Still trying to visualize your college home away from home? As a student living at Pacific, you’ll be at the center of campus life, making new friends and creating a college life for yourself.   

First-year residential communities 

At Pacific, all first-year students live together in what is called the Quad Communities, which consist of 10 residential halls on the west side of campus. Each house has single-gender halls separated by floors, except Farley House, which accommodates roommates of any gender. Each residential house has a laundry room in the basement and a spacious communal lounge. 

“Pacific is committed to providing students with the full Pacific experience including a variety of housing options and Living Learning Communities for first-year students,” said Charlotte Stackpole, assistant director of Housing Administration. “Residential students have the opportunity to live comfortably with their peers and build lifelong friendships.” 

What a real college room looks like

If you’ve been on a campus tour, you’ve seen the model rooms open for visitors, but you may wonder what a room looks like with students living in it. Pre-dental major Joshua Alexander ’26 and business major Ziony Webb ’27 opened their room for us and offered advice on how to make your living space your own. 

For example, Ziony and Joshua say they got creative when it came to entertainment. 

“If you don’t have a lot of space to put a TV, having a projector is something you definitely need to get so you can watch movies,” Ziony said. 

They also recommend getting a small refrigerator and making room for snacks. 

Campus Convenience 

Living on Pacific’s campus also means you have all the essentials close by. 

“Research shows that living on campus provides students with a tremendous amount of support, quickly connecting them to campus and allowing them to thrive academically, socially and emotionally,” Stackpole said.

Our beautiful Stockton campus is small enough that you can walk everywhere. Located right next to the Quad Communities are the Baun Fitness Center where you can work out, the Grove where you can shop for groceries and the DeRosa University Center where you can grab a bite to eat.  

The William Knox Holt Memorial Library is just minutes away from the residential halls. There, you can reserve study spaces, get tutoring, grab a cup of coffee or even make a 3D print of your own design.  

Four-Year Housing Guarantee 

Unlike many other universities in California, Pacific guarantees housing will be available all four years for first-year students. First and second-year students are required to live on campus.  

Pacific can accommodate more than 2,500 students on campus—1,089 in apartments, 1,277 in residence halls and 138 in sorority and fraternity houses. 

You may have caught yourself thinking, “One mistake and everyone will know that I have no idea what I am doing!” 

Imposter syndrome is a common feeling among high-achieving individuals—even people you would never suspect suffer from self-doubt. 

In an opinion piece in  Newsweek magazine, Pacific alumnus and NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez described how inadequate he felt when he was accepted into America’s space program. 

“Even as I wore the blue uniform and underwent rigorous training, a nagging voice in the back of my mind questioned whether I truly belonged among these remarkable individuals,” Hernandez wrote. 

If astronauts can feel that way, it won’t surprise you to know that imposter syndrome is common among college students as well. According to a 2019 study at Brigham Young University, 20% of college students have experienced it.  

Five types of imposter syndrome

Valerie Young, an internationally recognized expert on imposter syndrome, has identified five types of imposter syndrome: 

1. The Perfectionist: You believe that unless you are perfect, you could have done better. Your perfectionist traits convince you that you’re not as good as others might think you are. 
2. The Expert: When you don’t know everything there is to know about a particular subject or topic, or you haven’t mastered every step in the process, you feel like a fraud. 
3. The Natural Genius: You might feel like an imposter because you don’t believe that you are naturally intelligent or competent. If you struggle to get something right the first time, or it takes you longer to master a skill, you feel like an imposter. 
4. The Soloist: Sometimes you might feel like a fraud because you had to ask for help to reach a certain level of status. Due to not being able to get there on your own, you question your own skills and abilities.
5. The Superperson: You believe that unless you are the hardest worker or reach the absolute pinnacle of success possible, you will have failed and will be shown to be a fraud. 

How do you know if you have imposter syndrome?

Some common presentations include: 

• Worrying about or overestimating how much time others spend thinking about you 
• Failing to recognize your own successes and focusing on setbacks or negative experiences 
• High stress and increased anxiety for no identifiable reason 
• Despite successes, still worrying or fearing that others will find out that you are a fraud 

How to get over imposter syndrome

• Share your feelings: Talking to other people about how you are feeling and sharing your irrational beliefs prevents them from festering and allows you to get in-the-moment feedback that might challenge some of your doubts. Be strategic about the people you share with; venting to trusted individuals who are not peers can provide a more helpful picture of your accomplishments and values. 
• Let go of perfectionism: Adjusting your standards for success can make it easier to see and internalize your accomplishments. This doesn’t mean you are lowering the bar; you are focusing on your progress rather than aiming for perfection.  
  
  Also, when you don’t meet your standards, it does not mean that you have failed! Reframe “failures” as opportunities to learn and grow. Adopting a growth mindset will help release you from rigid standards and reduce your imposter syndrome significantly.
• Celebrate your successes: Imposter syndrome makes it easy to brush off your successes and chalk them up to luck or fortune, instead of your effort and skill. Taking time to applaud yourself, even for the smallest win, can help you internalize your success. 
• Accept it: As you continue to work through imposter syndrome, it may still show up, but you will be more effective in working with it instead of fighting against it and/or believing it completely.  
  
  It’s common for imposter syndrome to arise when there is a shift: high school to college, lower level to upper-level classes, undergraduate to graduate, internship to career, etc. We are always going to be faced with new experiences or roles, and it is more likely that imposter syndrome will come out during these times. It’s good to recognize that, even if you are making progress in overcoming imposter syndrome, these things may come up again. It’s not a failure if feelings and thoughts of imposter syndrome arise; it’s a reminder that you’re human! 

You can overcome imposter syndrome and realize you are worthy of your achievements. Hernandez says that in time, he was able to cope with his imposter syndrome and even regarded it as a positive sign.

“I came to understand that this feeling was not unique to me, that even the most accomplished individuals wrestle with it, and it was a testament to my drive for continuous growth,” he wrote.

If you are interested in learning more about the services that Pacific’s Counseling and Psychological Services, you can call our front desk at 209.946.2315 x2.  

Additionally, please follow us on Instagram @PacificCAPS to receive daily mental health tips.  

Do you find yourself calling home every night, rethinking your decision to move away for college? Maybe you miss your old friends, or you’re having an especially hard week at school and feel overwhelmed without your parents. 

Homesickness is a common experience

Although you may feel alone in the experience, feeling homesick is more common than you think. A 2016 UCLA study found that almost three-quarters of first-year college students “occasionally” or “frequently” felt homesick, leading to increased isolation and loneliness. 

It was difficult to comprehend that my outgoing and secure friends were unhappy and missing home. Some people are better at concealing their feelings and emotions than others. I’m an introvert who dislikes showing negative emotions, so I fell into this category. 

Although I am entering my third year of college, I still feel homesick from time to time. I’ve learned that certain events trigger the feeling. For example, when my college friends drive home for a weekend. Or when my high school friends meet up for brunch and post pictures on their Snapchat stories. These scenarios used to leave me feeling empty and withdrawn, but I’ve learned to overcome them by keeping myself busy and working through the feelings. 

Get involved on campus to fight isolation

Joining organizations, clubs or intramural teams is a quick way to find friends and join a community. I understand it can be difficult and uncomfortable to put yourself out there but do it for the plot. Think back to kindergarten when you could be best friends with anyone you wanted because you were unapologetically yourself. Embrace that same energy in college and take risks. 

Once I started branching out of my athletic bubble by attending events, joining organizations and working for the university, I instantly felt more connected to the school and the Pacific community. 

Establish a routine

You can improve your mental and physical health by establishing a routine. Routines create structure, which is beneficial for first-year college students living away from home. When events are repetitive and predictable, you don’t have to worry about what to do next.   

During my first year, having a strict routine with volleyball practices, class and study hours helped me adapt to life on my own. It helped alleviate some of the stress and anxiety associated with new environments. There was always somewhere to be and things to do, and I was too busy to think about missing home.  

Use support systems to combat homesickness

You’re going to have rough days; it’s inevitable. Before panicking and making rash decisions, take a few deep breaths and figure out what you need in the situation. Maybe you need someone to vent to, or you need to take the night off from all your responsibilities.    

There are many resources at Pacific that can help you cope with homesickness. Talk to your roommate or reach out to your RA, who has already been through the transition to college. I found comfort in talking to my friends who were in similar situations and couldn’t just drive home. Knowing that I wasn’t the only one experiencing homesickness, made me feel less alone. 

If you need more assistance, reach out to student support resources like CAPS, Care Managers and Student Life. You can make a CAPS appointment online or contact them by calling their front desk at 209.946.2315 x2.  

Find a support system that will be there for you through the highs and lows. Recognize and tackle your homesickness as soon as possible. You will have an easier transition to college and flourish in your newfound independence! 

Megan Nishimura

Megan Nishimura is a fourth-year marketing major from Honolulu, Hawai’i. You can find her in Burns Tower as Enrollment Marketing’s student copywriter, in the stands as an athletics event staff worker or on the court as a member of Pacific’s Division 1 volleyball team.

Welcome to college! Whether you were the class president or the shy bookworm in high school, you are once again the little fish in the big pond. And that is exciting! Over the next four years you will have the opportunity to start fresh and grow into whoever you want to become. 

College will, without a doubt, be a journey. As a junior, I’ve come to appreciate the independence I’ve developed. I have grown much during my first two years at Pacific, and I anticipate learning and growing even more during my next two.

I have a bit of experience under my belt, so here are nine tips to help you survive (and thrive!) during your first year away from home.

Get involved on campus

There is a plethora of ways to get involved and meet new people at Pacific. You can join a club, rush a fraternity or find an on-campus job. I’m a member of Pacific’s volleyball team and a student copywriter for enrollment marketing at Pacific. Both positions have allowed me to meet and befriend various types of people from all across campus and the world. My experience at Pacific would not be the same without the relationships I’ve formed with my peers, my professors and the university.  

Go to class

Although it can be tempting to skip class, take my advice and just go. Many professors will include attendance credit in their final grades, so you don’t want to miss those free points. A good attendance record also informs professors that you are a committed student and care about their class. It might help you get extensions on assignments or boost your grade at the end of the semester. 

Stay organized

Whether you prefer to write things down on paper or digitally, keep track of due dates, exam dates and all other important events. Organization helps you stay on top of your assignments and alleviate unwanted stress. I track all major assignments and exams on a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and use the Notes app as my weekly planner.  

Always check Canvas

Canvas is your home base for all school-related activities, so familiarize yourself with the platform and constantly check it. You can find your syllabus, access assignments, send messages and more all within this one application. Professors will often send announcements via Canvas, like cancelled classes or extra-credit opportunities. 

Ask for help

First, understand that it is normal to feel homesick or overwhelmed or just a little off at times. Discuss your feelings with a friend, a parent or someone who you trust, and reach out for more help if needed. There are many resources at Pacific, including free Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Remember, your mental health is equally as important as your physical health. 

Take time for yourself

Balancing school and a social life are by no means easy. Give yourself a break and ensure you are taking care of your mind and your body. In addition to eating, drinking water and sleeping, treat yourself to self-care and partake in activities that bring you joy. I like taking evening walks and watching the sunset at Knoles field while listening to Lizzy McAlpine.  

Use your meal plan efficiently

Since it’s mandatory for everyone who lives on campus to be on meal plan, consider using it to best benefit yourself. There are several places on campus to use them, and I recommend checking each of them out. Before using your own money to buy groceries from off campus, check if they have the items at the Grove. I like to pay for my Starbucks with meal plan and scan the app so I can rack up stars. It’s also convenient to link meal plan to Grubhub, so you can order ahead your 11 p.m. sweet potato fries craving from the Lair. 

Explore outside of Stockton

Stockton is great because there are so many cool places to explore just a short drive away. If you’re craving the outdoors, there’s Mission Peak, Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park all less than 2.5-hours away. Take a day trip to the Bay or attend a professional sports game. One of my favorite memories was watching Stephen Curry play for the first time at Chase Center in San Francisco.  

Embrace the change

You are going to undergo so much change in the next four years, physically and emotionally. Looking back, I am not the same person I was when I first came to Pacific three years ago, and looking forward, I know I will leave a different person than I am now. Be open to new opinions, make your own educated decisions and discover what you truly value.  As cliché as it may sound, college is where you find yourself. 

I hope this advice replaces your worries with confidence and excitement. Enjoy the process, live in the moment and have a great first semester of college! 

Megan Nishimura

Megan Nishimura is a fourth-year marketing major from Honolulu, Hawai’i. You can find her in Burns Tower as Enrollment Marketing’s student copywriter, in the stands as an athletics event staff worker or on the court as a member of Pacific’s Division 1 volleyball team.