Issuu

HORIZON

S pri ng 2022 Housatonic Community College

Contents How to Actually Accomplish Your Goals this Year.................................................................................................................... 5 Jarrod Walker

Next Stop, Graduation!.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Jania Jones

Stop, Take Action & Protect Yourself from Danger................................................................................................................. 8 Vasthiestefany Flores

Interning Your Way to the Top......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 By Kristen Poplaski

How to Eliminate Career Anxiety................................................................................................................................................................. 12 By Evan Solis

Recreating the Classroom......................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Teddie Tarczali

Life After HCC: How to Begin Your Transfer Process!.................................................................................................... 16 By Estefano Torres

About These Tips................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 18 By Professor Steve Mark

Dealing with Failure........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 By Shirley Nowinski

Trust the Process.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 20 Imani Walker

Take Time to Relax............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 21 Jasmine Saksene

Deadlines Are Closer than You Think...................................................................................................................................................... 22 By Starletta Smith

Organization is Key............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 23 By Mark Forbes

Take Advantage of What is Provided for You!............................................................................................................................ 24 By Jania Jones

Get To Work, And Don’t Forget To Ask For Help! .............................................................................................................. 25 By Vasthiestefany Flores

Never Give Up; It Gets Better!.......................................................................................................................................................................... 26 Shaneequa Pettway

About These “Shoutouts”........................................................................................................................................................................................ 27 By Professor Steve Mark

An Homage to a Perfect Teacher................................................................................................................................................................... 27 By Brandon Cortes

A Teacher Worth Treasuring................................................................................................................................................................................ 28 By Jania Jones

And to You, I Say Thanks for Sticking Around............................................................................................................................ 29 By Starletta Smith

Subtle Signs of Support................................................................................................................................................................................................ 30 By Jasmin Saksene

Parents: Sometimes the Biggest Supporters in Life............................................................................................................. 31 By Evan Solis

Thanks Big Bro......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 32 By Kristen Poplaski

How to Handle Too Many Things................................................................................................................................................................... 33 By Jarrod Walker

A Producer’s Passion, a Musician’s Muse............................................................................................................................................. 34 By Estefano Torres

What Are Our Learning Gains?.......................................................................................................................................................................... 35 By Professor Steve Mark

Learning the Word “Responsibility”.......................................................................................................................................................... 36 By Guillermo Hernandez

Learning Not to Rely on Classmates.......................................................................................................................................................... 36 By Gabrielle Young

Learning to Adapt................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 37 By Teddie Tarczali

Music Making at a Whole New Level........................................................................................................................................................ 37 By Andreas Savvaides

Gardening, Landscaping, and Patience .................................................................................................................................................. 38 By Felicia Jacobs-Mcleod

What Do You Mean I Have to Speak?....................................................................................................................................................... 39 By Estefano Torres

Social Media Facade........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 40 By Guillermo Hernandez

Healing through Heartbreak................................................................................................................................................................................. 42 By Shyla Caserta

Tough Times Don’t Last; Tough People Do!.................................................................................................................................... 44 By Vasthiestefany Flores

Beginning After the End.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 46 By Shirley Nowinski

Trekking to the End of My Rainbow.......................................................................................................................................................... 48 By Jania Jones

The Spectre That Stalked My Soul............................................................................................................................................................... 50 By Estefano Torres

Culture Shock for Super Bowl 56.................................................................................................................................................................... 52 By Andreas Savvaides

The Psychology behind a Good Outfit..................................................................................................................................................... 54 By Guillermo Hernandez

Summer Abroad .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 56 By Jasmine Saksene

Wildlife in your Backyard.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 58 By Shirley Nowinski

No ID’s, No Entry................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 60 By Estefano Torres

Overcoming Food Insecurity.................................................................................................................................................................................. 61 By Jasmin Saksene

An Overlooked Source of Financial Aid................................................................................................................................................. 62 By Kristen Poplaski

Ready... Set… Click! Online Tutoring Has Never Been Better!............................................................................. 63 By Vasthiestefany Flores

How the Inevitable Helped an HCC Graduate Grow........................................................................................................... 64 By Evan Solis

Overwhelming Online Obstacles...................................................................................................................................................................... 65 By Jasmin Saksene

Putting Yourself First...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 66 By Kristen Poplaski

Even a Late Start Can Have a Great Finish....................................................................................................................................... 67 By Andreas Savvaides

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S Editors-in-Chief Jania Jones Estefano Torres Horizons Advisor Professor Steve Mark Staff Writers Brandon Cortes, Mark Forbes, Felicia Jacobs Mcleod, Shaneequa Pettway, Kristen Poplaski, Jasmin Saksene, Andreas Savvaides, Starletta Smith, Evan Solis, Teddie Tarczali, Imani Walker, Jarrod Walker, Gabrielle Young Senior Staff Writers Shyla Caserta,Vasthieste (“Stefany”) Flores, Guillermo Hernandez, Shirley Nowinski Facebook: Housatonic Horizons Twitter: HCCHorizons Web Site: http://housatonichorizons.com

HORIZONS Spring 2022

Art and Design Director Nina Javier Assistant Design Director Manuela Escudero Design Advisor Professor Andy Pinto Production Manager: Manuela Escudero Design Staff Quinntin Bravo Taylor Bryson Layla Delarmelina Manuela Escudero Jovanny Hernandez Nina Javier Beyonce Lopez Elvin Martes Julimar Rosado Kayona Ward Lloyd Cover & Content Illustration Manuela Escudero

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How to Actually Accomplish Your Goals this Year

By Jarrod Walker Staff Writer

ith the new year finally here, countless people around the world have made so-called “New Year’s Resolutions.” Thing is, most people will have failed or forgotten about them by the time March rolls around. This begs the question, what exactly is it about the way we set goals that makes them so hard to keep? And, how can we better set goals so we actually follow through with them? My friend, Travis Cole, attended the Memorial University of St. With John’s in Newfoundland during these scientifically 2014. He had been going for three proven techniques, years and was on track to graduate planning your goals has never been simpler. with a degree in Psychology, but due to unforeseen circumstances, had to take medical leave. Since then, he hasn’t made any plans to go back and has instead been working at Walmart while monitoring his health. Travis says, “I want to go back someday, but I’m not really prepared to be on my own. I also have to get my money/loans together.” He mentioned that it’s not too complicated of a process, but he isn’t quite sure how it works or how to go about it. From what I’ve noticed, Travis, like many Photo by Marcos Paulo other people, has big dreams for Prado on Unsplash. the future but lacks one key thing: A specific, well thought out plan of action. So, this year I did some research and picked up some goal-making skills of my own. Lisa Slade, Director of Counseling and Wellness at Housatonic, taught me one goal setting strategy that’s worked for her, “goal mapping.”

Goal mapping is one of many ways of goal planning that begins with you finding your main goal, and then figuring out all the smaller tasks that come together to make up that goal. For example, let’s say your big goal is to, “graduate from college.” On the level below that goal, some smaller goals could be attending your classes, making sure you do all your work, etc. However, goal mapping goes a step further and asks, “What steps do I need to take to accomplish my smaller goals?” So, in order to attend your classes and do all your work, some even smaller goals could be to get a good night’s sleep, ask your teacher for help if you need it, or take care of your other responsibilities so you have more time for school. The point of goal mapping is to make your goals as specific and practical as possible, so there’s no guesswork in what you need to do next. Lisa says this approach is like “eating an elephant.” This is because you take things “one bite at a time,” doing smaller things that add up over time until you reach your destination. Laura Turiano, Associate Professor of Psychology, says there are two big reasons people don’t achieve their goals. From her I learned that there are two big reasons people don’t achieve their goals. When it comes to making goals, we get “caught up in the moment,” so to speak, and don’t construct them in meaningful ways. For example, we could see a beautiful house when driving around town and think, “I want a house like that!” and in that instance make an impulsive goal. However, such a goal isn’t really well thought out or constructed, which makes it hard to obtain. On the other hand, the goals we make slip away from us because we have not fully analyzed what it will take to reach them. We want to buy a house but haven’t asked ourselves the right questions: How much will we need to buy the house? How many hours will I need to work to have enough money to buy the house? If I need to take out a loan,

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how does my credit look? Turiano says that in order to stick to a goal we need to break down all of its components first. That’s why making “S.M.A.R.T” goals is so important. Professor Turiano says that when you set goals they should be, “Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timebound (with a deadline)”: specific so you know exactly what they are, measurable so you can keep track of them, achievable and realistic so you aren’t setting yourself up for failure, and timebound so you prioritize them. And most importantly, if you fail at first to accomplish your goals, don’t give up! Turiano’s advice to anyone who’s making new goals is In 2017 I had no idea what I was doing with my life. After having dropped out of UCONN Stamford after just two weeks, I was depressed, broke, and had zero direction; I knew I wanted to go back to college, but I wasn’t sure how. What made it so difficult for me was there was so much to do to reapply that I had no idea where to start. Looking back, what I think I lacked was knowledge of how to set goals for myself. Without any goals, I struggled to find purpose in my life and take the right steps to change it for the better; that’s why I think educating the world on how to make those steps is so important. Because the truth is, you don’t need to wait until the beginning of the year to change your life, you can change it right now! You can set the goals and make the decisions you need to improve your life at any time. And with the techniques I learned from experts right here at Housatonic, I’m sure you’ll get there in no time.

HORIZONS Spring 2022

“If you fail,

handle your failure as a learning experience. We learn from the times we have not succeeded. It gives us perspective.”

Next Stop, Graduation! By Jania Jones Editor

s a prospective Spring 2022 graduate, you’ve likely had a unique college experience to any other HCC alum. Not only did you start your college journey online, learning virtually, but you started in the midst of a literal pandemic. Props to you for that! While you’ve worked meticulously over the last four semesters to ensure you are ready to graduate, there are additional steps you can take to ensure your utmost success in the coming months.

check-in session with your advisor gives you the opportunity to also voice any concerns you have about your progress and about what else you need to get completed. Your advisor can easily become the key point person for all academic and social emotional needs. While they are not experts in every field, they can direct you to people that can be of assistance and help reduce any unnecessary stress. If also working with smaller levels of stress, you can try journaling or meditating to reduce any unnecessary stress.

It is likely that many family members, friends, and mentors are giving input on what your next steps should be in preparation for “When you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount and this big moment, and what life will be like after it but the most complexity of university work, one of the best ways to reduce stress important thing is that you decide what will be best for you without and improve productivity is to start managing your time properly. becoming stressed out. As a student it Planning each day and prioritising tasks is important that you take advice and in order of deadline and importance will help from others, but you should also help you get through the mound of work maintain curiosity and identity over you have to do,” recommends Rebecca what you do. The Academic Support Miller, a student services advisor from Center (ASC) is a great place to get Inspiring Interns. Having a system in Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash help with work and find yourself from place early will be the best thing you can growing around what you are learning. do to ensure time management, and the

necessary assistance won’t be a hassle at the Andrew Pelletier, the Interim last minute. Director of the Academic Support Once you feel secure in your courses, it’s Center here at HCC recommends that, time to think about what life after graduation “...I always advise students to make will look like. Whether you plan to transfer tutoring a proactive rather than reactive or pursue a career under that major, there practice. It is better to come for tutoring are plenty of options available. In terms of early in the semester to prepare… It’s Being prepared and learning about the dangers finding different career paths, Josh Moody, good to develop a habit of going to can help students and staff take the necessary a career and business journalist from the precautions to be alert and stay safe on and off tutoring and develop relationships with U.S. News, advises that “Students should campus. tutors so students know when tutoring identify skills and chart a career path early is available and with whom.” As Pelletier goes on to explain, in order to land a job after graduating from college, experts say… While creating this system of getting assistance will make it seem like times are tight, that doesn’t mean jobs aren’t out there. As with any job less of a chore when done consistently and ultimately help you market, availability varies by major. Monahan points to data analytics, prepare for the long run. Relationships like these also prove software engineering, health care and supply chain management as to be beneficial in more ways than one. Not only will you gain strong fields now.” assistance on your academic endeavors, but you may also create On the other hand, if you are looking to transfer, make sure to get in contact with Randy Sanders, the key contact for transfer advising, or new paths for networking and professional growth. Matthew Dunne, the Transfer Articulation Program advisor.

Moreover, it is also really important that you check in with your advisors to ensure that you are on track with your course requirements and are enrolled in your target classes. While having access to DegreeWorks regularly is also important, this

It is easy to rekindle that sense of ‘senioritis’ as you prepare for graduation but remember to stay focused on what you’ve worked so hard on these past few years. With the right determination, support, and preparation, this semester will be a breeze for you! See you at commencement!

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Stop, Take Action & Protect Yourself from Danger By Vasthiestefany Flores Senior Staff Writer

on’t be a victim by giving crime a chance to happen.

HCC is well-protected, and occurrences of wrongdoing and crime are basically non-existent. Be that as it may, things do happen and regardless of how rare or how minor a crime might be, the point at which you are the person in question, it is serious, baffling, and disturbing. The individuals from the HCC security team each day attempt to ensure you and your property are safe. While on the lookout, officials such as the police department, often remind students and staff to watch their resources. The key is mindfulness. By not putting yourself, or your property, in a weak circumstance, you can prevent becoming the victim of a crime. Police Master Sergeant/Director of Security at HCC, Christopher Gough shared various steps to tell and show students the importance of practical safety that can save a life. “It is important for students to defend themselves and to know how to approach different harmful circumstances, from calling 9-1-1 and preparing for unexpected moments,” he said. He wants students to know that they can be safe but that they need to be prepared, no matter what.

remembered that I shouted No! To them. They suddenly left, but it made me feel that there are so many other students who go through the same struggle. How many of them are prepared? I then saw a police officer and told him what had happened. After that incident I better prepared myself and actually took a few safety lessons. I was walking by myself that day and wasn’t carrying any type of self defense weapon. I learned the importance of always carrying a self-defense tool, such as pepper spray. Just a simple too can help you escape for a few seconds and get help. Medical assisting student Noemi Ocegueda shared her own frightening experience. “I was with a group of my other peers, when suddenly a man approached us with a gun wanting to take our phones!” she said. “It was frightening, we didn’t know what to do. He was on the run, but then a group of police officers ran and took him away. They made sure we were okay, but it was a very close call. It was so unexpected and we were unprepared. After that experience I made sure to learn about the dangers and advise others to do so too! Now I always carry pepper spray and have looked very closely at taking precautions wherever you but especially in our surroundings on and near campus. I know what to do,” she said.

College grounds can provide you with a feeling that everything is good and a sense of security, an inclination that everybody knows one another and looks out for each other. However, there are perpetrators who exploit this sense of security and take advantage to commit acts of different kinds, even sexual violence.

Students can take steps to increase safety on college campuses. As bystanders, students can learn ways of stepping in to prevent crimes like sexual assault or robbery from occurring. When it comes to personal safety, there are steps you can take as well. No tips can absolutely guarantee safety—violence can happen to anyone, and it’s not the only crime that can occur on a college campus.

Just walking off campus in mid daylight, I experienced a scary moment. Two older men in a car wouldn’t stop following me, shouting out and harassing me to get in the car. I simply listened to my music and tried to ignore them, however that wasn’t enough. I was scared because they didn’t care, they kept telling me, “You’re off track sweetie! Get in the car!” It’s at these moments that I wished I knew what to do. I

Journalism and Taekwondo second degree black belt student Gabriella Castorina has dealt with the dangers and has recommended Taekwondo to students to prepare and to tackle these situations with defense mechanisms and training. “Martial arts have ways of defending yourself. For instance, if you were ever in a brutal situation, you would want to find the pressure points of the person who is physically attacking

HORIZONS Spring 2022

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash Being prepared and learning about the dangers can help students and staff take the necessary precautions to be alert and stay safe on and off campus.

you, scream if you need to and try to fool the suspect if absolutely needed. Sometimes, the suspect may or may not know certain ways or the suspect that you are doing in order to protect yourself. You have to be smart, you have to be clever and use your judgement skills QUICKLY & regularly,” she says. In addition to the fact that you learn explicit and specific techniques, you additionally foster strength and endurance expected to persevere through a physical alteration. In this type of training you become extremely mindful of your actions and individuals around you. You become more aware of your current circumstance, which assists with guarding you out. This expanding of mindfulness is significant throughout everyday life. It can help in school, work, and in your connections. It can for the most part assist you and save your life from dangers. It’s important to remember that if you are a victim of violence on campus, it is not your fault—help and support are available. Make sure to avoid situations that can occur. Always walk with a group or another person. If you are alone, carry a self-defense weapon or tool. Have your emergency contacts, and 9-1-1 on dial. Know your resources, and stay alert of your surroundings. Think of Plan B. Invest some time thinking about back-up plans for potentially sticky situations. If your phone dies, do you have a few numbers memorized to get help. Also get to know HCC’s campus safety and security office. Make the most of this resource. The school’s website provides information like office hours, contact methods, and a plethora of online safety resources.

“I hope HCC

encourages students to take training and provides more security and awareness on this subject. They can help many other students like me and staff. It’s important to protect ourselves from danger at any moment.”

Don’t be a victim, and help others!

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Interning Your Way to the Top

By Kristen Poplaski Staff Writer

any of us know the famous saying “When one door closes, another one opens” by Alexander Graham Bell, but not many know the whole quote, which goes, “When one door closes, another one opens but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” As students it often seems to be our job to rush into a degree in a field we’re not even sure we’d enjoy in the future, worried that the “door” might close off any future opportunities, but that doesn’t need to be the case. Rather than rushing in blind, we can test the waters of what we think we want by participating in internships. Getting your foot in the door is always the hardest part of a job. Internships not only provide hands-on real world experience, but as Professor Michael La Barbera, Chairperson of the Math and Science Department, who is constantly on the prowl for internship opportunities for students at HCC, said, “It’s a pathway to a full time job.” In addition, internships are a great way for students to kickstart their careers.

Ravanshad had also said something that most of us already know but don’t take to heart: “Working on a degree won’t give you real world experience….A GPA of 4.0 isn’t enough.” It’s important to have real world experience as well as the degree to back it up because employers will pay more attention to applicants who have experience in the field in which they are applying. As La Barbera said, it “makes you stand out”. As a student at HCC I discovered the importance of internships myself in Summer 2021. As a first year college student, I was encouraged to get an internship by my older brother. An application and a call later and I was surrounded by people with Masters and Doctorates in a lab with products going to actual customers. Going into the internship, I was concerned that I wouldn’t know what I was doing or that I’d be a hindrance to the people who were doing their jobs properly, but the people were amazing.

These work opportunities allow students to make connections and gain skills that are extremely helpful when applying for jobs or when submitting applications for higher education.

They treated me with the utmost care and always made sure that I knew what to do and that I was comfortable doing it. They didn’t expect me to know, rather they encouraged me to learn and ask questions. It made me realize that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life and the place I belong is in a chem lab. It gave me the push I needed to continue on my journey to become an engineer and I met some amazing and kind people along the way.

Professor Farshad Ravanshad, the academic advisor for Computer Science and Computer Information Systems. contributed to the conversation, saying that students doing internships “makes them far more marketable.”

“I’ve had several internship opportunities and they have all been great and they gave me a feel of what it’s like in the industry and helped me decide on my career,” he says.

After internships, LaBarbera said, he’s seen “many people get hired right after.”

HORIZONS Spring 2022

HCC alumni and past intern Andrew Ryan has had similar experiences.

Photo by S Migaj from Pexels Effort is the only way to get to the top. Although he didn’t go through HCC to get his internship, he still was able to land an eventful internship in his field that benefited him by giving him references and skills that he could call upon when applying to a four year university, so take it from someone with experience when he says, “There’s nothing like real world experience.” There are many internship opportunities for students in a variety of fields such as STEM, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Early Childhood Education, Medical Assisting and many more. Some specific opportunities include the 2022 Yale Summer Enrichment Medical Academy (YSEMA) and Internship Programs at NASA. The YESMA program is a free six-week residential program for those interested in the medical field to learn about topics pertaining to the field such as general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, writing & communications, and research. Additionally, students will receive $600 in addition to the DICE office paying for student’s housing, travel and meals. The application deadline is February 15th, 2022 and the course lasts from June 4th to July 15th 2022. The internship program at NASA, on the other hand, is a great opportunity for students in the STEM field. NASA offers a variety of internship positions both academic and nonacademic. For additional information on internship or mentorship opportunities, you can find contact information in the Career Services section of the HCC website under “Contact us.” You can contact one of HCC’s pathway advisors for information on general internships. For a specific type of internship, contact HCC’s program director in the specific department. Another beneficial resource for students is the STEM page on the HCC website, which introduces new opportunities

in the STEM field to students as the opportunities arise. Students can also look for internships on their own outside of school. So, when thinking about the future, keep in mind all the options that are available and don’t be blind to the doors that are opening in front of you. Professor La Barbera says it best when he says, “Overall, internships can be a great thing,” but it’s easy to miss a great opportunity if you aren’t looking. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for an opportunity that could change your life.

“Internships are a

great way for students to kickstart their careers.”

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How To Eliminate Career Anxiety By Evan Solis Staff Writer

“

What do you want to do in the future?”is the dreaded question that the average college student is faced with. There are plenty of career paths to choose from, and although that is a blessing, it can still be a curse. One of the toughest choices a student has to make is what career they want to go into. I know that I am very confused about what major I want to go into, flopping from things like music to filmmaking every other month. The same question of “what do you want to do” pains me, and graduation is around the corner. I also know, though, that there are other students here at HCC who face the same problems. What you should know is that there are ways to be confident about what you want to do in life, and that it is also natural to be confused. The uncertainty of career choosing is not exclusive to just students here at HCC. A study conducted by Ellucian, who works with colleges all over the world, says that as of October 14, 2019, 51% of students were “confused and anxious” about selecting a major. What this tells us is that it’s a mutual problem that affects all college students. It is another stress that piles up with many of the other responsibilities handed over to students. Two other people who graduated here at HCC can also testify to this as well. My sister Lucia Solis is a graduate who was confused as to what she wanted to major in. “I didn’t know what I wanted to major in at first, so I took general studies.” She was not confident as to what career she wanted to major in. Another graduate, Shane Veras, agrees. “I was very confused about choosing my major,” he says. The thing is, it is okay to be confused, like all things in life. Something to keep in mind is that you will eventually find what fits in with your interests. All it takes is exploration, positivity, and aid. To really find what career suits you the best, one thing you can do is explore. As Veras advises, “...find a general subject or field where your passion lies and try out everything possible in that field.” My family has always reassured me when I’ve been anxious about

HORIZONS Spring 2022

my career choices that it takes time. It doesn’t matter how many times you go to school to study different fields. It is not time wasted; it’s an adventure exploring yourself. The anxiety unsure students feel comes from the preconceived notion that you must find who you are before you graduate high school. It is a common topic you can find on social media like Twitter and Facebook, where students generally discuss their concerns about the future. Still, you should remember that there is urgency that comes with choosing a career. Anisha Thomas, the director of Career Services here at HCC, gives great advice on what a student should and shouldn’t stress about. “Your credits that you take in college involve money and time. So the sooner you can get a major that you are comfortable with and you feel could possibly lead to something is a good thing because you don’t waste time and money, she says. It is good to be ahead of the curve when choosing your career, and as Thomas puts it, “I always say the sooner you can make those contacts and learn different majors and find out what you like and don’t like, what you’re good at, what you’re willing to get good at, the sooner you can make a decision that you would be interested and want to grow in.” The choice of what career you go into doesn’t always have to be absolute, although there are some that do require a lot of commitment. In regards to the flexibility of some careers, Thomas explains that some careers like “medical assisting and surgical tech,” while needing a lot of preparation, “can open up a lot of other opportunities” as well as “being stepping stones for other bigger careers.” If you want to know more about what paths you can take, you can set up a meeting with the Career Services department and meet with Thomas and the rest of the staff. They have gotten hundreds of students who certainly did not regret meeting with them. According to Thomas, she has heard from alumni who say things like “thanks for helping me with my resume, thanks for showing me this career I’ve never thought about, thanks for leading me to the assessment.” Thomas actually guided me to the same assessment called Focus 2, which guides you to careers based on interests, skills, and many other areas. Focus 2 is a website that lets you take assessments and leads you to careers that you might be interested in. These assessments range from “Self Assessments” that, according to the website, let you

“You will eventually

find what fits in with your interests.”

“discover majors and occupations that match your personal attributes,” to others which test evaluate your career readiness and academic strengths. Signing up for the site myself, I feel like it really informs me on what careers are out there and details the specifics of what majors a student should be chasing if they are going after a preferred career. The HCC website, specifically the Career Services page, is another source of information which both the graduates and Thomas recommends for good information for career seeking students. On the Career Services page, there are other links that also provide other ways to see what majors would be good to chase. You can find the page along with ways to contact Career Services in the following link:https:// housatonic.edu/career-services/exploring-majors-areas-of-study An HCC student can utilize their professors for advice, as both Lucia and Shane Veras did. Lucia states that she “went to her professors and advisors for help” to determine what career she would choose. Now, Lucia has applied to the School of Visual Arts at New York with confidence in what she has always wanted to do, be an animator. Even though Veras has not decided what to do yet, he also recommends asking your professors for help.

Photo by The Creative Exchange, via Unsplash The stress of the future sometimes makes a student tired.

It takes confidence to choose what you really want to do. Before coming to HCC, I never had the guts to chase a music career. Negativity surrounded me and I felt embarrassed to even mention my passion for music. That was when I finally stood up and signed up for a guitar class, thinking “this is my chance to try out something new.” Now, I have multiple instruments, play guitar with a passion, and am interested in chasing music. It takes only a small drive and a push, like signing up for a class you’ve never imagined yourself in or were too scared to do, to spark up self-esteem.

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Recreating the Classroom

By Teddie Tarczali Staff Writer

re you feeling like school life and everyday life are slowly morphing into one due to online schooling? I know many people were feeling this way in 2021 as a result of the pandemic. We are living in a time now where you can choose to “go to” school entirely online, making it tough for some people to keep school separate from other aspects of everyday life. This can become pretty stressful.

whether the class has meeting times or not, I found that sending an email to my professors at the start of the semester asking to meet with them to chat about the class and the expectations they have from their students for the semester. Right off the bat, meeting my professor and talking with them lifted a huge weight off of my shoulders. Going from just seeing a syllabus and a list of weekly assignments on Blackboard to seeing a face and hearing a voice made all the difference for me.

Most college students understand that once you’re in school time management is your best friend, but with online schooling it is easy to get wrapped up in the stress of being “in school” in your own home. What are some ways you can help yourself succeed with online school and find balance between school and personal life?

In my very first class here at HCC, I was terrified. I was enrolled in the class but there was an issue with Blackboard so I didn’t get to start until a week after all of my classmates did. I had been emailing with my professor, Kathleen Micinilio, back and forth and finally met with her via Webex. I was on the verge of tears before the meeting, but the second the call started, I immediately felt better. Professor Micinilio left a wonderful first impression and helped me notice how helpful and willing the staff here at Housatonic are.

Online school can be tough for some, and a breeze for others; however, it’s all up to the student to decide how they plan to tackle their workload and achieve academic success. The students’ success becomes more of their own responsibility because they don’t have that “classroom setting’’ that makes school, school. I’ve reflected on my own personal experience as a student at Housatonic and chatted with some fellow students and staff to provide some advice on creating your online “classroom.” Like a lot of students during the pandemic, when I began online school I felt stuck, and honestly I can still feel stuck sometimes. I have struggled with the lack of community, the lack of sitting next to peers in class and always having someone to turn to is a struggle with online learning. While chatting with fellow HCC student Joey Rubino about how to better connect with online classmates, she had some great input on how to do so: “I try to give really detailed opinions when I reply to discussion boards showing my true self since you can’t really do that online. Sometimes I’ll even get a few of my classmates’ phone numbers so we can help each other out on some assignments.” This is a wonderful technique that mimics the behavior of being able to turn to a classmate and ask a question; you can text your classmate and achieve a version of that sense of community. Through my struggle with adapting to online learning I discovered that what works best for me is to develop a personal relationship with my professors in order to communicate my wants and needs as a student,

HORIZONS Spring 2022

Another way to bring the feeling of school into your personal space could be meeting with a tutor. Rachell Williams, HCC graduate and tutor at HCC currently, provided some input on how she helps students learn through the screen. I asked Rachell what are some ways she’s been able to help students adapt to online learning. She explained,“I always let my students know that they are not alone, and online learning has been a major learning curve for everyone. My tip for students would be to create a schedule and stick to it. This will help you to get your work done without feeling overwhelmed by the course load. College courses can be difficult, but, by managing your time, you can succeed.” Williams further explained how she reminds her students how it’s important to take some time alone, which I believe helps separate school and life. “You also want to give yourself a day off (a weekday or weekend with no coursework). For many students, the balance between college, work, and outside life is hectic. It’s necessary to find the time to relax and reset because no one can keep working 24/7,” she says. Separating school and life is difficult when it’s all happening at home. As Williams said, no one can keep working 24/7. Mackenzie Tarczali, former online community college student, gives some useful advice on this.

My home “classroom”. My dining room, a relaxing secluded place from most technology and distractions.

“Try to avoid doing your school work in your bedroom because that is where your mind should relax. Always try to get your work done in a room in your house that you can associate with school and have that be your classroom,” she said.

Photo by Cassidy Tarczali, my older sister.

Tarcio Almeida, another Housatonic student, highlighted the importance of having a distraction-free environment. Almeida said. What seems like a really simple fix can make a huge difference separating school from your personal life can help maintain the feeling of being “at school,” which further will improve your success as a student.

“Personally what helps me to

focus is a quiet environment, as long as there isn’t anything that is too distracting (loud music, moving objects) I should be okay to focus and dive into my work. Also, dimmer light seems to give a calm effect, which I like.”

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f A e Lif

o t w s! o s H e : c C o C r P H ter f er

s n a r T r u o Y n i Be g

By Estefano Torres Editor

tudents who have entered the final phase of their journey here at HCC may begin to ask themselves an all-too-familiar question that has long persisted ever since the arrival on campus for their first day: “So now what?”

semester considering transfer. He meets with many universities outside of HCC to gather this transfer information. Sanders suggests that, before beginning the process of transferring, students gain an idea of what exactly their short term and long term goals are.

Many students throughout their final semester at HCC desire to expand their college experience elsewhere, but sometimes, it can be difficult to understand how the transfer process works when students are unsure of where to start.

“I tell students to look at their major and if you aren’t sure what to do, it’s okay,” said Sanders.

“I am interested in transferring to another university because I want to be able to adjust to a different atmosphere . . . compared to going to a community college,” shared HCC student Gabriella Castorina, who is one of many HCC students who wish to expand their education by transferring to a four-year university.

“Start looking at who you want to be and where you want to be three to four years from now and start talking with and visiting colleges of your interests.”

“It is really important

Of course, students have their own goals when it comes to selecting a school or university of choice, and many of these colleges can have their own specific requirements for transferring. However, we all start somewhere when met with a challenge, so a few general, basic tips and advice on how to start your own transfer process should give you a smooth start on planning your next step in your education after HCC.

to do your research into your preferred college to find out about certain requirements.”

The actual process of transferring your credits to your dream university might sound agonizingly complicated of a task to handle all on your own, but not if you are aware of the resources and staff around campus that are there to lend a helping hand. WHERE TO START: Randy Sanders is a core academic advisor and the transfer specialist at HCC–located in Lafayette Hall B136–who puts together plenty of transfer resources for students in their last

HORIZONS Spring 2022

From experience, I can personally confirm that it could be difficult when you consider giving up your dream careers to better adjust to the expectations of your dream colleges. I sometimes think about my own abilities in writing and career dreams and what I will earn from them, and I believe that changing yourself to pursue something you are not passionate about is unacceptable! “Think about what is going to make you happy . . . what do you want to give back to the community, what’s going to give you joy?” said Sanders. “The physical stuff, the money and all that, is not everything to life. It’s that simple,” he adds.

Castorina, who has been through the process as a student herself, also has advice for future students in regard to their passion and interests: “Please select the right university that you feel would be beneficial for yourself. Remember, you need to do what’s best and appropriate for yourself.” After you are certain of what you want to do, begin to consider some other basic aspects of the transfer process before truly getting into it. Alexander LaTouche, a Guided Pathways Advisor at HCC, wishes

to make students aware of some general things to have in mind while starting the process, which should be looked into as soon as possible.

Photo by Estefano Torres

“What I would remind students is to make sure they are meeting the program requirements for the school they want to transfer to . . . [and] be aware of application deadlines,” said LaTouche. It is really important to do your research into your preferred college to find out about certain requirements, as LaTouche mentions, such as the required courses needed for your chosen major and especially if your GPA is valid according to their minimum range provided. Doing this basic research will kickstart your soon-to-be successful transfer process! WHO CAN HELP: When I looked into how to transfer, I was initially confused on who to reach out to, and struggled to focus on transferring my credits as soon as I could while managing assignments from five different courses. “Speak to advisors at both schools: your advisor at HCC, and the transfer specialist or transfer advisor at schools you want to go to for more information,” said LaTouche. “I’ve been intaking a lot of information from many sources because I want to know as much as possible for the coming school year,” said Destene Savariau, an HCC student, while considering the option to transfer to SCSU. “To have information prior on forms to fill out, available scholarships, on-campus living arrangements, steps to take once you actually transfer would all be helpful,” Savariau added. Students can speak to any advisor in the Advising Center–located in Lafayette Hall L112–along with their own assigned advisors, all who understand the most vital information needed when transferring. According to Sanders, his office keeps the most information regarding the transfer process and specific university requirements, so a visit or call to his office can also be helpful! Additional information could be found in the official HCC website under the Academics section. One great resource that advisors, such as Sanders, provide for future transferring students are virtual transfer workshops, which I personally attended myself! In this workshop, basic transfer tips are discussed and representatives from many universities join to discuss their specific requirements for transfer. Workshops are held throughout the semester, and more information can be found on the HCC website or by contacting Sanders. However, one resource that deserves more attention and is normally disregarded by students is Career Services–located in Lafayette Hall B145–which can help identify certain information that students may find handy to know before transferring their credits for a certain major. “[Career Services] help students identify future goals, majors, and not just careers but the salary,” said Sanders, “and that helps students decide what major they should go into and what four-year offers that major.” COMMON ISSUES: One of the most common mistakes students make while in the transfer process is not being mindful of certain deadlines for applications, as LaTouche explains, and ultimately end up trying to transfer their credits a bit too late into their semesters. Believe me, I began my own transfer process a little bit after mid-terms of last semester, so there was my lesson learned! It is not preferable to start later on into your last semester, but to de-escalate your anxiety levels, try to do so earlier.

Like Snoopy here, many HCC students seek to transfer to their favorite universities, but where do you begin?

Sanders explains how difficult an issue it is considered to be for students to transfer from a low-cost community college to a four-year university, which is typically expensive, sometimes even up to $60,000 per year. “...That’s always a concern for students. But what I remind students is don’t be afraid [of a college’s price] because you can be awarded scholarships or grants that can lower the cost,” he said. Whatever your academic passion is, if you are truly determined in pursuing it, go for it! Sanders also speaks to plenty of four-year universities outside of HCC to discuss transfer credit evaluation for students hesitant to reach out to universities with credit inquiries on whether they are valid or not. Then again, an easy resolution for this is to do your part, as responsible students, and look into the credit requirements of other universities if you are still uncertain! Throughout my final semester, I reflected on my journey as a whole at HCC, and when the time for transfer came, I felt lost because of how quickly and suddenly I had arrived at that point. I attended classes on campus for the majority of my first semester two years ago, and although COVID pulled me back onto my chair behind a screen for three consecutive semesters, I personally did not lose one bit of knowledge that I would have received in a traditional classroom. I have already embarked on my next academic adventure and have moved on from HCC. Believe me, I was absolutely pressured when faced with the transfer process, but that is because I was not aware of the staff, faculty, and resources I had by my side to help propel me into further expanding my education. All that is needed from students, possibly like yourself, to begin your potential transfer process is self-reliance and commitment to finding those steps with a bit of assistance. Most students can depict the transfer process to be difficult and stressful, and that is completely normal. The main thing you will realize, however, is that you will never be on your own, and the first thing to do is not overthink and relax! “Take it step by step, plan early, and be patient with yourself,” added Sanders.

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About These Tips By Professor Steve Mark Advisor to Horizons

fter participating in or watching HCC’s Convocation and Rite of Passage ceremony this past fall, the Horizons staff was asked to imagine they had been invited to speak at a future convocation to offer a brief address to students. What is the most important piece of advice they would want to give a new student? These articles look at a range of strategies, words of encouragement, and insights into being successful as a student at HCC.

HORIZONS Spring 2022

Dealing with Failure

By Shirley Nowinski Senior Staff Writer

CC’s mission statement includes the hope that you will be a lifetime learner. What does that mean? That you will be aware of what is going on in the world and around you? That you will pursue new information, try new things, and be willing to consider other points of view?

The next time the bus was late, I decided to check out a café there. I purchased a muffin and coffee, sat at the station and enjoyed waiting while reading a magazine. Then I actually sat at the café and had breakfast. The strange thing is, once I found ways of enjoying the delay, the driver got transferred, and the bus was on time.

Yes, but I think it also means you learn to benefit from your failures. If I could give one piece of advice to my younger self, it would be to take advantage of failures. No matter how well you plan, how hard you work, or how successful you are, there will always be moments out of your control where you will feel angry and discouraged.

Since then I have tried to see what good can come from a disappointing event, and it has gotten easier and easier to find. So when life obstacles happen and you find you can’t go, do, see, or have what you expected; look around for what you can have. It could be that the job you don’t get makes you available for the job you love, or the second class choice may become your favorite. The person who shares their book because you forgot yours may become a good friend, and the time you have to wait in line may result in overhearing a conversation that changes your life.

Years ago, I had to take a bus to the train in order to go to work. At one point, the drivers switched routes and the new driver was constantly late. Everyone had to dash for the train. Sometimes we made the train, but often we got to the platform as it pulled away.

I have met wonderful people; found better jobs, accomplished things I would never have tried, all because something happened that blocked my planned path. Believe that sometimes bad things do happen for a good reason!

On one of those days I ran onto the wet street and found myself chinfirst on the ground. The train pulled out and I had to wait a half-hour with a bleeding chin for the next train. Then I stopped at the hospital and found out I needed 26 stitches. I was really, really, late to work that day, and I decided I was not going to run for the train ever again.

Photo by the blowup on Unsplash

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Trust the Process By Imani Walker Staff Writer

ere at HCC, we have different majors that students can choose from.

When I first started going to HCC, I was in general studies, my classes were electives, and I was taking classes to finish up for the major. Then, I switched to Social Work and I thought that it would be good for me to work with those that need information or help on situations that they face. Then, I felt like I wanted to do even more and wasn’t that passionate about Social Work. I switched my major to Early Childhood Inclusive Education. I was really passionate about it, and I felt good. This major is what I really want to do, and I feel like this will be a good path for me to take and a change for the better. Trust the process because it’s best to do what you love and love what you do. You don’t want to lack passion about your major or feel unhappy in the state that you’re in. Before I changed my major, I felt overwhelmed because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in school. It may get hard sometimes in life and you may not know what major is best for you, but the best way is to plan out your future goals in life. Just know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and when you trust the process, everything will come into place. We make choices in life that will drive us to do better and figure out what we want to do for our future endeavours. It is best having a set goal and having faith that everything will work out in due time when it’s right. Having people in my life that support me, such as family and friends, is the best thing because they’re there to help me and believe that I can make it and that I will do what is best for myself. I want to make sure that you are determined and never tell yourself that you can’t do this, but instead to know that you can make it if you just trust the process. The best is yet to come, and you can make it and achieve your goals. Don’t give up!

HORIZONS Spring 2022

Photo by Jack Catterall on unsplash

A path leading you through obstacles and success in life.

NEW STUDENT TIPS

Take Time to Relax By Jasmine Saksene Staff Writer

There are multiple ways to relax. It could be as simple as closing your eyes for a few minutes or being active, such as taking a walk. I personally like to listen to calming music and gather my thoughts. In this way, you can go back to work feeling refreshed and possibly more productive than before.

or hours on end, you might find yourself working hard to complete assignments before their deadline. It is essential to remember that you have time to plan ahead at the beginning of the week and could write a schedule. You can try your best to keep a list of assignments that need to be finished. This helps to create more opportunities to rest.

A tip for allowing yourself to take a moment and pause is not to be too critical of your performance. When the schedule does not go as planned, I have often blamed myself for not completing an assignment on the day that I originally wanted it to be done; it felt as if I was falling way behind on my assignments. However, I also learned how to adjust my schedule and trust that I will get them done on time even if I take 30-minute breaks while working. These breaks can help any student get through the semester.

When I first entered HCC, I thought that I had to keep working until my assignment was fully completed before I could do anything else, even having a meal at the right time. However, I found out that taking care of your mental health is crucial to accomplishing your goals for each semester. If students are struggling with this, there are resources available, such as the Counseling and Wellness Center. Students can easily get overwhelmed with the workload accompanied by their personal, work, or school-related problems. But always running at full speed can cause exhaustion. It takes just one step to prevent that from happening, and that is to make time for mini-breaks.

You can find spaces in the day to gather your peace of mind and continue on with your journey through the semester. Multiple events may be happening at once, but giving yourself that time to relax can be a key part of your success.

You can take a step back to evaluate how much more time is needed to finish an assignment. It may be hard to convince yourself to unwind for a moment, but it is essential, although this does not mean procrastinating.

You can easily find your preferred method of relaxing too.

Photo by Luisella Planeta Leoni from Pixabay

News You Can Use: New Student Tips

Deadlines Are Closer than you Think

By Starletta Smith Staff Writer

our professor has assigned you an assignment due Sunday at 11:59 p.m. “Thank god,” you say. This gives you plenty of time to work on it. Maybe you take time to relax before you begin. After all, it is due Sunday. A little break never hurts anybody. Suddenly your boss calls you; now you’re doing swing shifts, covering for coworkers, and barely getting six hours of sleep. In the back of your mind, you know there’s something you must do, but you cannot remember what. Sunday is your day off, so you decide to spend it sleeping. You worked hard this week; you deserve this break. You wake up; the time is 11:40. Finally, you remember the assignment! If you’re like me, time is not on our side for us busybodies. We all have lives outside of college, so it’s easy to forget the work our professors assign us. Whether it is taking care of our families, work, or procrastination, somehow, some of us will tend to miss a few assignments. At one point, it can get stressful. You may start to think you’ll never be able to turn in your assignments, thus forcing you to drop out. If there is one thing I learned while attending HCC, it is to be prepared.

22 HORIZONS Spring 2022 22 HORIZONS

Whether it’s your first or last year in college, you always want to be one step ahead of your professor. Make sure to buy a calendar or a planner. You can even use your built-in calendar on your phone. Write down each due date for all your classes. Set up reminders on your phone. No matter how far a due date is, it’s always closer than you think. Get started right away when your professor gives you an assignment. The due date may be three days away, but think of it as if it was due tomorrow. Today you may be free, but you don’t know if you’ll be available for the next two days. When working on your assignments, do the ones that require you to work harder first. Some professors may assign reading for the week, while others assign two-page essays. Personally, I try to knock out a few assignments from each professor in the first two days of the week. Life has not been easy thanks to COVID. Some of us who exceed better in a class are forced out of our comfort zone and put into online classes. To those who are struggling and on the brink of giving up, take a breath. Remind yourself that you’ve got this. Take some time to relax your thoughts. When you’ve collected yourself, grab your calendar and start getting ahead of your assignments.

Organization is Key By Mark Forbes Staff Writer

’m pretty sure you’ve heard how important organization is, time after time after time! But have you ever implemented it? Well, now it is time to pull out your planners, make your checklist, and get started!

An app that I love to use for organizations is Google Calendar, their best features for organizations to me would have to be that you can create new calendars for different parts of your life. For example, you can have a calendar for (sports practice, school, and work). Desktop notifications allow you to have the notification on all your devices. So not only can it help you stay sane it can help you stay put together.

As a First-Generation college student, balancing life and school was a bit rocky, and I wished that I had someone that had gon e through this or currently is. Although the HCC staff was and is very accommodating, it can feel very intimidating to go on and be on your own. One thing that has helped me is staying organized. One way I like to be organized is by creating a list that has what I need to do in order of priority. For example, if I have a paper due at five today, a project due at nine, and then ten tomorrow an assignment. I’ll go into the notes app on my phone the night before and write those down in order, then check it off when I complete the task. Not only is it amazing to see all the work you’ve done, it feels good to see all you have accomplished.

I suggest that you invest in a planner or some sort of planning app to put your assignments in if possible. Sometimes your professor will have all your assignment dates on the syllabus, so that you can put them in your calendar via Google Calendar or what you choose to use to plan. I personally like to set them a few days earlier so that I can have time to make sure everything goes off with a hitch! After this, you will feel that huge boulder leave your chest and feel relieved.

“Organization

Trust me: I know!

can be a bit tedious but pays off in the long run.”

Organization can be a bit tedious but pays off in the long run. Photo by STIL from Unsplash.

News You Can Use: New Student Tips 23 23

Take Wh

a v Ad

f o e !

g u a o nt r Y

e d i v o r P at is

o f d

By Jania Jones Editor

ursuing a higher education beyond high school is always a commendable feat. You are not only trying something new, but you are also taking charge of your education, which is not something you would have done in your earlier years of school. Therefore, not only do I applaud you all for your strength and diligence regarding this, but I also come to you with a strong piece of advice. Don’t take the resources you have available to you for granted. Make the most of what Housatonic has to offer and try to enjoy this experience! While HCC is first and foremost an educational institution, it is also a place for you to grow socially and to find out newer pieces of who you are.

Studying with people in the same major or course as you Whether it be reaching out to your professors during office hours, or asking a is a great way to get help and give help when dealing with peer to study together, building these types of connections and relationships will difficult coursework. Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash ultimately ease the stress of being a college student. In addition, there are plenty of “set in stone” programs available that are accessible to all students. The Academic Support Center is a great place to get help on a subject you may be dealing with in class as well! The most important thing to focus on is that you reach out. It can be intimidating or embarrassing to ask for help at first, but once you find your groove, you will truly realize how beneficial it is for you. Meeting with your professors at the beginning of each semester is a great way to get started and introduce yourself as a new student in the course. Or, if you might’ve taken that course in the past and need to retake it, it is a great way to remind your professor of who you are and establish that you might need a bit more help to succeed throughout the curriculum. Whatever techniques you deem the best are all up to you, just remember that they are all out there! Volunteering, going to events, and studying at the library are all wonderful ways to start getting connected to the people around you. Make the most of this experience!

HORIZONS Spring 2022

Get To Work, And Don’t Forget To Ask For Help!

G mistakes.

By Vasthiestefany Flores Senior Staff Writer

o for it, but remember, if you need help, ask for it! One of the most important aspects of being a college student is knowing when and how to ask for help. It can make navigating this unknown territory much easier and save you time by avoiding many

This skill cannot be misjudged, as you will encounter the unknown regularly in your classes and assignments. As a first-time college student, this was a gigantic change for me and made the primary semester considerably more troublesome than needed. At first, I regularly waited to be helped and couldn’t comprehend why I was struggling with the material. I discovered that in case you are grappling, you need to set aside the effort to recognize what you need, whom to ask, and what to ask. As far as I might be concerned, it involved recognizing that I was struggling with a particular course, requesting that the tutoring program match me with a tutor, and putting more time to study and thoroughly going through my work. Furthermore, prepare to be blown away . . . It worked! Nevertheless, I could never have gotten what I needed on the off chance that I had not distinguished these particular issues in the first place.

Photo by Javier Trueba on Unsplash.

Figuring out what you need can take some time. If you are frustrated or troubled with your progress, take a break from your assignments to get a clear idea of what you really need help with. Maybe you’ve been too independent and have always tried to solve your own problems to realize that you need assistance from someone such as a peer or professor trained in the material. One of the great things about being a college student is the fact you are surrounded by experts and helpful tutors and professors, so make the most of these resources and ask for assistance. Don’t let pride or shyness get in the way of obtaining everything you can from your college experience. The level of independence given to us as college students is a lot, and while it can be difficult to steer and understand this system, taking the time to acknowledge and identify what you need and how to get it is never a waste of time.

“Asking for help can lead you to

understand the course material to succeed in class. Identify the problem and take action! Ask for help!”

News You Can Use: New Student Tips

Never Give Up; It Gets Better!

By Shaneequa Pettway Staff Writer

s someone who dropped out of college after high school, I can say that it was my biggest mistake.

All I wanted to do was party and be with my friends. I regretted it for years. I complained about how I could have been this, how I could have been that, only if I stayed in school. It was terrible. I was working odd, dead end jobs in places I hated. I was doing nothing with my life. I was being called a bum and a failure. My slogan was, “At least I graduated high school, it’s a start.” I sugarcoated my education. I knew I wanted better. Before and after having my daughter, I knew I wanted better for me, so that she can have better. I want her to have what I didn’t have growing up. She was my motivation. I told myself, “Just apply!” I couldn’t bring myself to do so, and I discouraged myself by making excuses.

Well, I finally did it, and so here I am. During my first semester, I thought so many times I was going to give up, but one of my teachers told me I’d be a fool if I did. I applied, I got accepted, I had financial aid, and I was finally in class.Why would I come this far to quit now? That right there made me push through the semester like it was my job. Housatonic was my choice because it was close. But I am glad I chose it. Your teachers and advisor will help you. They will push you to do great, and they care about your education. It’s not just a game for them; they want you to succeed. Sometimes there will be obstacles in your way that will block your judgement on finishing school. But, if you’ve come so far, jump over those obstacles and keep pushing. Whether you’re doing it for you, or doing it for your child and family, never give up. Quitters never win and winners never quit! I believe in you, and I don’t even know you. You got this!

“Never give up, no matter what. Don’t give up

because someone told you, you weren’t good enough or someone down talking you. Even if you fall at some point, get up, brush yourself off, and keep life going. YOU GOT THIS!”

HORIZONS Spring 2022

OPINIONS: SHOUTOUTS

About These “Shoutouts”

By Professor Steve Mark Advisor to Horizons or these articles, the Horizons staff was asked to choose one person (a professor, counselor, advisor, tutor, classmate, staff member, or a family member or friend) who has been an important part of their success at HCC. These articles are their chance to say thank you. We hope they will encourage you to express your appreciation for and to those who have been an important support to you.

An Homage to a Perfect Teacher

A warm and cheerful reunion with Mrs. Robinson.

Photo by Barry Zhou on Unsplash

By Brandon Cortes Staff Writer

never wanted to go to college, to be honest I never saw myself as a college student. During my final years of high school, I battled myself over what I wanted to be once I graduated, however my English teacher opened my eyes.

As I said before, Mrs. Robinson is responsible for me being here at college, studying and reaching a future that only I can make possible. No one ever told me that they were proud of me, I was never anyone’s prideful kid.

The sarcastic and humorous lady named Donna Robinson was my English teacher during my last three years of high school. She was responsible for my taste for writing and literature and my great fanaticism for science fiction. Thanks to her, I know how to write diverse types of essay formats, how to read between the lines, and how to analyze any type of reading. Her big sarcastic smile and her good sense of humor made my day every time she walked into class. There was always something new in her class. She somehow made studying go from boring and tedious to enjoyable and fun.

But everything changed that afternoon in 2019 when after correcting the final exams, Mrs. Robinson asked me to stay after school. Mrs. Robinson sat at her desk, looked me in the eye and asked, “What do you want to do once you graduate?” At that moment, I did not know what to answer. I did not know what to do with my life once I graduated. My only options were to work or just stay with the family business, so I just shrugged my shoulders and said I did not know what to do. Then, Mrs. Robinson took out all my essays that I have written throughout all those years, especially my eight-page argumentative essay about my favorite anime series entitled: “Does Free Will Exist In the World of Steins; Gate?” And she said, “You know, I would like you to graduate. Seriously, I would. I envision you as a college kid and you would make me immensely proud if you were. You have a lot of potential, Brandon.” At that moment I could not hold back the tears and I just started crying wildly. Finally someone was proud of me.

Mrs. Robinson treated me very differently from the other students in the class; she allowed me to think freely, she let me develop different ideas about my surroundings. I remember that every time we had to do an essay on a specific topic, she just looked at me and said, “Brandon, write what you want about anything you’ve read in the last few days.” I loved that feeling of freedom, and the great overflow of ideas that I developed in her class.

Wherever you are, Mrs. Robinson, I hope you are well and thank you. Thank you very much for believing in me.

Opinions: Shoutouts

A Teacher Worth Treasuring By Jania Jones Editor Dear Professor Cain, I was impacted by your teaching and your classes in ways I cannot quite understand myself. At a time when online learning was a big struggle for me, I found myself feeling excited to sign into your class and ready to learn. If you haven’t had the opportunity of learning under Professor Rachel Cain’s guidance, she is a light-hearted and joyous instructor who can lighten up a classroom with the flash of her smile. While I’ve shared the story of my appreciation for her many times in the past, I truly wanted to explicitly share my appreciation for her. I remember the first day of my biology class with her. She’d written my name on the Powerpoint (this was amid the quarantine) and drew a heart around it simply because I’d answered a question correctly. Throughout the next five weeks in which I was a part of her world, I learned more and more about a strong and inspiring woman who was never afraid to learn more. Professor Cain, what seemed like everyday interactions to you, left a meaningful impact on my life and led me to the path I am now on. In an office hours session we once had, you advised me to follow my dreams and simply do “what Jania wants in life” Like many people I’d heard from before, I knew you wanted what was best for me but instead of feeling compelled to follow what you thought would be good for me, I felt that you truly wanted me to find that path for myself.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash Having a relationship with a person like Professor Cain is a rare opportunity that one should nurture and care for like a seedling.

“Getting to know a person like

Professor Cain is a rare opportunity that one should not take for granted.” 28

HORIZONS Spring 2022

s k n a h T y a S I , u d n u o r o A g n i Y k c o i t A nd t S r o f By Starletta Smith Staff Writer

Hey you.

Although we talk to each other all day, I’ve never had the chance to properly thank you for being there for me throughout my first year of college. This past semester was stressful. Each time I opened my laptop, I wanted to drop out. The assignments mocked me as I struggled to turn them in at their designated time. It felt like I was doing all of this for nothing. Perched on your bed, you saw how much I was struggling and lent me a helping hand. To others, it may feel weird that a nineteen-year-old girl is asking her high school sister for help on her college math homework, but you didn’t bat an eye. Of course, you know my history with math. I’m terrible at it. So, every Sunday you took time out of your schedule to help me with my math homework. I’ll admit at first, I was hesitant to ask for help, but when my grades weren’t showing improvement, I decided to swallow my pride and come to you. It’s because of you that I understood the work and that I could look at each problem without having a meltdown. Not only were you my math tutor, but you set up study sessions with me. It’s because of you I can understand the work. I’m extremely grateful that you decided to stick by me last semester. Love you, Your older sister

Provided by © Press Association Images Sisters sitting at kitchen table studying for school exams.

Opinions: Shoutouts

u S f o s n g i S Subtle If it weren’t for you, would I have started a college career? This is something that I have always thought about. My dad has been a prime source of support, which led me to my decision to attend HCC. #hccthanks

t r o p p By Jasmin Saksene Staff Writer

you show affection through your behavior. I can not express how much you have helped me through my journey in HCC. You made me more determined to further my education and get my degree as you pushed the idea of receiving a college education. You have made the time completing assignments a bit more enjoyable with delicious snacks. Thank you for always being with me and helping me through each semester, Dad!

our actions have said it all. The rare times with words of encouragement such as “good job” or “you can do it” have impacted me as well, but your actions that you might think go unnoticed have been the light that guided me through the times when I needed it. You have helped me attend HCC and set up a meeting with Susan Ratanavong, which relieved some of the uncertainty that comes with graduating from high school. I clearly remember us walking through the parking lot and entering the wrong buildings on that icy cold winter afternoon. Our noses were bright red from the cold wind blowing on our faces until we found the correct spot. You sat beside me on that day and listened intently in case I missed any information. As she explained about the programs available and how to fill out the application, I knew then that I would decide to start my college career here. I was faced with another challenge of taking online courses. You always said that you wish you could help but never went to college yourself, so you felt as though you couldn’t. However, the efforts you made to comfort me formed a major support system that I knew I could always rely on. Through the long nights that I stayed up to finish my work before the deadline, you would make sure that I was not too stressed before heading to sleep. You would bring me snacks and drinks to eat or ask if I was hungry throughout the day which reminded me that it was time to take a break. Those are the precious moments that I cherish. Even though you do not express much with words, I know exactly what you are saying as

HORIZONS Spring 2022

Photo by Jasmin Saksene A rare but sincere smile is shown from my father who became a strong support system to me.

Parents: Sometimes the Biggest Supporters in Life

By Evan Solis Staff Writer

Photo by gustavito1917 on Pixabay. A mother and father, who I think are vital to academic success, with their son.

I would love it if you would read my article on who I give thanks to, that being my parents who have helped me at my toughest times in my years at HCC. #hccthanks

ost people would cite their parents as the biggest influences in their success; it’s almost cliche. I think that shouldn’t discredit them. Both my parents, Lucia and Gustavo, are major contributors to my success at HCC. They didn’t only help me with work, although my mother did play a major role in my success for my Spanish class, my parents supported me in various other ways that were vital to my success and soon-to-be graduation.

“I knew then that I would decide to start my college career here.”

When I feel like surrendering to stressful classes, I contact my father to get advice, and what he has to say never fails to get me motivated again. For example, I was on the verge of dropping my public speaking class, which was required for my major. It was a really stressful class, as I am a really shy person. Speaking with my father, he encouraged me to press on and try my best to overcome my fear of speaking in public. It helped a lot, as I was able to pass my public speaking class. My mother has also given me support mentally and emotionally in my studies at HCC. Again, I am a really shy person, but I wanted to sign up for a music class, as it is my passion. My mother pushed me to take a guitar class, and was even willing to buy my guitar. I did take that class, and now I am chasing my passion and am not afraid of being creative. Her advice influenced me immensely. Without both of their support, I feel like I wouldn’t be as successful in my academic journey at HCC. So with this, I would like to give thanks to both of my parents for making my first time at college feel secure.

Opinions: Shoutouts

Thanks Big Bro Photo by juan pablo rodriguez on Unsplash My big support, my big brother!

By Kristen Poplaski Staff Writer

Don’t forget to return the love #ThanksBro #HCCThanks To my Dearest Big Brother, Although we weren’t always very close during my childhood, in recent years, you have become one of my favorite people. You’ve been there for me at every point in my life and made me who I am today. You encouraged me to do what I wanted rather than what was expected of me. You were my main support when times were tough and put up with me even through my worst and for that I’m eternally grateful. You’ve played an enormous role in my life, essentially as a third parent. You came to my rescue with late night homework problems, you helped me through college applications and you advised me when I got my first job. You were the voice of reason for me but also the fun big brother that always had a smile and a witty comeback. I remember seeing you graduate from HCC nearly eight years ago, and now I hope you’ll be proud to see me do the same. You’re the reason I still strive to do better every day, you’re the reason I work hard, and you’re the reason I went to college. I’ll continue to work hard to make you proud and follow in your footsteps. I hope that someday I can be half the outstanding person you are. Thank you for being there when you didn’t have to. Thank you for always having my back. And thank you for being the amazing person you are. Thanks with lots of love, Your Mischievous Little Sister Kristen Poplaski

HORIZONS Spring 2022

n gs

How

a H to

l d n

o o T e

any Thi

By Jarrod Walker Staff Writer

nce I started attending Housatonic, I to ever finish. Then, one day she told me one of the greatest pieces of immediately felt like my life was advice I had ever heard in my life. improving. I was back in “How do you eat an elephant?” is what she asked me. I had school, learning what no idea how to respond. I thought she was just messing with I love, interacting with people me, so I asked, “How?” And that’s when she told me, in my community, and feeling “One bite at a time.” overall hopeful for the future. For a year or two, it felt like Lisa Slade taught me that the best way to deal nothing could touch me. with way too many problems in your life is to Unfortunately, though, tackle them one at a time. It might take a while, becoming an adult is never but pacing yourself and allowing yourself to move that easy. As I grew into my through life on your own schedule is the best thing twenties I came face to face you can do for your well being. with new, difficult realities. I This November, I’m thankful for Lisa and all the had bills to pay, couldn’t rely knowledge and compassion she’s given me these on my parents for everything, past few months. Our conversations have taught me and was struggling with my how to better deal with my problems, love myself, and mental health in a fast paced have changed my life for the better. world that wasn’t getting better any time soon. On top of my schoolwork, it felt at times that life was slowly becoming Photo by Nicholas Bartos impossible. It was at this point I knew I on Unsplash. had to do something. At first, I wasn’t so sure about “The road ahead is long, but you’ll be glad you stopped to ask for help.” HCC’s counseling services. Back in high school I had spoken to counselors about different things, but nothing quite like what I was dealing with now. It all felt very overwhelming, and I was reluctant about turning to someone else to help me with my problems. But, after meeting Lisa Slade, Housatonic’s Director of Counseling and Wellness, I was pleasantly surprised. I started talking to Lisa Slade this summer after I reached one of my lowest points. I honestly didn’t know what anyone could do for me, feeling like I was a lost cause who simply had too much on his plate

Opinions: Shoutouts

Photo by Estefano Torres

Experimenting with music has always been Andreas Savvaides’s passion!

A Producer’s Passion, a Musician’s Muse

By Estefano Torres Editor

A glimpse into the journey of an aspiring music producer, and the great things yet to come for him! #HCCThanks

usic seems to have always had a major influence on the life of Andreas Savvaides . . .and that, my friends, is an understatement.

Savvaides is an aspiring music producer who seems to be guided through life by the everlasting desire to create his own sound. Music has long driven Savvaides to be in charge of his own sound and style, and especially, to discover and explore his skill and potential.

passion for music and how pushing himself out of his comfort zone is essential in order for his music to be listened and heard. As a teenager, Savvaides was not satisfied with generic sounding beats he would create in his phone and laptop, as it would not sound lively enough. Instead of wandering in his own self doubt and pity, he chose to take action and kick started his career as a producer by experimenting in an actual music studio, located in Norwalk. Savvaides’s current website includes a list of his own original works, and with the praise of other experienced musicians and producers, Savvaides has expanded his work to other well-known social media sites.

According to his website, www.andreassavvaides.com Savvaides resides in Trumbull, and has had significant musical influences from his family, with his mother into classic rock and his father being a former 80s disc jockey.

Although my career goals differ from his, Savvaides’s commitment and work ethic can be an inspiration for anyone reflecting on their own skills and abilities, for his passion has catapulted him on his way to even further success in the professional music industry.

What makes Savvaides’s story so inspiring is his commitment and dedication to pursuing his dreams in becoming a professional music producer. In my time working with Savvaides in HCC through class discussions and interactions, he has frequently brought up his

I am thankful to have been able to witness a bit of Savvaides’s journey on his road to going pro and dominating his own style and sound. With more experience, who knows how far he will go in his inspiring journey. He has my full support and respect!

HORIZONS Spring 2022

From a fellow music enthusiast, I thank you for giving me additional faith and motivation to pursue my own personal goals, and if you really keep up your tempo, you will be amazed to see how far you go as a musician. “I’ve always kept to myself, but you can hear my personality through my music,” said Savvaides through his website. “I strive to create music that can connect people beyond surface level emotions, to unite people under the wavelength of sonic levels.”

OPINIONS: LEARNING GAINS

R ? U S O N E I R A A G T WHA NING LEAR

By Professor Steve Mark Advisor to Horizons

I had noticed that, while many students had surely struggled at times, they had also learned a great deal they might not have otherwise. As literacy education professor Rachael Gabriel has written, “Learning is never lost, though it may not always be ’found’ on pre-written tests of pre-specified knowledge or preexisting measures of pre-coronavirus notions of achievement.” I wanted the staff to have a chance to share what learning they had found, what they had gained. This section, then, focuses on skills they’ve developed or improved as a result of pandemic learning and these skills are helping them to be stronger, more effective students today.

hroughout the pandemic, especially in the early months, we heard a lot about “learning loss,” which, as the Great Schools Partnership explains, refers to “any specific or general loss of knowledge and skills or to reversals in academic progress, most commonly due to extended gaps or discontinuities in a student’s education.” What had students missed out on as a result of the emergency pivot to online and hybrid education, the adjustments we have had to make over the last couple of years to keep everyone safe?

Opinions: Learning Gains

Learning the Word “Responsibility”

By Guillermo Hernandez Senior Staff Writer

ver since we transitioned to asynchronous learning, I needed to learn how to manage my time.

forgetting. So after the planner failed me - or I failed it - I moved to notes.

It is one of the most important and difficult things that I had to learn, and I currently still struggle with it.

I assumed since I am always writing in my notes app, it was a perfect place to keep track of my assignments.

This transition from in-person learning to asynchronous instruction was difficult for me because I no longer had face-to-face interactions with my classmates or professors now that everything was digital. I didn’t have a set schedule and it was basically a “do it at your pace” situation. I had to learn how to do things on my own and hold myself accountable for my assignments. It was no longer the professors’ fault; it was mine because they put all of the assignments for the week in modules ahead of time. Even though I had a whole week to finish all of my assignments, I felt like I was running out of time. I needed to do something to fix my anxiety, and so I needed to learn the word “responsibility.” I started small and got a planner. I wrote down all the assignments for each class and their due dates, but would at the same time end up

In reality, I was so wrong. I would forget that I wrote anything down because the notes app didn’t have reminders. Finally, in my last attempt at trying to hold myself accountable, I learned how to use Google Calendars. The reason I started using Google Calendars was because the calendar that Apple provided seemed complicated to me. Using Google Calendars is so much easier for me to manage my time. I can organize it in four categories: “Personal,” “Tasks,” “Reminders,” and “Events.” It has helped me so much in finishing my assignments in time, and things weren’t so hectic anymore. I can categorize my assignments by importance.

Learning Not to Rely on Classmates

By Gabrielle Young Staff Writer

hen I think of a learning gain I have developed, I think of my improved studying habits.

Before the pandemic, I barely studied because I was so distracted by friends or because it was just too demanding. I would always think I didn’t have to study because the next day I could get the answers from other classmates. I started to depend on other people that I knew could help me with my work, so I didn’t study as much. Then I started distance learning, and everything changed. It was harder to get answers from classmates because they weren’t there in person, so I couldn’t copy it down. Even though sending pictures through messages was an option, it wasn’t one that would be

HORIZONS Spring 2022

able to help me. Maybe someone wouldn’t answer their phone before the deadline, or they just didn’t start yet because they also thought they had time since we weren’t actually in school. I needed to learn studying habits that would work for me. I did whatever I could to maintain a good grade, especially when they announced we wouldn’t go back to school for the rest of the year. I knew it would be harder to keep up good grades at home since I couldn’t be there in person to talk to the teacher or copy notes down from the board. That’s when I started making quizlets, flashcards, and little rhymes to help me study. Those tips ended up being so helpful that I was able to pass all my classes. Ever since then, I’ve been able to study by myself and not rely on other people to help me with my work.

Learning to Adapt

Music Making at a Whole New Level

By Teddie Tarczali Staff Writer

n the Spring of 2019, I graduated high school with absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life. In the Fall of 2019 all of my friends headed off to amazing colleges and universities, and they had an idea of what path they were taking. I, on the other hand, took a year off from school to focus on my mental health and worked to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. In Spring of 2020, I still wasn’t in school, and at that time, our lives as we knew it changed.

I wasn’t in school when the pandemic began, so my experience with “pandemic learning” was much different from most of the people I know today. For the entire year of 2020, I even feared opening up my laptop because the thought of even signing up for classes made me cry. I was so anxious about the idea of starting school again after finishing high school, I didn’t exactly want to start school again. High school was pretty challenging for me academically.

By Andreas Savvaides Staff Writer

uring the pandemic, we all had a lot of time on our hands. As for me, I continued doing my music. Now that could’ve been a simple answer, but there’s more to it than just saying I got “better.”

For starters, I got all social media links from TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and even made my own website.

The pandemic gave us all so much down time, nobody even knew what to do with themselves. With this down time, I slowly learned to heal myself. I learned an important soft skill, adaptability.

I am still trying to push myself out of my comfort zone and put myself out there, because what good is music if nobody can hear it? As for the music itself, I always thought that my music lived on the screens that I would work on. Nothing clicked and nothing sounded professional. I wanted the music that I created on my laptop to sound lively.

I used this time in lockdown to adapt to my new life, living at home without a clue what I wanted to do. I started with doing things that made me happy like cooking and playing games with my family. Then I began communicating with my parents about how I was feeling and how to take the next step to improve my life and my happiness, which helped me realize it was time for me to start school.

I was referred by my high school teacher to a music studio in Norwalk, and they have elevated my skills to a whole new level. From equalizing sound frequencies on the high and low ends to compressing an isolated drum kit to make it sound like a live sound, they have shown me so many tools that I will use for the rest of my career.

This meant I needed to adapt to opening my laptop and getting started with the process of enrolling at HCC. I adapted to the process of opening my laptop, which turned into a great strategy I’ve used since I’ve started here at HCC. I know it sounds silly because it’s such a simple task but it’s more about the idea of the task rather than the motion of opening the device. The idea is that the work is right there to be done.

As of now, I try to post frequently on my social media links, and I released a track on my YouTube channel for the first time. I’m planning to release more music and I have a few very talented artists whom I’m going to be working with to make me a better music producer.

It’s time to get started and just do it.

If you’d like to check some of my work you can visit me on Youtube and Facebook at Andreas Savvaides or on Instagram and TikTok as @andreassavvaides.

I still get anxious about doing school work. I sometimes don’t want to open Blackboard and look at the week’s lessons because I just don’t feel like working, but looking at the assignments and figuring out what I have to get done is half the battle. It’s the little things that seem so hard sometimes, and throughout the pandemic, I learned how to adapt to the smallest actions that make the biggest changes!

Opinions: Learning Gains

Photo from ImageQuest

Gardening, Landscaping, and Patience

ver the pandemic, I learned a lot of soft skills, skills I did not know I had.

After owning my current house for two years, I decided to start growing vegetable gardens in my backyard and do my own landscape in my front yard after watching a few YouTube videos. This soft skill was something I didn’t think I had because I am not an outdoor girl that likes to get her hands dirty, but I do love long walks. Last year, I attempted to do a small flower garden, but everything died except for my sunflowers, which grow past my front windows. This year, after practicing different ways and adding different soil, I was able to get a big, beautiful flower and vegetable garden. Getting the landscape right was a pain to deal with because nothing was working, so some of my older neighbors gave me some advice, and with the help of my father, my front yard finally looked beautiful. I do know it’s going to take a few different tries and practice to maintain my landscape and my gardens for the years to come. I am still struggling to maintain my garden and landscape by myself, but I must have patience and keep practicing.

HORIZONS Spring 2022

By Felicia Jacobs-Mcleod Staff Writer

“One of the hard skills I have learned over the was patience.”

I know it seems basic but part of my job as a mother and working as a Patient Care Tech in a hospital requires me to use patience. Over the years, this was a hard task, because people annoy me sometimes, especially when they are not on time, or wasting my time, when there are other things that need to be done. I have a certificate and work experience that tells people that I am qualified to do my job, and it always seems like I have everything under control because of my experience and qualifications. However, during this pandemic, I realize how short life really is, and that every moment is worth it, and because of that I have to learn and practice patience and accept each event as they occur. This was a skill I have but didn’t know I had until I was tested. Now I am a little more patient with my son, work responsibilities, and my garden.

What Do You Mean I Have to Speak?

By Estefano Torres Editor ne soft skill that I have developed the most over the past year and a half as a result of the pandemic is the ability to communicate with my peers and professors.

assignments. Along with this, I had to actually speak (again) and call the bookstore for backordered books, make phone calls to professors because they wanted to “get to know us,” and schedule nerve-wrecking conferences with professors or faculty about my academic progress (which was responsible, but all the more unwanted on my part).

When students began online learning around early 2020 as the virus rose rapidly, I took note and observed a multitude of complaints online regarding the lack of communication between family members, friends, and teachers/professors. I personally did not have much of an issue with this, because I am what is known as a “lone wolf” to teenagers or Gen-Zer’s (says a literal Gen-Zer, who does not get today’s social trends and ideas).

With the painful task of having to reach out to professors with questions AND needing to read emails or posts that included feedback for my work, I realized that I had to gather the nerves to communicate with others . . . and with little hesitation, too.

This was mental suffocation.

A “lone wolf” to my understanding is someone that is, well, alone and attends to their own business by themselves. Academically speaking, I did not prefer to work in groups, or ask for feedback, or ask teachers for questions, because I relied on my own skill and understanding. This changed quite drastically when I began to work from my computer, behind my desk, with no student beside me to make me chuckle for the dumbest reasons. Initially, it was satisfying silence that for once did not require me to listen to dirty jokes in a classroom full of dirty-minded high schoolers.

Soon, to my benefit, through classes such as Creative Writing, Publications, and Literature, I found myself evolving in a way where I began reaching out more with questions and concerns, as well as taking feedback more lightly. While I growled at creative feedback or constructive criticism pre-pandemic, I even developed a sort of benevolence for responding to criticism and giving feedback in return. This synergy that was present between me and my professors was benefitting me, and I was surprised that a pandemic lockdown actually helped me improve in willingness to communicate more than ever.

I was never really a socially introverted person because if I HAD to speak during group work in school, although it was not preferable for me, I managed to do all right . . . for the most part. However, I only communicated with peers and superiors if I was asked to.

In the present day, I enjoy reading feedback on my work from professors and peers, and I enjoy, for the most part, participating in class discussions and showing my understanding of the course work. This soft skill in communication truly did help me evolve as the year passed, and I believe that because of it, I will excel even more post-HCC!

Well, after lockdown commenced, to my horror, I had to speak, yes, SPEAK, voluntarily. Through online learning, some professors were not specific with their instructions or made typos that changed the context of modules/

Opinions: Learning Gains

PERSONAL ESSAYS

F a i d e M l a i c So

can’t remember a period when there weren’t any filters available. People’s appearances have changed since the introduction of filters on social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. Your beautiful skin, white teeth, and big lips make you look like you’ve just stepped off the operating table. You become so used to seeing yourself through all of these filters that you become lost in that reality, that façade; you begin to see yourself in a different light, and everything you once loved about yourself becomes a force field of negativity that overpowers you. When you grow up in an era where influencers manipulate their audiences into believing that they were born perfect when, in truth, every single photo they post on Instagram is highly edited to make them look perfect, it’s easy to believe that they were born perfect. Instagram is not reality; people in the real world do not appear as they do on Instagram. Yet, as a high school student, you slowly become accustomed to that “look” and begin to question your own appearance as did I.

e d a c a By Guillermo Hernandez Senior Staff Writer

see anything wrong with it. It seemed normal to me. I was using these filters on a daily basis without realizing that once they were removed, every shot I took without them would be considered bad. It wasn’t going to be posted if it wasn’t perfect. Every photo my friends took of me had to be approved by me. “Put a filter on it,” I’d urge. It got to the point where I didn’t like certain features of myself, but after a few years, I was fine with it. I wanted beautiful skin [no pores, acne, discoloration, or dark circles], perfect straight teeth, a nose job to make my nose smaller, I wanted to improve everything about myself, but I didn’t have the money, so I turned to the apps that provided me the one thing I needed: perfection.

“It got to the

point where I didn’t like certain features of myself.”

It all started small for me. Snapchat announced a new update named “snapchat lenses” during my freshman year of high school, a set of filters that were first wacky and fun to send to friends, family, and loved ones. I’d use the filters to send random pictures to my friends or put on my Snapchat story. What could possibly go wrong if everyone was using these filters, I thought?

During this time, I was really into youtube, and I started noticing that the youtubers I was watching were promoting this new app called “facetune.” You can use this app to hide a pimple or slim your face. To put it differently, this app makes you into someone you’re not. Everything around me was filters and apps that transformed your image, including Instagram, Snapchat, and now Face-tune, and I didn’t

HORIZONS Spring 2022

Social media is a lie; people pretend to be happy all of the time when they aren’t. They care about what other people think of them, until I decided I wasn’t going to fall for it anymore. I noticed something was wrong when I would take photos with my friends, or family members. They didn’t use filters for every photo, they didn’t edit themselves to be picture perfect. I realized that what I was doing was not normal. I knew that I needed to reset my brain, my habits, the way I saw myself.

I began by using my camera, which didn’t have any face-changing filters, which was difficult at first because I was hungry to tweak my skin. I started posting pictures that didn’t have any filters applied to them. I tried to let go of the negative mindset; I stopped judging my skin and tried not to pick myself apart; from my skin to my nose to my teeth, I tried to be comfortable with myself as God created me. It didn’t happen overnight, but I eventually stopped using the facetune app, which had the most impact. The app allowed me to tweak

Hiding yourself and your imperfections. Photo by Sammy Williams on Unsplash everything about myself that I “disliked.” I’m not going to lie to you: I still struggle with my appearance, and I still use filters here and there. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to avoid filters since they’re everywhere, but what I can do is accept myself and not be affected by the opinions of strangers. If you’re young, I just want to say that you should never seek other attention and validation. People on social media who appear to be perfect aren’t. You are perfect just the way you are; learn to accept yourself before you begin to think of yourself as odd or as if you don’t belong because you do. You can be the most beautiful, perfect person on the planet, but if you don’t love yourself, you’ll always find something wrong about yourself. Learn from my mistakes: the filters may make you perfect for the time being, but what happens when the filters are eliminated? You have a negative self-image and a feeling of emptiness. Filters and face-changing apps aren’t a substitute for selfconfidence.

Comparing yourself to influencers.

Photo by Kate Torline on Unsplash

Personal Essays

HEALING THROUGH HEARTBREAK By Shyla Caserta Senior Staff Writer

et’s face it. Growing up sucks. We tend to get comfortable in high school, having little to no responsibilities, and then BOOM! You’re 18 years old, about to enter college, and adulthood essentially. Many students begin to add more onto their plate at this time, and, as we know, life always has its twists and turns. It can be very difficult to juggle life while simultaneously keeping your mind and soul in check. When starting college, I was working a terrible retail job in Orange. This required me to sprint to the Bridgeport Bus terminal after a full day of classes here at HCC, in order to make it to the job I despised on time. Doing this approximately 4-5 days a week drained me physically and emotionally. School and work ate up the majority of my days, and in the free time I did have, all I wanted to do was curl up in my cozy bed and rest. This left little to no time for self care, hobbies or a social life. I also started college, still in a 3-year-long relationship. However just a couple days into my college experience, I was painfully broken up with, and was barely given an explanation as to why. Talk about a fresh start! With that icing on the cake, it made showing up and performing well at both school and work difficult. Ultimately, it made it hard to show up for myself. I remained in that dark place for a long while. I neglected myself, and gave into false negative beliefs about myself. I believed I wasn’t good enough for my partner. I thought to myself, “What’s wrong with me? What am I missing?” I didn’t care about school, work, or my health anymore. I fell into a hole of emotional overeating. When I was feeling low, I felt that I deserved a pick me up, or some form of instant gratification and pleasure. At the time, this vice was Popeyes. I put on some pounds, which added onto my stress and negative self-talk. It came to a point where I felt I had become a stranger to myself. I

HORIZONS Spring 2022

just wanted to be the fun, positive, me again. At the time I had recently finished reading a great self-help book that propelled me into a self love journey. Reading that book gave me a new positive outlook on life, and although I was still stressed and grieving, I felt ready to take on this new chapter of my life. I started making changes by changing the way I talked to myself. I viewed every word I said and every thought about myself or my life as a spell. With every positive affirmation I was casting a spell of positive change within myself. I would affirm things like “I am strong, I am worthy, I am enough.” And saying these things felt good...for a while. But over time, the feeling behind the words went stale, and I began to feel like a fake. Imposter syndrome had me by the throat, and it seemed that the positive affirmations were no longer working. Eventually that “self-love and positivity” spark died down and I fell back into self loathing. I returned to overeating, and lost all motivation. Life’s everyday tasks felt like an overwhelming escapade. The days started to blur into each other, and I just felt so trapped in my circumstances. I thought, “How can I ever escape this feeling?” I didn’t know this then, but I truly had to love and accept myself as I was if I wanted to change. However, step one to loving yourself is taking good care of yourself. It became my mission to find a way to balance self care along with my stresses in life. First I decided that I was committed to getting better. It truly is a choice you need to make within yourself. Once I decided I was going to get better no matter what, I made a game plan. This game plan included a system of self support and accountability. I held myself accountable and reminded myself of my goals by reading my “why” every single morning. My “why” was a list of why I wanted to make these life changes. How did I want to feel? Why did I want to feel that way? What can I look forward to once I begin to incorporate these changes into my life? Reading your “reasons” every day serves as a source of motivation and a reminder of the direction you are going in.

Photo by William Farlow on Unsplash

binged on pizza. I learned as I started my healing journey, though, that it’s okay to mess up. It’s when you hold resistance instead of accepting and forgiving your mistakes that you start to feel worse. Getting down on yourself helps nothing, it only keeps you farther away from your goal, which is to feel good again!

I then determined and prioritized my goals. I knew that I wanted to feel better emotionally, physically, and mentally. Looking at each of these categories, I pinpointed what I could do to cater to my healing and improvement. I then began to fit these new habits around my existing schedule. To feel better emotionally, I signed up for therapy and created a routine that was calming and organized. To improve my physical health, I implemented time in my routine for outdoor walks and started to cook clean, healthy meals at home for myself. To get my mind in check, I added meditation and journaling into my “must do’s” every morning. Doing this daily truly centered me and prepared me to take on whatever the day had to bring.

“Even the most

hopeless of situations can be turned around, star ting with the power of our minds.”

Another realization I gained on this journey is that we all have power over our circumstances. Even the most hopeless of situations can be turned around, starting with the power of our minds. You can’t wait for your surroundings to change, you need to change in order to see your circumstances change.

As of lately, I have been living a totally different way. I catch myself whenever I start thinking or speaking negatively about myself or my life, and I switch around. I try my best to keep up with my routine, because I found that having that order in my life while incorporating fun brings me the most peace.

One of the best changes I’ve made is doing something that I love every day, even if it’s something as simple as watching my favorite show. Making music, roller skating and painting are just a few examples of the things that bring me the most joy.

I can now confidently say that I love myself. Since I’ve been prioritizing self-care, I find myself being grateful for the hurtful situations in the past, because it has forced me to really look at my biggest insecurities and has essentially jump-started my self love journey.

Once I made the plan to incorporate these beneficial daily habits, I truly did start to feel better, and I knew that I was on the path to healing and finding peace within my life. However, it was in no way easy and I messed up quite a lot of times. I had days where I skipped out on meditating, forgot to journal, and

Personal Essays

TOUGH TIMES DON’T LAST; W

hat hurts more; physical or emotional scars? No matter the circumstance it can be difficult going back to normalcy after suffering a tragic event. At eight years old, I remember shattered glass, blood, screaming, and cries. A car accident had just occurred. I can recall every detail of what happened that day. I had suffered multiple and complex injuries that truly broke me, mentally and physically. My injuries included fractures to my ribs, internal bleeding, and because of the force and powerful impact, I suffered a ruptured appendix that involved an urgent emergency surgery. I became depressed lying in the hospital bed for over three months. It’s hard for a child to be in such a position. I should’ve been outside playing with my friends, watching tv, eating snacks, but no, instead, I was being fed by a tube, constantly being monitored. The doctors said it was a miracle that I even survived the crash and the surgery where I lost a lot of blood. The days and weeks later, family and loved ones came to visit me. It made me realize the love and support system that surrounded me. They would make a huge difference in the way that I felt. However, my recovery process would be the real struggle and where my fears and insecurities grew. It was the emotional scars that stayed with me for a long time. As the years passed, I cried more and became more sensitive and paranoid about almost every hard situation. I closed off and completely turned down driving because of the thought of going into another accident that would possibly kill me. I grew intense and was scared to try to live out any new things without being fearful. It’s almost uncanny how instead of getting better, I was getting worse as I soon became a young adult. I was unhappy, and my family noticed that I wasn’t the same girl anymore. However, I kept feeling sorry for myself, but for what reason? I was alive and had the opportunity to enjoy new things and just live life. Unfortunately, after car accidents, many don’t even survive, but I did! I knew that I couldn’t stay fearful my whole life. If I did, I was going to be unhappy and even inconsiderate of being alive. I was only fifteen and this bad attitude had engulfed my energy and thinking at such a young age. There are no easy routes in the healing process. I went to therapy. Having to deal with constant memories and having to get

HORIZONS Spring 2022

By Vasthiestefany Flores Senior Staff Writer back to life at a normal pace was hard. Others wouldn’t understand because they never felt those actions or events. Having to recall every detail isn’t easy. I had to relive and take on this process every day with full nights and sessions of crying and scared emotions. However, I got the necessary help to recover from my trauma. It was difficult to talk about the accident and describe the situation back and forth, but it soon helped me heal. It helped me get back into the “driver’s seat” and get in control of my life. I learned to let go of the pain and fear and to simply be in the moment by staying active and involving myself to participate in more sociable activities. I am so thankful for the help I received because it truly changed me for the better. Thirteen years later, and at age twenty-one, I’ve learned so much and am continuing to learn. It all starts in the mind, then that’s where you can make your physical changes. It was only three years ago that I got to learn to drive on my own in a car.

“It’s not about the

tragedy but it’s about how we get back up and repair the broken parts of ourselves.”

TOUGH PEOPLE DO! Yes, it is still difficult, at times those emotional wounds open up, but they don’t bleed, because now I fully understand what it means to live life and to look at the positives because tough times don’t last; tough people do. My surgery gave me another chance at life, and helped me realize that my life is worth something—I’m worth something. I am so committed to making my time mean something. Everyone has a story, and it shows that no one is alone. We’ve all gone through a similar situation or two. It’s not about the tragedy but it’s about how we get back up and repair the broken parts of ourselves. Focus on putting a value on those emotions. Once you do, you can navigate where and what you need in order to feel like yourself again.

For those reasons, I realized how important it is to tell my story because it can inspire others to get that necessary help too. Remember that those hard tragic moments will be in the past, and better moments will come, once we focus on our purpose and what’s important. Those changes could bring a greater appreciation of life, valued self-esteem, and connectedness to others. So remember, it is never too late to feel and be happy again, I promise you won’t regret it.

Illustration by Serena Wong on Pixabay

Personal Essays

Beginning After the End By Shirley Nowinski Senior Staff Writer

Photo by Niklas Weiss on Unsplash

t was early evening, and my husband Paul had invited some of his work friends over for coffee and cake. Before they arrived, he went out to pick up the cake. I was not sure he would come back. In the past six months he had been acting very strange; leaving the house earlier than usual, coming home and immediately going out again, insisting on us all going out to dinner and then when we were all ready telling us to wait because he had to run a quick errand and then not coming back until the kids were in bed. One night he turned all the living room furniture upside down for no reason. The three friends came, and as we were waiting for his return one of them commented how calm I seemed. I thought they were talking about parenting a 6-year-old and a baby while starting a full time job. They weren’t! That was how I found out Paul had lost his job two months earlier, and we had one week left to vacate our three-bedroom house so the new Estate Manager could move in. As shocked as I felt, they were mortified. No one had thought to say anything to me because they couldn’t imagine he would not have told me. They left apologizing and feeling awkward (although I told them all how grateful I was that they had come). At their suggestion, I called his boss, Mrs. R who confirmed what they had told me. I explained that I did not know and asked if I could have more time to move. She said she was very sorry, but she had given Paul an extra month already, and the new people needed to move in. Mrs. R had always been exceptionally kind to all of us. When we had car issues and were going to take an auto loan, she gave us a personal loan with no interest charges. When my son was born, she moved us

HORIZONS Spring 2022

from the two-bedroom Manager’s cottage to the large house on her property that she had been renting out. She would often call and ask if she could pick my daughter up at the school bus stop, and they both enjoyed riding in her golf cart around the streets of Belle Haven. With a week to do the impossible, I began with the necessary. I called my parents in Florida and took my mother up on her offer to come help. I didn’t know where I was going to or how, but I had to believe my kids, my dog and my cat were going to be okay. Paul came home after midnight and said he had found a room rental for himself, and his brothers would help him pack up the house. It was obvious he had invited his work friends knowing they would tell me what he had kept secret. He said that he expected I would take the kids and move to Florida, and my parents would support us. I was angry that he would think my parents would be responsible for our support; and that he would expect me to give up the great job I had just started,take my daughter away from her school and friends, and go to a place I did not even like so he could pretend I took the kids and left him. I told him I intended to look for an apartment downtown and stay in Greenwich if I could. He seemed surprised, and said he would help me find a place. My new employer offered to give me whatever time off I needed to do whatever I had to. I saw several strange apartments; one had a closet that they advertised as a third bedroom, one would accept a dog but not kids, one was okay with the cat and kids but not the dog. Finally I found an apartment downtown above a new bakery shop. It had a large kitchen, a private bedroom, and a long room that could be split into different areas. It was perfect, a short walk to school, work, food stores, parks and transportation. The problem was the owner was showing it but had

By Todd Trapani on Pexel

smelled of freshly baked pastries, and often my wonderful landlord would give the kids a bakery treat. We took inexpensive day trips to New York City, and Long Island. I was able to plan weekend trips to places I wanted them to see. We went to Philadelphia and Washington DC, and later Disney World and Virginia. Life is good, and possibilities are outstanding!

not wanted to rent it yet. I was running out of time and desperate to find a suitable place. I called him again and offered to do the bakery bookkeeping in addition to paying the rent. He said he would think about it and call me back. After an eternal 20 minutes, he called. I could have the apartment and if he hired me later to do the bookkeeping he would pay me for it. Now I had a place to go! Paul’s brothers came and moved what would fit into the apartment. I don’t know what they did with the rest of our things. Looking back, I was somewhat naive and didn’t realize until later that he was an alcoholic and much of his crazy behavior (including the behavior that got him fired) was multiplied by his drinking. It wasn’t his only issue because even when he stopped (after a court ordered rehab) he became a “dry drunk” (someone who has stopped drinking but still refuses to accept responsibility for their actions, constantly lies, and blames others for their problems).

“Suddenly I was

free; I could do and plan whatever I wanted.”

Yet the best thing my husband ever did was to walk out on us. I would not have left him, and I couldn’t imagine that I would be able to support the kids without him. My mother stayed long enough to find a sliding scale daycare program for my son, and then went back to Florida. I dropped my son off at daycare and my daughter at school on my way to work; my daughter was able to walk to the daycare program after school, and I picked them both up after work each day. Finances were tough, but I was good at my job and I stretched every cent. Suddenly I was free; I could do and plan whatever I wanted. We spent time enjoying the local parks, museums, and libraries. My income rose and the kids thrived. We came home to a pleasant apartment that always

Personal Essays

Photo by Baim Hanif on Unsplash

Trekking to the End of My Rainbow By Jania Jones Editor

s I sit here, writing to all of you, I almost don’t believe myself. I can’t seem to come to terms with the fact that I did it. Just beyond the horizon (pun intended) I can see a diploma with my name on it, front and center.

sessions in office hours, and an impressive amount of tears, my family and I decided it might be best to withdraw from the class. Regardless, I left that semester with so many new life skills that I still use to this day and will 100% use, decades into the future.

If you would’ve approached me two years ago and said that I would be graduating with my Associate’s Degree from Housatonic before graduating high school, I would have never believed it. You know how as kids, we are told that there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? The idea of actually reaching this goal sounded as outlandish as finding a pot of gold, with a dancing leprechaun to celebrate.

While I had many ups and downs throughout my first year I finally made it to the Summer of 2020 in one piece. Our society was in shambles, but I actually found myself benefitting from the hold on in-person learning. As a full time high school student, I struggled with balancing the time commitment that being dually enrolled in a school so far from home required.Commuting to and from school each week was really taking a toll on me in the spring so switching to virtual learning was exactly what I needed. That summer I took a leap and enrolled in 3 expedited courses.

It all started with a TikTok I saw during the Summer of 2019. In this video, a girl explained her dual enrollment process and how she achieved her Associate’s Degree as a senior in high school. I was completely dumbfounded by this concept, never having heard of it before but decided to ask my mom about it. The idea of being able to achieve this unique accomplishment while preparing for my future really enticed me, and ultimately led me to moving forward towards the enrollment process. One thing led to another and it was August 10th, if my memory serves me correctly, that I went in to take my placement exam.

“Looking back

over the last 2 years I Professor Cain, my instructor of Intro to am in awe of how far I’ve Biology, was absolutely amazing. I distinctly remember how on the first day of classes she come, and can’t wait to wrote my name on our digital white board and drew a heart around it simply because see what I’ll accomplish I answered the question correctly. Simple things like that made it easier to enjoy class and want to be there as a student. She truly next.”

I went in with another friend from my school. I would get to know this friend tremendously well over the next semester as we commuted an hour and a half each way two times a week together on the MetroNorth. While we often rotated napping schedules and played uno with 30 card starting hands, we also prepared each other for the highs and lows that were soon to come. While I tested into Pre-Calc with Professor Philips, Latoya enrolled in public speaking, which lit the match for our future as college students! During that time, I was able to test my limits and really see where I stood not necessarily as a student but as a learner. It’s always been fairly easy for me to do well in school but being in this completely new environment, with completely new material tested my perseverance and ultimately provided me with a lot of life skills I will use throughout my entire adult life. Despite all of this, I was not performing at a mastery level in this course and doubted my ability to pass the class. After many

HORIZONS Spring 2022

showed me that learning could be an engaging and two-sided experience. On our last day of Zoom classes we all turned our cameras on to say final goodbyes and I found myself getting unexpectedly emotional. During this time I was able to exceed what I once thought were my limits and find an entire new side of myself that was exciting to learn. I believe that my perspective on teacher-student relationships changed and finally saw school for what it should be, an opportunity, not an obligation. While unfortunately my time with Mrs. Cain had to come to an end, after 5 short weeks, I was determined to show the world her kindness. That following semester, in my first ever official writing class at HCC, I wrote a profile about her, which you may have actually read from our 2020 Fall issue! I went on and on about how much I enjoyed her class only to realize now that it was her as a person that impacted me, not what I was learning. From there on I began realizing that achieving my Associate’s was actually quite plausible. I officially declared my major in Journalism and Communications, which is also when I was assigned to Professor Mark

as my advisor. While under his guidance, I was able to come out of my shell as a writer and truly embrace what I wanted to tell the world. As I explored this new realm of writing and communicating, I realized that I wanted to use my ability to write to spread awareness and information to keep people up to date on new perspectives, events, and etc. It was quite terrifying and frustrating at first; I didn’t want to talk to new people and I didn’t want to ask for help, but despite all of this, I knew that there was something big I needed to say to the world. Thus, many Teams chats later, I am able to confidently say that I am proud of my work as a writer. It may not have the best word choice, or the strongest organizational flow, but it is authentically mine, which is what matters most. This is what led me to stay as committed as I am to Publications. Writing for Horizons gave me a rush of excitement and ultimately showed me how multi-faceted writing can be. While giving interviews is still my biggest enemy I look back and see how much I’ve grown from the work I produced in the past. Writing is a fulfilling experience that one may only understand until what they’ve written has been put out for the world to see. As you lean into your voice (like I have, and still am) you begin to realize that you truly have so much to say! Sometimes the words flow like Niagra Falls and other times they are stagnant like a tranquil pond. Whatever the case may be, realizing the effort and excitement that comes with writing inspired me to continue to write and continue to share what I have to say with the world, in whatever capacity that may be, beyond HCC. During this time I have doubted my abilities and my strength numerous times. I thought I wasn’t smart enough, or prepared enough, to enter this new realm of my education. Despite this, I was able to come through on the other side, and finally meet the end of my rainbow.

Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash

Personal Essays

The Spectre That Stalked My Soul

t was early March of the year 2016 when I first “lost” my touch with reality.

My mother was removing pots from the counter below the sink, my younger brother was watching LEGO movies in the living room, and the rest of us were scurrying and moving things from the kitchen before its complete renovation the next morning. The environment in the house was busy, and all it took for me was a short pause to think. I took out my phone to check the time, and took a break to look into the ongoing fixtures taking place in European football. There was not a trace of danger lurking anywhere, no conflicting issues to attend to, and practically nothing to be concerned about except temporarily moving our basic furniture downstairs into the vacant apartment (we were and still are the landlords, but if the kitchen was to be renovated, we just lost half of our daily functions in our main apartment!) I am certain that we all have those moments in which we think random thoughts for no absolute reason but for our own pleasure and curiosity. So this is exactly what I did, an innocent, then 14- year-old freshman student with a strong desire to become a creative writer. “What if this is not real? What if this is a dream? What if this is some sort of simulation and nothing I do will ever matter?” My skin spikes and shudders to this day at this very short, specific, innocent thought that ruptured my mind afterwards.

HORIZONS Spring 2022

By Estefano Torres Senior Staff Writer

A horrifying spectre of immense stature manifested and towered over me. It would loom above, crafting a very gloomy external environment that my very sight interpreted, and phase into me, obscuring my vision and corrupting my emotional state. Everything that I would physically be able to see was affected by my corrupted mindset. Everything seemed to be faint and nebulous . . . everything was just “gray”, if that makes sense. The spectre of derealization initiated alarms that began to ring within me, frantic alarms that would begin to slowly morph and sound like repetitive piano notes which triggered my external panic. In addition, I struggled to breathe, and I began to sweat intensely on the outside as a result. What was the point of life if, in “reality,” nothing existed and this was all an illusion?

took over mine, and I now felt as if a mask of desolate dark obsession took over my own face.”

Over the next few weeks, I sat down in my freshman classes in fear. I looked around the classroom to find my fellow classmates chatting with each other about what dirty joke the other student made, what plans there will be after school to go out, and what topic to choose from the periodic table assignment. Each day passed, and I would quiver as I questioned my own existence and why I was so stupidly sensitive to such a ridiculous thought that no one ever took seriously.

That is when “it” introduced itself.

“Its cold gazing eyes

In other words, I believed I was doomed in every way possible for the remainder of my journey both emotionally and academically due to something called derealization, which is a mental state where your surroundings seem distant and do not seem real.

By Photo

ab n Pix o h nix_ Ph03

The darkened spectre of brawny silhouette and nothing but dimly lit eyes unraveled damp, misty curtains that prevented joy and circled my mind. My train of thought began to derail, and sparks began to ignite the train’s rusted wheels that wobbled but tread to the acceleration of my panicked heart. The tracks that surrounded my mind began to break down slowly and vanish. The cunning spectre compressed my soul with the might of two planets that made my bones tighten and hands numb in the richest of terror.

Finally, after all was done, the spectre stood back, observed the beautifully corrupted scenery of mangled emotion and desire, crossed its arms in satisfaction, and proceeded to do nothing but stalk well into my soul for the time to come. This fear and sorrow began to take over me in the exterior realm we call Earth. The “typical stuff” happened: I was clinging on to my honor roll status, grades began to plummet, visits to school and professional therapists were made, and I would continue to question what I doing was doing, and if anything I did was real. The spectre embraced me closer than ever with this wicked dark energy. “What if none of this is real and it doesn’t matter what I do to recover or get back on track?” I continued to tell myself as I lost my touch with the real world.

The spectre took advantage, and attached itself closer to my mind and soul. It’s cold gazing eyes took over mine, and I now felt as if a mask of desolate dark obsession took over my own face. The spectre, with it’s antagonizing force of mental deception, was now in control of my gray, blurry conscience. “What do you ponder?” asked the spectre. “I ponder my own worth and purpose,” I replied through childish whimper. “Then proceed to ponder as much as you like,” said the spectre, its deep growl echoing around my body. Weeks after I made this hideous claim of everything not being what it seemed, something else occurred to me. While I spoke to close family and associates about this fear that somehow grew to tremendous proportions, I would also sit out on my front porch and look into the Housatonic River flowing in front of my house. I was tense, but I would quietly observe what was in front of me, while the spectre stood vigilant close by, it’s presence unnerving me from within. I needed to work outdoors to gain fresh air. I felt the final winter breeze, a REAL icy breeze. I heard the vehicles driving by, REAL sounds of screeching tires. The food market’s fried fish had a pleasant scent, a REAL marina-like dining scent. I’d remember the struggles I had in the past academically, in the family, and preparing for my first steps into adulthood. I suppose that my primary therapist contributed to this at the time, and made me realize that all of that was REAL. I discovered that there was no need to be “derealized” if I could truly feel the impact of my actions both emotionally and in the real world.

Photo Art by Estefano Torres

Along with many other situations I would get myself into after freshman year and beyond, I realized that, regardless of my foolish doubts, this was all REAL because everything that happened changed me, giving me a clearer vision for what is to come and being more mentally prepared.

a reminder of my struggles, pain, suffering, and anxiety . . . and how I ultimately overcame those true emotions. To this day, I still have a few minorly troubling thoughts related to my past fears of derealization and questioning reality for what it is. In addition, the spectre emerges on occasion to feed off my vulnerability and hesitation, such as during the process of college transferring . . . a change in environment.

The true feeling of struggle was like an anti-thought that was meant to battle the reality questioning fears I already had. The spectre wasn’t a demon or evil entity of any sorts, what occured to me was that it was a manifestation of needless doubt and derealization that I created myself.

But in the end, that dark feeling of dread I feel that leads to doubting my efforts in the real world is solved through experience and commitment. I am certain we all have our own spectres of different sizes that are the embodiments of all our fears and internal struggles. Mine certainly was powerful, and I believe I will never be able to truly describe in full how hard it was for me back then. My fears associated to my perception of reality fueled my doubts, but I learned that I am only evolving as a person through pure experience.

My misperception of reality, I believe, was influenced by my changing circumstances in the real world. I would discover that I am quietly sensitive to change. I was not rid of this spectre for a long time afterwards, as it still followed me throughout the rest of high school. The spectre would gain control once more during moments that had to do with making critical life decisions, such as seeking options after high school. Its mental strings remained attached.

“Do you continue to ponder?” asks the spectre in a strangely genuine sense of monotone. “I do, but I will drag it with me to the ends of the Earth if I must, in order to unlock my true potential,” I reply, with little fear and hesitation.

However, with the assistance of family, personal beliefs, and especially, my own faith and cooperation, I slowly broke loose of this irrational concept that I feared immensely long ago. I would go on to apply and thrive at HCC, be introduced to wonderful professors and mentors, and finally, slowly overcome pillars of doubt continuously to this day.

The spectre grunts, and is pulled back into its cage, locked up at the back of my mind, no longer easily unleashed as before. The tracks have been reconstructed, and instead of the spectre behind the controls, I once again dominate my own train of thought for the long journey that is yet to come.

As for the looming shadowy spectre that still follows me, which I created from my derealization, I can overpower it whenever I want, as it is a part of my mindset that grows each day with newer knowledge and experience. Doubt itself is washed away, and the spectre serves me as

Personal Essays

NEWS

r o f k c o 6 h 5 S l e r u w t l o Cu B r Supe

By Andreas Savvaides Staff Writer

ith this year’s Super Bowl having hall of fame caliber rappers performing at halftime, it will be a show that you do not want to miss! Heading to Los Angeles, CA, Super Bowl 56 will be the showcase of hip-hop royalty. NFL Music Executive Jay-Z, reached out to Dr. Dre to create the most must watch show of all time. Dr. Dre recruited the best artists he has ever worked with: Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar. This will be the first time in Super Bowl history that rappers will be the performers for the Halftime Show. It will be a huge service for the HCC Community to watch because we are in need of a broader span in the musical field. Music does not seem to be represented as much as it should in Housatonic and watching this can inspire all of us to join a cultural revolution by implementing it into HCC.

The reality of this year’s halftime show is that it’s a political move by the NFL to appease both players and fans they’ve upset on the other end of the political spectrum by not supporting black equality, and ultimately profit from their viewership.” But what does this mean for promotion of the hip-hop brand? “It’s a cool opportunity to witness a shift in media, it will be an event in history, and will likely lead to more partnerships between the NFL and hip hop brands. But in the grand scheme of things, the Hip Hop brand is already present in much of the media we consume at this point,” he said.

“It is an aspect

Griffin D’Amato, a Professional music producer, audio engineer, Westconn graduate, and freelance musician, said of the historymaking event, “I think it’s a fantastic lineup and a great change of pace from their typical half time performances.” D’Amato said he is not surprised that this is the first time hip-hop artists will be performing at the Halftime Show, “specifically because hip hop and rap have been historically excluded from television and pop culture events like these. It is a very nice change of pace to see not only hip hop being performed, but hip hop performed by some of the best artists still making music.”

in our city that we hold true to our hearts...”

Evan Katz is a marketing coordinator at a recording and media production studio that works with independent musicians, record labels, tv, and film companies like Netflix, Sony, WarnerBros, Disney, etc. His main role at the studio is to increase brand awareness and reach new customers. Katz argues that the change in genres from pop and rock to hip-hop and rap reflects that “The NFL is trying to pull in a large population of black viewers, despite not supporting black social movements (ie Black Lives Matter, Colin Kaepernick’s situation).

HORIZONS Spring 2022

But why the sudden change? What sparked the incentive to go against the grain and the common trend of past super bowls? In 2019, Jay-Z and his company RocNation made a partnership with Roger Goodell and the NFL. Jay-Z became an executive for the entertainment and social justice aspect of the NFL. Katz commented on this and said, “Jay-Z is a talented influencer. He can be a positive influence to bring the NFL ‘back into the light’ to gain back viewership they’ve lost in the past few years.”

HCC student Nicholas Texeria loves all kinds of rap music and plays several instruments on an intermediate level. He believes that “Music has always found a way to bring people together.” I asked him about the idea of Housatonic taking notice of the Super Bowl halftime show and making changes of their own as well. “We could definitely use our influence from the media and have clubs or meetings discussing similar interests on this topic or its influence on us,” he responded.I couldn’t agree more with Texeria. Not only that, but I want to go bigger. I would prefer to have more musical classes and events hosted by Housatonic. Music plays a big role in my life as I am an up and coming music producer. I walk into the buildings of HCC and see beautiful abstract art on the walls, but nothing for any genre of

Photo By NFL

music. Similar to Texeria, rap is a huge part of my musical preference and I wish for Rap culture to be introduced to Housatonic. Medgine B. Bright, Director of Student Activities at Housatonic, shed some new light on this dilemma. “Due to Covid, we had to cancel a lot of events. Prior to the pandemic, we dabbled in the hip-hop culture by having open mic nights and bringing in the music production group, The New Breed from New Haven as guests.” I told her I was unaware of any of these events and I was happy that these all happened, but saddened because I never knew about them. Again she pointed out, “Since you started your college career here at Housatonic in the Fall of 2020, you sadly missed out on all those events. We had to adjust the types of events we offered during the pandemic but as we move past this we will begin bringing back some of the events from the prior semesters, including the Hip Hop related events, “This is why you may have felt like the Hip-Hop culture was missing.”On the bright side, the future is in good hands for HCC hip-hop lovers, as Bright concluded, “The music club is currently active and meets on Thursday and Friday nights at 6:30pm in Beacon Hall room 315. As soon as restrictions are lifted, we will definitely bring back some of the hip hop events we held in the past.”

“It’s a cool

opportunity to witness a shift in media...”

Therefore, Housatonic can take this historical event and turn it into an eye opener for a much needed return in the musical field. Like Katz said, “Hip-Hop is a major part of the culture in Bridgeport today, including students at Housey.” It is an aspect in our city that we hold true to our hearts and its representation has taken a pause. With the NFL finally realizing the magnitude of the hip-hop fan base they have, it is about time that Housatonic reclaims their own legacy.

News 53

The Psychology behind a Good Outfit

By Guillermo Hernandez Senior Staff Writer

ashion is a way of expressing yourself. You may express yourself through your wardrobe, but what is the psychology of an outfit? What effect does this outfit have on your personality? Is it possible that feeling confident in your attire will influence the choices you make throughout the day? Is it going to affect your attitude and interactions with people if you feel insecure in your outfit? What is the psychological aspect of a good outfit, and how does it influence the way you act, portray yourself, and treat others? Fashion has been around for quite some time. The clothes you wear might give you a sense of confidence or insecurity. When you think about red carpets, these stunning, high-priced gowns, you know the individual is feeling their best. However, when a person isn’t feeling confident they tend to shut down, feel insecure, and avoid being seen.

Ferrari said. Professor of Psychology Tonya H. Rondinone shared her thoughts on the psychological aspect of choosing an outfit. “If we feel good while wearing certain pieces of clothing either physically because of the fit or emotionally because we like the way we look in the clothing, this can induce a positive emotion. On the flip side, clothing can also induce negative emotions, you may feel as if the clothing you wear is not on par with your peers, or it may be associated with a loss or trauma, in this case creating a negative emotional reaction,” she said. “If I am wearing an outfit that doesn’t represent who I am, then I feel insecure, I am embarrassed and I want to make myself feel smaller for no one to notice me because that’s not me if they [do] notice me. Even if I am wearing something casual, it’s calculated,” Garcia agreed.

The psychology behind a good outfit is choosing who you want to be. “Wear symbolic clothing for who you want to be, because you take on the characteristics of the clothing you are wearing,” psychologist Christie Ferrari said on her “Psychology of Fashion” video on Youtube. She continues, “Are you feeling confident, friendly, fierce? After you decide, walk to your closet and select pieces that help match who you want to be.”

“I never truly felt confident in the things that I was wearing because it wasn’t my personality. You cannot put me in a black suit and expect me to be myself because I am going to feel like a completely different person.” she said. On the other hand, Rodinone believes that if an individual is wearing an outfit that makes them feel good, it will change the way they interact with others.“We live in a society where people are often judged by their appearance, especially in social and professional settings. If someone is wearing an outfit that makes them feel good, they are more likely to have a greater sense of confidence and feel empowered. This will impact their interactions with others, as well as set their mood for the moment,” she said.

“The first thing I think about when I have an event is what I’m going to wear. When I wear nice clothing, I feel 10 times more confidence,” Angela Garcia, a former HCC student who considers herself a fashion expert, stated. “Colors can make you feel a certain way, if you feel black heels remind you of a strong business woman, wear black heels to work.”

54 HORIZONS 54 HORIZONS Spring 2022

Jackie Vargas, who is a former fashion major, agrees.

Photo by Nick de Partee on Unsplash

A rack of endless possibilities.

What guidelines do you use to determine what defines a good outfit? “I based it on where I am going too, I am a planner. Have you seen the movie Clueless? I coordinate my closet as if and I also coordinate my outfits everyday depending on what my mood is going to be like,” Vargas said. “I ask myself questions when I am shopping; when I am shopping I am looking for longevity. How often am I going to wear this?Will I look back at this in ten years and still consider it cute?” she said. Garcia says that fashion can be for everyone. You don’t need to be into fashion to figure out what determines a good outfit. No matter what you are wearing, if you feel confident, that’s a good outfit.

hide it drastically. Jonathan Heinzman, a current student at HCC, said that when it comes to a good outfit it’s about your personal style.“Fashion is something personal, you can make it whatever you want.” “A big part of any outfit is your confidence before you put it on, because if you leave the house feeling confident even if you look like [trash] to other people you know that you’re good. It’s your own energy. Outfits do have an effect on your confidence but also you do as well.” he said.

“...they are more

“Find your niche, let’s say you are a person who throws on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. If you feel comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt try elevating the things that you feel comfortable or you’re best in.“Try finding Elevated basics, they are simple pieces but they are elevated in small stitching or that’s fitted and textured,” she said. “If you’re trying to drastically change your style, try avoiding picking a style that is completely opposite to what you are feeling inside,” Ferrari cautions.

likely to have a greater sense of confidence and feel empowered!”

If you have been suffering from depression, and have a tendency to wear black, for example, Ferrari says that wearing head to toe floral or a bright color like yellow for example might seem like the best idea at the moment, but later throughout your day you are going to feel like you are wearing a costume because you don’t want to put clothes on top of an emotion to

55 News 55

Seize The Chance For A Summer Abroad! By Jasmine Saksene Staff Writer

new journey awaits students as this summer approaches. A trip to Paris, Provence, and Barcelona can allow students to step into a new world of exploration.

Break out of the suffocating sense of familiarity while earning 3-6 credits with this experience. All students with any major are welcome to join the study abroad program as it fulfills major or elective requirements such as Humanities, Social Phenomena II, and Global Knowledge. The previous study abroad trip dates back to 2019, with students who enrolled in the HUM 119 course traveling to Portugal and Spain. Students this year are now able to enjoy this 10-day trip with a packed itinerary. For those who may be hesitant about COVID, there are precautions set in place with traveling rules. “Given the pandemic, it is safe to assume that the travel portion of the program will be different from past trips; however, the program has always been very well planned with all precautions taken into consideration. I am very confident that this will be a very safe experience. Travelers will need to follow the travel requirements set by France and Spain. For our safety and to avoid infection, all participants must be vaccinated before traveling,” Professor Jamilet Ortiz, the group leader for these trips, said. The price is estimated at $4,305, not including tuition, although this is subject to change. There is a $95 deposit to enroll in the program and secure your spot. A payment plan is also required. However, people should keep in mind that there are monthly payment plans and scholarships available. “I was very surprised when hearing about the program. I did not know that this was available at HCC. I have always been interested in possibly studying abroad. After finding out that I could receive credits, I was even more interested,” Kadeshe Taylor, a student in her first semester at HCC, said. Jailene Cuevas, a former HCC student who is a part of the graduating

HORIZONS Spring 2022

class of 2017, has been on three study abroad trips. She put in the hard work and determination to save up for these trips. She noted, however, that other classmates used scholarships or extra financial aid money to pay as well. Her first trip was in 2015 to Spain, which was followed by her 2016 journey to Italy and the final adventure to Greece in 2017. “I honestly had the most fun on these trips. My takeaway from all of these trips was learning about the different cultures. I remember writing my essay on the gelatos of Italy and seeing flamenco dancing in Spain. Just being able to see all the history in person was truly amazing. It is also something you can cross off of your bucket list,” Cuevas said. She had chosen to participate in the program because she felt as though she was missing out on the opportunity to learn in a different country by not attending a four-year college. However, she learned that these trips gave her the experience that she yearned for. Kenn’ya Stewart, who is also attending HCC for her first semester explained that “ it is exciting that there is a trip this summer but I had some concerns with the pandemic and the financial aspect. I still wanted to do some research on what the program had to offer and the types of activities that students would be able to participate in. When thinking of going to a community college, a program like this did not cross my mind. So, I think more students should know of this opportunity.” On the Housatonic website for the study abroad program, there is a detailed explanation of the trip and what it has to offer. Students should take into consideration that the cost covers the full package. It includes roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations, transportation to all sites, daily lectures from local experts, travel insurance, daily breakfast, and 3 dinners. As well as entrance to all sites including but not limited to the Louvre, Papal Palace, Dali Museum, La Sagrada Familia, etc. “I would 100 percent recommend the program to students. People may think that it is a lot of money, but it isn’t. In the long run, you are paying for the precious memories, and it makes you want to go again. If you didn’t go with a travel group, you would be spending a lot more money. Although the trips may seem short at first. It actually feels like

You can take this exciting opportunity to pack your bags and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Photo by Chad Peltola on Unsplash

you are there for a while with all the different activities to do and things to eat,” Cuevas said. This is a chance to be immersed in a fresh environment and get involved in activities that will enhance the learning experience. Professor Ortiz explained that while on the trip, students visit historical sites, museums, architectural sites, and watch theater/music/dance performances. They also do workshops related to local economies such as leather, olive or wine production, pottery, or sword-making. “Students will learn about the cultural history of the places we will visit. In general, we look at the cultural practices, local economies, everyday life, customs, tradition, art, literature, fashion, cultural movements, family life, and social norms of the host country. We also reflect on our own culture. Throughout the trip portion, students will have time to reflect on the experience via journal entries that will eventually be published on our course blog,” she added.

knowledge about culture, history, and the basis for different values and beliefs; and develops the interpersonal skills necessary to navigate new environments with confidence, maturity, and flexibility,” Ortiz said. Students can make lifelong memories with their classmates and faculty. This can be the chance that someone may be seeking to step out of their comfort zone and embrace the different aspects of other countries. “I am very passionate about our program. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to experience new places, people, and cultures, and expand their worldview. It is especially beneficial for our HCC students, as it is specifically tailored for the community college student. The shortterm option makes it more feasible for our students to participate in an experience that fits their current schedules,” Ortiz added.

“This is a chance to

This trip could be the beginning of many more. Students who take this opportunity can obtain valuable knowledge and new insight. The approximate dates for the trip are June 22 to July 1, 2022. On the HCC study abroad page, there is a link at the bottom that students can click on to sign up or learn more about the program. There is a day-by-day schedule that students can view as well as a PowerPoint presentation for more information.

be immersed in a fresh environment and get involved in activities that will enhance the learning experience.”

“Through the program, students develop important sought-after skills that many employers seek. The program promotes international understanding and respect for a variety of cultures; clarifies and deepens participants understanding of the American identity and its value and beliefs through intercultural experience; expands their

News 57

Wildlife in your Backyard

ne of the best things about living in Connecticut is the abundant wildlife. The encroachment of buildings on open land and the restrictions on poisons like DDT have brought a resurgence of wild animals to our cities and towns.

This is a very good thing because there is a balance to nature. Plants that are not being poisoned feed insects, birds and animals. Insects feed bigger insects, birds, and animals. Birds and small animals feed raptors (owls, hawks and eagles), and medium sized animals (foxes, fisher cats, and coyotes). Hawks, eagles, fisher cats and coyotes might also eat a cat or small dog. Inside is the safest place for your cat, and small dogs should not be outside unsupervised. When the food chain is upset the natural balance of nature is off. When people put poison out for rodents they are also poisoning the animals that eat the rodents (hawks,owls, eagles, foxes, etc.); with fewer predators to control the rodent population there are more mice and rats (the opposite of what the people intended). Those inhumane glue traps also catch many birds and other animals who die a slow and painful death. Following is the wildlife you are most likely to see or hear in Connecticut.

By Shirley Nowinski Senior Staff Writer

If you go to watch the ducks, “supplemental feeding by people is unnecessary and potentially harmful,” according to Maura Robie, Conservation Technician for the Eastern Connecticut Conservation District. They report feeding inappropriate foods (especially bread) results in malnourished waterfowl that suffer from deformities and a weakened gene pool. Bread is not only bad for them, but it fouls the water, and if it gets moldy it can actually kill them. If feeding is allowed several waterfowl experts suggest feeding frozen peas (defrosted but not cooked). Peas contain many nutrients and are an easy size for the birds to swallow, but they can be high in sugar, so remember it is a treat not a meal. So now that you are watching them, what do you do if you find an injured bird?

“...supplemental

Many times the bird is just stunned and will recover and fly off on its own. If the bird is bleeding, shows obvious signs of injury, or has not flown away after several hours, it can only be helped by a licensed rehabilitator. Connecticut State Statutes Ch 490 Sec. 26-40a covers wildlife protection and makes it illegal for someone who is not licensed to care for a wild animal; this is for the animal’s protection and supports the goal of proper care and hopefully release back into the wild. Call the DEEP during the day 860-424-3011 or after hours at 860424-3333 and they will advise you where the closest rehabber is. If you can take a picture of the bird it will help the rehabber to appraise the situation.

feeding by people is unnecessary and potentially harmful.”

This summer a mysterious illness killed songbirds in several states including Connecticut. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) asked people not to feed the birds or fill bird baths so that the gathering birds would not spread whatever was killing them. The deaths have subsided and it is now considered safe to resume bird feeding. Bird watching is a wonderful and inexpensive individual or family hobby. Even a simple bird feeder will attract many varieties of birds and learning their names, their songs, and personalities is great fun.The website www. whatbirdsareinmybackyard.com/2019/11/what-are-most-commonbackyard-birds-in-connecticut shows pictures, behavior and particular food preferences for over 19 birds that might visit you. There is even an app for bird watchers; The Audubon Bird Guide App is free and easy to use. Watching the squirrels at the feeders is an added bonus.

HORIZONS Spring 2022

Did you ever hear screaming coming from the woods? A rarely seen Fisher Cat (which is actually a type of weasel and not a cat at all) is known for its hellish noises. It avoids people and eats mice, voles, squirrels and birds. On occasion it has been known to kill cats and very small dogs. If you happen to see one, consider yourself extremely lucky and keep your distance. While they won’t attack people, they do carry ticks and fleas and can be rabid.

Photo by Jacques Le Henaff on Unsplash

Vector species, which are foxes, skunks, bats, and raccoons, are also a concern, as they are the most frequent carriers of rabies. It is advisable to avoid any contact with them. Do not feed them, and keep garbage cans securely covered. If a juvenile is injured, DEEP can recommend a rehabber, but if it is an injured adult it will be humanely euthanized. Those companies claiming to “capture and re-home” them are lying. It is illegal to relocate a vector species. Starting in April fawns will be born and well intentioned people will “find” them and try to “save” them. Unless there is a dead doe nearby, leave it alone and stay away. Fawns are born with no scent. Their mother leaves them away from predators often in the middle of a field and will return to feed and relocate them. If you come back and they are gone, it just means the mother came, fed, and moved them. If you are driving and see a deer cross the road, be very careful because they often travel in groups. Rabbit nests are very shallow, the young are barely covered. Like the deer, the mother (also called a doe) will leave her kits to find food and come back to nurse them. With so many predators to watch for she is skittish, and if you disturb the nest she might abandon her young. The trick to seeing if she is coming back is to place a string in a grid pattern over the nest. If you come back in 24 hours and the string has been disturbed the family is fine. If not, call a licensed rehabber for advice before moving. Coyotes are a big topic in Connecticut. They have been expanding here since the 1950’s and Facebook is full of pictures of them walking down the sidewalks or lying in someone’s backyard. They typically avoid people. When they are in the breeding season in the spring, and in early summer when they are raising their young they may be aggressive towards dogs. Coyotes live in a small family unit and are opportunistic eaters; dining mostly on rabbits, rodents, frogs, insects, birds, plants, and people’s garbage. If coyotes follow you, it is probably because they have pups nearby and are watching you until you leave the area. A can filled with stones and shaken, or some shouting is usually enough to annoy them into moving away.

Would you like to learn more about wildlife? The Wildlife Division of the Department of Environmental Protection Agency offers a Wildlife Rehabilitation Course (currently a webinar) with downloadable course materials. After attending the course you may sign up to take the online exam. If you score 80% or better you are ready to start the required 40 hours of apprenticeship training for the standard rehabilitation volunteer appointment. Additional requirements must be met to work with specialties like migratory birds, deer, or vector species. For more information on the wildlife program contact CT DEEP wildlife biologist Laurie Fortin laurie.fortin@ct.gov. It has been one of my greatest privileges to help with the Emergency Animal Response Service of Connecticut. We have captured and transported many wild animals to rehabilitators and veterinary specialists. Before COVID-19 we did frequent animal library lectures, classes, and information tables, from town fairs to the Connecticut Pet Expo and Equine Affaire. Nature has a way of soothing the mind and heart. I hope you will enjoy getting to know the wildlife in your own backyard.

“Coyotes are a big topic

in Connecticut. They have been expanding here since the 1950’s.”

59 News 59

NEWS BRIEFS

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No ID’s, No Entry

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Photo by Estefano Torres e wh sue s yo u i le r Stu e litt dent ID a nd there will b

ousatonic is now more fully opening its doors for more students to return to campus after almost two years of online learning! While public health mandates continue to exist, this does not take away from the urge of finally abandoning electronic screens at home and once again stepping foot onto the courtyard. Now there would be reason to believe that a majority of students have already made appearances at HCC in-person after its re-opening. . . only to be denied entry with the single-word question: “ID?” How foolish must you feel! Since when were ID’s actually this relevant, or even relevant at all on-campus? WHEN?! “Student ID’s are very important in providing identification as a registered student but now more than ever as it is one of the tools we are using for our COVID safety protocols,” said Mario Pierce, Associate Dean of Campus Operations. Many students have most likely not obtained their student id’s or hardly ever use them due to not understanding their importance. Well, for starters, if you wish to gain access to books and other resources at the bookstore or library, student id’s are required! If you wish to enter the parking garage, it is best you have your student id! If you wish to enter Beacon or Lafayette Hall, have your student id’s ready to be scanned for entry!

HORIZONS Spring 2022

By Estefano Torres Editor

Pierce explains that students must scan in and out of HCC using the barcode on the back of the ID’s they obtain, and that visitors receive a guest pass. “In most cases [visitors] sign in with their ID when they first enter and receive a guest pass for the day,” he adds. An additional purpose of a student id is that it identifies you as a student of Housatonic, and in case of any situation that occurs, have it in possession. Student id’s absolutely DO NOT mean a driver’s license, business card, or any other identification. Another ID is encouraged, but if you wish to be granted access onto campus and to resources, Pierce explains that HCC student id’s assist the college with contact tracing, or identifying any HCC members who have been in contact with other people potentially infected with COVID-19. So go on! If you need to obtain your ID, the Public Safety Offices located in both Lafayette and Beacon Hall are the places to go, and there is also a registration form via the Housatonic website. Associate Dean Pierce explains that ID’s may have an even bigger significance later on: “In the future, we hope the ID’s can also be used for other enhanced public safety initiatives such as building access control.” This being said, if you already have a student id, DO NOT forget it . . . you will need it!

Photo by Jasmin Saksene Fresh fruits can find a place in your home soon.

Overcoming Food Insecurity

n times of struggle, Housatonic provides the resources to combat the ongoing food insecurity issue within its community.

By Jasmin Saksene Staff Writer

The pantry is open Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It should be noted that Tuesdays are Fresh Food days in the courtyard from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Other days include Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; located on the second floor of L207, Lafayette Hall.

“It is a great pleasure to be able to provide our students with three opportunities to receive healthy and nutritious non-perishable items, fresh fruits, vegetables, and groceries. Programs are open to all students and based on the honor system and no proof of need is required,” said Sue Franco, the HCC Food Pantry Coordinator.

“We are fortunate to have support from our local community, Stop and Shop and our HCC Foundation who provide the financial support for meeting our students’ needs,” added Dr. Kim McGinnis, Dean of Students.

This opportunity is available for all students, faculty, and staff. There is no need to sign up and each individual can choose their own items. The only requirement is for students to show their school ID and be registered for classes. Individuals are allowed to go twice a month and receive 20 items in that month.

For those who may be hesitant, keeping these opportunities in mind can do no harm. Individuals can visit the website housatonic.edu/foodpantry for any changes.

Select any time and day that is convenient for you with the Mobile Food Pantry, Fresh Food Days, and the regularly scheduled pantry. The chance to receive free food is one step away.

Franco emphasized that “Everyone is welcome to the HCC Food Pantry.”

61 News: Briefs 61

An Overlooked Source of Financial Aid

By Kristen Poplaski Staff Writer

Photo by Visual Stories || Micheile on Unsplash

Financial aid and knowing its uses can help people start a new life.

n the ever-changing world of college life, students can easily be overwhelmed by the surplus of information available. One important topic that can often be overlooked is consortium agreements.

Through a consortium agreement, a part-time student at their home school who wants to take additional classes at another community college is allowed to transfer grant funds between schools given that they are approved classes for the student’s degree. Similarly, there is the option of cross-registration, which is when a student is full-time at their home school and the maximum financial aid allotted has been reached. The class fees at the other school will be waived because tuition is already at the maximum for full-time students. In both cases, the home school recognizes the credit earned at the host school as long as the student abides by the guidelines of the agreement. All this information and more can be found at https://www.housatonic.edu/images/Departments/ Financial-Aid/Fillable_Forms/Consortium_Agreement.pdf or by contacting the financial aid department.

HORIZONS Spring 2022

This agreement is primarily between 4 offices, the home/host financial aid offices, and the home/ host bursar’s offices, but it also could include offices such as the advising office or the registration office. Additionally, according to Omar Livingston, the Director of Financial Aid services, these agreements are compatible with recently established grants such as the PACT(Pledge to Advance CT) grant, which allows full-time students additional funding to cover the cost of classes. Livingston remarked that “All community colleges participate, but it can be a little labor-intensive because each school has its own system.” Conversely, Livingston also said, “Sometimes classes are only offered once a semester and these classes can be important to some student’s degree,” making these agreements a viable option for students to have because it allows students to take important classes that would otherwise be unavailable. You can begin this process by contacting the Financial Aid department, who can supply you with information and forms detailing the rules and expectations for these agreements.

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Photo by Dylan Ferreira on Unsplash

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Ready... Set… Click! Online Tutoring Has Never Been Better!

By Vasthiestefany Flores Senior Staff Writer

id you know that you can receive extra help in specific areas and subjects in the comfort of your own home? Just as e-learning has basically changed the manner in which students absorb information and complete their coursework, online tutoring gives the supplemental abilities that students need to succeed in a way that is fundamentally more practical and advantageous than traditional services.

“Students are more comfortable and have shown to easily adjust to online tutoring. We see that they actually enjoy their sessions, and have improved in course material to get fantastic grades,” he said.

The Academic Support Center at HCC provides tutoring by peer and master tutors in the most formative and college-level subjects in a one-on-one basis that is free of charge and for registered courses. The importance of online tutoring comes with the value of its adaptability and flexibility. Sessions start when tutors and students set up a virtual meeting online. Thanks to this simple platform, tutoring services are accessible from any device.

“Social abilities further develop when students get tutoring. They communicate, participate, and respond to other students, professors, and their classwork,” he said.

Online tutoring can be personalized to any student, regardless of what level and learning needs each student has; the academic support team promises to help each individual to understand their course material. Pelletier also noted the other benefits of using online tutoring.

Mentoring permits students to become comfortable requesting help and responsive to guidance and criticism on their work. HCC students can make a tutoring appointment by logging into https://housatonic.accudemia.net. You can also access Accudemia from Blackboard and click on Tutoring Appointments. For more info about the tutoring services, visit the Lafayette Hall Room B152, or visit the website at https://www.housatonic.edu/academic-support/ tutoring

Interim Director of the Academic Support Center, Andrew Pelletier, believes that every student should have access to extra help with easy access.

63 News: Briefs 63

How the Inevitable Helped an HCC Graduate Grow

icture this, you are fresh from high school, or you are just starting your new year at HCC. What's the problem the average student faces? That problem is work. Be it looking for a job or already being in one, the dread of balancing schoolwork and a job strikes the average student.. This was a rude awakening for my sister, HCC graduate Lucia Solis. For Lucia, her daily routine consisted of rushing from school to work. The usual allure of the scent of fresh toast and eggs from the kitchen ended up being replaced by anxious butterflies in her stomach from the unbearable thought of all the responsibilities the HCC student had. Driving from school to work made her stomach turn and her head spin. It was all a blur for Lucia. She felt the need to “run home from work, get ready, and not have time to eat.” It was hell for such a hard working student. Even her schoolwork had diminished, as she would “wake up at 6 A.M. before class to do homework and still not have enough time to finish.” This led to grades falling and sleepless nights finishing schoolwork. This stress had taken a toll on Lucia’s mental and physical health, leading to problems like high cholesterol. One responsibility ended up taking precedence against the other; it was like a tug of war between school and work. It was overwhelming for the HCC graduate, and Lucia felt as if she was losing control. She felt as if no one recognized her battles. “I was thrown into it, but life is life,” she added. What followed were months of the same fight with responsibility. She had doubts about the worth of managing all this work if it meant feeling like a husk.

By Evan Solis Staff Writer

She still struggles. It’s inevitable, but she says it is that stress and experience that made her stronger in the long run. Lucia even thinks that it could be worth it to take the responsibility of working. She sees no difference between the full-time and parttime student; their work is equally worth it. The graduate feels as if the struggle that students will go through will lead them down the same path of learning that she went through, making them a stronger person, but ultimately, it is the student’s choice of what they want to do. Before I interviewed her, I never really had a thought of her feelings and her struggles, even seeing her every day (what a brother, right?) This is something everyone ends up doing, never realizing the everyday battles of those around them. I know that seeing my sister rise strong from one of the biggest struggles the average student faces gives me faith in going forward through the school year. Taking a chance to hear her really shows me how someone can rise as a person.

“There’s people who fall and don’t push themselves to get back up, so they don’t know what their true potential is.”

“I felt like I wanted to quit, but I couldn't,” she says. Lucia had too much on her plate. She trudged on with the late nights of studying and just barely making it to work from class. She felt helpless, but still she didn’t quit. She didn’t shy away from asking for help, nor did she feel embarrassed about her conflicts. Lucia had support from her family, her friends, and her school. She met up with her advisor, Professor Brenner, for help with her troubles. On the days Lucia felt down, which were plenty, her mother was there to lift her up. It was one fateful Monday morning that didn’t feel like such a slog and more like the usual. She was finally used to it. Lucia got ready for the day with her finished work on hand, came to class on time, and was ready for work. It was these struggles that made her a stronger person, she feels. What made her stressed and lose her balance school wise ended up teaching her how to multitask and grow resilient to the responsibilities that life throws at the average student.

HORIZONS Spring 2022

Photo by Evan Solis Lucia Solis today, ready to take on any challenge life throws at her.

Overwhelming Online Obstacles

By Jasmin Saksene Staff Writer

maya Nichols began her journey as a new college student attending HCC with the daunting task of awakening in unknown circumstances and a newfound sense of being alone.

There was an immediate differentiation between online and in-person classes. She had another chance, and this time she was determined to receive the optimal learning experience. She was not afraid to ask a lot of questions with the professor right before her eyes. The environment of the small class made it easier to grasp the concept of certain topics. She moved at her own pace and recognized the best method for her success; the perfect blend of balance in her busy schedule with her new job.

She had slowly become accustomed to the familiar glow of her laptop as she spent hours each day straining her eyes to complete a long list of assignments. As she entered Blackboard she was faced with four classes Biology, Psychology, English, and College Algebra. “My time management was really bad. I was getting work from all four classes due at the same time, and there was no specific time that I had to be online,” she explained.

“I am confident this semester and I think that I am doing pretty well so far. I failed the online courses, so I decided that it would be best for me to take them in person. I felt like that was the only way I was going to get it right,” she said with a content smile.

There was an endless pit of confusion. She didn’t know who her advisors were or how to communicate with her professors. Her hands tried to navigate Blackboard, but the unfamiliar formatting brought another issue. She tried to research and figure it out on her own.

Photo courtesy of Amaya Nichols

She felt hopeless and that led her to the brink of giving up when she was not able to succeed in two of the four courses for that semester. However, in order to get through the times of high anxiety and constant stress, she discovered new ways of coping. Instead of hearing the click of the keyboard, she let the calm music surround her and allowed her negative thoughts to disappear for a moment before returning to reality. She also took rests in between assignments after the completion of one class. As the next semester arrived with no delay, she took the initiative and her chance to enroll in traditional on-campus courses. She is currently retaking her Algebra and Psychology classes. Her first steps on campus were filled with a warm breeze that engulfed her. The wind carried the realization that she was finally able to be in school. She looked around nervously and prepared for her first class of the day.

“I tried to think positively, but it was really hard.”

A wave of discouragement took over as Amaya was faced with another day of trying to manage her online course load.

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Putting Yourself First By Kristen Poplaski Staff Writer

ike many people, Brenna Dahr, an HCC student majoring in Early Childhood development, suffers from the incurable disease of people pleasing. Although it’s not something that can just be stopped, Dahr says overcoming it is one of her

greatest accomplishments. Like a modern day Cinderella, Dahr would spend her time cooking and cleaning for her family, who never seemed to appreciate all the work she put in. She was always expected to keep giving more and more of her time and effort to her family, leaving very little time for herself. Being the seventh of eight children, she felt she had to often put herself last and try to help take care of her family, and she did because she felt obligated to do so. “I think it kinda made me feel like I didn’t really get to have emotions. I always felt like I needed to put everyone before me. I felt like, if I didn’t, someone would get upset at me. And they have,” she says. These people-pleasing tendencies didn’t just take place in her own house; rather they haunted her in every aspect of her life. Working in retail makes her job essentially pleasing people in cashier’s clothes. There are many customers who get very irate if they don’t get their way, so Dahr was forced to put on a smile, keep a calm head and try her best to end any potential conflicts before they happened, even if it meant just giving people what they wanted.

Dahr says she spent a large portion of her life only trying to make others happy, and never paying mind to her own feelings. It made it incredibly hard for her to be happy because she was always concerning herself with other people’s happiness rather than her own happiness. Even if she was feeling down she felt like it was her responsibility to keep her sadness inside and not bring others down. Eventually, it came to a point that Dahr was so unhappy with how she was being treated that she realized “I was letting people walk all over me. No one really told me, it just kinda hit me. So I stopped caring so much about other people's feelings.” Not only was it detrimental to her individuality, but it was also damaging to her mental health. Her own unhappiness pushed her to want more for herself and that’s when she decided her life of altruism would come to an end. She learned how important it was to put herself first and stop letting other people’s opinions control her actions. Dahr sums it up perfectly when she says, “I still care and I try to help people, but I don’t let their feelings come before mine.” And she’s much happier for it.

These habits also occurred in her social life with her friends. As an avid member of the EMS, Dahr had taken many EMT classes, one of which she had done exceptionally well in and wanted to share the news of her accomplishment with her close friend. Unfortunately this friend was having some family issue, so Dahr found herself once again putting her own happiness aside to be a good friend.

“I think it kinda

made me feel like I didn’t really get to have emotions.” 66

HORIZONS Spring 2022

Image by Lucija Rasonja from Pixabay

Even a Late Start Can Have a Great Finish By Andreas Savvaides Staff Writer

very student who has recently graduated high school may have their own personal setbacks in their current college career, but there is an advantage a college freshman or a returning student has. They are used to the school systems, and they know what to expect to a certain extent. But when you have been gone from the college scene for many years and decide to return, it can be a harder transition.

She quickly realized, while being gone for so long, the way we learn today is astronomically different than when she began college many years ago. For example, neither Blackboard nor online classes were necessary resources that one must know in order to be successful in her era of schooling. As she puts it, "Not having a teacher present was new for me because I always learned better In person with someone helping me directly."

Myrian Peterson is a mother, wife and works a full-time job. She has raised two kids, now both adults. In recent years she contemplated returning to school to finish the degree she started many years ago, but was always hesitant. Being that so many years have passed and being diagnosed with ADD a couple years ago, she knew she had an obstacle to overcome. Putting her concerns aside, last year she decided to enroll back into HCC, along with her daughter.

Keeping your attention in class is one thing, but if you work a full time job and have ADD, it can all be very overwhelming. She had to find the perfect balance between work, school, family, home and life, in order to give herself a chance to succeed. Managing to keep up with all of her classes could only be done by giving up all of her free time. And even then, she still struggled terribly, especially in math. Math was a class that never clicked for Myrian and she always needed extra help. In order to complete her degree, Myrian needed specific math courses. But math was not her strong suit. She had to take two developmental math courses during the summer to get herself prepared to take her college-level math class. Not only did these classes take up a lot of her time, they created more school work and would not count towards her degree. They were just meant to help her get prepared for another math class. When Myrian finally took her college-level Math class along with her other classes, she thought she should have felt prepared. Instead, it was a mental battle. Dealing with the full course load, the math class turned out to be just too much. So to alleviate the stress, she had to make the difficult decision to drop her math class in order to focus on her other classes. As it might have been a hard decision at first, this gave her the opportunity to prioritize the rest of her classes and school work. She was then able to manage her time better so she can make sure she is putting her best foot forward. She decided if it meant that she would take the math course as a separate class in itself so she can focus solely on that, then that is what she will do. Now being one year away from graduating HCC, Myrian is achieving what most people her age would deem impossible. She was, and still is, a problem solver and takes her turbulent life day by day. If there is anything to take away from Myrian's story, it's that you are never too old to go back to school. And if you have a goal, just go and achieve it.

Photo by Teona Swift from Pexels No matter the time spent away, you can still be able to find a way to succeed.

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