College Decision Update

The UCSB mascot is the Gaucho, which is an Argentine cowboy. (I'm not a fan of the mascot, but it is the least of my worries).

For weeks, I stressed about the decision of where I would spend the next 4 years of my life. After I had eliminated Indiana, I was bouncing back and forth between UC Santa Cruz and UC Santa Barbara. I made comparison charts and spent hours looking up different aspects of the colleges (what the natural environment was like, what clubs there were, how the dorms and housing were set up, what the music programs are like, etc). I had days where I felt decided on one or the other, and then a day or so later my "decision" would change. I then compared the requirements of the specific major I am going into, Environmental Studies, and realized that the requirements for the major at UC Santa Barbara are much more specific, and the requirements at UC Santa Cruz seemed curiously lacking. Eventually, I made appointments with the advisors for the Environmental Studies major. These conversations helped me realize that I would have the ability to take many more classes at Santa Barbara, just because of how the system is set up. This was ultimately the deciding factor in my decision, as it should be. So, without ever having been to the campus, I submitted my Statement of Intent to Register to UC Santa Barbara! In the next few weeks I will be signing up for housing, and eventually attending an "online orientation" and sign up for classes. I am hoping that classes will be held in person in the fall, but there is a chance that "some or all" parts of the school year will be held virtually, according to an email that was sent.

My life otherwise has hardly changed. I frequently babysit (for 1 family that Tovia and I are taking turns for), and do gardening work when I have the opportunity. I have not managed to secure a more permanent job as I was hoping to, but I suppose the economy is to blame for that. So I will continue as I have been, applying to jobs, trying to earn money where I can, and doing my best to stay virtually connected with my friends. It feels as though my life is on pause, along with so many other peoples'.

I hope everyone reading this is doing well, is healthy, and as happy as possible. I am very grateful to know you, and I hope to see you when this is over.