The Change

I was very excited when the University of California Davis gave me admission to their university. I was very happy and full of joy. I felt the greatest satisfaction knowing that all my hard work had paid off. I felt that I was finally going to accomplish my dreams, and I was going to attend the university of my dreams. In the process of getting ready to attend college, my father lost his job and my mother had to shorten her hours. I was still fighting to attend UC Davis but I saw the struggles my parents were facing on paying the rent on time and still they were going to help me pay for my housing at Davis. I couldn’t make them go through more. Part of me felt like I was giving up on my fight, but the other part made me feel like I was doing the right thing for everyone. 

As the days passed my decision had to be made. I was very frightened to decline UC Davis. I felt like I was letting everyone down. I made my final decisions after talking to one of the advisers from The Ed. Fund. He explained to me my options about community college and made me realize that there is nothing wrong. He helped me organize a budget. After that phone call I felt good knowing that what I was going to do didn’t make me less than others. 

When I look at this journey I can’t help but to wish for a rewind button. I wish I had done things differently. Even now, when I look at my UC Davis ID, I get a little sad knowing how different things could have been, but I learned a lesson that will forever help me in the future. Throughout this experience I learned that it does not matter where I go, but rather to walk that path even if there are curves and bumps to get there. I am an AB540 student and I don’t get a lot of financial aid. I come from a low-income family and my parents don’t have secure jobs. I just wish I would have taken these factors into consideration and actually be realistic about my chances of going to UC Davis. I wish I had a clear view on what I really wanted to do. Since I took long taking my decisions I register late for classes at my community college, and now I have to wait until next semester to obtain classes that I need to transfer. 

I don’t ever want to see anyone facing the same situation as me. Have your goals set and ready. Be realistic about your goals. It’s not wrong to dream high, but also consider how you’ll get there. Make a budget plan with a college adviser and be sure how much financial help you can get from your parents. Also, know that there is absolutely nothing wrong with community college. Some of us have to go to different paths to get where we want to be. The important thing is to accomplish it.

-Elienai, UC Davis/Contra Costa College 

Life of a Culinary Student

Before I even started attending Contra Costa College's Culinary Program, I was already very excited about being able to study and gain experience in the Culinary Arts and Hospitality field. We've already been in school for 5 weeks and I still haven't lost my interest or excitement towards the program, I don't think I will lose it any time soon either. I love coming to school dressed in my uniform, which consists of a white chef coat with my name embroidered on the left side, black chef pants, non-slip shoes, and a black beret; carrying my knife set and apron in one hand, I'm ready to tackle the day. My first few weeks of school have been amazing; I've met such a variety of people that all share the same interest, Culinary Arts. I've been able to learn all the basics and fundamentals of cooking, basic knife skills, and proper cooking method procedures. I've also been able to gain a lot of experience working for the 3 seasons restaurant, the Express cafe, and the Switch, all of which are outlets in our campus that produces fine quality food. It's been a fantastic couple of weeks, and I feel that it will only get better the more I learn and spend time here.

I've been attending Contra Costa College since the Spring semester of 2012 as an early high school grad, so I've been around the college frequently and have learned where everything is through the campus, I thought that I would be ahead of the game starting my first semester in the Culinary program; I was mistaken. The Culinary Program at Contra Costa differs so much from the rest of Contra Costa College, that it almost feels like you're attending a different school in a separated campus. Most of everything that I had found out that Spring semester became irrelevant came Fall semester. The Culinary Program existed in the Applied Arts and Administration building, and anything outside of the building seemed like it didn't even exist. My impression of college life in Culinary school is very different from what I expected, everything is very fast paced and hands on. It's nothing compared to any AP classes or Honors classes I've taken in high school. It's different, but I like the difference. I'm learning so much more than I anticipated and I'm very happy being part of this program.

After these first couple of weeks of Culinary school, I'm very much looking forward to my next couple of semesters in the Culinary Program. I'm very excited to advance into the more challenging Culinary courses and to attend business management classes. I am excited about gaining a job in the field of Culinary arts and hospitality. But I am most excited about my plan to graduate in two years with my Associates in Science Degree: Classical/Modern Food Preparation and Restaurant Training, a Certificate of Achievement: Classical/Modern Food Preparation and Restaurant Training, and another Certificate of Accomplishment: Restaurant Management. I've made an educational plan for myself, and I am determined to earn this degree and these two certificates in two years. It's my current goal, and I'm very excited about the journey that will lead me there.

Hope everyone's having just as much fun!

–Krizta, CCC '14

Settling in at Contra Costa College

My transition to Contra Costa College was not what I was expecting. I never thought that the classes were that hard in a community college. It’s was probably because I am currently taking classes I never had during my high school years, classes I thought that I never would have needed in the future. One of them is chemistry the other is philosophy. Unfortunately, I didn't get to enroll in my philosophy class because it was too full.

I have had a hard time adjusting to college. For example, I didn’t knew I had to sign up for classes online myself. I thought a counselor would do it for me after I saw them. I had my entire schedule planned out but because I didn't sign up for classes on time I didn't get into many of them. However, I am doing well in the class that I am taking. I am not taking the classes that I wanted at first but at least I am doing something that will help me transfer to a four-year university in the future.

Over the summer I unfortunately couldn't do much to prepare myself to college. I had to work full-time to pay for my living expenses. The most that I probably did over the summer was to take a tour of the campus to make sure I knew where every building was. It wasn't much, but at least it helped me get to know the school a bit better.

I am looking forward to do my best in my chemistry class this semester, not because I just want to pass, but to learn and understand the concepts taught in class. I am also looking forward to meeting new people and to registering for spring classes on time.

- Hector, Contra Costa College '13