TRENDS Diary is a place for Boulder County residents of all ages to share personal experiences that relate to a pressing community need. The focus, for now, is on our shared need to connect and solve problems, despite the increased isolation we're all experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Community Foundation of Boulder County publishes the TRENDS Diary and invites those who wish to tell their story to submit it here.
Dear TRENDS Diary,
Everything was perfect up to now. I had my routine.
Then all this happened. I felt everything collapse.
I’m a first-generation college student majoring in Civil Engineering at The University of Colorado Boulder. English is my second language. In Spanish, I understand things so quickly and easily. At CU, my mind doesn’t process all the English content as quickly.
I compensate by connecting with people in person, striking up conversations with classmates, attending all office hours held by my professors, and taking advantage of every tutoring and mentoring opportunity I can find. I typically spend 80 hours per week on campus, including weekends. My hard work has paid off. I got all A’s and one B last semester.
When campus closed, I was so frustrated. I needed to find some way to stay connected. I created group chats. I stayed in contact with my friends. Now we do our homework together over Zoom. I send my professors lots of questions. I try to make it to every single virtual office hour. I help my friends. It’s been really productive.
Now that I’m home, I’m able to manage my time and help my parents more. They don’t speak English and need my help with little things, like last week when I went with my dad to the cell phone store to explain they were charging us too much for our service.
I’m looking forward to being back on campus. However, I’m ready to re-examine my routine. I didn’t have any time for myself before. I want to see my friends again. This situation is a learning season. We don’t necessarily appreciate everything that’s around us. I’m taking this opportunity to value the freedoms I have here.
- Giovanni Hernandez Peña, as told to Chris Barge
