Student Voices – Roosevelt College

Read Frankie's account of his experiences as a member of Roosevelt College.

Note: In addition to reading Frankie's description of student life in Roosevelt College, you can also link to other Student Voices to learn about the rest of UCSD's Six Colleges.

 I didn't have anyone to ask about college. So I had this image of massive chaos — people walking around like zombies, not knowing what to do with their lives, saying "Gotta study, gotta study." I was scared coming here, but there's nothing to worry about. I've figured out how to manage my time and get involved. I've found balance.

Photography

I went to Western High School in Anaheim. I'm the first to attend a 4-year university in my family. Photography is one of my biggest things. In 7th grade I was given a Konica camera. I was like, "Wow." Ever since then I've been walking around with a camera. I also like to work with pastels and anything to do with art. I have a portrait of my mother on My Space. My major's Media with Emphasis on Photography.

I really want to open a photography business or studio. Recently I got my license in life and health insurance, so I'm selling it now. The classes I took taught me a lot about running a business.

UCSD is prestigious

I chose UCSD mostly because it was prestigious. And I wanted to get away from home a bit and have that experience. My parents wanted me to stay near home at first. My first time on campus was on Admit Day and I knew I wanted to come to UCSD. The environment and the people — I had a really good experience.

"Becoming a person"

I like the fact that UCSD's next to the beach and the weather's beautiful. I like how it's separated into six colleges. It lets me identify with a small community, becoming a person, not a number. It's not like, "There goes number twelve." I'm Frankie. I have that pride that I'm in Eleanor Roosevelt College. The whole ERC campus is new and nice. Wow, we're so lucky.

My college gives me an opportunity to build a relationship with the provost and deans. And the Making of the Modern World classes made me a much better writer.

I live in IHouse (International House) with roommates from all parts of the world. We have international dinners and talent shows. It's awesome.

Campus life

Like with any large school, the social life here really depends on you. Go out there and find things you want to do. I'm involved in the Student Foundation, PERC (Programming at ERC) and QPOC (Queer People of Color). PERC puts on study breaks, casino night, a whole bunch of leisure activities for students to do. There are students who are afraid to approach the LGBT community or they don't know where to go. The people in QPOC are great. The community here and the students are very accepting.

Staying balanced

I love the quarter system. Hey, it's just 10 weeks. The pressure's on, but I've been able to handle it. I trained myself to have a planner and be very disciplined about it. I socialize on the weekends. I take my work seriously. We also socialize at the gym or when we go out to eat or to meetings. I study at the library. If I tried to study in my room, the computer is so distracting, I'd be playing with PhotoShop.

"Being an OL … was just amazing"

The Orientation Leaders really showed me there's a lot to do at UCSD. I said, "I'm going to be an OL my second year," so I was. Being an OL — that experience was just amazing. The energy they had — they're so hyped. I felt like a big brother to the freshmen. It was nice being able to give them a sense of security here. I'll be a Senior Orientation Leader this summer.

I told my orientees to get involved on campus. Don't be afraid to step into a student organization. A lot of them have gotten involved in clubs I belong to. I'm really proud of them.

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