With high school coming to an end for our seniors, college is around the corner! This can be exciting and or overwhelming for some students going on to the next chapter of their life. Whether it’s leaving their hometown and families to learning to be more self dependent, many major life changes are on the horizon. For Nicole Curutchague (12) , life is going to change come September. Curutchague reflects on the memories she’s made, the challenges she overcame, and the goals she hopes to achieve in the future.
Curutchague committed to University of California, Davis, where she plans on majoring in Chemical Engineering. With a strong interest in science and problem solving, she is eager to dive into a field that will challenge her academically while opening doors to a wide range of career opportunities. Curutchague sai ,“ I knew UC Davis was the right fit for me when I went to visit and fell in love with the campus, community, and how kind the people are.”
Curutchague also shared more about what stood out to her during her campus visit, especially the welcoming atmosphere and unique campus traditions that made her feel at home. She explained that she is excited but also aware of the challenges that come with transitioning to college-level coursework. Because she took many different AP courses throughout high school, she had an idea of what to expect. Despite the nerves that come with such a big change, she is looking forward to all of the animals. Curutchague said,“I chose Davis over other schools because of all the animals they have. For example, for finals week they let out all their animals for people to pet in the quad.”
Leaving home is often seen as an exciting step forwards to independence, but for many students, it comes with deep emotional cost. As Curutchague shared, “The challenge I had to overcome to get here was to leave my family, friends, and boyfriend for college,” she explained, highlighting a struggle that hasn’t fully happened yet, but already feels real. This decision wasn’t just about choosing a school, it meant stepping out of her comfort zone, leaving the people who had shaped her daily life, and sense of comfort. Moving to college requires her to balance ambition with sacrifice, showing that personal growth sometimes begins with difficult goodbyes.
In addition to the challenges ahead, she is eager for what college has to offer. “I’m excited to learn how to create things with others that can benefit everyone, and also to communicate to make something amazing,” she said.
Making it clear her passion for collaboration and her hope to be part of something bigger than herself, using communication and teamwork to bring ideas to life.
