Meet Marissa!
Year: Class of 2018!
Major: English with a concentration in writing
Hometown: West Covina, CA
Why did you choose USF?
I knew I’d have to find a place where I would feel comfortable for the next few years. Coming from sunny southern California, I wasn’t willing to sacrifice the beaches, but I was sick of the heat. I wanted the clean, fresh, air from forests but I didn’t want to go full on Twilight since I knew I couldn’t live without the city. I also didn’t want to live somewhere flat because flat means boring and we’re not in Kansas anymore, I need hills. Basically, I’m an extremely picky person. San Francisco managed to encompass every type of climate I desired, while not being some type of creepy, foreign utopia. This wonderland I call home is central to USF.
Are you involved on campus?
I probably should be more than I am. I can explain! Freshman year, I made the mistake of thinking I was invincible. I joined every club I took the slightest interest in, only to realize it was too much for me to handle. Now, I know myself better and I’ve narrowed down my interests. I know which clubs are worth the 2 hour meeting, and I know which to go for free food. Something to also keep in mind is that being involved on campus doesn’t always mean joining clubs. Sometimes being involved could mean actively participating in club events for the public that occur on campus. Clubs need active participants from the university community just as much as the community needs the clubs. Community involvement during public events makes an impact. I have found that clubs that put on events for the students are often very grateful when people simply show up. It’s not as hard as we think to make a small difference in someone else’s day.
What’s your philosophy on life?
Phenomenal question… As depressing as it sounds, I tend to think of my life as short. I don’t feel like I have much time in my span of around 90 years, so it’s important for me to use my time wisely and productively. My philosophy revolves around the balance of contemplation and action. It’s odd being aware that today may be my last, especially living in San Francisco next to ocean, over a massive fault line. My daily operations are based upon the notion that I’m working towards something bigger, a future for not only myself, but my loved ones (even those that don’t exist yet). I find myself compelled to disregard future actions and live in the moment, because what if there isn’t anything bigger at the end? There are things I have not done, but intend to after I hit certain life marks. I live my life with the imminent fear of never meeting those marks, but the appreciation and hunger for the most ebullient life I can make for myself now.
If a kid refuses to sleep during nap time, are they guilty of resisting a rest?
Hahahahhahahahahhahaha. Well if it was my kid, they would never rest. They would be too busy composing symphonies or something like that.
Where is one place in San francisco that you would recommend?
I would recommend everyone go to Green Apple Books on Clement St. I hope everyone that reads this goes there and buys a book. They are the absolute best book store in all of San Francisco and the very thought of them ever going out of business sends shivers down my spine. They are open until 11pm so they are often my after class safe haven. They have all the newest books, all of the oldest books, all the books in between and MORE.
Any advice to the youngsters?
Go back inside and put on a sweater. C’mon, it’s ridiculous. It’s cold in San Francisco, put on some clothes people, just layer them on. We all know you’re chilly! Also, I think that young people now are trying to grow up too fast. As a 19 year old, I don’t consider myself anywhere near grown up and I’m not ashamed of that. Spiderman warned us of this when we were young, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Maybe you haven’t noticed, but NOBODY LIKES RESPONSIBILITY. Responsibility means a credit card you have to PAY every month, a job you have to wake up early for to get money to pay that card with, transportation to that job, payments on that transportation, kissing up to people you hate to get to a position you’ll possibly hate even more (who knows), living expenses, buying your own socks, social pressure to do and not do things, friend group drama, drama of not having a friend group, heartbreak, pre-midlife crises and so on and on. Life is a never ending spiral of madness, so enjoy where you are right now because as difficult as life may currently seem, it won’t get easier so you might as well have some fun.