Everyone warns you about culture shock before you go abroad. They tell you about language barriers, homesickness and the confusion of navigating a foreign country. What nobody prepares you for is the reverse culture shock of returning back home.
When I returned to Cal Poly after a semester in Spain, I expected a seamless transition back into my old life. Instead, I found myself struggling with something I never anticipated: the amount of time school demands here in comparison to abroad.
Tag: student
Overwhelmed and understimulated: The TikTok paradox
It’s 2 a.m. and my eyes hurt. My brain feels like static. I’m exhausted and wired and bored all at once–which shouldn’t be possible, but here we are. I’ve been scrolling TikTok for three hours and couldn’t name a single video I watched. I close the app, feel a wave of relief yet immediately open it again.
Something is very wrong here.
Rest for success: The science behind sleep and why students need it
Towards the end of my freshman year, after a week straight of surviving on less than five hours of sleep each night, I found myself blankly staring at my computer in my common room, trying to complete a simple assignment that should have taken 30 minutes.
This night became my breaking point. I quickly realized that sleep was much more important than I ever recognized. Once I learned to prioritize it, my physical, social and emotional health all improved significantly. I wish I knew then what I know now: making sleep a priority isn’t just good for your health, it actually improves your grades.
The benefits of being single in college: a love story with myself
One month ago, I was crying into my pillow and scarfing down a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Today, I’m still alone but experiencing a revelation that feels almost scandalous to admit: this breakup might be the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time.
After two stressful and exhausting relationships, I’ve stumbled into a truth nobody warned me about: being single in college is actually… amazing?
Finals suck, so here are some study tips that actually work
I’m here to share all that I’ve learned and my best study tips for what actually works. Keep in mind: what works for me may not work perfectly for you, but these tips are backed by reliable research and proven to be helpful for many.
Cal Poly and extended community remembers Kenneth Taylor
Mechanical engineering junior Kenneth Taylor deeply impacted those around him with his adventurous spirit, kind heart and passion for the outdoors.
Student filmmakers debut on the big screen: Here’s what to expect
Nine years ago, when Filmmaker Randi Barros was a new professor at Cal Poly, she was approached by the former Director of the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, Wendy Eidson.
Sofia Padoan, remembered by Cal Poly and extended community
Friends, teammates and loved ones from all stages of Sofia’s life shared stories of her uplifting spirit, endless ambition on the Cal Poly KKG Instagram.
AI voice cloning causes phone scams, hitting one Cal Poly family
When Will Trapp’s parents called their son in a panic, convinced he had been in a horrible accident, he was at home studying.
Fire in Yosemite residence hall, one student with minor injuries, 58 students displaced
Editor’s note: This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. An electrical fire broke out in the Yosemite residence hall early Thursday morning, causing minor injuries for one student and displacing 58 students, according to university emails obtained by Mustang News. The fire occurred around 3:15 a.m. in Yosemite […]
Cal Poly is the only predominantly white CSU. Here’s why
It wasn’t until after their high school’s sports signing day that civil engineering junior and track athlete Kaila Bishop found out they would be one of 23 Black students enrolled in Cal Poly’s class of 2022. The class consisted of 4,398 freshmen total. “I was a little scared,” Bishop said. “But not much, because I […]

