Tag: college student life

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community Culture & Student Life

For Future Pirates

There is something special at Ventura College most may not know about. There is a learning opportunity for children between the ages of 2-5. The Orfalea Child development center is at the far west end of campus at Telegraph and West Campus Way. The emphasis of the center on STEM education has earned them the Golden Gear award in 2019.” The center is one of the top programs in the county”, states Deanna Hall a professor and co-chair of the center. She has been in education for 35 years. Students enrolled in the Early Education program earn their associate’s degrees while not only observing but actual hands-on experience working with the children at the center. 

The classes are small with a 1 to 10 ratio and the classrooms for the children aged 3,4 and 5 will never go over 20. The 2-year-old class has one teacher for every 6 children. The advanced students will serve as teachers’ aide alongside permanent highly qualified teachers employed by Ventura College. The school’s outside learning lab has a garden where children can not only plant and grow their own vegetables but fulfill their desire to play at the mud table. The center has a “jungle” of trees that provide opportunities to look for lady bugs in the grass and be young explorers. The outdoor area also has a constructed river with rocks and logs to play on. The sensory adventure continues with what else but a pirate ship to play on. 

The center has scholarships available for qualified students; more information can be found by visiting the center or emailing vcchilddev@vcccd.edu. The quality care is comparable to most child learning centers. The center is family focused as it encourages parents to participate in volunteering and hosts STEM Day events twice a year. The center has built the curriculum to ignite the children’s imagination and lay the foundation that will begin their educational journey. For more information on how you can take advantage of this program visit https://www.venturacollege.edu/departments/student-services/child-development-center

Categories
Food & Beverage Local Business Uncategorized

Carnitas is King

Ventura has a new gem! Carnitas El Rey, 2437 E Main St

By Nancy Olascuaga & Deseray Radziewicz

El Rey’s restaurant’s indulgent carnitas originate from where they are best made: Michoacan (an elegant state of Mexico known for its rich ancient culture, magnificent landmarks, and flavorful carnitas). Eating here felt like we didn’t have to travel all the way to Michoacan to satisfy our juicy carnitas cravings.

Carnitas El Rey entrance, 2437 E. Main St, Ventura, CA
Michoacan styled murals adorn the restaurant walls.

Along the Way

Currently Carnitas El Rey has three locations in Oxnard, Santa Paula and now Ventura. All three El Rey restaurants and it’s Owners: Juan and Gricelda Zavala, have an impressive reputation for their authentic real deal Michoacan style carnitas.

Pinto beans, rice, homemade tortilla, carnitas, Agua de Tamarindo.

The Food

Nancy and I went to Carnitas El Rey to check it out. What we found was a beautifully decorated atmosphere and authentic Michoacan carnitas that were tender, full f flavor, and all around fabulous. A couple tips from fellow VC Social blogger Nick Lerma, get there early because they are SO GOOD that they could run out, and make sure to try the rice.

We made sure to do both and were not disappointed. Nancy and I each ordered the taco plate which came with beans and rice. Nancy had an agua de tamarindo and I had a sangria senorial soda to drink. I tried the green salsa, it was flavorful. While it didn’t make me sweat, it was just enough to dew my forehead. Everything was fresh, delicious, everything was clean, and everyone was warm and friendly.

Taco plate. Pinto beans, rice, homemade tortillas, carnitas, chopped onions and cilantro, green salsa.

If you’re looking for a new gem to check out in Ventura, we definitely recommend Carnitas El Rey! Check out their opening day post on Instagram on your way there.

Check out Carnitas El Rey – You’ve been warned, carnitas cravings ahead…
Categories
Culture & Student Life Nature & Outdoors

Finals Are Coming

by Nancy Olascuaga

Finals week is coming, and those sleepless nights are upon us. The next two weeks is a time of studying late at night, eating junk food, and drinking so much coffee! For those who are graduating, and those who will register for classes next semester, this is a stressful time, yes its temporary, but still stressful. With this academic year coming to a close: full of successes and stresses, going to Ventura Beach will help you manage stress and self care.

Here’s a list of why and how walking or sitting on a bench at Ventura beach will help you destress and make your finals week a memorable one:

The Smell: The scent of the sea is refreshing. Take a few deep breaths and take in the fresh and salty aroma. Taking deep breaths improves lung function, lowers stress, and improves concentration.

The Touch: If you walk barefoot or bury your hands in the sand, its’ particles will stimulate your psyche and your skin.

The Sound: The sound of the waves will help you feel optimistic and positive about your upcoming finals. The sound of nature will help soothe your body and relax your mind.

The Sight: You’ll see many people walking/jogging, long palm trees, and very talented surfers. If you catch a sunrise or a luminous sunset your body will relax and reduce stress. Watching the waves will boost your confidence going into finals, you will crush them!

Make sure you add some beach time to your finals study plans, or go afterwards with friends or alone. Surviving these next two weeks will set you up for a successful future in your awesome future academic endeavors, and it doesn’t have to be chaotic or full of stress.

Categories
Culture & Student Life

Ready to Graduate? Your Guide to Applying for Graduation at Ventura College

Ventura College Overview

The City of Ventura is currently home to 109,527 people. Astonishingly, it’s estimated that 10.76% of the city’s residents are enrolled at its public community college, Ventura College This institution for higher learning is part of the Ventura County Community College District, including Oxnard College, and Moorpark College. In 2024, the 112-acre campus was home to 11,789 students, with 3,383 full-time and 8,406 part-time students. Recent modernization initiatives have provided funding for much-needed updates to the college’s infrastructure and online student portal, making this college a top choice for those currently in the workforce, and returning to school to advance their careers.

Nestled at the foot of the Topatopa Mountains, and only 5 minutes from the Ventura Beaches. 

For those who wish to transfer to a 4-year institution, academic programs offer plenty of pathways to continue studies in popular majors like Business, Psychology, and Sciences. They also offer trade programs for automotive mechanics, manufacturing & welding, and agriculture or water science. 2-year programs are also available and popular choices include nursing, criminal justice, child development & early education. Smaller class sizes offer students a personal feel to students, and student support programs are available to aid in success.

It’s unique and affordable.

It’s flexible and doable.

Hang that piece of paper that society insists you have on your wall.

Going into this semester I knew I checked all the boxes needed to earn my A.S. in Social Media Marketing. No one tells you that you need to apply for your degree.

I almost missed the deadline. 

You won’t though, because here’s the how-to guide on applying for graduation (associates or certificates) at Ventura College.

Understanding the Process

Meeting with an academic counselor each semester will help you stay on track and reach completion. The admissions office can assist with applying credits taken at another institution. Academic counselors are also available to help you decide on a career path or help with Academic renewal, probation, or other situations that you may encounter.

Eligibility Criteria for Graduation

It’s important to understand the course requirements for completion of your program as defined by the college. I recommend visiting the Program Mapper page located on the Ventura College website. Locate your program, then compare your unofficial transcript with the program map. If you have checked all the boxes by the end of that semester, you’re ready to start the process (If not, then at least you know what courses remain for you to complete).

Key Dates & Deadlines

Although there is no official deadline to submit your application, there is a cutoff date to participate in the Graduation ceremony. I recommend checking the student calendar for any information about deadlines. It is also good to know when the ceremony will take place in case you need to request a date off of work or want to invite people. Holidays or office closures will also be listed to avoid unavailable staff.

Step-by-Step Guide

A staff member of the academic counseling department is the correct person to engage at this point and you can find more information here VC Website Link.

I’ll save you a click.

Call (805) 289-6457 or make an appointment through your MyVCCCD portal by clicking on Starfish

Graduation application deadlines are listed in the Registration Calendar

Starfish is located in your MyVCCCD Portal as shown below:

Schedule an appointment by using the online tool:

Select a reason for the visit: Apply for a degree or certification

Select a Counselor –  I recommend choosing one that specializes in your program of study

Make an appointment – remote meetings are available!

You will review your transcript with the counselor and they will confirm you have met the requirements. Shortly after the meeting, they will submit the application on your behalf,  and ask if you would like to participate in the graduation ceremony. You will then receive a confirmation email with more information about your application. 

The process is quick and as long as you complete your current classes in your field of study with a C or better, you’re qualified. A third party will send you your diploma or certificate about 8 weeks after the end of the semester.

Preparing for the Ceremony

You will receive an automated email from Ventura College that asks if you would like to participate in the ceremony. You can request up to 4 tickets, and children under two do not require one to enter. The email will contain all the information about buying your gown, which is about $50.

Resources and Support

If you have any questions, you can always reach out to the academic counseling office and they can do their best to assist you, or point you in the direction of the correct department on campus.

Conclusion

Congratulations. The most important thing about this accomplishment is you completed something you started. The pathway to completion is available on the user-friendly program mapper and support is available at the academic counseling office. I wish you luck on your continued education and I hope you find this guide helpful when your time to apply for graduation approaches.

Stay current by following the VC Social Instagram page or sharing it with friends. Ventura College is host to one of the only social media marketing programs, we appreciate your support and engagement. 

Cheers to the next class of students in this program and many more in the future.

Written by Nick Lerma

I am a VC student who previously attended several colleges including Ventura/Santa Barbara City Colleges, The Los Angeles Recording School, & The Culinary Institute of America. I am currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in Business. My professional experience consists of digital audio production and on-air broadcasting (Cumulus Media ’07-’10), supporting business information systems (’10-’13, ’17-’20), Hospitality (’14-’17), and Sales/Marketing (’20-’24).

Categories
Culture & Student Life Podcasts Sports & Leisure

Student Athlete Talk

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vc-social/episodes/Student-Athlete-Talk-w-Jennie-Jacinto-and-Jillian-Smith-e2hlid9/a-ab45827

On this episode of Student Athlete Talk, I spoke with VC Softball Catcher Jennie Jacinto and VC Women’s Soccer Midfielder Jillian Smith on what life is like as a Student Athlete. They go into depth of the trials and tribulations of dedicating the majority of their life to their sport. From making the best of friends, to the sacrifices their families have made for them to continue their sports careers. We discuss why they chose to continue their sports to the collegiate level and what their lives look like doing so.

Cast:

Jennie Jacinto IG: jenniejacinto

IG: VC Athletics

Jillian Smith IG: jilli._.smith

IG: VC Womens Soccer

Jessica Gomez IG: gomez.jessicaa

Podcast Link:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vc-social/episodes/Student-Athlete-Talk-w-Jennie-Jacinto-and-Jillian-Smith-e2hlid9/a-ab45827: Student Athlete Talk
Categories
Culture & Student Life

Just Turn on the Mic

No Responsibilities. Creating Possibilities.

Click Here to Stream

VC Social⁠ contributor Nick Lerma⁠ touches on the past 20 years in 20 minutes and how he shifted his focus from internal to external.

This solo episode covers how recent life events motivated him to return to college to finish his A.S. in Social Media Marketing.

For updates on new episodes follow Nick Lerma on IG ⁠@nicklermadotcom⁠

Snapper Jack's Taco Shack – VC Social

Snapper Jacks Taco Shack is currently celebrating their 25th anniversary. They offer a mix of Mexican and seafood from three different locations. These locations are in Venture, Camarillo and Thousand Oaks. With a wide variety of items on their menu, and nine different savory salsas to spice up any item on the menu at their salsa bar. In this episode we dive right into the core of customer experience—from the ocean-themed ambiance to the enticing sound of fresh fish cooking on the grill to welcoming smiles, the relaxed beach-town vibe, or the ideal Baja-style taco, which embodies the Snapper Jack’s, accompanied by positive vibes.Jana SinsonVC Social: About MeInstagram: @_jxnxmxysnJazlyn PonceVC Social: About MeInstagram: @jazlyn_p
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Podcasts Sports & Leisure

Get To Know Julio Rey, Student Athlete At Ventura College

Hello everyone my name is Clarissa and I recently just interviewed Julio Rey on my podcast. Julio Rey is an alumni here at Ventura college, who not only graduated here but played football for two years here as an offensive line. Julio has officially transferred to Northeastern State University of Oklahoma and wanted to continue to pursue his athletic career. Me and Julio talked briefly about his student life, athletic life, and also social life. We also talked about what personal and athletic goals he aspires to get out of his new journey at Northeastern State University. I hope you guys enjoyed listening to my podcast because I definitely had a great time getting to know Julio and learning about the life of a student athlete. 

Leave a comment below and let me know what student or student athlete you would like for me to have on my next podcast episode.

Click the links below for more information and access to the podcast.

Follow the VC social ⁠https://vcsocial.biz/⁠

Clarissa Gutierrez

VC social: ⁠https://vcsocial.biz/about-clarissa-gutierrez/

Get To Know Julio Rey, Student Athlete At Ventura College – VC Social

Categories
Food & Beverage Local Business

The Perfect Marriage: MadeWest Brewery & Food Trucks

Just when you thought the perfect marriage didn’t exist, MadeWest Brewery combined beer with Ventura County’s food truck culture in matrimony. From authentic Mexican, Greek, and Asian fusion, you’ll be able to satisfy any hunger cravings.

Game Over Catering is first on the Menu, known for their street tacos. You can put chicken, asada, pastor, and occasionally mariscos (seafood) in your tacos or quesadillas smoothened with cheese. Religiously appearing in the MadeWest parking lot on Wednesdays from 4-7:30pm.

Looking for homemade birria just how mom made it? Look no further, with over 7K followers on Instagram, Birria El Güero shares their family recipes, mom included! Named after the owner’s son who loves birria, Birria El Güero gained popularity with their famous torta de birria. MadeWest plays host to them every Thursday at 3pm.

Make your Friday date night Greek style with Wrapped food truck. Or even lunch because they arrive on the property at 12 noon. Their signature dishes include a Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Shawarma Fries, and Yalanji aka Stuffed Grape Leave. My personal favorite is their Gyro generously stuffed with lamb meat, drenched in Tzatiki sauce. Complete your meal with Baklava for dessert that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Lamp Gyro from Wrapped

Last but not least and new to the scene is pop-up and catering truck Takeos Grubshack. Their California-style Asian cuisine includes Whole Wings with a variety of flavors, Pho, Korean rice bowl aka Bibimbap, and their popular Korean-style boas. Check their Instagram page to find out where they will pop-up next!

Korean Style Boa by Takeo’s Grubshack

Next time you visit MadeWest, don’t just arrive thirsty, come hungry too!

All Food trucks mentioned operate at Madewest Brewing Company and tasting room at 1744 Donlon St, Ventura, Ca. Check out MadeWest’s Calendar of Events on their website to see when and what food truck will be there today!

Categories
Culture & Student Life

5 Study Tips To Try Out

When going to school, it is likely that you will have to study so you are able to maintain your grades and pass your classes. Retaining knowledge through studying is one of the keys to being successful in college classes. Today, I will like to share you some tips that you should consider trying out in your study routine!

1. Plan Out Your Schedule

In college, some of us may have more obligations besides school, such as work and family. It is important to decide which time of the day and week is the best fit for you. With this, a planned study session chunk will help you be more productive and also play a role in determining your time management. You will also get used to having a routine for what you plan to go over for the study session the more you practice this habit.

2. Consider Studying in a Different Space

Many students may feel comfortable to use a singular space to study, whether its their bedroom, the kitchen table, etc. But sometimes, the too familiar surroundings might make you feel that you are not as productive as before. This can make some of us to feel sidetracked, such as looking at the comfy bed in your bedroom that you want to jump back into, or you see the television that’s sitting with its black mirror right in front of you waiting for you to turn it on. Picking a different spot to choose can be out of the comfort zone for many of us, and its okay to feel that way. You may feel emotions that you are not familiar with, but it can also be a good experience once you begin to adapt to the changes. Perhaps a visit at your local cafe or library can be a good starting place.

3. Have Short but Frequent Study Intervals

We can only absorb and recount so much information for a certain period of time, but sometimes it might be harder to recall if we prolong ourselves to study in a shorter period of time. Shorter intervals (i.e. 40 minutes per subject) but is done more frequently can be beneficial for us. This can be done for a few days per week, and you can still achieve the same amount of study time that a longer study session but what is done in fewer days has. Studying for too long for one session can end up becoming stressful, as you’re not only tiring yourself out but you may start to question what information from your notes or textbook is the most important. It may even feel more stressful if you studied for too long as a last minute option.

4. Pick the Right Study Music

Rather than in silence, some students choose to have some background music play as they study. Background music can be beneficial who may not feel comfortable in studying in silence for so long. This can vary from songs with lyrics or songs that are filled with only instrumentals. Choices can range from some soft piano music to even your favorite pop song. Experimenting with the right sounds will determine which works best to help studying can be beneficial to motivate yourself. 

5. Stretch in Between Your Studying Sessions

Sitting down for a long period of time can make some of us feel immobilized. Some ways to help yourself stretch include stretching your arms out, moving your neck left and right, shoulder stretching across the chest, spinal twist while sitting, or even giving yourself a hug. Our bodies can feel stiff after a while and the more as we study, the more your body may feel tired. When we stretch our bodies in between study sessions, it is a good reminder for us to not neglect our physical health as we need to be physically present in order to complete our tasks. This can also apply to other obligations such as work outside of studying.

I hope today’s study tips will be of good use of you! Happy Studying!

Categories
Culture & Student Life Sports & Leisure

VC Social at the Ventura College Women’s Basketball Game

I was able to go behind the scenes and interview some of the women that played in the basketball game last Friday February 23rd, 2024 at Ventura College. There are two in particular that stood out to me and would like to share their stories. I was able to speak with them pregame and I even managed to attend one of their team practice sessions where I got to do the interviews. I hope you enjoy their story as they are some very nice and friendly people that have also had their struggle to be where they are today.

This is Alexis Howery. She has been playing basketball her entire life. Since childhood, she would go to Ventura College with a friend of hers and play basketball together practicing their shots. Today both her and her friend, Tiernan Philips, are on the women’s basketball team at Ventura College. Alexis is a sophomore, and a shooting guard for the Ventura College basketball team. This year they got many new members in their team, and they seem to all get along well and have grown a pretty close friendship with one another. 

Alexis is part of the first generation in her family to go to college and it seems to be a big driving factor for her to do good in school. She has four siblings, three brothers and one sister. Alexis didn’t want to be part of the basketball team at first. She wanted to join gymnastics or do another sport, but basketball ran in her family so she kind of fell into it. She still enjoys playing basketball and takes it very seriously. 

This is Daphné LeBrun, she is a point guard at Ventura College. During one of her more recent games she was injured and will need surgery. She was in the middle of a game when she miss-stepped and ended up tearing her ACL. Due to the severity of her injury, not only will she need surgery, but she also won’t be able to play for the rest of the season. Despite her situation she remains cheerful and keeps cheering for her teammates at the games. She also said, “it’s harder to see them at practice because I want to join them and participate when they are in a game it’s easier for me because I can just cheer for them”. 

Daphné originally came to America from France and was planning on staying here for another four years. She wanted to do all of her school in the United States but since she was injured, she will be returning to France next year to recover. One of her main concerns besides the surgery itself is her not being able to play basketball the way she used to. She will most likely stay in France for the rest of her schooling and potentially play basketball over there when she recovers. 

This Wednesday February 28th, 2024 they will have their last playoffs game at (time of the game) you are all more than welcome to come and show your support at the game click below for more details!!!

https://www.vcweplayhard.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/schedule