Jahaira Polanco
Class of 2020 (Evenline)
Majors: Psychology and Women’s and Gender Studies
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Jahaira is a writer for the Her Campus chapter at Wells college. She is a first-generation college student. She’s here, and she is queer.
What do you enjoy doing with your spare time?
I am someone that enjoys their solitude, so I like being alone when I can. In that time I enjoy reading, sleeping, watching documentaries, and eating. These seem like very basic things, but they are things that I genuinely love doing in my spare time, except eating, I do that all the time. Other things that I enjoy are going on hikes. Coming from an urban area, I was not brought up to be an outdoorsy person, but I have a tremendous love and appreciation for nature. That being said I try being outdoors as much as I can. I also enjoy being with my friends and family. Though I love my “me time,” being around people I love and care for is my favored way of spending my time. I also like doing things that pertain to stuff I care about, Attending marches, going to museums, talks, conferences, and other activities are some things that I try to do as often as I can.
What are some things that you feel strongly about?
I care about too many things. There are many things that I feel strongly about, and many of them overlap, most fall under human rights and lack thereof. I am passionate about the inequality in opportunities available to the lower class in our country, modern day slavery, gender and racial equality, the list goes on.
What do you want to do with your life after college?
Social worker? Journalist? Advocate for victims of domestic violence and hate crimes? I have no fucking clue. This is not because I lack motivation or lack of interest. Instead, I have too many interests and desires. Every other day I want to do something new. Regardless of what I decide to do, I know it will be something that will change my life and the lives of other people on a deeper level, I’m sure of it.
How would other people describe you?
I think that sometimes people can describe you better than can describe yourself because our view of ourselves is very one-sided, so I asked people around me to describe me in a few words: to my friends and peers, I am someone who is very observant, very balanced, and curious. I am awkward. I am independent, mellow, selfless, and charismatic. Most importantly I am lit. Clearly, my friends are biased.
What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life?
One song that would be on the soundtrack to my life would be Float On by Modest Mouse. The song itself depicts such a careless and optimistic view on life, and I try to be that way a little every day. I have loved the song since I first heard it in elementary school when my fourth-grade teacher was playing it in class. So then I decided to get the words “Float on” tattooed on my arm as a little reminder to be more buoyant. Oh yeah and Toxic by Britney Spears.