“Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. It shows you have the courage to admit when you don’t know something, and to learn something new.” – Barack Obama
College is a time to figure out who you are and what you want to do, but where do you start? Don’t worry, Student Services has got your back! Financial Aid, Personal Counseling, Transfer Center, and Academic Advising are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what is offered by Student Services to support you in your learning and development as a college student. Throughout your college journey, you will come to find that Student Services is the backbone of a successful student.
I was first introduced to Student Services in high school through programs such as CAP and Pasadena City College Upward Bound. These programs helped me understand different types of financial aid, how to build a resume, and how to apply different strategies for effective essay writing. As a student involved in these programs, I gained a sturdy foundation of knowledge and resources that would later assist me as a college student.
When I first started college in the Fall of 2019, I was concerned about my academic trajectory. During “Welcome Week” at PCC, I learned about resources available to me, including EOP&S, an educational opportunity program for low-income or first generation students. With this program’s guidance, I created an academic plan for each semester with a goal of transferring in 2 years. In addition, EOP&S provided me with textbook vouchers, free parking permits, and other financial resources, which eased my mind in terms of financial obligations.
During my Spring semester in 2020, I started thinking about transferring to a 4-year university to complete my degree in Public Health. I reached out to the Transfer Center at PCC, where I connected with a UC transfer specialist dedicated to helping students like myself understand the requirements to transfer to a UC. When it came time for me to apply to transfer, I had already drafted my responses to the personal insight questions and had my extracurriculars list ready; all I needed to do was fill out my application and submit it.
As I wrap up my last semester at PCC, I am grateful to all the mentors, advisors, and counselors that were omnipresent in my academic and personal journey of growth. With their assistance and my persistence, I was accepted to all three of my top choices for transfer. God willing, I will be starting the next chapter of my academic journey at UC Berkeley in the Fall of 2021, where I will complete my B.A. in Public Health.
College is a time to figure out who you are and what you want to do; nobody said you had to do it alone.
***
Lori Nalbandian, a class of 2019 graduate of Pasadena High School, is currently attending Pasadena City College (Go Lancers!), where she is earning an A.S. in Public Health with a minor in Social Justice and Advocacy, and she intends to transfer to a four-year institution of higher education in Fall 2021. Outside of academia, Lori is involved in campus activities, athletics, and community service projects. With a service leadership mindset, Lori aspires to obtain degrees in higher education to serve as an example and inspire others to dream, believe, and achieve. She is honored and humbled to serve on the Student Advisory Council for CAP, an organization that strives to reach educational equality.