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Student voices

The Covid pandemic upended schools and colleges, forcing students to navigate a new reality threw many of their plans into disarray. Even after schools returned to in-person instruction, students, teachers and communities have continued to struggle. In this section, hear first-hand from students about their experiences and how they are confronting the challenges they face as well as their perspectives and ideas for improving California’s education system.

Student voices
January 24, 2023

First-generation college students: Don't be afraid to ask for help

Finishing is college is hard, especially for those who are the first in their families to seek a higher education. So take guilt-free advantage of available resources.

Randy Flores
Student voices
December 27, 2022

Diversity is essential to helping students find their feet in college

Attending the state's only predominantly white public university made one student realize the importance of finding ways to connect with students from diverse backgrounds.

Amelia Wu
Class of 2022
December 14, 2022

First year college students facing what Covid cost them, especially in math

Life after high school has its challenges for the Class of 2022. There's embracing independence and facing what Covid cost them.

Diana Lambert
Student voices
December 2, 2022

How do you keep going when college takes you 13 years?

His long road toward university graduation has been filled with twists and turns and obstacles — just as it was meant to be.

Erik Adams
Student voices
November 21, 2022

College community gardens promote growth and healing in Covid’s wake

Community gardens on college campuses give students access to nature and an opportunity to tend to — and be nurtured by — the outdoors.

Arabel Meyer
Student voices
November 9, 2022

We cannot allow our education to be automated

An overreliance on technology eliminates the verbal interaction between students, their peers, and their teachers and takes the learning out of the classroom and onto the screen.

Adam Abolfazli
Student voices
November 1, 2022

Fresno State students need affordable housing

Living on campus for at least one year has been proven to increase overall student well-being, feeling of belonging, and academic success.

D'Aungillique Jackson
Student voices
October 25, 2022

Arts education is a right, not a privilege

I am proof that even the smallest space for art in students' lives can have a monumental impact.

Matthew Garcia-Ramirez
Student voices
September 26, 2022

The struggles of attending college while caring for a dying parent

As her mother was dying, the bond they shared fuels her caregiving daughter's determination to get through Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Annais Garcia
Student voices
August 5, 2022

Hope, frustration and hard lessons as youth try to lower voting age for school board

The Alameda County registrar has yet to implement two youth voting measures that passed by wide margins in 2020

Carolyn Jones
Commentary
July 26, 2022

How Superintendent Carvalho can create a strong future for all LAUSD students

The new Los Angeles Unified superintendent has an opportunity to remove entrenched barriers in the district that keep too many students from realizing their full potential.

Salma Ocelotlxochitl Perez and Avery Collins-Byrd
Student Well-Being
July 25, 2022

A rare case of mental health in school gone right

Timely, supportive mental health services can rescue a student in crisis.

Natalie Lu
Student voices
July 1, 2022

Graduation hot take: As temperatures rise reconsider outdoor events

Problems caused by extreme heat at this year's UC Davis graduation ceremonies underscore the importance of planning for extreme conditions.

Margo Rosenbaum 
Student voices
July 1, 2022

It’s not easy trying to finish college in 2022; try doing it with autism

Autism makes college harder. But perseverance and support services are helping this student make his way through.

Ramon Castaños
Student voices
May 2, 2022

Coming to UCLA the second time was scarier - but was worth it

The prospect of returning to UCLA for in-person classes after the pandemic was scary, but in the end, I found some of my worries were overblown.

Megan Tagami