Hi! I'm Joanna, a third year Robotics Engineering student who genuinely loves spending time on campus. Even though I live off campus, I still find myself walking or hiking to class just to enjoy the nature and studying here whenever I can. Outside of classes, you'll usually find me listening to music, exploring new spots around campus, or hanging out with friends. I'd love to show you what makes UCSC such a unique place and answer any questions you have about student life.

Hometown

Mountain House, CA, United States

Major(s)

Robotics Engineering

Describe your college experience

Coming to college was a refreshing change for me because I moved around a lot growing up. At UCSC, everyone was starting fresh, so it felt easy to meet people and build new friendships without worrying about everyone already having established groups. I also met people from so many different backgrounds, which really broadened my perspective. A huge part of my college experience has been the friends I've made. I was fortunate to have great roommates, and living in the dorms helped me build a strong social circle right from the start. I honestly wasn't in my room much because I was usually out studying, exploring campus, or spending time with friends. It really did feel like one long sleepover. I've also found it easy to balance academics with having fun. During the week, my friends and I would go to classes, study together in group study rooms, and keep each other motivated. On the weekends, we'd explore Santa Cruz, head to the beach, or just enjoy everything the area has to offer. Whether I'm hiking through campus or watching the ocean after a busy week, UCSC has become a place where I genuinely enjoy spending my time.

Tip for future students

My biggest piece of advice is to make the most of your freshman year. It's a unique time when everyone is looking to make friends and try new things, so don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Say yes to the random adventures, introduce yourself to new people, and remember that college is a fresh start. I came into college pretty introverted, but I realized you have the opportunity to shape the kind of experience you want. Don't overthink it, just be open to new experiences. At the same time, build good academic habits early. Freshman year is when you're figuring out how to manage your own time, and the routine you create can stick with you throughout college. Set aside dedicated time to study, even when there are plenty of distractions. One thing that really helped me was studying with friends in the library. It kept me accountable while still making studying enjoyable. Finding that balance between academics and having fun made my college experience much more rewarding.

Favorite class

My favorite class was AM 10 (Linear Algebra). It was definitely one of the more challenging classes I took, but it was also one of the most rewarding. I had a lot of friends in the class, so we'd regularly meet up to work through practice problems and prepare for exams together. Those study sessions made the material feel much more approachable and showed me how helpful it can be to learn alongside other people. By the end of the quarter, I did much better than I expected, which made all the hard work feel worth it. It taught me that even difficult classes are very manageable when you stay consistent and aren't afraid to ask for help or study with others.

Career goals

After college, I hope to continue my education by going to grad school and building on what I've learned as a Robotics Engineering student. Long term, I'd like to pursue a career as an Aerospace Engineer, focusing on areas like flight dynamics, guidance and control, or simulation. I'm especially interested in solving engineering problems and working on technologies that push the boundaries of aviation and space exploration. Whether that's contributing to next generation aircraft, spacecraft, or high performance vehicle simulations, I hope to work on projects that have a meaningful real world impact.

Ideal way to spend a free night

My ideal free night is something simple and relaxed with friends. We'd probably head downtown for a slice at Pizza My Heart, grab cookies from Pacific Cookie Company, and then make our way to the beach. There's something really nice about ending the day by the ocean, listening to the waves, and just talking for hours. Those kinds of low key nights have become some of my favorite college memories.

High school or secondary school

Mountain House High School, Mountain House CA, United States