I was both excited and nervous to start college my first year. I was away from home and unsure how to begin to navigate campus, especially as a Native American student. Over the years, I learned about resources that helped to foster my success.
Here are my three tips to find support as an incoming college student.
1. Connect with student community and cultural centers
Visit student community and cultural centers to help and to build connections on campus. These centers provide supportive environments where students come together, share experiences and celebrate their unique identities. They also connect you to other peers, resources on campus, leadership opportunities and student organizations. Additionally, they throw culturally relevant programs and events, as well as ones that aid students on how to navigate university life.
I found my community at the , known as Native Nest at UC Davis. Native Nest is a home away from home for me. I found people who share the same experiences as me and ways to get involved through leadership opportunities. The center connected me to career counselors, writing specialists and the , or CAN, counselors along with other campus resources.
2. Attend office hours
Start each quarter or semester off right and go to your instructor’s office hours. Office hours are a space to ask clarifying questions and the time to engage in deeper discussions about topics taught in class. Ask your professor about the work they are involved in and develop a relationship with them. This opportunity also allows your professor to get to know you, which comes in handy when it’s time to ask for letters of recommendations or mentorship.
3. Check in with your major advisor
Make appointments to check in with your major advisor. This is key to make sure you're on the right path to complete your studies and meet academic requirements. Speak with your advisor to plan your course selection and don’t overload your class schedule. Your advisor helps you figure out how to solve any academic challenges you face. They can also connect you to internships, research projects, discuss plans for life after graduation and talk to you about other educational opportunities.
Support your own growth
Remember to make time for yourself. It’s easy to overbook yourself with coursework, exams, extracurricular activities and other responsibilities. It becomes harder to stay focused, productive and motivated when you feel burned out and overwhelmed. So, it is essential for your overall well-being to prioritize self-care.
I take care of myself by scheduling appointments with a CAN counselor, when I need to lean on someone for extra support. I also schedule time in between my classes to eat, listen to music, talk with friends or take a short nap. Set aside time to relax take care of yourself and take advantage of resources so that you are the best student you can be.
Jazmin Chavez is in her last year at UC Davis and double majors in Native American Studies and Chicano Studies, She is Chippewa Cree and an enrolled member of the Rocky Boy Reservation in Montana. For the past three years, she has worked at the Native American Academic Student Success Center, where she now serves as the student health and wellness liaison. She also previously held leadership roles in the Native American Student Union, as vice president in 2022 and president in 2023.