As a new member to Her Campus at the University of California, San Diego, I’ve had the pleasure of spotlighting a fellow new member! Meet Isabela Contreras, a first year Warren student from San Jose, California.
What made you join Her Campus?
I saw it on Instagram and I really liked how it was a space for women to write articles for other women. It seemed like a really uplifting space that I wanted to be a part of, especially since I really like writing!
What are you studying?
I’m studying classical studies, specializing in the language and literature of ancient Rome and ancient Greece. My biggest goal is to obtain my PhD and become a professor in the classics.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I read a lot. I love rom-com novels and fantasy! Percy Jackson is my all time favorite series; I think I’ve read the first book about five times. I also love to practice my writing everyday by journaling. Some other things I do for fun are painting and sewing. Over the summer I sewed a lot of skirts, and my current project is embroidering flowers on a new pair of converse!
If you could live in any period of history, when would it be and why?
I’d love to say ancient Greece or Rome, but only if I were a man so I’d actually have rights. [laughing] I’d also say medieval times so I could witness Shakespeare’s plays in person. I think it’d be cool to experience the 70s through the 90s because of all the great music.
What’s a talent you wish you had?
I wish I could sing! I feel like it’s such a pleasant talent to have, and you can’t really go wrong with singing. It’d be such an ego boost! [laughing]
What would you tell yourself 5 years ago, and what would you tell yourself in 5 years?
Five years ago, I’d assure my 8th grade self that high school sucks, but it’s only four years! Just tough it out, because you’ll get to college and everything will be fine. High school was not a fun time, but college has been great.
So five years from now, I’d tell myself not to freak out about what I’m doing with my life… I’d have just graduated, so there’ll probably be a lot of questions about graduate school, getting a job, etc. But I’d tell myself to not panic about the future, be nice to yourself and take a breather. I’d tell myself if I can get into college, I can achieve my next goal, whatever that may be.