Crystal’s Posts

The reality of graduation is only a few weeks away. Part of me doesn’t feel like it’s that close as I continue to work through presentations and papers. It’s not until I’m scheduling my assignments in my planner that the amount of days we have left really hits me. In a few days I will wrap up my internship at McMinnville Habitat for Humanity. Working for Mac Habitat has been a great opportunity to learn about the structures and operations of the service nonprofit sector. I hope to work with an international NGO someday so my time at Habitat has helped me get a better idea of what that industry may look like. My favorite part of the experience has been working with families and hearing the ways in which the new homes strengthen not just their families but the McMinnville community as a whole.

Many of the groups I’m involved with on campus are also coming to a close. In our M.E.Ch.A Club we have recently voted in our new officers for next year. Seeing this group grow over the last four years has been such a gift. When another student and I talked about starting the club my freshman year we had no idea its membership would grow so quickly and that its impact on the campus community would be so positive. I have been truly impressed by my peer’s leadership and commitment. Another group that has created incredible impact on our students is my family away from home, the Linfield College Latinos Adelante group. This group has built strong relationships among our students. It gives us the comfort and courage to succeed at Linfield and I know had it not been for my LCLA family, many of the countless memories I cherish would not have been possible.

Saying goodbye to these two groups will be very difficult. Being a part of these two groups has given me some of my fondest memories from planning Hispanic Heritage Day to volunteering at Mac High for Latino Parent Nights. No matter what we were doing it was always a blast. I will really miss them. Another source of my favorite memories comes from my time abroad. Traveling to England and Costa Rica, I can honestly say, changed my perspective on the world. I opened my eyes to the beautifully complex diversity that is out there and I hope to dedicate much of my future to learning more about it through service. My time after Linfield will be one more step toward this goal.

After graduation I will remain on campus for one more Upward Bound Summer. This will be my fourth summer as a tutor counselor and I am so thankful to get to be a part of summer 2013. Upward Bound changes student’s lives allowing them to see beyond their circumstances to the great potential of what they can accomplish. It goes beyond teaching curriculum to teaching character, confidence and integrity. I am so proud to have been part of this UB family over the years as it has also taught me a great deal and challenged my leadership in many ways. After this Upward Bound summer I will be attending graduate school for a master’s in international development and service. With this degree I hope to work with an international service or relief centered organization to strengthen communities nationally and internationally as well. However first comes first, before I get excited about all that, I have to stay focused on finishing strong academically and appreciating every moment and opportunity I have left with my fellow wildcats. We are almost there!

It’s hard to believe I’ve finished my last set of midterms at Linfield. I can remember as a freshman being so worried about them but I think that mostly came from my uncertainty of how to handle them. As time has gone by, however, I’ve become more confident in my strategies and I’ve learned how to adjust my study habits to best fit my situation. For example, as a freshman I shared a space with roommates so I would often study late in the evening when things got quieter. This has since changed. I now study in the afternoons as I have a room to myself and my ability to retain information seems to decrease as the day progresses. A sign of my evolving years I’m sure. Looking back I can also remember studying only the material I had learned for that particular class but this strategy no longer applies. As you get deeper into your major you discover you are consistently referencing material from previous classes and concepts from outside disciplines.

I think an important tip to remember then is to find a study pattern that fits your particular work load for that specific semester but then be ready to adjust it as time goes on. Factors such as course levels, extracurricular activities, roommate situations and number of credits all play a role in finding the best tactics. Flexibility is essential to achievement. After midterms many of us will celebrate with some downtime, spring break! This year I will be returning home to Gresham for the week. This is the typical destination for my breaks over the years and I’ve always looked forward to the time with family. However, being my senior year, I find myself torn. I am happy to have a break but knowing I have limited time with my friends makes being away from Linfield difficult. That said I also know I need the time of relaxation and reflection on top of wanting to see my family so I’m just a little divided. Time is quickly moving and graduation is getting so close!

It seems unreal to be moving into my last few months at Linfield. It’s a truth I think I didn’t really start to process until Jan term. I spent this last Jan term in Costa Rica studying environmental health. It was an unforgettable experience in so many ways, the landscape, the culture and the people. It was a month full of reflection in faith, deepening relationships and academic growth. Having never taken a health sciences class before, I was able to learn new concepts and grow from the insights of my fellow “Costa Cats,” as we called ourselves. I learned a new academic perspective but also continuously related my own major of intercultural communication. Being fluent in Spanish I was able to engage in many thought provoking conversations with local Ticos and developed connections that deepened my understanding of their worldview. I also enjoyed comparing cross-cultural differences and similarities between my Mexican heritage and the Tico lifestyle. Each of my fellow Costa Cats contributed a matchless joy and purpose to the trip! I only wish I had met them all sooner to be able to enjoy them longer.

 This thought is one I keep having as I walk on campus from activity to activity.The people I have grown to love here on campus are some of the most supportive, encouraging and caring people I have. Many I have known throughout my four years and some I barely met a month ago, yet not being able to see them as regularly as I do now will be hard.  Don’t get me wrong, it is a very exciting time taking that next step. I guess being in my last semester is really a big mix of emotions. I am happy to see what opportunities await in my next institution but don’t want to leave this loving community. I want to continue challenging myself academically but can’t imagine better professors. I am enthusiastically waiting to hear back from graduate schools but not ready to say good bye. It’s a back and forth kind of game. In the end, however, I know that my Linfield community will always be here for me and I won’t be leaving forever. Commencement will come but I have some time before that! For now my focus will be on finishing strong academically and making time to spend with faculty, staff and friends while I have them close. This semester is going to be amazing!