It’s October, which means it’s time for mid-terms, Halloween and maybe even some snow. Around this point in the semester, students have typically found their flow with classes and clubs.
Now that we all have settled into fall 2024, we decided it was time to check in on how students are staying active around the school. Five students talked about their favorite spots on campus, the activities they enjoy and what may be missing from our student life offerings.
Jestine Romero, sophomore English secondary education major (she/her)
How much time do you spend on campus outside of class?
I’d say I spend about four or five hours if I’m not working.
Are you involved in any clubs or organizations?
I’m mainly in the Korean Club if I’m not working. I work at the coffee shop.
How do you make friends on campus?
Mainly the clubs. Also my classes, because my classes are mainly people that have the same interests. I just got back from Korean class, and I’ve made a couple friends in there, or in Korean Club. I’m really good friends with my roommates. Before I started working at the coffee shop, I was at the coffee shop all the time, so I would talk to them and became friends with them.
What is your favorite place to hang out on campus?
I would say probably the library. If you go to the study rooms, the study rooms are probably my favorite. I’m someone who likes to talk a lot, and I get my homework done when I’m with other people. So you can be kind of — I don’t want to say loud — but you can talk a lot more. That’s also how I met a lot of my friends from class. We were partners, and in the study rooms, we were allowed to be a little louder and not just do homework.
Are there any activities you wish were offered at UCCS that aren’t?
I don’t think so. I feel like we have a lot of things to do here. I think the activities we do weekly, like a whole week of homecoming, I think maybe if we do more of those, that would be the only thing. I think that’s what gets especially a lot of the freshmen out, and I feel like that’s where you also meet a lot of people. That’s where I met a lot of friends as well, or in GPS classes. I think more of the week-long events help a lot of people.
Yohnata Yilma, sophomore nursing major (he/him)
How much time do you spend on campus outside of class?
On a day-to-day [basis], I would say like six, seven hours.
Are you involved in any clubs or organizations?
As of right now, no, but I plan on joining some clubs. I’m thinking about ASA [African Student Association] and BSU [Black Student Union], one of the two, but I think I’ll just stick with ASA.
How do you make friends on campus?
Because of the classes I’m in, I would say. We have similar interests in what we study and even outside of that. We have similar interests outside of our major.
What is your favorite place to hang out on campus?
We’re always studying, so [during the] majority of the time we’re always going to be in the science center. Or the new place that they put in the library. They added chairs and whiteboards and stuff.
Are there any activities you wish were offered at UCCS that aren’t?
No, I think I’m fine with what we have right now.
Kenji Smith, senior computer science major (he/him)
How much time do you spend on campus outside of class?
Every week, probably 10 hours-ish, it depends.
Are you involved in any clubs or organizations?
Yeah, I’m part of a Young Life Club. It’s like a Christian club.
How do you make friends on campus?
I meet them through Young Life or randomly at school events.
What is your favorite place to hang out on campus?
I like the library. I like just being outside, so I like the field by Osborne.
Are there any activities you wish were offered at UCCS that aren’t?
I wish there were more activities in general but nothing specific. I think it would require a broader culture change, so whatever would cause that culture change. Like, I want a more involved student base, so whatever would build up that passion. I don’t know what that would be.
Sarah Algertani, sophomore pre-med major (she/her)
How much time do you spend on campus outside of class?
I’d say four hours a day.
Are you involved in any clubs or organizations?
I did an internship for a senior care. I guess that’s one, and orientation. I’m one of the orientation leaders.
How do you make friends on campus?
Usually during class, just communicating with peers in my same class is one of the ways.
What is your favorite place to hang out on campus?
The library.
Are there any activities you wish were offered at UCCS that aren’t?
Not really. I think everything is pretty much offered here. There are a lot of opportunities and clubs and other fun things.
Darby Engelhardt, junior elementary education major (she/her)
How much time do you spend on campus outside of class?
Weekly, probably like two hours.
Are you involved in any clubs or organizations?
Yeah, I’m in Christian Challenge, the campus ministry.
How do you make friends on campus?
Through Christian Challenge.
What is your favorite place to hang out on campus?
The coffee shop.
Are there any activities you wish were offered at UCCS that aren’t?
A non-competitive, intramural cross country or track.
From left: Kenji Smith, Sarah Algertani and Darby Engelhardt. Photos by Josiah Dolan.