the past 4 years, RAZA goes to Ed’s house for Thanksgiving (Harvard ‘06). It was so much fun being able to spend it with this new family I have been able to find here at Harvard. I ate A TON!! It was delicious.

It was hard being away from family but I was able to Skype with them on Ed’s computer. They were, of course, playing the rancheras and the cumbias back home but we had that playing at Ed’s house too so I felt at home. Seeing my family over Skype was definitely a great feeling. I felt as if I was right there with them.

So, remember, even though you may be thrown into another world once you get into college and might not be able to see your family during the holidays, there are still ways to enjoy this time apart with close friends and with 21^st century technology.

I am thankful for my family, mentors, and friends who I owe my life to. I wouldn’t be the same without the experiences (good and bad) that I have shared with them. I am thankful for the opportunities that I have at hand, especially ones like the CSO Opportunity Scholars Blog which give me the opportunity to show you future first-generation college students that college is possible no matter what your background is.

And I am thankful for you, the reader, who has taken the time out of his or her schedule to learn more about my college experience. Hopefully you can find it in yourself to acknowledge the strength you have to break the mold and make it to college. Keep working hard and make the best out of every situation. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

College is the BEST!! I’ve had days where I felt overwhelmed and thought that I might not be able to make it to the end of the week, but that comes along with the transition. It’s something new, it’s something challenging, but it’s something you can handle.

When I first got here, the workload seemed impossible but it just takes getting used to. I’m feeling WAY better now that I’ve learned to balance things out and really find ways to make time for the things that really matter. I’m sure I’m still going to have days where I want to crawl into a corner and assume the fetal position but I’ve got everybody back home counting on me! You gotta find that special something to give you strength.

The opportunities in college are endless and the experiences you have here are going to stay with you forever. For example, I met Dolores Huerta on Friday!! She was the co-founder of the United Farm Workers (UFW) along with Cesar Chavez; she is a major civil rights leader who pioneered the way for not only Chicanos, but for all oppressed people. It was truly an honor to meet her. My friend Jesus-Mario and I even got to drop her off at the airport!! It was pretty crazy.

These opportunities are out there; you just have to reach for them!!

Who are you going to meet? Who are you going to impact?

Well, that all depends on how much work you put in now, while you’re still in high school.

I’m still a little shook from the honor of meeting Dolores Huerta.

If you work hard enough now, people could say the same thing when they meet you one day.

Good news! I finished my philosophy paper! It felt great finally submitting it. You know what else was great? I had some pecan pie for the first time on Tuesday; it was delicious AND I had it a la mode. I had it at the Faculty Dinner where you invite a professor, advisor, or proctor to eat dinner with you to get to know them outside of the classroom or lecture hall. My friend and I decided to invite our 2 professors from our Anthropology course. It was great! The four of us ate dinner and got to talk about our backgrounds. It was a fantastic way to get to know them better. It’s important to get to know those that teach you.

So anyways, I know what’s on your mind. It’s November. The first round of applications are due in a few weeks, you must be excited. Even if you are not a senior in high school, be aware that it won’t be too long until your applications are due.

Hopefully, you seniors are prepared to work REALLY hard on those applications and get those personal statements in order. If you do not have anyone to help you at home, try talking to your counselors or teachers at school about helping edit your personal statements. They can give you some very useful tips on how to structure your essay and how to make it better. Do not be afraid to ask! They want you to go to college and if you approach them and show that you’re really serious about it, they will help you out.

And for all those juniors, sophomores, and freshman out there- remember, it is never too late to get ready. Develop those relationships with your teachers and counselors early. Talk with them, connect with them, and get to know them. Not only will they be able to give you advice on school and personal things throughout high school, if they actually know you they’ll be able to write you a personal recommendation letter that is actually genuine and not superficial.

Also, the more they know you, the more they will be able to help you decide which college is right for YOU. There are a TON of colleges; it just comes down to choosing which ones to apply to. Get on top of this, guys!

So, quick recap:

–Develop relationships with your teachers and counselors EARLY

–If you need help with personal statements, other essays, or even just understanding a concept – go to your teachers and counselors for help, they will like your proactive approach and see that you’re really putting in the effort

–Start looking for colleges that are right for you. Do not just look close to home- branch out and look for colleges all over the country. There are lots of private schools that will help pay your tuition!

P.S. Save the Myspace and Facebook for AFTER you finish your homework. Trust me.

I was cornered, surrounded, and jumped by my workload this week.

Let’s start from the beginning of the story. This past weekend was Parent Visitation Weekend at Harvard. My Mom and Little Brother were coming to visit – I was PUMPED!! I missed them so much and I couldn’t wait to give them the biggest hug of their lives. It was their first time on the east coast and my brother’s first time on a plane, I wanted to show them how I live now that I’m in college and also show my brother that he too can go to a great university if he works hard.

Just when Parent Visitation Weekend was finally inching closer, I received some news that made me wonder if I was even going to see them long enough to have a conversation.

In the span of two days, I was assigned a 5-7 page paper that was due this past Monday, a take-home midterm, which was two 7-page papers and an I.D. section due this past Tuesday, and a Philosophy paper (which is a style of writing that is COMPLETELY different than what I am used to) due this Friday – on top of the regular workload for the week AND my family being in town.

I could have freaked out and panicked but, like in high school, whenever you are faced with a potentially FATAL situation, you have to stay calm and make the best of it.

It was rough but I managed to see my family and I was able to work on my papers. At some points, I did both at the same time.

I have to say, this is probably the roughest week of my entire college career, so far. I’ve only been in school since late August, but still. Like in high school, you have to find balance. Stressing will do nothing; you have to stay calm.

I learned a lot from this experience. First, I learned just how much my family and friends support me and how as long as I keep them in my thoughts, I can find strength to pull through. Second, I learned how important it was for me to work hard in high school so I could be ready for times like these where time management is key to survival. Third, I learned that if you’re struggling, whether in a class, in school, or at home, and you feel as if there is no way out, there IS help. You can get help, you just have to look for it. In high school, you can get it from family and friends, counselors and staff at school, and after school programs. This week, I used the Writing Center, Bureau of Study Counsel, Office Hours of my professors, and more. Find those resources, guys! And always keep your head up!

College is hard but don’t feel intimidated. The harder you work now, the more prepared you’ll be when you get there. This week in college was rough but I’m almost there! And you’re almost here! It’s tough but VERY rewarding.

I’m still working on one more paper that’s due this week, so wish me luck.

Until next time,

Jesse

My mom wasn’t able to finish grade school because she had to help out in the fields of her small rancho in Mexico. She came to America to give her family hope for something better and after everything we have been through together, I just hope to make her proud by graduating from college and getting that degree.

I never thought I would make it to a place like Harvard and everyone didn’t think I would make it either, but I did. College is everything I could ever ask for, and more! I am learning about things I am passionate about and improving my writing and reading skills every day.

One of my favorite classes this semester is called Moctezuma’s Mexico and is all about Aztec and Mayan culture. It feels good to learn the history of my people and get to know what it takes to keep up with the rigor of a college course. Even though college is A LOT of work, I feel that everything I am learning actually has a purpose.

One thing I am definitely learning fast is how to manage time. If you do not know how to manage time and set your priorities, you run the risk of getting VERY far behind. That means no facebook or myspace until AFTER your work is done. Practice these habits early so you are prepared. But seriously, I am having the time of my life and meeting so many people from all over the United States and the world.

The friends that I have made so far, I am already very close to because not only do I get to hang out with them when we have free time, we also study together because of similar classes or coursework. The workload is intimidating but as long as you stay strong and focused, it is manageable. I felt that my writing skills were not as strong as others in my class so I felt discouraged but I found resources on campus to help me with that. We have a writing center and also a place called Bureau of Study Counsel that helps us learn good study habits and methods to do better in school.

As long as you work hard now, believe in yourself, and ignore all the people saying you can’t do it, you WILL make it and you WILL have the best time of your life here at college. Always remember, Shoot for the Stars, so if you fall you land on the clouds!