From the early morning rush to grab coffee at Scout, to golden hour walks through Poly Canyon, life as a Cal Poly Mustang is honestly everything I wanted in a college experience. There is a rhythm of student life that pulses with ambition, pressure, joy and discovery.
However, I do not want to discredit the amount of work and long hours of studying that is a part of student life. As a first-year journalism major at Cal Poly, I’ve quickly learned that being a Mustang is more than just going to class, it’s a whole lifestyle. From 8 a.m. lectures to late-night study sessions, spontaneous beach trips and club meetings in between, every day brings something new.
Here’s what a typical week in my life looks like at Cal Poly SLO…
Monday:
Mondays are all about getting back into the groove. I start the day at Scout Coffee (where the Arnold Palmers are a must), then head to class and carve out a few blocks of study time between lectures. Around lunchtime, I’ll swing by Shake Smart for a quick Greens to Go smoothie, which has become a borderline addiction. After more studying, I unwind with my favorite pilates class at the Rec Center. A golden hour walk and a hot shower later, it’s dinner followed by “showtime” with friends — we’ve been switching between “New Girl”, “The Office” and recently, “Severance”. Then, lights out.
Tuesday:
I like to kick off Tuesdays with a morning run up to the cow pastures and the orchards. It’s honestly one of the prettiest views on campus. After a shower and breakfast in the dorms, I hop on a Zoom class and tackle some laundry. Then it’s back-to-back studying and some more class. If the weather’s nice (which it usually is), I’ll go for a chill walk or lay out in the sun. We usually grab dinner at Vista Grande before another round of “showtime” with the roomies.
Wednesday:
Hump day starts with a caffeine boost from Scout and a quick study session before class. Lunch is often from a food truck, another fun perk of campus life. I highly recommend the pita from What’s Cookin Kosher, it’s truly decadent. In the afternoon, I volunteer at the animal shelter and take the dogs for walks. It’s the perfect reset and one of the many ways Cal Poly students can get involved with passion projects outside the classroom. After that, it’s pilates, dinner and our nightly wind-down show ritual.
Thursday:
Another run, another full day. Thursdays are stacked with studying, Zoom classes and a few in-person lectures. But the best part? San Luis Obispo’s Farmers’ Market! It’s a weekly tradition and seriously one of the cutest, most convenient events downtown. The fresh produce, live music and mini donuts are just the cherry on top.
Friday:
Fridays start strong with Scout Coffee and morning pilates. After class and a quick study session, the rest of the day is an open canvas. Sometimes we go hiking, hit the beach or walk downtown to window shop and grab a bite. Friday nights are usually social, we might head to a party or hang out at a frat, but if not, Saturday becomes our “go out” night.
Saturday:
This is our slow, flexible day. It starts with a casual Scout stop and Bible study, followed by a much-needed nap. I’ll usually squeeze in a freestyle workout, whatever I’m feeling that day. If the sun’s out, I’m tanning; if not, I’m full-on bed rotting. Dinner is typically Chick-fil-A (a weekend treat), followed by either a cozy movie night or a spontaneous night out.
Sunday:
Sundays are a mix of recharge and reset. I start with church, then head off-campus for groceries and coffee. The afternoon is packed with meetings both Her Campus and Mustang News (shoutout to both for making me feel like I’m part of something bigger). I’ll fit in a quick nap, and power through homework. Then wrap up with dinner, an episode of our current show, and sleep.
Every week is different, but the rhythm of life here stays the same: full, fast and deeply fulfilling. Cal Poly isn’t just where I study — it’s where I live, laugh, grow and hustle. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.