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Advice Student Life at VC

How to Master Balancing Multiple Responsibilities as a Community College Student

Many community college students have other responsibilities they have to balance on top of school. This could be working full-time jobs, parenting, managing mental health, and other major responsibilities that could interfere or hinder education. Balancing these roles can feel overwhelming and exhausting. For this article, I talked with students from different backgrounds about how they balance school and life. It looks at the challenges they face and shares tips that might help others dealing with similar struggles.

Heather Ornelas, a student parent attending Ventura College, has experienced times in her life where she was caring for her mother, raising her teenage son, and attending school full-time all at once. She admitted that,

“It can feel overwhelming trying to give your best in every area of your life at once.”

Heather shares a feeling that many student parents experience, which is the pressure to do well in school while still caring for family. This stressful situation can have a big impact on mental health if not managed. That’s why having a strong plan is so important when life gets busy. Staying organized is how Heather balances hers.

“I rely a lot on planning ahead. I check Canvas daily, write down all my deadlines, and break bigger assignments into smaller steps so they don’t pile up. I also try to work ahead when I know I have a busy week coming up.”

These tips reduce a lot of stress and make time for other responsibilities. Having a structured schedule and planning ahead can really make a difference for students. When mapping out your week, setting aside time for classes, work shifts, and family, everything will start to feel more manageable.

On stressful days, prioritizing mental health is really important. For Heather, she uses campus resources and focuses on her personal wellness to help manage stress.

“I’ve used counseling resources on campus, which helped me talk through things instead of holding everything in. I’ve also started going to the gym regularly, which has made a huge difference in managing stress and anxiety.”

It’s important to use school resources when you need assistance or guidance. A lot of students try to handle stress, problems with academics, or financial challenges on their own, but colleges provide many helpful resources that they could be using for help. Many colleges offer counseling, tutoring, advising, and other support systems specifically to help students navigate difficult situations.

Every students situation is difference, so the way they manage their responsibilities will be different too. While some, like Heather, juggle parenting and caregiving, others, like Eddie, that have to manage the physical and mental strain of full-time employment.

A full-time mechanic and student, Eddie has days that are often long and exhausting. His biggest challenge, he explained, has been:

“Getting a full 8 hours of sleep, squeezing in time for homework, and balancing my personal life.”

After spending most of his day at work, he has found that he has little energy to focus on assignments. This can easily lead to missing assignments, grade drops, or added stress if not managed carefully. To prevent this, Eddie has found some solutions that has helped him:

“I plan ahead and map out deadlines on a calendar to stay on top of homework. I like to set reminders a few days before assignments are due to help prevent stress. I also think it’s important to create a consistent weekly routine, such as dedicating certain times of the day for homework.”

Planning a schedule you can consistently follow that fits your daily responsibilities can make a significant difference in staying organized and productive. Building a steady routine will also improve discipline and make you feel in control of a busy life.

Heather and Eddie’s experiences show that balance isn’t about having fewer responsibilities but more about managing them correctly. Their stories show the importance of planning, using available resources, protecting mental health, and staying on top of assignments.

Hopefully, these tips and experiences from community college students can give guidance and encouragement as you manage your own busy schedule.

Categories
Food & Beverage Food & Dining Local Business Spotlight

Local Ventura County Asian Eats You Don’t Want to Miss

Are you tired of eating the same boring Asian cuisine? If so, I would highly recommend you trying Minato Sushi as well as Matna 1631.

If you are in the mood for some sushi, go visit Minato Sushi, which is located in Thousand Oaks. When you walk into the restaurant you first notice the layout. They have an area where you can watch the chefs prepare the food as well as the brown trimmings along the wall which give off a Japanese-style vibe. For someone who does not eat that much sushi I was overwhelmed with the many sushi roll options that they provided. So I talked to a customer named Andy and asked him what his favorite rolls were and why he enjoyed coming to Minato Sushi.

“In my opinion, Minato Sushi has the freshest fish in Ventura County and my favorite sushi roll on the menu would have to be Crunch Roll.”

For someone who is not fan of raw fish, this Crunch Roll is a great substitute to fit your sushi cravings. The outer shell was crispy and the salmon, tuna, albacore, and crab were cooked perfectly and it was paired with this eel sauce and aioli that was sweet and savory which complimented the fish well. Most of all the service was excellent and the staff were very professional making it a great experience.

Another restaurant you should try out is Matna 1631 in Ventura, which specializes in Korean cuisine. The word Matna is translated to “delicious” in Korean and the number 1631 is an important number to the owner Yuri Kim. When you first enter the restaurant you are greeted by the workers. The decorations and lighting are bright and comfy and give off a cute vibe.

When I talked to one of the workers, Olivia, she was very helpful when recommending what to order and how to pair the certain Korean sauces with the dish. She suggested I order the Rose Tteok-bokki, and the Katsu.

The Rose Tteok-bokki had a nice bouncy and chewy texture, which when mixed with that rich tomatoes sauce, enhanced the dish. The katsu was juicy and had a nice crispy crust and dipped in the sweet and spicy sauce that Olivia had recommended balanced out the dish. I think the staff knew I was Korean because as I was about to leave they all said “annyeong gaseyo” which means goodbye in Korean and I thought that was pretty funny.

If you ever happen to be around either place go in and give it a try and you will not be disappointed with the service or food.

Categories
Arts & Entertainment music Student Life at VC

Built on Passion: Inside the Rise of Mothcage

Latest Show at Femfest in Oxnard

This is Mothcage. The first notes cut through the noise, and the energy immediately shifts. For the audience, it looks effortless. But for the members of Mothcage, especially one VC student who dreamed of this for years, the journey to that stage was anything but easy.

Itzel Vocalist/Guitarist

Itzel, a student at Ventura College, was surrounded by music growing up, fueling her desire to start a band. “I always had the dream of having a band when I was older ever since I was a kid,” she said. Growing up surrounded by music made that dream feel possible. Her dad had been in a band in his twenties and would tell her stories about his experiences as a musician. “Naturally, I was inspired.”

She faced many challenges. One of the hardest was trying to find people who had the same passion. “I hadn’t come across musicians that were motivated enough.” This made it hard to start the band she hoped to build. But it wouldn’t stop her from making it happen. Itzel kept trying until she finally found her bandmates. The people she connected with, people who shared that same passion.

Mothcage has taught the members to stay emotionally connected with each other, which Itzel says is “the most important thing of all.” Even with challenges like losing two of their guitarists, they stayed connected with each other. It showed their strength as a band because they kept moving forward no matter what happened. As Itzel said, “Music is always worth fighting for.”

Evelyn bassist
Naomi rhythm guitarist
Diamaya drummer

Balancing personal life, school, and being in a band can be hard to manage, but they make time to balance it all. Getting through assignments throughout the week, using the weekends for writing music, personal practice, and rehearsals. This makes it easier to balance everything by setting aside time for each responsibility.

The band is devoted to continuing to push forward and sticking together. The moment it finally felt real is something she still remembers clearly. “It was when me and my other bandmates finished running through our first original song. We all looked at each other with pure excitement and accomplishment after hearing our first song together.” That shared excitement marked the true beginning of Mothcage. And they aren’t slowing down. They are already planning shows outside of the local scene, including venues in Los Angeles. Their goal is simple but meaningful: “to share a piece of our soul and passion through our music.”

Follow them on their Socials!

Categories
Business Food & Dining Local Business Spotlight

The Good, The Bad and the Hungry

“I probably go to Marco’s once, if not twice a week.”

Marco’s Pizza is a staple of quality food at an affordable restaurant in Ventura County. Although it is a chain restaurant, the closest one to here can be found in Canoga Park. Otherwise it is in a different state entirely. Recently, Marco’s has undergone several closures in other states. Upon my recent discovery, as well as many other Ventura locals and students who depend on Marco’s for a weekly pick me up (when cooking seems out of the question) – the sign on their door left in early January seemed to show that they were yet another member of the chain to experience a closure. “I probably go to Marco’s once if not twice a week,” says Angelo Zirpolo, a local mother and student. “What’s crazy is I had just got it the night before the sign went up in their door.” And Angela is not alone as 41% of Americans get pizza at least once a week. The number grows to 55 to 75% of Americans if you exclude pizza and just look at eating out once a week or more. The good news is this closure is temporary which wasn’t known until the recent sign replacing the old one informed us they are simply temporarily closed due to a change in ownership. This comes as great news as we definitely see a revolving door of restaurants coming and going in Ventura County and we myself included love our staples. The other good news is Topper’s, another (and if not more loved) pizza restaurant is alive and well until Marco’s doors open up again. The thing in my opinion that separates Marco’s from other Pizza joints is their journey as well as their vow to use organic ingredients as seen on their website. Quality ingredients (without endocrine disrupting additives like the ones seen in Dominos Pizza and Little Caesar’s) coupled with affordability seems priceless at a time when prices seem to do nothing but rise every time we blink an eye. With that being said, we look ahead and forward to the near future when Marco’s is back open.

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Business Food & Beverage Food & Dining Local Business Spotlight Social Media Student Life at VC

Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters Has the Top 5 Beverages in Town!

Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters, located at The Collection in The Annex in Oxnard, is known for its popular and high quality drinks. The top five best selling drinks are the Cloudy Day Matcha, The VCB , Iced Shaken Expresso, Horchata Cold Brew and Bourbon Caramel Latte. The Bourbon latte ranks first because it has a smooth, sweet flavor that you can’t ever go wrong with. The iced Shaken Expresso latte ranks second and is also very popular, especially on warm days, strong with a refreshing taste. The matcha latte stands out as a unique option, not the biggest fan of matcha I rank it third and the VCB wasn’t personally a favorite of mine, it has a very bidder taste with a not so good after taste, as for the Horchata Cold Brew I was rank that last place it taste like watered down cinnamon water. Overall, these drinks represent the shop’s most popular and customer favorite choices!

The spot is a welcoming spot that makes a great study place for students. The cozy inside area and the outdoor seating give people plenty of space to sit, focus, and relax while working on homework or meeting with friends. The atmosphere feels calm and comfortable, which helps students stay productive. The pricing is also reasonable, with most drinks ranging from about $8 to $9. They offer a wide variety of drink options along with pastries, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy while studying.

The service was excellent there, they all seemed friendly to one another as well as to the customers they made conversation asking how are days went as well as other small talk.

The local barista from Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters Alexis says, “Not only do we serve fresh coffee everyday we also have a great connection with our loyal customers and that’s something that I can say why we’re the best coffee spot in town.”

Once again, here’s the Top 5 coffee beverages at Ragamuffin:

  • Cloudy Day Matcha
  • The VCB
  • Horchata Cold Brew
  • Iced Shaken Expresso
  • The Bourbon latte
Categories
Advice Student Life at VC

5 Easy Side Hustles for Broke College Students

Many students struggle with the costs of everyday life and many of them don’t even have time for regular part-time jobs. As someone who has also been actively looking for more ways to increase the amount in their bank account, I thought that I could help others by sharing my findings. Therefore, I’ve compiled a list of common easy side hustles that people do for some extra cash. These can be easily implemented into your routine without taking over your entire schedule.

  1. Selling Homemade Goods

Many people already have a hobby that they enjoy. Whether it’s crocheting, clay art, baked goods etc. If you already have something that you enjoy doing, you can potentially turn that into cash. You can easily set up an Etsy, Facebook, or eBay page and put your homemade goods up for sale. Depending on your skill level and other market prices, price your goods accordingly. Eventually you may be able to start taking orders or feedback from customers to better your products.

2. Campus Tutoring

Ventura College offers a wide variety of on campus jobs and one of them is their campus tutoring program. You can be a drop-in tutor which is where you choose your hours and go to the tutoring center and kind of wait for students to come (which can be easy money), OR you can be an embedded tutor where you have an assigned class. The requirements are that you have a minimum 3.0 GPA, an A or B in the subject you will be tutoring in, are in good academic standing, and you need a faculty recommendation. You don’t have to be a full-time student so that can allow for more freedom and working hours. Their pay rates are $17.33/hr for drop-in tutoring and $18.19/hr for an embedded tutor. The downside is that you can’t apply anytime you feel like it. Sign-ups seem to be only at the end of the semester. Join Our Team | Ventura College

3. Rover

Rover is an app/website where pet-owners can hire people to pet-sit or walk their animals. You can set your own rate and work your own hours. If you decide to put yourself at a minimum wage rate of $16.90 in the state of California, and work of a minimum of 10 hours a week, that means you can cash an extra $160/wk. It may not seem like much but it can add up and cover some basic costs or extra personal interests you may have.

4. Food Delivery Services

There are many food delivery services that are readily available now such as DoorDash, Grubhub etc. If you have a car, you can make this work a bit easier (keep in mind cost of gas), but there are also many people who use bikes to deliver food. People make most of their money on food delivery services through tips, and payments vary per delivery. Some tips I found were to work during peak hours. These would include lunch and dinner hours where people are more likely to order food.

5. Flipping/Reselling Items

I interviewed a fellow VC student and he said that he buys cameras off Facebook, eBay, or local thrift shops and: cleans/fixes them up, makes sure they function well, and packages them to resell for a small profit. His hobby is collecting cameras and he wants to be a photo journalist so this extra cash grab also allows him to further his knowledge of cameras and their value/quality. This shows that you can take something you are already interested in and already do and make a profit. It may not be much monetarily but the value of honing his skills more makes up for that. This can be done with clothing, toys, furniture, other electronics etc. There are so many opportunities.

One last little thing I’d like to add. Make sure that for whatever you decide to do, you plan it out accordingly. Keep in mind your actual net profit after expenses and taxes.

Finally, I asked our fellow VC student if he had any final words of advice or of encouragement and here’s what he had to say:

“Understand that it isn’t going to be “easy” easy, but that hard work will pay off. Don’t overwhelm yourself and start with a huge task or expectation. Don’t worry. If one thing doesn’t work out, don’t be afraid to try something different.”
-Quentin Giesea Obeck

Categories
Local Business Spotlight

A Family, A Farm, A Legacy: The Maulhardt Family

Since 1867, the Maulhardt family has helped shape Ventura County’s agricultural landscape, building not just a farming operation, but a lasting commitment to the community. Jeff Maulhardt, a fifth-generation Oxnard native, represents that history today. When I met Jeff Maulhardt in person, I quickly realized I wasn’t just learning about a farm, I was learning about a legacy that began over 150 years ago. Sitting down with him and hearing the story firsthand made it clear that the Maulhardt family’s impact on Ventura County goes far beyond agriculture. For over a century, their family has worked the land while adapting to change and staying deeply connected to the community.

During our conversation, I asked Jeff what Oxnard was like when his family first arrived. “There was absolutely no farming yet; this 44,000 acres that became Oxnard had no trees,” said Jeff. As he spoke, I tried to picture that empty landscape and compare it to the busy city we see today. The contrast was striking.

After reflecting on the past, I wanted to understand the future. I asked Jeff how young people today can get involved in continuing the legacy his family helped create. “By visiting different historic sites in the county and finding something that connects to them,” he said. His response emphasized that involvement begins with awareness. By exploring local history and understanding the roots of the community, young people can discover what inspires them and find their own place within Ventura County’s evolving story.

Meeting Jeff made it clear that the Maulhardt story is not just about one family, it is part of Ventura County’s broader identity. As the Oxnard continues to grow, remembering how it began may be the key to shaping where it goes next.

Categories
Student Life at VC

Breaking the Stigma: Ventura College’s Basic Needs Center Supports Student Stability

Academic success often depends on more than grades and attendance. For many Ventura College students, access to food, technology, and basic necessities plays a critical role in their ability to remain enrolled and focused.

Located in the same building as Financial Aid and the Dreamer Center, Ventura College’s Basic Needs Center serves as a centralized support hub for students experiencing financial strain or temporary hardship. The center provides weekly grocery distribution, hygiene items, technology assistance, and referrals to campus and community resources.

Exterior entrance of Ventura College Basic Needs Center and Dreamers Center building.
Exterior view of Ventura College’s Basic Needs Center, located in the same building as Financial Aid and the Dreamers Center.

During a recent visit, the space was organized and welcoming. Clearly labeled shelves, posted selection limits, and structured distribution guidelines emphasized fairness and accessibility. Students moved through the process calmly, selecting grocery items while staff and student workers provided support.

Ventura College Basic Needs Center bread and bakery shelves stocked with bagels, loaves, muffins, and pastries for student distribution.
Shelves of bread, bagels, muffins, and pastries available to Ventura College students through the Basic Needs Center grocery program.
Refrigerated grocery section at Ventura College’s Basic Needs Center displaying fresh produce, dairy items, and labeled selection limits for students.
The refrigerated section includes fresh produce, dairy products, and perishable items, with clearly posted selection limits to ensure fair distribution among students.
Shelving units inside Ventura College’s Basic Needs Center stocked with canned goods, boxed foods, grains, and clearly labeled section limits.
Shelves stocked with canned goods, rice, pasta, and other pantry staples are organized by section, with posted limits to ensure equitable access for all students.
Daily snack section inside Ventura College’s Basic Needs Center offering grab-and-go items for students.
The daily snack area provides quick, accessible options for students needing immediate nourishment between classes.

Maria and Vanessa, who help coordinate operations within the center, emphasize that the program is designed to reduce barriers that interfere with academic progress. “Our goal is to remove obstacles so students can focus on their education,” they explained. “Asking for help should not feel stigmatized.”

Vanessa shares how the Basic Needs Center supports students beyond the classroom by addressing food insecurity and connecting them to essential campus resources.

Beyond food assistance, the center connects students to counseling services, housing support, CalFresh enrollment assistance, and other campus programs. For students balancing work, family responsibilities, and coursework, these resources can significantly impact retention and completion rates.

Technology support is another important component. Students who lack reliable computer access can receive assistance, ensuring they are able to complete assignments and participate fully in academic requirements.

While some students may hesitate to seek help, the Basic Needs Center exists specifically to serve Ventura College students. By prioritizing dignity, organization, and accessibility, the program reinforces the college’s broader commitment to student success.

As awareness grows, the Basic Needs Center continues to play an essential role in supporting students beyond the classroom — proving that stability and access are foundational to academic achievement.

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Arts & Entertainment Business Fashion & Retail

The 3 Best Vintage Shops in Ventura, and Why You Should Ditch Fast Fashion

Location: Olive’s Vintage

If your first thought after reading the title is that you would never shop second hand, this article probably isn’t what you want to read. I think that is exactly why you should continue reading. 

Ventura has some of the most unique and wonderful vintage shops for being a quiet beach town. That alone is all the more reason to check them out. What is there to do for fun in a small town? Vintage and antique stores bring a lot of charm to the area, and people’s lives. If you’ve never been to a vintage shop before or are just curious, let me be your guide to the top 3 in this nook of Southern California.

My first recommendation is Poppies Vintage, located in midtown Ventura. This store carries such gorgeous pieces, and the whole spot is full of color and life. Garments, shoes, and bags that date back to the 60s and 70s! Even if you just enjoy aesthetic interior, you would likely be fond of Poppies Vintage. To top it off, there is a section dedicated to local business’ merchandise for purchase, such as handmade candles and novelties. Poppies is warm and inviting, and you wouldn’t regret a visit. 

Location: Poppies Vintage

My next pick would have to be Out West Market, which seems to be growing a wider customer base through social media. This shop is special, not only for their curated one of a kind items, but the space itself. Out West has a lovely western theme, with decor of all kinds on every inch of the walls. One of the highlights being an indoor and outdoor area, which is sweet if you want to enjoy browsing on a sunny day. OW also offers bins with bargain prices, so you can shop even with just $5 in your wallet. 

Last but not least, and my personal favorite choice, Olive’s Vintage. There may or may not be a hint of bias here, but I encourage you to hear me out. Olive’s Vintage is located downtown and owned by the lovely Jeannie Rollo, kind-hearted and knows a gem when she sees it. Jeannie has been collecting knickknacks, clothes, art, and everything under the sun, pretty much her whole life. I asked her why she decided to start selling vintage. 

“I had so much of it. I thought I should share it with other people, and give it a new life. So that this collection can get a new home”

With such a wide range and variety of Jeannie’s collection, the space feels authentic and true to what vintage is all about. Vintage items can be best described as timeless, whimsical, and chock-full of stories. Jeannie has an eye for art, whether it’s for sale or just decor. She also has her own pieces hanging around, along with her previous studio that appeals to many visitors. For Jeannie, it’s truly not about a sale, as she keeps her prices more affordable than most and tailored to each item. I wanted to know if Jeannie had any insight for why vintage is a better alternative than fast fashion and big retail.

“It has a past life. Vintage is just made better, and made to last, even all this time. You can tell how much people have put work in to make these things. They are like pieces of art, that you just treasure more.”

Whether you have been shopping vintage for a while, or you don’t know much about it, I urge you to take a visit to a local vintage store (even if it’s not on this list). Purchasing antique and vintage items, especially clothing, helps reduce waste and promotes sustainability. By shopping vintage, you purchase with intention. You are taking home an item with a story behind it, and the quality to last you just possibly another generation. If you do it right, you may even find it saves you money long term. Instead of buying poorly made, new retail clothes that need frequent replacing, you have something that dazzles your wardrobe or home for years to come. Bring some whimsy into your life! 

Categories
Business Fashion & Retail Food & Beverage Food & Dining Local Business Spotlight Student Life at VC

Best Ventura County Hidden Gem

If you have been looking for the perfect coffee shop in Ventura County let me introduce you to Heritage Coffee & Gifts. This family owned coffee shop is located on 210 W 7th Street in Oxnard, California. You can find it as one of the many establishments in Heritage Square. It is owned and managed by Fernando and Teresa Larios and their son Carlos Larios. They offer specialty espresso and coffee drinks, as well as sandwiches and pastries.

While I was here, I ordered two drinks and a sandwich to really try this place out and give it an honest review. The drinks that I ordered were a honey lavender latte and a turmeric latte. I also got their caprese panini.

I decided on the honey lavender latte (pictured on the left) because the barista said that one was her favorite, so I had to give it a try. I loved that it was not overly sweet. I find that a lot of coffee places have overly sweet drinks where you can barely taste the coffee. This drink had the perfect subtle sweet with a dash of florals from the lavender. I can definitely see why this was one of her favorites.

I ordered the turmeric latte (pictured above on the right) because I had never seen or heard of anything like that before. I was so intrigued that I had to try it. I’m surprised to say it was really good. I thought it was not going to taste the best because turmeric is generally supposed to have a warm, bitter, earthy taste to it. I can definitely pick up hints of that but in a good way. The warmth was very slight and after the first few sips you could barely notice it. I quite enjoyed the earthy taste of it. I’d say the turmeric latte is on the same level of earthy flavor as a Thai tea would be.

I very much enjoyed both of those drinks and would get them again. I got my drinks with oat milk instead of cows milk and I am so thankful that they had other options. As someone who is both vegetarian and lactose intolerant, I am grateful when places have accommodations.

In addition to the drinks, I also got their caprese panini which has pesto, mozzarella cheese, and sun dried tomatoes on sourdough bread. The panini was freshly made to order so it was warm and melty. The bread was toasted to perfection with satisfying char marks on the side. Honestly one of the best sandwiches I’ve had in a while. There is something to great when a simple recipe is done well.

I had the pleasure of getting to speak to Mr. Carlos Larios (owner/manager) when I went into the store to try it out. He was very kind and a great conversationalists. We started talking about what exactly they sell, when he said something that made me smile.

“More than anything, we really want to create a friendly and welcoming environment for everyone who comes in.”

I can say that they 100% accomplish that feeling. From the second I stepped foot inside, the room was filled with people talking and laughing. There was only one open table, which told me that business was going well. What makes this place feel so homey and unique is because it is in an actual house. All of Heritage Square is made of old houses turned into shops or businesses. The coffee shop is where a front living room would essentially be. Make sure to check out the video below to get a peak of what the inside looks like.

Inside, there is a fire place with a TV above it that plays calming and relaxing music on Spotify so people can see what they are listening to. In front of the fireplace is a coffee table that is surrounded by sofas. It really helps to bring that warm and welcoming feeling in. It truly does feel like you just stepped into someone’s home. They even have a counter designated for other local businesses cards so their customers can see and take them. The video also highlights the gift shop that is connected to the coffee shop. The gift shop features all handmade items. Some of them were even made by the owner Teresa Larios.

If you are in the area, this place is a can’t miss! I might have found my new favorite go to spot and I can’t wait to try out the other things they have to offer. Make sure to also follow them on their social media, linked below.