My interest in computer science began early, sparked by a curiosity about how technology works behind the scenes. Growing up as a first-generation Filipino-American in the Bay Area, I often saw technology as a bridge connecting me to opportunities my parents never had. From troubleshooting family devices to exploring simple coding projects in high school, I found myself fascinated by the logic and creativity involved. This fascination grew into a passion as I realized that computer science offers the tools to solve real-world problems and create meaningful impact. At UC Riverside, I have chosen to focus on computer science with an emphasis on cybersecurity. I am deeply motivated by the challenge of protecting people and organizations from digital threats in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Over the summer, I plan to pursue certifications that will deepen my knowledge and prepare me for the workforce. My ultimate goal is to secure a job in cybersecurity where I can contribute to protecting critical systems and data from cyberattacks. Beyond technical skills, I’m driven by a personal mission: to honor the sacrifices my parents made by using my education to give back. They immigrated to the U.S. with hopes that my brother and I would have access to a safer environment and better opportunities. I want to work hard so that I can eventually retire my parents and provide them with the peace and comfort they deserve. This goal keeps me focused and grounded. I believe I am the best candidate for this scholarship because of my resilience, commitment, and the values I bring. Being a first-generation student means I have navigated challenges that many others may not face, including balancing cultural expectations, academic rigor, and personal growth. I am actively involved in community organizations like Katipunan and Theta Tau, where I contribute to cultural engagement and community service. These experiences show my dedication not only to personal success but to uplifting others. This scholarship would not only ease my financial burden but also empower me to continue pursuing my dreams without distraction. I am committed to making the most of this opportunity and giving back to my family and community through my future work in technology.

One of the most rewarding projects I worked on was creating a digital check-in system for a regional engineering conference during my freshman year at UC Riverside. This project wasn’t assigned to me, nor was it part of any class—it came from recognizing a problem and deciding to fix it using the skills I was developing. It’s an experience that deeply fueled my passion for technology and taught me how powerful tech can be when it’s used to help others. Our fraternity, Theta Tau, was hosting a conference with hundreds of attendees across multiple sessions and workshops. The original plan was to track attendance manually using printed sign-in sheets, which would have been time-consuming, prone to errors, and chaotic. I saw an opportunity to build a better system and volunteered to create a digital check-in app. Despite having limited experience with full-stack development at the time, I dove into the challenge. I built a web app using Python and Flask for the backend, with a simple, user-friendly interface using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The system generated unique QR codes for each attendee, allowing session leaders to quickly scan and log attendance on their phones. I also included features for real-time tracking and data export to help organizers with reporting. To make the experience more engaging, I even added a small sound effect for successful scans, bringing a bit of energy and fun to the event. Seeing my project come to life and actually be used during the conference was incredibly fulfilling. The app made check-ins faster, reduced mistakes, and allowed organizers to focus on other important tasks. More than that, people’s genuine appreciation for the tool I built made me realize how technology is not just about coding or hardware—it’s about solving real problems and improving lives. This project reinforced my passion for technology and inspired me to focus on cybersecurity within computer science. I’m fascinated by how technology can protect people and organizations from threats, and I want to be part of creating safer digital spaces. Technology empowers me because it combines creativity, problem-solving, and impact. It’s not just about writing code—it’s about making a difference. Being a first-generation Filipino-American, I also feel a responsibility to use technology to uplift my community. My parents sacrificed so much to give me opportunities they never had, and technology is a tool I can use to repay that sacrifice—not just financially, but by building solutions that help people in everyday life. In the future, I plan to continue exploring cybersecurity, earn certifications, and work in roles that let me protect digital environments while mentoring others. For me, technology is both a passion and a purpose—it’s how I can contribute, create, and inspire.

Growing up as a first-generation Filipino-American, mental health wasn’t something that was openly discussed in my household. Like many immigrant families, mine valued resilience, hard work, and pushing through struggle without complaint. While those values made me strong in many ways, they also made it difficult to recognize when I needed support. It wasn’t until college—away from home, under academic pressure, and trying to meet expectations I’d placed on myself—that I began to confront the reality of my own mental health. During my first year at UC Riverside, I experienced a period of burnout and self-doubt. I had always been the “responsible one” in my family—the one expected to make it, to pave the way, to carry the weight of my parents’ sacrifices. That pressure, combined with the competitive nature of computer science and being far from home, slowly chipped away at my confidence. I started questioning whether I belonged in this field at all. At first, I tried to deal with it alone. But over time, I realized that silence wasn’t strength—it was isolation. Opening up to close friends, mentors, and even attending peer support groups on campus helped me understand that struggling doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human. That shift in perspective changed how I approach everything in my life. Mentally, I’ve learned to be more compassionate with myself. I recognize that failure is not the end—it's a stepping stone. This mindset has helped me grow both academically and personally. I’ve become more intentional with how I balance work, rest, and relationships. I’ve also become more aware of others’ struggles. My relationships are deeper now because I listen more, and I try to show up for people the way others showed up for me. This experience also shaped my career aspirations. I’m studying computer science with a focus on cybersecurity, and while I’m passionate about the technical side, I’m equally passionate about creating safer spaces—not just online, but in the real world. I want to use my skills to help people feel secure, protected, and understood. In the future, I hope to not only work in cybersecurity, but also advocate for mental health within the tech industry. Too often, people in STEM are expected to just “grind through” stress. I want to help change that culture. Mental health is still a journey for me, but it’s one that has given me a clearer sense of who I am and what I value. I’ve learned that strength includes vulnerability, and that asking for help is not a sign of failure—it’s a step toward healing. That belief is now at the core of how I live, connect, and plan my future.

If an AI system were trained to understand and represent the Filipino-American experience, I’d want it to know that our story is one of sacrifice, resilience, and community. I’d want it to understand the quiet strength of our parents, who left behind everything familiar to give their children a better life. I’d want it to feel the weight of what it means to be the first in your family to attend college in a country your parents once only dreamed of. I’d want it to know about the food we share at every gathering—not just the lumpia or pancit, but the way we make extra plates for everyone, because no one leaves a Filipino home hungry. I’d want it to recognize the joy of hearing Tagalog or Ilocano or Visayan in the background while karaoke plays too loud, and kids run barefoot across the living room. I’d want it to see how our culture is carried not just through traditions, but through the small, everyday acts of care—bringing your parents water before they ask, letting your titas pack leftovers, or calling your lola even when you’re busy. From my own story, I’d want it to know that being a first-generation Filipino-American isn’t just about achieving the American Dream. It’s about honoring where you came from while building something new. For me, that means pursuing a career in cybersecurity so I can eventually retire my parents—because I see how much they’ve done to provide for me and my brother. It means holding on to the lesson that failure is not something to fear, but a part of growth. And it means lifting others up with me, because success means nothing if I’m alone at the top. Still, no algorithm could ever fully capture the feeling of guilt and gratitude that comes from watching your parents struggle so you can succeed. No dataset could measure the love wrapped up in a packed lunch or a silent prayer whispered over you before a big exam. That’s the part that will always stay human.

I’m currently studying Computer Science at UC Riverside with a strong focus on cybersecurity. I’ve always been drawn to understanding how things work beneath the surface—whether that’s how data moves through networks or how malicious actors exploit vulnerabilities. As I’ve grown more confident in my technical skills, I’ve realized that cybersecurity isn’t just a fascinating field—it’s a critical one. In a world where data breaches, digital threats, and privacy issues are becoming more frequent, I want to be on the front lines protecting people, companies, and communities. This summer, I’m taking active steps to dive deeper into cybersecurity. I’m working toward certifications such as CompTIA Security+ and possibly CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) to build both knowledge and credibility in the industry. These credentials will help me stand out as I apply for internships and jobs in cybersecurity roles. I also spend time outside of class learning independently—setting up home labs, watching real-world cybersecurity talks, and reading case studies of major breaches to better understand how attacks happen and how they’re stopped. Being a first-generation Filipino-American and the son of immigrants, my goals are deeply personal. My parents made countless sacrifices to give me and my brother the life they never had—moving to the U.S., working long hours, and putting our education above all else. They didn’t grow up with the opportunities I have, but they made sure I would. That’s why one of my biggest goals is to land a stable, high-paying job in cybersecurity so I can eventually retire my parents. I want to return the favor and give them the peace and rest they’ve long deserved. At UC Riverside, I stay involved beyond the classroom. I’m a member of Katipunan, our Filipino cultural club, and Theta Tau, a professional engineering fraternity. Through Theta Tau, I’ve done community service and worked with fellow engineers to grow both technically and professionally. These communities have helped me grow my leadership, networking, and teamwork skills—traits that are just as important in cybersecurity as technical knowledge. Looking ahead, I plan to pursue internships in the cybersecurity field and eventually work for a company where I can protect critical systems and data. Whether it’s defending against threats, performing penetration tests, or helping organizations stay secure, I want to use my skills for good. And eventually, I’d love to mentor others—especially other first-gen students—so they know they can pursue tech careers too. My focus is cybersecurity. My goal is protection—with purpose.

Growing up, I was always the go-to tech support for my family. Whether it was fixing the Wi-Fi, reviving a slow laptop, or setting up a smart TV, I was the one they turned to. But the first time I truly delighted others with my hacking and tinkering skills was during my freshman year at UC Riverside—when I went from fixing things to building something that helped a lot of people. I had recently joined Theta Tau, a professional engineering fraternity, and we were planning a large regional conference for engineering students from different universities. As a new member, I was mostly helping with setup, but one issue stood out: there was no reliable way to track workshop attendance. The plan was to manually check people off using printed lists—a method that would’ve been slow and chaotic. I offered to build a simple digital check-in system. Even though I had never done a project like this before, I felt confident I could figure it out. In less than a week, I built a web app using Python, Flask, HTML/CSS, and JavaScript. The system allowed organizers to generate unique QR codes for attendees, scan them at the door of each session, and view real-time attendance data. I even added a small sound effect for every successful scan, just to make things a little more fun for volunteers. When I showed it to the event organizers, they were amazed. They expected something basic—maybe a Google Form—but instead, they got a full working system that solved a real problem. During the event, check-ins went smoothly, and session leaders loved how easy it was. The app wasn’t perfect, but it worked better than expected, and people asked if they could use it for future events. That moment was a turning point for me. I realized how powerful it is to use technology to solve problems in real time. I wasn’t just building something cool—I was helping a team, improving an experience, and making things more efficient. That feeling stuck with me. Since then, my love for tinkering has grown, especially in the field of cybersecurity. I’m currently studying computer science with a passion for ethical hacking and plan to earn certifications this summer. My long-term goal is to use my skills to protect communities like the one that raised me and, ultimately, earn a job that allows me to retire my parents. To me, hacking is about curiosity with purpose—and when that purpose is to help others, the reward is that much greater.

I’m a first-generation Filipino-American and a computer science student at UC Riverside. I come from a tight-knit immigrant family that moved to the U.S. in hopes of building a better life. Growing up in the Bay Area, my parents worked tirelessly to provide my brother and me with opportunities they never had. Part of that journey included caring for a close family member with a disability—something that shaped the way I view life, success, and responsibility. While I wasn’t the primary caregiver, I grew up in a household where caregiving was a constant presence. I saw firsthand how much energy and love it took to provide support for someone with a disability. My parents balanced full-time jobs with caregiving duties, all while helping my brother and me succeed in school. I stepped up in any way I could: helping with chores, offering emotional support, translating, and taking care of responsibilities so my parents could have even a moment to breathe. Being in that environment taught me maturity, resilience, and the power of showing up for others even when it's hard. These experiences have had a lasting impact on me. They gave me a strong sense of empathy and helped me understand that life isn’t always about personal ambition—it’s about being there for the people you love. It also made me appreciate every opportunity I’ve been given. I know how much my parents sacrificed to give us a safe neighborhood, a good education, and a chance at a better life. Their strength fuels my motivation today. At UC Riverside, I’m pursuing a degree in computer science with a passion for cybersecurity. I plan to earn industry certifications over the summer to further prepare for a career in the field. My ultimate goal is to secure a job that allows me to give back—to take care of my parents the way they took care of us. I want to be able to retire them and show them that every sacrifice they made was worth it. On campus, I stay connected to my heritage through Katipunan, our Filipino student organization, and develop professionally through Theta Tau, an engineering fraternity where I also participate in community service. These communities remind me that success is about uplifting others, not just ourselves. Caring for a family member with a disability helped shape my values, my goals, and who I am today. Thank you so much for reading.

Being a first-generation student and the first in the family to go to college, I have always wanted better for my family and me. I learned at an early age just how much my parents sacrificed to get me where I am today. My mother is from the Philippines and had to stop school in middle school when she was young to find work and money for her family. In addition, both her parents died during this time, making it even harder for her. Even now, she has only managed to get a minimum-wage job. On the other side, my father is also from the Philippines and moved to the United States during middle school. He had an abusive father and couldn't stay out of trouble as a kid, leading to only accomplishing a high school diploma. Similarly, my dad's father died early in his life, a month before he got his diploma. He luckily got a decent job through connections in the end. Nonetheless, my parents pay or education has nothing to do with how valuable they are. Despite their tragic backstories, they somehow managed to move to a safe area with good schools for my brother and me. They house us, feed us, and love us unconditionally. That is why my goal is to get a good job and give back to my parents and thank them for their sacrifice. I am currently a junior at UC Riverside, majoring in computer science. As classes get harder and harder, one of the biggest reasons I push through it is my parents. I love technology and computer science, but when I inevitably burn out, the thought of my parents quickly motivates me to do what I need to do. Without them, some of my independent projects would not be finished. I would not have taken the extra time on a homework problem, etc. By remembering my family and past, I am able to dig deep and push through demotivating obstacles. For example, a common obstacle many people face but may never overcome is failing. Especially for me, where my parents invest a lot of resources into me, there is a lot of pressure to succeed. I find this mindset more harmful than good. I have failed a couple of times in my school, my career, and my life. For example, I have gotten rejected by about a hundred companies where I was trying to get an internship. While I fall into a slump and give up, I take this as an opportunity to learn. "I need to practice more leet code." "It's better to fail now than in a real high position job." "My parents will continue to support me even if I fail." Ultimately, my past with my parents discipline me to stay consistent and motivate me when I was down.

My encryption and decryption project was when I first realized how impactful my major and career could be. I coded it in Python using a map to contain every character on the keyboard and its encrypted counterpart. It then appends each character it reads into an encrypted/decrypted string using a key. What looks simple at first could be easily advanced. I also made it so that it displays a menu. I also made it checks user input and sends an error message and the menu again if the user enters an invalid input. In addition, I also made it read, create, and write files. This was also all done using Replit and Github so as to document my thought process and code for myself and for the public. As you can see, even a simple idea can be advanced to be more convenient, more efficient code, etc. Ultimately, it shows how dynamic computer science is, I saw in real-time how useful programs could be, and it intrigued me to find out more about cyber security, etc. The field is a never-ending learning cycle, and I'm excited about the challenge. It is worth mentioning that I did not originally know Python, meaning my college did not use Python in their Computer science classes. I self-taught myself it using my native coding language, C++, as a reference when learning the syntax, functions, etc., in Python. What I'm trying to say is that computer science has a lot of transferrable skills, making it rewarding to learn just one language, data structure, etc., as you make it easier to learn them all. With traits like these, the nature of technology and computer science inspires and motivates me every day. It doesn't even have to relate to me. Seeing interesting ways people solve real problems using code from articles, youtube videos, etc., leaves me in awe and leaves me wanting more. Being a junior in college, I've noticed my classes getting harder and harder. While it has been hard to balance grades and personal projects, I find the challenge enjoyable and practical for the future. It enforces the correct foundations I need to be a software engineer. I also love how collaborative computer science is. I am in the process of doing a project with a study group of mine, and it is incredibly efficient. My partners can see errors I cannot, and vice versa. Ultimately, computer science brings a certain challenge, has a high reward to learn, and encourages collaboration to be the best version of you to do the best work you can for society.

My name is Martin Angelo DeGuzman. I live in Dublin, California, and I am currently a Sophomore at Las Positas College with a major in Computer Science. I plan to transfer to a four-year UC in the Fall of 2023. I have fallen in love with computer science ever since I took an introductory class in high school. I started by making basic websites and games but quickly learned how dynamic and practical the field was in college. I am excited about anything when it comes to coding, and I plan to do several projects in the future with what I have learned so far. Being a first generation as well as the first to work on a degree in my family is a big but exciting challenge. My family means a lot to me and is a big part of my 'why' in terms of my motivation. Ultimately, I plan to retire them with the help of my education and career. Besides working on my school and career goals, my hobbies include working out, hanging out with friends, and playing chess. I first picked up chess in high school when I saw somebody playing it in the library. I asked what it was and immediately jumped into a game to learn about it. At first, it was frustrating because I didn't know what each piece did, but eventually, I won the game. They weren't a great player, but it was significant enough to make the experience memorable. Eventually, I wanted to learn about chess from other places, not just at my school. I searched online resources and went to local meet-ups to see and try strategies. It was very hard, to say the least, but also very satisfying to the point where I wanted more. A couple of years pass, and I believe I am a decent chess player. Not good, but not bad. I have had some exciting moments where I outplayed my opponents, and I still think about it today. I am glad I got to experience chess while I was younger. As a college student, my schedule is more and more packed, and I have less time to devote to my hobbies, including chess. Nonetheless, I believe the skills I learned in chess have transferred to other areas of my life. For example, in chess, you need to manage all your pieces and take into account the whole board before making a decision. This global awareness has taught me to manage my time better as a student. I have never submitted an assignment late or with poor quality. In addition, chess has taught me about resource management. As a result, I use every resource I have to assist me in completing my work. Whether it is getting tutoring help, going to my professor during office hours, or the unlimited resources online, it has definitely made me an excellent student. I love chess and play it once in a while, encouraging others to play as much as I did along the way. Ultimately, I think everyone should experience chess for the love of the game and intellectual benefits.

Addiction is nothing new to my family. My dad was addicted to cigarettes until just recently, now switching to vapes. I, unfortunately, followed suit with his cigarette addiction. I was first introduced to cigarettes in high school with some of my friends. We loved watching old movies, and they commonly advertised cigarettes, unfortunately. One day, my friends and I wanted to try it at least once. We knew the consequences of smoking, but it never really clicked in our heads. Back then, we were just curious teenagers trying to have some fun. At first, I coughed for about 5 minutes straight and threw up immediately after that. It was embarrassing. I thought I was going to look like those actors in those movies. Not a care in the world, the quintessential 'badass.' Unfortunately, that was not the case, and I found myself wanting more the very next day. After that, it was all downhill from there. I made up excuses to my parents just to smoke or obtain cigarettes. I grew up in a strict Asian household, so I was very paranoid about myself, but I continued to do it. I brushed my teeth immediately after coming back from smoking so as to erase the evidence. The addiction caused a downward spiral in my life. I ended up spending less time studying just to smoke, and my grades reflected that. My 'friends' from earlier ended up splitting up after the coronavirus, and I was all alone with an addiction. One day my dad found. I was going out too much to smoke, even though it was a pandemic and we were all supposed to stay inside. He exploded, to put it lightly. He was disappointed with me. I was angry and blamed everyone but myself. In my mind, it didn't make sense for my dad to scold me since he smokes/vapes too. It was hypocrisy. I ended up thinking about that moment couple of days. Was he right? What am I gonna do with my life? What if he cares about me and doesn't want me to end up like him? All these questions, no answers, but a lot of time later, I ended up deciding to stop this addiction and get my life together. I definitely had urges, I even relapsed once, but my solution was to substitute cigarettes with hard candy. Not only did I stop smoking, but I ended up taking school seriously. I found my passion, which is computer science. I started being more social, slowly but surely. I started working out, fixing my diet, fixing my sleep schedule, etc. I'm proud of what I have achieved in two years, but the journey is not over yet. Money is still a problem in my low-mid-income family, but I started a part-time job to help with that. Ultimately, I am glad and thankful for this experience, as it made me who I am today.

Losing my grandmother has been the hardest tragedy to overcome in my life. She meant so much to me and I often think about her. She had a heart attack while playing some board games with her friends. I remember the day I was brought the news. I genuinely thought I was in a dream, it felt so surreal. All the memories of her rushed my mind. Her laughing in a winter holiday get together, when she babysat my brother and I for a couple weekends, how she genuinely cared for my success, etc. It was hard to come to reality that all of that would be gone from that point on. I had no choice but to move forward. Then I made a huge realization. I was in high school at the time and quickly remembered that I have a job to do. I remembered my career goals, academic goals, and the people supporting my journey. I refused to let the death of a love one affect my life for more than a week. While it was a horrible thing, I remembered life isn't fair, and how people react to hard times are what differentiates who succeeds and who doesn't. I chose to adapt and fight through the struggle. It's what my grandma would have wished for.

Being Filipino-American has great influenced my purpose in life; from career and educational goals to place in society and my values. Growing up, I have learned many lessons from my filipino parents. Many of the lectures emphasized the importance of family, respect, and education. While the path definitely had its obstacles, I learned to take these beliefs by heart and practice these each and every day. I am grateful that my parents taught me and I have been conscious of the actions I choose to take and the consequences. I try to be the brightest in the room and make meaningful friendships, but also recognize that I cannot fulfill everyone's needs and that not everyone will like me. Such lesson would not be learned without the help of my culture as a filipino. Another way being filipino has influenced my purpose in life is in my academic and career goals. Being a first generation college student, there has been a lot of pressure to succeed given my parents sacrifice and leap of faith to immigrate. It has been hard, but remembering where I came from and my values direct me on the right path and allow me to stay consistent with my education. Whether it is people not believing in my, imposter syndrome, or accumulating stress, I remind myself of my heritage and push through. Ultimately, being a Filipino-American has given me the motivation and purpose to be myself and surprise myself with my achievements.

I first got exposure to the computer science field in high school and immediately fell in love. I also had the opportunity to take the AP exam for computer science that same year which I passed with a 4. I found the whole idea of computer science very enjoyable, and I could genuinely see myself doing it for the rest of my life. I loved the logic, amount of languages, how there isn't only one right answer to solve a given problem. It is like a painter choosing what utensil, color, canvas to create their new piece. I loved the process and still do to this day. I am only a sophomore in college right now so I don't have a 'dream job' per say. I have a couple jobs are peak my interest. I am very much interested in cyber security, machine learning, and making large scale applications. I have many projects in my GitHub that go into detail, and my YouTube recommended is full of these topics. Another reason I love computer science as a major is because of how many different areas it branches into, and with the world focusing more an technology in the future, it would be a good investment to get to know the tools at our disposal. Coming from a poorer family, I believe I would make the most of the scholarship. Both of my parents come from the Philippines. They had to make the sacrifice and leap of faith in order for me to succeed. Being immigrants, they also had to settle for the lesser paying jobs since they could not speak English very well. As a result, I had to mature at a younger age than most, and realized I needed to find my passion as soon as possible. During high school, I took many 'experimental' classes to find what I was passionate about. Some of the classes included band, engineering, chemistry, computer science, etc. I am fortunate to have the tools to learn about my passions with easy access, but it also proves that my passion for computer science is real. Ultimately, my background and gritty mindset make me the best candidate for such scholarship.

Computer science allows me to express my creative side. Creativity is something I have learned to harness as a computer science major. I was creative in high school, but not until senior year did I find a medium to express my creativity, my first computer science class. I was no longer constrained to thinking creativeness had to be art drawings or animation. One reason I could express my creative side in computer science is because of how much depth there is to it. For example, there are numerous ways to essentially write the same code and tons of different languages, each with their own use cases. Once you think of a problem or an idea to implement, you have options on how you want to tackle it, like an artist choosing a color or utensil to use. One of my most proud projects was one of my python projects. I taught myself Python because C++, the language taught at Las Positas College, is mainly backend programming for bigger applications and software. On the other hand, Python can be used to create many projects outside of just the IDE. I am also very interested in cybersecurity, so I wanted to do a project that was practical and had a lot of developed features. I ended up making an encryption and decryption project. It takes a file specified by the user with a message, asks the user for a key, encrypts or decrypts it using that key, and writes that encrypted/decrypted message to a file. One of my most proud features includes it being on a continuous menu, the encryption/decryption algorithm, checking that the user entered a valid input for all inputs, version control using GitHub and Replit, etc. Looking back, the project started as a very simple one. It only encrypted a message and printed it out, but with all the tools Python has to offer, I quickly scaled it to the project it is today. While my version of being creative might not be conventional, it sure is fun, and I can imagine and implement an idea just like any other creationist, which is all that matters to me.

Mental, Physical, and nutritional health are a huge priority in my list. This is because I was raised with the theme of "health is wealth." I took that statement taught by my parents to heart at a young age. I played basketball throughout elementary and middle school, ran track and field in high school, and workout at the gym at least twice a week every since I started college. To me, physical activity helps maintain my physical health via the physical activity as well as mental health as it has been proven that physical activity is a huge stress reliever. In terms of nutritional health, I try to make my own meals when I can with low calorie and high protein substitutes. While it has been time consuming, practicing these good habits are a big reason I have been able to put out quality work in my school up to this point. The stress relief is very nice in a stressful and busy college life. In addition, I don't feel the after effects of fast food by making it myself; instead, I feel energized each and every day. I'm love my body, so it is obvious that I would treat it with respect.

Being selfless is a very important yet underrated characteristic, especially in our generation. Personally, I have had my 'down' episodes in my life, and I find that random acts of kindness and selflessness are the biggest positive mood swingers. Words hold a lot of weight, which is even more so true when combined with the action itself. I personally come from a naturally selfless family. Being selfish was frowned upon, and being selfless was encouraged and taught via demonstration. But when I entered the real world, I learned not everyone was taught this. Many choose and pick for themselves because they think they deserve it because the world is unfair to them, but being selfless when you can is satisfying and memorable once you see how it makes their day. It can be the smallest act, such as asking someone if they want some food before you eat. Ultimately, being selfless builds character creates lasting positive memories.