Biosketch
Name?
Monica Nguyen
College?
Manning School of Business
Major?
Undecided Business
Hometown?
Worcester MA
Favorite hobbies?
Gaming, Art, Reading
What is your favorite thing about UML?
My favorite thing about UMass Lowell is the connection I am able to have with my Asian culture. As a person who works with the Asian American Center being surrounded by those who come from similar backgrounds and have same cultural understanding brings me comfort. Being part of all of the sister clubs and being able to expand my knowledge on my culture and other cultures has been an amazing experience where I have been able to grow personally and socially.
What are your future goals?
As of now my goal I do not have any solid goals regarding my future. I have always been use to those around me having solid aspirations that motivate them to work hard towards their dream job and life. I felt that because of this I should’ve been the same way. However I have been pushing myself to just try and make it as far as possible and stressing myself out. My main goal is to just be happy and succeed.
What has being involved with the RHSA meant to you?
Being involved with RHSA has meant providing a sense of companionship and family amongst other first gens. It is easy to feel lonely when going something so new. However RHSA provides that family and that sense of belonging. I have become familiar and acquainted with those in my peer group. As well as my peer leader. Which I feel has become a big sister too me.
Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself in your first year of college?
Don’t be afraid to grow and change. Allow yourself the room to grow. College is a huge change and things can seem intimidating but it’s also important to be open to the idea of growth and change in a new environment. I use to be extremely closed off in high school. Coming to college was a fresh start in becoming a person that I am happy to be.
What advice would you give fellow students?
Do not quit. When adapting to a change within your life. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and slip in your studies. Personally I never asked for help and I would overwork myself. This would then end up in me failing my first ever college exam. The grade was scarily low and I felt discouraged. I began to study and push myself and I was able to score the highest grade in the class for the next two exams.
Why did you choose to attend UMass Lowell?
In all honesty I picked umass lowell because it was the cheapest option since I currently pay for my own college tuition. It can be argued that living at home and commuting to a closer college at home would have been cheaper. However I was eager to leave my hometown and desperate for a change and new beginnings.
What does it mean to you to be a first-generation college student?
Being a first generation college student is being able to succeed and set the path for your future. Growing up as a first generation I felt lonely and stranded when it came to college. I felt blind. but rather then viewing it as a weakness I prefer to see it as opportunity and strength. a opportunity to learn and grow despite not having guidance.
What inspires you to want to help first-generation students in the RHSA?
Personally knowing what happens as a freshmen. I know having a person there for you provides a large sense of comfort. I want to know I am making a change in someone’s life and be a pillar of support for those who are struggling. It is easy to feel alone when you come to a place with no familiar faces. I want to be that familiar face that encourages and opens doors for incoming freshmen.