For many Ducks, the end of their college experience is approaching, marking the conclusion of a journey they began during the challenges of the pandemic. Eventually, the world reopened and life resumed its vibrant pace.
Now, everyone can celebrate their years of hard work, sleepless nights and countless memories in their caps and gowns. Together, they will step forward from the familiar college life into a future with endless possibilities.
These stories offer just a glimpse into the experiences of a few Ducks as they reflect on lessons in their college journey.
Angel Soto — Major: Computer Science, Minor: Japanese
One of the main challenges Soto said he faced during his college career was time management. He noted that the demanding nature of his classes often made it difficult to balance projects, friendships and mental health at once.
Sticking to a daily routine initially exhausted him physically and mentally, but over time, he said he learned how to navigate these pressures.
“Over the four years, I’ve been able to refine how I do things,” Soto said. “I feel like I can confidently say I’m a different person than who I was freshman year. The core of me is still there but there’s a lot that I’ve changed. I had a strict, straightforward routine that over time really drained me. I started to pay more attention to what my body tells me that it needs and began to give it what it needs.”
Soto cherished the relationships he made on campus and took pride in branching out and overcoming his shyness to connect with others. “I would’ve liked to take advantage of the opportunities here. Just the first step seemed the most intimidating,” he said. “Knowing now how great the community is here, I wish I could’ve told my past self, ‘Don’t worry. You’ll make friends. You’re going to be just fine.’”
Caitlin O’Kief — Major: Environmental Studies
O’Kief said she felt that she lost a year due to the pandemic, and the risk that still existed after campus reopened didn’t make it any easier for social interaction.
To fill that void, she made the best of her time and joined the club volleyball team.
“It’s a lot of hard work for four years, but it’s not all work,” O’Kief said. “Some of my best experiences have come from playing volleyball. Meeting people who have the same interests, traveling together and even going to Nationals. It’s okay to be uncomfortable, just try new things and put yourself in different atmospheres.”
Josh Duong-Tran — Major: Journalism, Minors: Korean, Environmental Studies
Duong-Tran said he often felt like the token cultural representative on campus, which made it difficult to find a supportive social community. Like many students, he sought a sense of belonging and engaged in soul-searching through journaling and therapy.
“I’m not used to having close-knit relationships,” Duong-Tran said. “The ones in high school seemed so fickle and contrived that they left me wanting more out of the emotional and spiritual connections.”
Duong-Tran said he found that being the only person of color in certain spaces could sometimes feel invalidating, particularly when others couldn’t relate and he felt embarrassed over explaining cultural experiences. This challenge also made it difficult for him to form friendships. He found a sense of community in the Vietnamese Student Association on campus, where members faced similar societal pressures and generational trauma, providing a space where he could relate and connect.
“It’s just a group of Vietnamese kids. There’s things I don’t have to explain to them and it makes me feel safe,” he said.
At times, Duong-Tran felt confined by stereotypes associated with being Asian, which left him feeling uncomfortable and misunderstood. “In a lot of ways, I found myself very afraid of the friendship connection, which I’m still learning now and trying to break down through therapy and community with VSA.” Living alone initially gave him the opportunity for self-discovery, and now living with fellow VSA members continues to shape his journey.
Angel Saul Escorcia-Nuñez — Major: Journalism, Minor: Latinx Studies
Escorcia-Nuñez, a first-generation college student, said he had to navigate his college life independently. Facing the pressures from classes, extracurriculars and the challenge of obtaining a visa for his mother to see him graduate, he extended his college career to five years, taking a gap year to recharge.
He said he was grateful for the support from his advisors, peers and campus community, which motivated him to persevere.
“I have to take advantage of these opportunities and make a name for myself,” Escorcia-Nuñez said. “And to know that I’m worthy of being in whatever room I step into and find what values align with my mission. Also, be more conscious of who you surround yourself with because your time is so valuable but make sure to have a vision for your life and what you want to be, and work towards that.”
Escorcia-Nuñez said he became an active part of his campus community by participating in various programs such as MEChA and working jobs like catering. Through these experiences, he said he forged friendships and connections that deepened his understanding of diverse individuals.
“I wore a lot of hats and I became well-versed in playing different roles and see what I was good at,” Escorcia-Nuñez said. “I also understand different people’s roles too. I try to have respect for everybody and know that their job isn’t their only identity — there’s so much more to every person. Contributing to all these programs and jobs, it made me more understanding and expanded my skill set, too.”
Zachary Jones Neuray — Major: Journalism, Minor: Anthropology
Transferring to the University of Oregon in 2020, Neuray said he felt that Oregon’s culture resonated well with his European background. He remarked that many might find it hard to believe in his remarkable growth — from a student who needed an English tutor until high school to someone who has worked up to Institute News Director at KWVA.
“I have a lot of reflection of the person I used to be in high school and the person I am now,” Neuray said. “I will always have self-esteem issues — it’s impossible not to unless you’ve been lobotomized — but I do think my confidence to achieve what I thought was unachievable and to be given the trust from students, faculty and everyone in between has been revolutionary.”
Although his college days are coming to an end, Neuray said he believes the pursuit of knowledge continues. He emphasizes that earning a diploma doesn’t mark the end of one’s learning journey.
Additionally, he’s learning to savor the present moment, avoiding the trap of dwelling on the past and getting caught in nostalgia.
“Just soak everything in. I’ve moved a lot in my life and seen a lot of people go, and you end up replaying these images in your head to try to resurrect that moment, but that’s not the point of life,” Neuray said. “The point is to be in the moment, not wishing you could’ve done things differently. It’s being able to take stock of what life is.”
