What six California college students learned in 2025

Beyond the Transcript: What California College Students Truly Learned in 2025

The year 2025 presented a unique tapestry of academic challenges, technological shifts, and personal growth for college students across California.

While grades and degrees mark milestones, the most profound lessons often emerge from the unexpected – the resilience forged through setbacks, the wisdom gained from mentorship, and the evolving understanding of a rapidly changing world.

This article delves into the invaluable, often uncredited, learning experiences of students that shaped their perspectives and prepared them for the future, highlighting how platforms like Mentofy empower such holistic development.

Navigating Academic Hurdles and Achieving Breakthroughs

The college journey is rarely a straight line.

For many students, the year was defined by perseverance in the face of academic adversity, ultimately leading to significant personal and professional achievements.

These experiences underscore the importance of grit and a supportive learning environment.

The Power of a Third Chance: Alex Sanchez's Engineering Triumph

Alex Sanchez, a student at Cal State LA, exemplifies the spirit of determination.

After two prior attempts at a bachelor's degree, he found himself considering a different path, even exploring an apprenticeship in construction.

While he found the work engaging, a sense of exhaustion and boredom eventually led him back to academia.

This time, he pursued mechanical engineering, a decision that proved transformative.

His dedication culminated in winning a prestigious research competition across all 22 California State University campuses.

Furthermore, Sanchez secured coveted internships at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a NASA facility specializing in jet engines and energy storage.

These accomplishments, however, were not without their challenges.

On his final day at NASA, he felt a pang of inadequacy comparing his work to that of seasoned engineers.

It was a mentor's encouraging words – "You're doing higher fidelity work than some of the engineers here" – that resonated deeply, becoming perhaps the most impactful lesson of the year.

This affirmation, coming from a respected professional at NASA, fueled his drive and reinforced the value of persistence in demanding fields.

The experience highlighted that even amidst highly intelligent and accomplished peers, self-doubt can arise, and external validation, particularly from mentors, can be a powerful catalyst for continued effort and self-belief.

Balancing Parenthood and Higher Education: Veronica Zaragoza's Journey

Veronica Zaragoza, a student at Cal Poly Humboldt, demonstrated extraordinary resilience as a single mother of six, nearing the completion of her social work degree.

Her home life, with children attending three different schools, was inherently demanding.

A financial setback occurred when she lost one of her two jobs during the year.

Despite these considerable pressures, Zaragoza achieved significant recognition, receiving a California State University Trustees’ Award for her advocacy on behalf of low-income students with dependents.

She also successfully maintained her target GPA, a testament to her commitment.

Her internship experience involved facilitating a student-parent group, where she actively applied the coping strategies she aimed to instill in others.

Zaragoza's core learning revolved around the critical importance of self-care. "If I don't take care of myself, I'm not going to be able to take care of my family," she stated.

Her self-care routine was intentionally simple: a few minutes in the bath, moments of meditation, or reading her Bible in the car.

These brief respites proved immensely beneficial, and she actively taught her children the value of stepping away from screens and prioritizing personal well-being.

This experience underscores that academic success is deeply intertwined with personal well-being, especially for students juggling multiple significant responsibilities.

Developing Professional Acumen and Overcoming Self-Doubt

Internships and practical learning experiences provided fertile ground for students to test their knowledge, confront their insecurities, and develop essential professional skills.

The year 2025 saw many students embracing a growth mindset in these real-world settings.

Embracing the Learning Curve: Carlos Garcia Santos's Marketing Internship

Carlos Garcia Santos, a student at Cal State San Marcos, found his marketing internship class initially intimidating.

Having served four years in the Marines, he entered the professional world with a different set of experiences.

Interning for a small business specializing in refurbished designer eyeglass frames with rose-colored lenses, he encountered new uncertainties, questioning his existing knowledge base.

Working alongside a knowledgeable and passionate entrepreneur, Garcia Santos initially hesitated to ask questions, fearing they might reveal his perceived lack of expertise.

However, he soon embraced the reality that he had much to learn.

He actively contributed to improving the company's email and text message marketing campaigns and addressed website glitches.

His approach was to absorb information like a sponge, even if it meant sounding less knowledgeable initially.

He discovered that imposter syndrome was a shared experience among his peers; over 30 classmates in his course expressed similar feelings, fostering a sense of camaraderie and collective problem-solving.

This experience taught him the value of humility in professional development and the strength found in shared vulnerability among colleagues.

Engaging with Emerging Technologies and Ethical Considerations

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence presented a significant point of discussion and learning for students in 2025, prompting critical thinking about its impact on education and future careers.

The AI Dilemma: Eryka Lepper's Skepticism and Curiosity

Eryka Lepper, the outgoing student government president at Stanislaus State, identified the California State University system's rollout of a ChatGPT subscription as a policy that significantly impacted her year.

She described artificial intelligence as a "touchy subject" and chose to abstain from using ChatGPT for her academic work, expressing concern about its long-term effects on individuals and its potential to foster laziness.

However, Lepper acknowledged the pervasive nature of AI and the pressure to keep pace with peers who might be leveraging it.

She also noted a subtle shift in her academic experience, questioning whether new technologies contributed to the perceived ease of some asynchronous online courses compared to her initial college experiences at Merced College as a young student.

This raised broader questions about the future of universities and the equitable and ethical use of AI in academic settings.

Her reflections highlight the complex ethical landscape emerging with advanced AI tools and the need for thoughtful consideration of their integration into educational frameworks.

Cultivating Leadership and Public Speaking Skills

Beyond technical knowledge, the year provided opportunities for students to develop crucial soft skills, including leadership, public speaking, and advocacy, often through state-sponsored programs and student government.

From the Sidelines to the Spotlight: Oliver Sanchez's Growth

Oliver Sanchez, a 20-year-old math major at Stanislaus State, experienced personal growth that extended far beyond his academic studies in multivariable calculus.

As a campus ambassador for the College Corps, a state program that connects student fellows with community organizations in exchange for financial assistance, he underwent a significant transformation.

Previously preferring to observe and let others lead presentations, Sanchez gained new confidence this year.

He actively stepped into leadership roles, becoming the one to address groups rather than remaining in the background.

This burgeoning assurance has influenced his career aspirations, leading him to consider a future as a math teacher.

His approach to learning, which involves teaching concepts to others to solidify his own understanding, is a strategy that likely resonates with his classmates who join him for study sessions.

This method of reciprocal learning and teaching demonstrates a deep engagement with the material and a commitment to mastery, skills that are invaluable for future educators and professionals alike.

Navigating Political Landscapes and Becoming Advocates

Experiencing significant political events firsthand provided students with valuable lessons in civic engagement, policy impact, and the importance of advocacy, even amidst challenging circumstances.

Turning Impasse into Inspiration: Rylee Jue's D.C.

Internship

Rylee Jue, a third-year student at Cal State Monterey Bay, embarked on an internship in Washington, D.C., with aspirations to work for a U.S.

Congressional member.

Her experience coincided with a historic government shutdown, which lasted 43 days.

This event brought public policy, particularly education policy, to the forefront of her learning.

Jue also participated in a student leadership program with the Campaign for College Opportunity, an organization dedicated to increasing access to higher education, and contributed to a student government statement supporting immigrant and undocumented students.

Witnessing a prolonged political stalemate could easily lead to feelings of apathy or frustration.

However, Jue returned to California's Central Coast feeling inspired rather than demotivated.

She posed a powerful question that encapsulates her takeaway: "Why would we waste our energy being mad when we can be out there advocating?" Her perspective highlights the transformative power of channeling frustration into constructive action and underscores the critical role of engaged citizens in shaping policy and advocating for change, even in the face of political gridlock.

Conclusion: The Enduring Value of Holistic Learning

The experiences of Alex Sanchez, Veronica Zaragoza, Carlos Garcia Santos, Eryka Lepper, Oliver Sanchez, and Rylee Jue in 2025 paint a vivid picture of college life that extends far beyond the confines of a syllabus.

They learned about resilience in the face of adversity, the profound impact of mentorship, the necessity of self-care, the complexities of emerging technologies, the power of leadership, and the imperative of civic engagement.

These are the timeless lessons that equip students not just for their careers, but for a fulfilling and impactful life.

Platforms like Mentofy are dedicated to fostering this holistic development, providing resources and opportunities for students to gain these critical skills and insights, ensuring they are well-prepared for whatever the future holds.