Well-being Stories
Choosing Sustainability with Jacob
"There鈥檚 something satisfying about transforming the food scraps that get collected during my Pantry shift into usable fertilizer at the campus garden. Instead of contributing to waste that gets thrown into landfills, we鈥檙e able to help create something useful that benefits a lot more people than we think. It feels rewarding and truly meaningful. It makes a simple task of picking out produce waste, and makes it feel much more significant, knowing that I鈥檓 contributing to something bigger than just my few hours at work.
This partnership between the Pantry and the garden makes a noticeable difference in how we operate daily. Our compost bins don鈥檛 pile up, there鈥檚 no spoiled smells coming from the pantry, and we鈥檙e able to put out fresh produce consistently. Overall, our space is cleaner and more organized for both the participants who come in and the workers at the Pantry. Because of this, it鈥檚 easier to maintain a welcoming environment for the students where they have access to fresh produce and clean food.
My favorite part about receiving fresh herbs back from the garden is seeing the excitement and curiosity from the students we serve. The herbs we receive from the garden are produce that doesn鈥檛 come up regularly at the Pantry. Because of this, students are more likely to take the garden鈥檚 herbs to try and see what dishes they can cook with them.
After seeing and experiencing this full circle of pantry compost being turned into fertilizer for the herbs the garden grows to come right back to us, it changed the way I think about environmental wellness on campus. It鈥檚 shown me that small actions that are often overlooked can create a real impact on the environment and others around me, especially if a community works together. Environmental wellness and sustainability can be quite simple, and it starts with the active choices we make."
- Jacob Miguel Maulino, '26 Mechanical Engineering
Level Up with Sara
"When I鈥檓 not hustling between classes, taking quick power naps in the Student Union, or commuting to campus in my 200,000+ mile Toyota Sienna, I鈥檓 working at the 91传媒厂 Career Center. There, I welcome students, connect them with career counselors, guide them through the headshot booth, and help them navigate the Career Closet.
What I value most about my role is empowering students through digital literacy and professional development. I regularly introduce students to free digital tools such as LinkedIn Learning, Forage, VMock, and Adobe Creative Cloud. I personally use these platforms to strengthen my own internship search and professional preparation. Because these tools have played a meaningful role in building my confidence and competitiveness as a marketing candidate, I鈥檓 especially passionate about sharing them with others.
My commitment to intellectual growth extends beyond the classroom. I actively enroll in certificate programs and complete job simulations to expand my skill set and enhance my marketing portfolio. For me, learning is not confined to lectures, it鈥檚 an ongoing process of curiosity, experimentation, and application. In addition to the Career Center, I work at the front desk of the Adobe Hub in Clark Hall, where I promote creativity and digital literacy across campus. As an Adobe Ambassador, I鈥檓 currently developing projects centered around Adobe Creative Cloud to inspire students to explore new ways of expressing their ideas.
My time at the Career Center is more than just a paycheck, it鈥檚 a continuous opportunity to grow intellectually, uplift fellow Spartans, and intentionally invest in my own career readiness."
- Sara Saunders, '26 Business Administration (Marketing)
Climbing with Karan
"My first tryst with rock climbing began at the Spartan Summit at the Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center. I immediately fell in love with the sport. As an international student here at 91传媒厂 for my masters, the stress of it all - juggling studies, home, job search - comes with hidden mental and physical toll. Rock climbing, which disguises itself as a solo sport, amidst the cheers and support of the community and the staff, provided the outlet for me to workout them both away. Additionally having joined the staff at Spartan Summit recently, the experience has been nothing but more joyous by manifolds. I get to learn the intricacies of working at a climbing gym, interact with more experienced climbers, and possibly involve more people like me by making their experience at the gym better. The sport challenges me in ways that calisthenics or weightlifting could only do so much, learning how your body may be more flexible or stronger than you imagine it would be. Climbing may be hard, but for me it is harder not to climb."
- Karan Jain, '26 Computer Science
Reaching Out for Support with Eduardo
"As a very busy student far from home, help hasn鈥檛 always been present. There鈥檚 always
been pressure to succeed in my academics, become strongly independent, and help my
single father when it comes to covering some if not most of the costs of my schooling.
During the previous semester as it was about to end, I was in need of housing as I
needed to stay in San Jos茅 and continue my education. However I wouldn鈥檛 be able to
pursue my academic career as I was in a housing crisis and had nowhere to stay and
would end up homeless.
Then a good friend of mine suggested 91传媒厂 Cares and expressed how they could help
me find a room. And when I reached out they quickly responded to me and gave me multiple
opportunities and different paths when it came to acquiring a room. They soon connected
me to one of the lovely families that work with the department and found me a place
to stay within a week span.
The biggest lesson I learned from this experiment is that no matter how unique your
situation may sound or how helpless you may feel, 91传媒厂 has resources of all kinds
and are more than capable of providing you with the best service possible. Also, I
learned that 91传媒厂 will always be there to greet you with the most loving arms no matter
who you are, where you鈥檙e from, and what your crisis is. This experience has revealed
to me that it鈥檚 okay to reach out to your surroundings when in need and I shouldn鈥檛
be ashamed of doing so."
- Eduardo Castro, '27 Aerospace Engineering
Slow Down with Teairra
"As a very involved student, balancing my social and emotional wellness hasn鈥檛 always
been easy. I used to feel pressure to attend every event, maintain strong grades,
and try to be 鈥渆verywhere at once.鈥� Over time, I realized that constantly pushing
myself to keep up with everything left me drained and not fully present in the moments
that mattered most.
Going into my third year, I鈥檝e made a conscious effort to create healthier habits.
I鈥檝e started setting boundaries and building a schedule that allows me to prioritize
both involvement and rest. I鈥檝e learned it鈥檚 okay to say no, step back, or miss an
event. When I give myself permission to recharge, I actually enjoy the events I do
attend so much more, because I鈥檓 showing up with genuine energy and excitement instead
of exhaustion.
I鈥檝e also leaned on resources like the Wellness Center and have gone to stress-relief
events on campus, which have reminded me to slow down and take care of myself. Socially,
I love spending time with my friends, but I鈥檝e realized I鈥檓 at my best with them when
I鈥檝e taken care of myself first. For me, that can look like listening to music, grabbing
ice cream, journaling, watching a movie, or simply taking a nap.
The biggest lesson I鈥檝e learned is that taking time for yourself isn鈥檛 selfish 鈥� it鈥檚
necessary. Prioritizing my social and emotional wellness has made me feel more balanced,
present, and fulfilled in my 91传媒厂 experience."
- Teairra Brown, '27 Radio-Television-Film and Public Relations
Gaining Experience with Zuriel
"During my time at 91传媒厂 I was proactive in searching for opportunities to gain experience in my career field. I joined the 91传媒厂 Career Center as a Data Analyst Intern, where I gained valuable experience that allowed me to progress further in my skills. One of the most memorable projects was building the Student Engagement Dashboard. This project involved bringing valuable data together into one central data source, which was then used to build a dashboard that visualized all important metrics ranging from topics like department productivity to Career Fair attendance trends. Thanks to the guidance and mentorship of my manager, Donna, we were able to complete this project effectively and streamlined the reporting for the Career Center. This experience benefited me greatly and helped me in landing my new position as a GTM Operations Analyst Intern at Five9."
- Zuriel Galeno, '25 Business Analytics
Landing the Job with Jasmine
"As a third year student, there鈥檚 pressure to land an internship before going into my fourth year. It is stressful to manage a busy schedule as a full time student working part time through school and wanting to search for an industry relevant job. To be proactive with my career, I attend Career Center drop-in hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. At drop-ins, I鈥檓 able to have a career counselor look over my resume and get instant feedback to meet my career goals. I鈥檝e learned additional tips and tricks I can apply to my job search moving forward, such as tailoring my resume towards my career interests and focusing on networking. Overall, it鈥檚 been efficient and helpful to attend drop-in hours as a form of self-care. It eases the stress of job searching as the drop-ins prepare me to apply for any position and have the confidence to present my best self wherever I go. Lastly, it has allowed me to familiarize myself both with the staff and resources available to me as a student."
- Jasmine Phan, '26 Computer Engineering
Fueling the Finish Line with Rishik
"Senior year at 91传媒厂, has shown me that success hinges on deliberate habits especially
when you鈥檙e juggling academics, work, and a semblance of a personal life. My gig at
the Spartan Food Pantry has been a masterclass in structure. I鈥檝e learned to kick
off my days with a quick 20-minute run at least three times a week, followed by a
protein-packed breakfast, like scrambled eggs, toast, and a hefty scoop of almond
butter, which fuels my focus for those marathon coding sessions and late night project
tweaks. The real game changer, though, comes from the Spartan Food Pantry itself,
and Hunger at Home鈥檚 free frozen meals. As a Spartan Food Pantry Student Assistant, I help in stocking
and distribute them, but as a student, I rely on them as well. These aren鈥檛 your average
freezer meals, they鈥檙e packed with flavor and nutrition, and flash-frozen to lock
it all in. After a long shift or a brutal study session, popping one in the microwave
means I鈥檓 eating well in minutes without grocery runs or dish duty required.
Since Hunger at Home started supplying the pantry, they鈥檝e donated thousands of meals
to 91传媒厂, tackling food insecurity for students like me who might otherwise skip dinner
to afford textbooks. I see it daily: hundreds of Spartans swinging by the pantry to
pick up meals as well as pantry stuff, quietly powered by this nonprofit鈥檚 mission
to redirect food waste into community support.
Beyond the food, it鈥檚 the people that keep me charged, classmates swapping shortcuts
for networking and coding, friends debating project ideas over coffee, and coworkers
at the pantry who get the grind. 91传媒厂鈥檚 mix of drive and community, paired with Hunger
at Home鈥檚 support, doesn鈥檛 just keep me going, it reminds me why I鈥檓 pushing through
this final year, one step at a time."
- Rishik Reddy Dammannagari, '25 Engineering Technology
Balancing it All with Ojas
"Maintaining a rhythm between academics, work, and personal life comes down to small,
intentional habits. Working at the Spartan Food Pantry has taught me to value structure鈥攚hether
it鈥檚 hitting the gym at least three times every week or starting each morning with
a hearty bowl of protein oatmeal loaded with nuts and seeds. This routine isn鈥檛 just
about staying fit; It keeps my brain fueled, sharpens my focus and gives me bursts
of energy that carry me through long study sessions or shifts. Add consistent hydration,
enough sleep, and blasting my favorite playlists during breaks, and suddenly the grind
feels sustainable, even on hectic days.
What really fuels me, though, is the energy of the people around me. San Jos茅 State鈥檚
vibrant community means I鈥檓 constantly surrounded by classmates and friends who push
their limits. Whether we鈥檙e swapping study tips, geeking out over projects, or just
chatting about life, there鈥檚 always something new to absorb. I鈥檝e realized success
here isn鈥檛 just about personal hustle鈥攊t鈥檚 about leaning into that collective energy
and letting it pull you forward. The campus environment, with its mix of ambition
and camaraderie, quietly reminds me why I love doing what I do."
- Ojas Ankush Naik, '25 MS Computer Science
Keeping Fit with Zach
"Being deeply involved in Spartan Recreation and club sports, I've experienced the profound impact of physical activity on my overall well-being. Working at the Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center (SRAC) and serving as the Team Captain for the Men's Rugby Club at 91传媒厂 has kept me physically active and shaped my college experience in ways I never anticipated. Regular physical activity has been crucial for my college life, providing a much-needed balance to the challenges of academic work. My involvement in rugby and Spartan Recreation has helped me manage stress and maintain a positive outlook during the most challenging academic periods. The social aspect of these activities has been equally important. Being part of a team and working at the recreation center has expanded my social network, creating a sense of community and bettering my mental health. I've experienced tremendous personal growth through the camaraderie and support of my teammates and colleagues. Additionally, my roles as a rugby team captain and rec center employee have developed my leadership and organizational skills, contributing to my personal growth. These experiences have taught me the value of time management, teamwork, and commitment 鈥� qualities that have positively influenced my academic performance and overall character. The physical dimension of wellness goes beyond just exercise; it's about creating a lifestyle that promotes health and vitality. By dedicating time to these fulfilling activities, I've found a sustainable way to maintain my physical and mental health throughout my college journey. This balance has been crucial in shaping me into the person and student I am today."
- Zach Tabangcura, '25 Kinesiology
Self-care with Gavriela
"With finals just around the corner, I鈥檝e found a few ways to help myself de-stress
and stay balanced during this busy time. One thing I like to do is make the most of
my study breaks. Taking intentional mental breaks is so important for me because it
helps prevent burnout and keeps me focused when I get back to studying. During these
breaks, I try to prioritize self-care activities that help me recharge and feel good.
Some of my favorite things to do include heading to the gym for a quick workout, going
for a short walk while listening to my favorite music, or even something as simple
as enjoying my skincare routine. I also love lighting a scented candle to create a
cozy vibe and treating myself to some of my favorite comfort snacks. These little
moments of self-care really make a big difference and help me get through the stress
of finals season.
Another great de-stresser is the massage chairs at the Student Wellness Center in
the Wellness Lounge! You can book an appointment on your Student Wellness Center Patient
Portal or in-person at the Wellness Lounge front desk. The massage chairs last 30
minutes, and you must bring a full-length shower towel and a clean pair of socks.
The massage chairs are a fantastic way to relax and rejuvenate both your mind and
body, helping you get into the right mindset for studying. They're definitely worth
trying out if you can find time in your schedule!"
- Gavriela Hearring, 鈥�26 Public Health
Find Purpose with Nick
"As a military member and a student at 91传媒厂, my time in service created a base and
a foundation for purposeful wellness, which has been vital in the development in my
academic journey. Thanks to the military, I now have an excellent sense for discipline,
resilience, and adaptability because, balancing academics and work the demands are
essential to maintain my well-being. Through trial and error with my time in service,
it taught me how important it is to maintain your mental and physical health, creating
cohesion with your team, and qualities of a leader. I now apply these beneficial traits
to my profession, academics and interaction with peers inside and outside of school.
Staying uncomfortable builds on my sense of purposeful wellness, I was put in leadership
roles early in my military career, leading, delegating, and being accountable for
others not just myself. Without these moments, I would not be as driven as I am today
towards the vision of becoming a strength and conditioning coach. One thing about
me is I enjoy being uncomfortable, which led me to committing to 91传媒厂. The unknown,
new faces, communities, and opportunities develop a growth mindset. I must be able
to chase new challenges, adapt, and overcome adversity, something that I feel that
continues to contribute to my success and positive outlook as a 91传媒厂 Spartan.
Here's a message I feel delivers a positive and impactful message toward Purposeful
Meaning, 鈥業t鈥檚 in beating the sun out of bed. It is in that extra rep, the extra mile.
It is in that session in the dark, in the rain, in the cold, that no one wants to
do. Champions are in love with the process. Their mindset is focused on the grind,
on finding the pain to endure. The wolf loves the hunt, he does not measure the time
it takes. The lioness loves the hunt, she will do it injured and in pain. They will
hunt until their last breath. The hunt is survival. This is what winners do, we chase,
we hunt. It does not matter the time it takes, it does not matter the pain along the
way, it does not matter the reward waiting at the end. It鈥檚 the love of the process.
It鈥檚 for the survival, the life, of our spirit. It鈥檚 not the prize, it鈥檚 the chase.鈥�"
- Nick Molina, '25 Kinesiology
Unwind with Anuhya
"As a student at San Jos茅 State University, I鈥檝e leveraged several campus resources to support my mental wellness. For starters, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library has been my go to place for a quiet and peaceful environment, perfect for studying and unwinding. Each floor has a different purpose and I love that it is catered towards 91传媒厂 students. The serene atmosphere of the library provides a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of campus life. I have taken advantage of the library鈥檚 extensive resources, including their study rooms! Whenever I go, there鈥檚 always a slew of students across all the floors. It gives me a sense of comfort knowing that we鈥檙e all in the same boat, whether it鈥檚 studying for finals or catching up with friends. For me, it鈥檚 important to find places that allow you to recharge and help you be productive at the same time. Remember, wellness is everywhere!"
- Anuhya Pennepalli, '26 Public Health
