Issue 2

HOUZINE MAGAZINE

ISSUE #2

MARCH 2026

n a h t

o f u o y k

g n i d a e rr

Ph o

to

by

Ca ro

lM ora

Photo by Carol Mora

HOUZINE TEAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Andrea Reyes

PHOTO EDITOR Carol Mora

COPY EDITOR Jennifer Soliz

MAGAZINE EDITOR Andrea Reyes

march Photo by Carol Mora

TABLE OF CONTENTS 01-02

03-04

the insider scoop

screen time suggestions

05-06

07-08

opinion: on the pressure to be "ahead"

spotlight of the month

09-10

11-12

college survival essentials

song of the month Photos by Carol Mora

THE INSIDER SCOOP 2026-2027 Housing Applications

Miners! The 2026-2027 Housing application is still open! Now that we’re halfway through the semester, be sure to submit your application.

Students are able to log into the Resident Portal and self select their space. Room selection will be available through May 31st.

SUMMER APPLICATIONS Students planning to stay on campus this summer are encouraged to apply now. The Summer 2026 application is available on the resident portal.

Scan the QR code below to view our 2026 Summer Sessions and Rates.

1

Photo by Carol Mora

UPCOMING EVENTS “Let’s make a Bouquet of Flowers” - Hosted by RA Jasmine It’s never too late to make a bouquet for someone you love!

Using pipe cleaners, let your creativity guide you and craft something wonderful.

Monday, March 23 at 6:00 PM. Boquillas Hall, Miner Canyon

“DIY Stained Glass” - Hosted by RA Carol

“High-Health, High-productivity” - Hosted by RA Cameron

A perfect event to tap into your artistic side, and walk away with a free room decoration. It’s also a great chance to meet neighbors around Miner Village.

If you have midterms after Spring Break, we feel you! And we want to help. Join us for a quiet, high-focus study environment. Low-sugar snacks will be provided to avoid that productivity killing crash. Testing supplies such as Scantrons and bluebooks will also be provided.

Tuesday, March 24 at 6:00 PM. Summit Hall, Miner Village

Sunday, March 29 at 7:00 PM. Horizon Hall, Miner Heights

2

Photo via IMBd

LA LA LAND

SCREEN La Land (2016) If you’re looking for a movie that will make you dance and reflect about life at the same time, La La Land is for you. Directed by Damien Chazelle, it follows the story of Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), an aspiring actress and jazz pianist chasing their dreams in Los Angeles, who are challenged by the dilemma between love and ambition.

Genre: Musical, Romance, Comedy & Drama

3

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 2

TIME

Photo via IMBd

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011), directed by David Yates: Recommended by one of our staff members, Silvana who describes it as “full of emotions: sadness, more sadness, emotion, happiness, commotion. The visuals and lighting are incredible, and the special effects are surreal.”

Genre: Drama, Adventure, Mystery, Suspense 4

Photo by Carol Mora

ON THE PRESSURE TO BE AHEAD Late at night, it’s easy for doubt to creep in. One moment you’re scrolling through updates from friends and classmates, and the next you’re wondering whether everyone else is moving faster than you.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. We live in a world where growing up feels like a nonstop competition. But the truth is simple: you’re not behind, you’re just pressured to believe you are.

We forget that everyone moves through life on a different timeline. What looks like the “right” path for one person might be completely wrong for someone else.

That’s why it’s worth stepping back and asking yourself: “Is this the path I actually want?” And if you don’t know the answer yet, that’s okay. Figuring things out takes time.

Social media doesn’t make it easier. While there’s nothing wrong with sharing achievements, it undeniably fuels comparison. Most posts don’t show the late nights, the failures, or the uncertainty behind the scenes, which is why comparing is not worth your time.

5

Photo by Carol Mora

Family expectations add another layer of pressure.

They don’t always see the full picture of what students are navigating, which makes many hesitate to change majors or career paths even when their goals shift.

Student Victoria Holguin, Computer Engineering major shared: “I have never changed my major, but it’s also because of the pressure… like, oh, you already chose one thing.

Especially from my parents, I feel like it would come off as a bad look to them if I changed my major, because it would seem indecisive, or like I don’t know what I want.” We can’t blame older generations either. Different eras shape different expectations. Their world followed a more linear path: school → job → family. Today’s students face something entirely different: more competition and uncertainty, but also more options.

Family expectations can guide us, but they shouldn’t define our worth or dictate our pace.

Victoria added: “Honestly, this is something that does happen to me. Like, for example, a lot of my friends have had internships before, and I didn’t have one last summer. So I was like oh my god, I’m probably behind. It’s like I’m not getting this experience or being productive. But there’s a saying in Spanish that I always relate to that says A cada santo le llega su día. So in my mind it’s like if it will happen, it will happen. You just have to be patient. You have to put in the effort, but also understand that it won’t always turn out how you want, but it’s okay.”

Of course, everyone’s circumstances are different. Some students have more room to pause or change direction than others. That doesn’t make anyone’s journey less valid. Not everyone starts from the same place or has the same flexibility The reality is that people “peak” at different ages. We need to value the rest of our lives too, friendships, small joys, rest, not just achievements.

As filmmaker Guillermo del Toro once said: “Yo nunca me sentí más acabado y viejo que a los veintitantos. Decía: ‘Ya me pasó la vida y no hice nada’. Pero aquí estoy para decirles que no: tienen un — de tiempo.’

Editor’s update: This opinion piece was written back in December 2025, same time I spoke to Victoria. In that same month, she ended up getting the internship!

6

SPOTLIGHT of the month Photo by Andrea

7

WHITNEY ELLIS

Photo courtesy of Whitney

Senior Coordinator: Miner Village Can you introduce yourself and tell us what you do on campus?

“My name is Whitney Ellis, and I am the senior coordinator for Miner Village, which basically means I oversee what would be 8 RA’s and 3 DA’s, and we help things stay up and running at Miner Village” What are you most looking forward to in this position?

“I think I shared with my team that I had my 30 day meeting with the Director, and that conversation really reminded me about why I wanted to take this job and reminded me of my passion for residence life. And just him encouraging me to tap into my creativity, to try new things” Movie or show you recommend?

“I recently watched “Accused” on Hulu. I think it's a really interesting show. They take real court cases or at least parts of the real court case and they act it out. But it’s really eye-opening how your life can change in an instant, even the best of intentioned people”

8

Have hobbies outside of school (photography, music, drawing)

Eat enough to fill your mind

College Survival

Talk to a friend Dress in what feels right for you 9

Listen to favorite everyday

your songs

Drink your favorite bevarage every other morning (Coffee, Matcha, Tea)

Essentials Do some journaling

Set a calendar

Go out for a walk!

10

Photo by Carol Mora

11

Photo by Carol Mora

SONG OF THE MONTH

One of our anonymous residents shared their current favorite track.

Suggested song: “Opera House” Why do you love this song? “Because of the ethereal music and the dreamy vibe it gives for six minutes” Best time to play it? “Either when you are staring at the roof, stargazing or walking in the campus at evening”

Scan the QR Code to suggest a song for next issue!

12

Photo by Andrea

all we have is now.

Photo by Carol Mora

CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES!

FOLLOW UTEP HOUSING AND RESIDENCE LIFE ON SOCIAL MEDIA! @utepreslife

HOUZINE MAGAZINE

UTEP Housing and Residence Life housing@utep.edu