WE WEREN’T TOLD
Editors' Notes
Welcome to The Peak – reinvented. While still covering Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo’s arts and culture scene, it now takes form as a student-led advice magazine. The Peak is your go-to guide for navigating Cal Poly with confidence, curiosity and a little bit of creativity. From essentials to finances, we hope to be the voice of support and help students by finding their needs and writing about them.
Sydnie Bierma Editor—MMG Special Sections
I’m the current editor of MMG’s Special Sections, and now editor of The Peak. I think magazines can give students something to relate to beyond the news. This edition, “Sh*t we weren’t told: The Adulting Issue,” will cover dorm essentials, drinking culture and an inside look on fraternity life. It will also cover more serious topics such as renters’ rights and navigating Cal Poly as a student of color.
Jeremy Garza Managing Editor— Mustang News
I’m managing editor for Mustang News this year, and even I get tired of reading the news every day. While important, it can be a lot of weight to carry on your shoulders. The Peak is designed to be different, a place for joy and creativity. I hope these spreads feel alive and brighten your day.
Pisupati Editor in Chief— Mustang News
Whether it be a groggy closed-eyed bite of your overnight oats, pretending you’re a morning person, or a motivational Spotify daylist, we each have our own alarms to brave the day. Beneath a facade of a strong-willed and sleepy student, we are closer than it seems — hit with the reality of life. I hope you take something from The Peak, even if you’re not at your peak.
Kat Orozco Content Director—KCPR
Journalism is all about uncovering the dusty corners that often stay untouched. Through The Peak, we aim to shed light on the complicated, ugly and sometimes embarrassing parts of adulting. I hope that each reader is able to find a piece of themselves in this edition, and learns a thing or two about the Cal Poly community.
Linnaea Marks Art Director—KCPR
As the art director for KCPR, I, along with Aviv, led the design for The Peak with the intentions of creating a fun and immersive experience for students to enjoy. So, I beseech you, take your time with The Peak, a sometimes unserious creative outlet that observes the existential anxieties of college life.
Aviv Kesar Creative Director— Mustang News
Design is beyond how something looks; it’s how it feels to experience it. As creative director of Mustang News, I see The Peak as an opportunity to push creativity further, take risks and find new ways to connect to our audiences. The Peak is not meant to simply be read; it’s meant to be wandered through, finding moments of surprise, joy and connection.
Archana
Staff
Masthead
Archana Pisupati
Aviv Kesar
Jeremy Garza
Kat Orozco
Linnaea Marks
Sydnie Bierma
Writers
Allison Weil
Elsa Fuentes-Virabyan
Julia Nunez
Katy Clark
Kaylie Wang
Lorenzo Cano
Makena Locsin
Rebecca Von Tersch
Samantha Orradre
Seth Pintar
Designers
Ava Cheung
Ava Donaldson
Elena Vaughan
Julia Hazemoto
Kennedy Ray
Maya Shinden
Meher Anklesaria
Natalia Celebrini
Photographer
Lillian Dolph
Crossword
Subha Eranki
Contents
Culture-shocked: Experiencing
Cal Poly as a POC
By Rebecca Von Tersch and Kaylie Wang
Designed by Anika Loganathan
Renters' Rights: Let’s Talk About It By Allison Weil
Designed by Maya Shinden
Lost and found: My First Year in Objects
Designed by Julia Hazemoto 89
By Julia Nunez
Designed by Nhi Duong
It Takes Two to Tango: Dating Apps and Drinking Culture at Cal Poly
By Samantha Orradre
Designed by Kennedy Ray
Best Dressed on the West
By Lorenzo Cano
Designed by Ava Donaldson
The First Time I Bombed By Elsa Fuentes-Virabyan
Inside the 25-35 By Samantha Orradre and Seth Pintar
Designed by Aviv Kesar
Your First Quarter as Mustang By Katy Clark
Designed by Natalia Celebrini
What bag are you wearing to class?
By Kaylie Wang
Designed by Ava Cheung
Inside the Brotherhood By Makena Locsin
Designed by Elena Vaughan
Adulting
2. __ Ángeles
3. Ouch!
4. Frat initiate/newbie
5. Arrives (by plane)
6. IPA for one
7. Modern Family’s Mitchell and Cam relationship
8. Swipe right =
10. Center next to the poly wall
11. Sandal brand often seen around slo
14.The 'o' in nola
15. What you get after a sunny day in pismo
17. Bottle next to conditioner
18. Locator - metal is to detector as location is to ____
20. Scenic wallpaper/fabric
22. Restaurant request
23. The north in Spanish
24. A format for continuously updated web feeds
25. Reality television network featuring “90 day fiancee”
27. The o in aoc
29. Rick that will “never give you up”
31. To give the green light
34. Jab with a knife
36. Sounds like so and sow
37. Pencil stub
38. Pontiac muscle car initials
ACROSS
1. Cal __ (goes with 4 across)
4. Epidemic (goes with 1 across)
9. “How fancy!” (french version)
12. Sydney star in euphoria
13. Hit song by Bridget Mendler, "Ready or ___"
16. __+__ = __
17. Old-school camera, briefly
19. Aw man!
21. Big shirt sizes, briefly
22. Passive aggressive way to say ok
25. What you do to your hand before drawing a turkey
26. Pickle ingredient in animal style spread
27. Dad, informally
28. Sends first class, say
29. Opposite of declines
30. “__ with an E” (Netflix series)
31. Sikh student association (cp club)
32. Non-alcoholic beer
33. The society of engineers
34. College admission test
35. Montana de __
36. ___ gel
39. What you do in an irish goodbye
40. Rodeo rider (goes with 41 across)
41. Common footwear for the cal poly rodeo (goes with 40 across)
Crossword by Subha Eranki Design by Aviv Kesar
FINDING STRENGTH IN COMMUNITY
by Rebecca Von Tersch
Coming to Cal Poly, there were a lot of things I felt prepared for: academics, social life and everything that I anticipated about college. Culture shock was not on that list.
While living in the San Francisco Bay Area, I was surrounded by Asian culture and community. My mom is Korean, so I grew up with significant exposure to the culture and traditions. For most of my life, I spoke Korean with my family, ate tteokguk, rice cake soup, for Seollal, Korean Lunar New Year and
EXPERIENCING CAL POLY AS A POC HOCKED: Culture
Story by Rebecca Von Tersch and Kaylie Wang Design by Anika Loganathan
From Northern and Southern California, these students met in the middle when it was time to attend Cal Poly. Now, they reflect back on how else they had to find their middle ground.
took folk dance classes at my Korean school. I relied on my culture and the community that accompanied it.
San Luis Obispo was quite different. The Asian population is small, and cultural practices are limited. Cal Poly offers no Korean classes. The nearest Asian restaurants have few Korean dishes on their menus (shout out to Shin’s Sushi), if at all. There is only one small Asian grocery store, compared to the Hmart locations all over the Bay. Regular sights became shockingly rare, and the initial absence of community was pretty lonely.
As much as I love San Luis Obispo, finding my cultural community and fitting in has been difficult.
TRANSFORMING SHOCK INTO GROWTH
by Kaylie Wang
Growing up in Orange County felt like growing up within a bubble. Living in a predominantly Asian community meant that being ChineseAmerican almost put me as part of a “majority,” where I never thought twice about the way that I looked, the food that I ate or the languages my family spoke. This bubble burst as I came to college.
At Cal Poly, I realized I was experiencing culture shock when I became hyperaware of my identity — something I took for granted in Orange County.
Knowing this, I chose to live in the Asian Pacific Desi American Islander (APIDA) learning community to have a built-in community. Living on the APIDA floor in tsɨtkawayu allowed me to meet people from other cultures, while also feeling connected to people who shared my cultural background.
I continued discovering cultural spaces throughout the year. I rushed for an Asian-interest sorority, Alpha Kappa Delta Phi. When I didn’t receive a bid, the rush process helped me meet girls I would later recognize in class and become friends with.
To find out other ways these two students experienced culture shock at Cal Poly.
Read the full story at mustangnews.net or kcpr.org.
LEASE
San Luis Obispo is filled with some wildly overpriced rentals. Rentals in the area are 19% higher than the national average, according to Apartments.com. Whether you’re a Cal Poly student about to move into your first off-campus residence, or a recent graduate, understanding your rights as a renter in San Luis Obispo is essential.
We know leases can be difficult material to read. We’ve all been there. Here’s a basic guide to save you from future troubles.
RENTERS' RIGHTS:
Let's talk about it.
Story by Allison Weil Design by Maya Shinden
01
Know your lease
Before signing anything, read the lease. Look for key details like:
1. Who’s responsible for utilities? Or appliances?
2. What are the consequences for damages?
3. Can tenants sublease if they study abroad or have a summer internship?
02
Security deposits: Not a donation
In California, landlords can’t charge more than two months’ rent for an unfurnished place, and they’re legally obligated to return your deposit within 21 days after you move out.
To save yourself from future charges and a headache, be sure to take move-in photos and videos to show any preexisting damages.
03
The 'fix it' rule
If something breaks in the house, whether it be leaky faucets, broken heaters or mysterious mold that has been building up in your shower, the landlord should fix it in a reasonable amount of time. This time period is 35 days or less, according to California law.
04
Classics to avoid
As a college town, noise violations are nothing new for San Luis Obispo residents. Nothing ruins a party like getting a noise complaint at 10 p.m. Noise ordinances are 24/7 and are a big deal in San Luis Obispo, and multiple violations can lead to fines or trouble with your landlord. Check out the City of San Luis Obispo website for more information on the hours and consequences of noise complaints.
05
Resources, roommates and red flags
If something feels off, whether it’s a sketchy Craigslist ad, weird pressure to pay cash or a suspiciously vague lease, trust your gut. Use your resources, including Facebook groups, such as Cal Poly SLO Mustang parents and Cal Poly’s Student Legal Services.
Read the full guide at mustangnews.net or kcpr.org.
L0ST and F0UNd:
Dorm sweet dorm: the things no one tells you to pack
Story by Julia Nunez
Design by Nhi Duong
Dorm life can be an adjustment for first-year students learning to live on their own. Being surrounded by other students in a single building, sharing a room and having limited resources can be a challenge. Everyone knows to bring the basics like a mattress topper and a shower caddy, but there are a few Cal Poly-specific items I kept around that made dorm life a lot more livable. Here’s a collection of must-have objects you might not think to keep in your dorm sweet dorm.
Umbrella
The beginning of fall quarter welcomes students with warm weather and clear skies, but don’t be fooled, a rainy season always follows. Because San Luis Obispo experiences a fair amount of rainstorms in the winter, you’re going to need a sturdy umbrella that won’t collapse in the wind. Sure, the Cal Poly Bookstore sells umbrellas, but they can be pricey, as are the ones at downtown boutiques. With atmospheric rivers (shoutout 2023) and extreme weather, it is best to prepare yourself in advance.
Cowboy boots
As much as I wanted to resist the San Luis Obispo country aesthetic, I had to give in to cowboy boots eventually. Between the Cal Poly Rodeo, Shabang and themed dayges, cowboy boots quickly became a fashion staple. Not only do they make an appearance at every event, but also get students through the trails of dirt and mud along the way. Both practical and fashionable for Cal Poly, you’re going to need a pair of cowboy boots or boots of a similar kind.
Hiking shoes
The hikes in San Luis Obispo can be rocky and steep, which regular sneakers aren’t fit for. As my friends and I have learned the hard way, you’re bound to slip unexpectedly. Not to mention, rattlesnake season, which creeps up around the spring. In spring 2023, the school sent out an email warning that rattlesnakes had been spotted near the dorms and along the trails, reminding students to wear suitable shoes when hiking. Whether it's to avoid an embarrassing mid-hike tumble, or to protect yourself the day you actually cross paths with a snake, hiking shoes are the way to go.
To find out other essentials for how to spice up dining hall food, or how to battle the inevitable 'poly plague'. Read the full guide at mustangnews.net or kcpr.org.
The first time I BOMBED
How I navigated failure in college.
Story by Elsa Fuentes-Virabyan
Design by Julia Hazemoto
No one starts college expecting failure. In fact, what you find is almost the complete opposite. The sheer number of young and ambitious students all packed together in the same rigorous environment only heightens everyone’s primal urge to be at the very top.
Like many of my peers, I wanted college to be the fresh new start that would officially kick off my journey
into adulthood. I was determined to be the perfect student I once knew myself to be; the one who completed her work on time, always went to class and succeeded effortlessly without a second thought.
But soon enough, I found myself unable to resist the allure of college debauchery, chasing the highs that came with my newfound independence. My weekends were spent at parties hosted in dimly lit basements— intoxicated young adults pushing each other around under the thick haze of colorful LEDs and secondhand smoke. Being able to indulge in all these new
experiences with no immediate consequences kept pulling me in for more.
I became particularly acquainted with failure and subsequent shame while I was enrolled in an argumentative writing English course during spring quarter my freshman year.
The first major essay assigned for the class asked us to pick a relevant political issue and defend it against opposing arguments. I decided to pick an issue I was passionate about, which was book bannings. I had a solid argument that I could easily develop into a well-written essay.
However, even with the desire to apply my writing skills productively, I kept running into the same old wall that blocked me from reaching my true
potential as a student. I became so paralyzed by perfectionism and the need to prove my worth, which instead of motivating me, only served to make me put off doing any necessary work.
Unfortunately, this exposed itself within my work for the class. My essay ended up being a half-written page of gibberish, because I couldn’t finish it before the deadline. As I began to feel the weight of my poor attempt at academic recovery, my shame began to bleed into the rest of my assignments. I wasn’t studying for exams, and thus failed them, all while coming back to my dorm and spending the rest of my day recharging as my homework collected dust in my backpack.
When I finally had the courage to check my grade in the class after the end of a chaotic first year and saw the dreaded letter F staring back at me, the fantasy I had of college being my academic saving grace shattered before my very eyes. All I could do was sob, feeling like I was destined to be nothing more than a complete and utter failure.
To learn how this student conquered failure head on, read more at Mustang News and KCPR.
Read the full story at mustangnews.net or kcpr.org.
IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO:
DATING APPS AND DRINKING CULTURE AT CAL POLY
Story by Samatha Orradre and Allison Weil
Design by Kennedy Ray
BLAME THE JUNGLE JUICE: GEN Z AND DRINKING MISHAPS
Story by Samatha Orradre
It’s a rite of passage for freshmen to sneak plastic handles and 30 racks into the dorms (remember to hide them well). However, whether you are
ing in college is a completely different
Not only are you traversing over steep hills, but you’re also being exposed to a group of new people with different tolerances. A frat basement is a jungle juice in itself, with some people chugging actual jungle juice and others choking on Fireball shooters.
DATING IN COLLEGE: GEN Z EDITION
Story by Allison Weil
While drinking might leave you with a bruise or two, Tinder can do just as much emotional damage. At Cal Poly, Tinder is practically its own ecosystem, one where “looking for something casual,” is just code for “I will ghost you after we hook up and pretend we’ve never made eye contact on Dexter Lawn.”
It’s not uncommon to match with someone, talk for a few days, then realize you both had class together the entire quarter. The worst part? You’ll probably have to keep seeing them for the rest of college.
Swiping in San Luis Obispo is like a game of Go Fish; you either get the engineers with no bios, the guys holding fish in every picture or the ones who mention their fraternity before their name.
But, on the bright side, every failed Tinder encounter makes for a great story to tell your roommates while debriefing with an iced matcha from Scout Coffee the next morning.
Read the full story at mustangnews.net or kcpr.org.
Inside the '25-35'
Story by Samantha Orradre and Seth Pintar
Design by Aviv Kesar
'Learn by Doing' is Cal Poly’s motto, but “25-35” is how students actually get it done. Academic advisors recommend that students study at least two hours per week for every unit in your schedule. If you have 16 units, you have 32 hours of studying outside the classroom. This may be a rule of thumb, but “25-35” can look different for everyone.
FROM AN ECONOMICS MAJOR
Story by Samantha Orradre
The first time I heard I would be spending 25 to 35 hours simply studying and completing homework, I was gobsmacked. My high school was rigorous, and I was not unfamiliar with a challenge. But this seemed excessive. Once my economics classes kicked up and slowly became upper-division courses, I started to face the harsh reality of '25-35.'
As an economics major, my days are filled with graphs and calculus. You can often find me hunched over my notebook at the UU hightop tables before classes. I spend my nights reading case law or drafting papers for my law and society minor. I typically spend four hours a day, Monday through Thursday, completing work.
On Friday and Saturday, I allow myself a reprieve and spend around two hours or less studying. Sunday may be the day of rest for some, but it is the day to grind for me. This means I have a sixto eight-hour date with the Nautical Bean and my laptop.
FROM A JOURNALISM MAJOR
Story by Seth Pintar
Majoring in journalism in Cal Poly is thoroughly a “Learn by Doing” experience. Whether you’re on the news, media innovation or public relations track, your out-of-class experiences will mold you into a strong communicator. But the coursework I have taken, could end up similar to your major or a GE that you may be required to take.
When it comes to Cal Poly’s '25-35' motto, I recommend putting in 30 hours of work each week, or five hours of work a day, excluding Saturday. Following and meeting deadlines are integral to any student’s success. Planning your week in advance can help you make the most out of your courses, even if you think that random JOUR or COMS class won’t be relevant to your future in electrical engineering.
Whether you’re a journalism major, another CLA major or just taking a GE course, research is a central part of your workload in the humanities. The input from various sources is how we add credibility and support different viewpoints. To make the most of your research time, know what information you’re looking for, make sure the information is accessible and make sure your sources are credible.
Read the full story at mustangnews.net or kcpr.org.
Who is the
Ava Donaldson
Apparently, declaring a major also means declaring a dress code.
Cal Poly students can be characterized by the stark difference in fashion choices between different groups and majors. You can spot their signature outfits walking from the dining hall to the classroom. Every pair of shoes, jeans and bag combination says something about each student. What students wear is an expression of their interests and lifestyle.
It is true that students have individual styles and express it through their clothing and fashion sense, but as long as I have been at Cal Poly, I
have observed many people dressing according to their majors and peers.
CAFES
Students in agriculture often wear what looks like a uniform. Their clothes are so similar that you can tell what college they’re part of from a mile away. Their choice of footwear is one of two: Hey Dudes or work boots.
OCOB
Although it seems like business students are the biggest consumers of it, there is one style that unites
most Cal Poly students – athleisure. Whether it's to the gym or to class, head-to-toe Lululemon and Gymshark sets are a common sight.
CLA
If you make your way past the endless sea of gym sets to Front Porch just off campus behind the gym, you’ll notice that almost everyone is wearing Blundstones. The culprits? Probably College of Liberal Arts or Architecture students.
To find out about what other students are wearing based on their major, read more at Mustang News and KCPR.
Read the full story at mustangnews.net or kcpr.org.
Story by Lorenzo Cano Design by
first quarter
Your as a Mustang
Story by Katy Clark
Design by Natalia Celebrini
It’s your first day of classes. You exit your dorm at 7:45 a.m., ready to begin life as a college student. Stepping out into the golden sunlight of late September, you are greeted by the tall mountains surrounding your new home and begin the walk to your 8:10 a.m. class, too excited to be bothered by your early wake-up. Passing by Scout Coffee, the walk turns into a trek when you realize all your classes are down the hill from the residence halls.
Walking past the University Union (UU) on the way to the Aglish building, where apparently English and agriculture coexist because that makes sense, a metal mustang sculpture stands tall, greeting students.
After a long day of classes, you lie on Dexter Lawn, people-watching and eating an açai bowl from Shake Smart, which will soon be a staple in your daily diet. You start to feel like you are finally
FIRST FARMERS MARKET
It’s the first Thursday night Farmers Market of the quarter, and most freshmen are getting ready with their friends to go downtown. After crowding onto the packed 4A bus, squished between other excited freshmen, you arrive at the Downtown Transit Center. There’s an array of food, flowers and activities to choose from, such as bounce houses and tarot card readings.
Although it is a little overstimulating, it’s okay because it’s a classic San Luis Obispo tradition, and you are having a blast — until it's time to go home. You take the same 4A bus back, not realizing the bus travels in a loop and this is the long way back to campus. This bus system is going to take a little bit of an adjustment to get used to.
To find out about more traditions freshman experience in their first quarter at Cal Poly, read more at Mustang News or KCPR.
Read the full story at mustangnews.net or kcpr.org.
LILLIAN DOLPH | MUSTANG NEWS
What bag are you to class?
Story by Kaylie Wang
Design by Ava Cheung
Take this quiz to find out which bag fits your personality! Which
START HERE!
drink? Which extracurricular? Which
spot? Night home or night out?
1. Fjällräven Kånken
You have a creative and imaginative spirit. You are most likely a college of liberal arts student. You don’t shy away from color. This is the perfect unique, artistic bag that allows you to display decorative pins, patches or keychains to showcase your interests.
You like a simple and unassuming bag that can match any outfit. You are very practical and don’t like unnecessary frills. Probably a bit dirty because it gets neglected and frequently dumped in a corner on the floor, but you can still bring it to class because this is a durable bag.
You are very organized and you like to stay on top of your work. You really love following trends, especially the 'clean girl' aesthetic, so your bag is probably really heavy because it carries an Owala water bottle. Although this shoulder bag will leave your arm sore, you’re willing to sacrifice your comfort for style.
You value comfort in your backpack and have an adventurous spirit. You probably chose Cal Poly to take advantage of the hiking trails and will spend every weekend exploring nature. This bag is extra spacious, allowing you to store your gym clothes for your post-class gym sessions at the Cal Poly Recreation Center.
2. JanSport
3. Longchamp
4. North Face
INSIDE THE
BROTHERHOOD
Story by Makena Locsin
by Elena Vaughan
For the dignified, resolute and tradition-honoring frat men at Cal Poly, summer seemed to drone on. Without a situationship to terrorize in person (don’t worry– they still left her on delivered for 16 hours at a time), or pledges to bring them endless refills of room temperature beer and Zyns, what on Earth was a man to do?
It seems that those endless summer months were absolute torture, as our poor men counted down the days until
they were finally reunited with not just their friends, but their BROTHERS.
Oh, the brotherhood. Yes, we’ve heard of a sorority 'sisterhood,' but this is totally different. This is the real stuff, the nitty-gritty stuff, the kind of bond that turns boys into men.
For some, that is the case. Some fraternity brothers move on to become carwash aficionados or calendar models, but before you rush to follow
A deeper dive into what it means to be in a fraternity at Cal Poly
in their footsteps, be aware of what lies beneath the surface. Do we really know these men? What they talk about, their hopes, dreams and deepest fears all seem to be a mystery. Do they discuss these while sober? Do they discuss anything while sober?
To investigate this, I sat down with economics junior Ryan Kelly. As a brother of Alpha Epsilon Pi, he had plenty to say about the state of camaraderie in the year 2025.
And for all those who are wondering, the answer to the question burning more than the UTI the health center wouldn’t treat: no, they don’t explore each other’s bodies. Sorry to disappoint.
To find out more about Kelly’s experience, read more at Mustang News or KCPR.
Design
SEPTEMBER
Created by MN and KCPR