4 ways to explore your cultural identity and find community in college
I remember the joy and excitement I felt when I was accepted into the University of Southern California, or USC, but nothing could have prepared me for the transition to my new environment. I went from attending a high school that was extremely diverse to a Predominantly White Institution, or PWI, that only had 5% in the population who looked like me.
Though the transition to higher education was jarring and difficult to adjust to, as I enter my third year of college, I have found resources and methods that have helped me find community. Many first-year college students face similar challenges finding community, but colleges understand this fact and offer lots of resources.
Here are some ways to navigate college life as a Black, Indigenous and Person of Color, or BIPOC, student.
1. Join and get involved in your school’s cultural clubs
Seriously, get involved. One of the main regrets of juniors and seniors in undergrad is not getting involved and what better way to be involved than in something that is about YOU!
During my school’s club fair, an annual event showcasing the school’s on-campus organizations, I intentionally sought out Black-affinity clubs to connect with other students like me. I saw clubs for Black pre-med students, Asian debate teams, Latinos in law, and more that promoted community-specific resources for vast ranging careers.
At USC, I joined the Pan-African Student Association and became a board member; and during my second year at Los Medanos College, I joined the Umoja Scholars program. Both clubs not only became my safe space to openly talk about my experiences as a Black student but gave me amazing opportunities like when the Umoja program flew me out and 11 other students for a full expense paid trip to visit Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs.
Every school has their own variations of these clubs. If you feel they don’t capture your personal identity and the intersectionality it holds, create your own!
2. Visit your college’s multi-cultural center for student support
I also frequented my college’s Black cultural center where I often was able to hear about upcoming events and hang out with other students like me. When I attended USC, every room was dedicated to student’s different culture and identity like Latinx people (La CASA), Asian and Pacific Islanders (APASS), Native Americans (MENA Lounge), and Middle Eastern/North Africans (NAPL), and many more.
The Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs, known as CBSCA, became the hang out spot for my friends and me during my freshmen year and we often did homework, got food and snacks, and watched movies. Other Black students would advertise their small businesses like haircuts, braiders, nail techs which we’re great since they often offered discounts and convenience for students.
One day when I sat in the Black cultural center, I saw a flyer calling for applicants for the planning committee of the 2024 Black Graduation Ceremony. It wasn’t posted anywhere else, so I decided to apply and take the chance, and I was selected. The great opportunity left me with valuable skills and memories from participating in the ceremony and planning the event, but I would have never known about it if I didn’t spend time in the Black center.
3. Consider living in a university Living Learning Community
My first year at USC, I lived in McCarthy’s honors residential dorm for students who received merit scholarships from the university. I was able to reside with 600 other honors students, which made it easier for me to make friends. In fact, that’s how I met my best friend, Kailyn, who lived right across from me in our residential hall.
Like the honors housing, there were other affinity-specific housing dorms or floors, known as Living Learning Communities, or LLCs. They are available in on-campus housing like a Black and Latinx floor, LGBTQIA+ floor, or an international residents’ floor. My floors hosted events like movie and game nights, potlucks, and hosted ticket giveaways to sports games and local museums.
Living in shared commonality and community allows for bonds to form easily, taking away some of the nerves and anxiety that comes with making friends in freshmen year and even beyond.
4. Take care of your mental health while in college
College is a stressful time, being away from your family, managing schoolwork, and when compounded with being a minority, your mental health can take a hit.
First and foremost, it is essential that you take care of yourself. School will always be there but if your mental health fails or is not stable, it will impact all other aspects of your life (academically, physically, socially, etc.). Practicing self-care and taking ‘mental health days’ to rest and recover can allow you to prevent the dreaded burnout many students feel by the end of the year.
Holding on to your hobbies and having fun like spending time with your friends, watching a movie, going to the beach or visiting a park are all simple ways to incorporate rest into your routine.
Also, consider seeking out the mental health resources at your college or university, especially if you’re covered by the school’s health insurance. Universities often offer many support services like therapy, counseling, and support groups to students facing mental health crises and even students who just need general support.
Reminder: If you or anyone you know are considering harming themselves or others, please contact 988 or your university’s safety department.
Your cultural identity, just like your college experience, is a unique one, which is yours and yours alone to explore.
My first year of college was filled with unforgettable memories thanks to the people I met, but this may have never happened if I did not intentionally seek those communities. College comes with its own set of challenges that will require you to lean on your support system if you want to succeed, and being actively connected with your culture is one way to do that.
