Workshop Helps Students Tackle Procrastination
By Gloria Kossigan ’27
TRIO/Student Support Services organized a workshop on preventing procrastination and strategies to combat it on April 3, 2025. At this workshop, students learned why they procrastinate and practical approaches to managing time and staying motivated and productive. Students engaged in various activities throughout the workshop, such as games, answering Menti survey questions, and peer interaction.
At the beginning of the workshop, students answered a couple of survey questions about procrastination to understand the factors that lead them to procrastinate. Most students admitted that procrastination had detrimental effects on them. What is procrastination? Procrastination at the workshop was defined as, “The act of unnecessarily delaying or postponing something despite knowing that there could be negative consequences for doing so.” Research shows that “95 percent of college students suffers from procrastination, 75 percent consider themselves to be procrastinators, and 50 percent procrastinate consistently and problematically.” The big question was, we know procrastination has adverse effects on us, so why do we still do it? Kim, the main presenter, delved into the biological roots of procrastination, exploring the neurological conflict that involves constant battles between the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex. This conflict stems from the fact that we tend to lean more towards enjoyable activities than less enjoyable ones. Procrastination is not always about an individual being lazy, but rather due to neurological conflict; we want to do the less daunting and challenging task. For example, if you were given a choice between going out for ice cream and writing a 20-page paper, you are more likely to go with the ice cream because it is more enjoyable.
Kim continued by stating the common reasons why students procrastinate, which most students answered in their survey. We procrastinate for various reasons, including anxiety, lack of motivation, unclear goals, decision paralysis, perfectionism, avoidance of negative emotions, attention difficulties (particularly ADHD/ADD), low energy levels, and lack of confidence. While there are many causes of procrastination, there are also numerous consequences, including academic, financial, social, emotional, and health effects. Academic consequences include lower grades and poor academic performance. Economic effects include loss of opportunities such as jobs, internships, and scholarship opportunities. Emotional effects include low self-esteem, and health effects include an increase in stress and anxiety levels.
Kim couldn’t end the workshop without giving practical solutions and items to help prevent and manage procrastination. She discussed overcoming procrastination by having the habit of starting earlier, keeping goals in mind, comparing your actions with your values, and staying accountable. The practical techniques discussed included the five-second rule (counting from 5 to 0 and taking action), the two-minute rule, and creating a distraction list (while completing a task, write down distracting thoughts and return to them later). Effective time management strategies to incorporate include setting clear goals, using a calendar to track assignments and tasks, creating dedicated study areas, employing the Pomodoro technique, and regularly reviewing the schedule on both a weekly and daily basis. Emotional regulation includes remembering how past procrastination has affected you, understanding how taking action now aligns with long-term goals, and using positive self-talk. Finally, be proud of yourself and reward yourself for your progress. Ultimately, students were given gift sets that included a timer, highlighter, planner, and sticky notes to aid them in overcoming procrastination.
The procrastination workshop provided an ideal opportunity for students to understand the components of procrastination and learn how to avoid them. This workshop was insightful for academics and other areas of life, such as financial, social, psychological, and more. The success strategies presented in this workshop will set students up for success going forward, helping them reduce procrastination and maximize their potential.
Poetry Night | TRIO & OIL Poetry Night
By Alyssa Guzman ’27
On Thursday, April 24th, 2025, TRIO, with the help of OIL, made its way down to Division St. to Northfield’s lovely Goodbye Blue Monday coffee shop for our annual Poetry Night. This event was pioneered by our amazing TRIO Administrative Assistant, Jessica Zick, three years ago, and it gets bigger and better every year. This event was designed to provide a platform for first-generation students to share their artistic voices.
We started the night off by hearing from our Carleton students– those in TRIO and those who came with OIL. We heard poems about OCS experiences by Victoria Kindall and our very own TRIO peer leader, Norman Colindrez. There were also some debut pieces from our TRIO students, Anthony Luna, Emily Salamanca, and Rey Delva. Talent filled the room, and after a quick intermission, we heard from our featured reader, Chavvon Williams Shen.
Chavvon Williams Shen is a Carleton alum who graduated with the class of 2015. We heard her read some of the poems in her 2024 released book, Still Life with Rope and River, as well as some of her pieces that have yet to be published. Following her readings, we had a short Q&A session where we got the opportunity to ask about her journey as a writer and her time as a student at Carleton.
It is always a pleasure to hear from our TRIO students. This event wouldn’t have been as great a success without Jessica Zick, the support of OIL, and Goodbye Blue Monday. Tune in next year for a bigger and better poetry night.
Learning About Professional Etiquette: An Interactive TRIO/SSS Dinner Experience
By Esmeralda Garcia- Ramirez ’27
On Tuesday, April 29th, TRIO/SSS introduced TRIO students to an interactive professional etiquette dinner led by RJ Holmes-Leopold! This event was a fantastic opportunity for TRIO students to learn proper dining etiquette, tips for making a good impression, and conversation skills for professional networking.
The session started with all students receiving name tags and understanding the importance of moving around the room and productively networking with others. Following the introduction, TRIO students transitioned to the entrance of the meal, where they learned the specifics of every utensil provided at the table. From how to properly eat a bread roll to how to pass around a pitcher of water around the table properly, students were introduced to rules of etiquette that one wouldn’t expect at a regular dinner table. Students were provided with how proper dinner etiquette works and could interact with their peers and work together to navigate these rules.
Alongside dinner etiquette rules, students were also advised on how to network with professionals at the dinner table successfully. These skills were essential, whether that was understanding the importance of body language or how to initiate and engage in meaningful conversations. By the end of the evening, students felt more equipped to navigate professional settings and build valuable relationships.
Overall, the interactive professional etiquette dinner was an enriching experience for TRIO students, providing everyone with essential skills and confidence to do well in networking situations. The supportive environment left students feeling more confident about future professional interactions. As a peer leader, I have participated in this workshop for two years, and each time I learn something new or get a refresher. Special thanks to the TRIO staff and RJ Holmes-Leopold for holding such an informative session!
TRIO Mystery Trip
By Heidi McKim ’26
On May 5th, Midterm Monday, TRIO partnered with the Office of Intercultural Life (OIL) and students embarked on a 5-hour long journey. No one knew for certain what was in store for them, only possible ideas based on hints given throughout the term such as the phrase, “A place where deals were made, but not always in the light of day…” for clue #1. This led to exciting conversations speculating the different locations and possible activities that our large coach bus would be heading for. The bus departed from Willis Hall around noon, and we arrived at our first stop around 45 minutes later, lunch! Students enjoyed filling their plates at the Tokyo 23 buffet and bellies were filled by the time the bus had to depart to our main location.
A short drive later we arrived at our destination, Wabasha Street Caves! The caves were used as silica mines in the early 1800s before eventually becoming a restaurant and a gangster hotspot in the 1920s. We were told that we would not be getting off the bus at this location, instead, a stranger hopped on. Ryan, a wonderful tour guide working at the Caves, adopted the persona of a gangster who resided in St. Paul in the 1900s. He continued to embody this gangster as he led us on a tour through St. Paul, highlighting notable places in the city and explaining some of its rich history, as St. Paul welcomed gangsters, protecting them so long that no crime was committed within the city itself.
Personal Storytelling for Self-Advocacy
By Francisco Arenas ’26
On May 7th, TRIO students gathered for an enlightening workshop on the art of personal storytelling led by Shelly Siegal, an education expert with extensive experience guiding students through scholarship and job applications. As dinner from El Triunfo was enjoyed, participants learned that successful self-advocacy isn’t just about listing accomplishments—it’s about sharing your unique voice and personal journey. Siegal emphasized appealing to human emotions by engaging the five senses in our narratives, reminding students that the details that make us distinctive are often what scholarship committees and employers connect with most deeply.
Shelly Siegal guided us through practicing our storytelling by pairing students up to share personal memories with partners before volunteers presented to the larger group. Stories ranged from lighthearted Walmart adventures to profound visits to Holocaust memorials, each revealing something meaningful about the storyteller. The room filled with newfound confidence, as peers offered suggestions for crafting concise yet impactful narratives. Although the workshop wasn’t long enough to fully explore more tips and exercises, it was something every person applying to any opportunity would enjoy. It was an encouraging reminder that it never hurts to apply for educational or career-related opportunities. The beauty of humanity is its uniqueness, and your story might be exactly what a job, scholarship, or other opportunity is looking for.
Celebrating our TRIO Seniors
By Edith Reyes Contreras ’25
On Tuesday, May 20th, seniors gathered to celebrate their hard-earned achievements after persevering through four years of college and successfully completing their comps projects. Surrounded by friends, students reflected on their journeys and discussed their next steps—whether securing housing, starting new jobs, or preparing for further studies. Faculty were also invited to join in the celebration, including Karina Garcia Siera, the former TRIO/SSS advisor for the graduating class of 2025 back when those students were in their first year. Many students took the opportunity to thank her for the guidance and encouragement she provided during their pivotal first year.
The event featured inspiring speeches from Kim Hildahl, President Alison R. Byerly, Dean Livingston, Graci Huff ’25, and Jonathan Nguyen ’25, all of whom spoke to the resilience and accomplishments of the class.
At the end of the celebration, TRIO advisors presented each of their students with a card and a small gift bag containing a portfolio and their TRIO stole. Students proudly displayed their stoles, posed for a class photo, and took pictures with friends and faculty to commemorate the moment.
Comfort Food Friday
By Gloria Kossigan ’26
Every Term at Carleton, the TRIO SSS program hosts an event for its students called Comfort Food Friday, where it features foods from different restaurants and cultures at the TRIO house. On Friday, May 23rd, TRIO organized its final Comfort Food Friday of the 2024-2025 academic year. This term’s food featured food from New Buffet. Students had a variety of options, including Chicken and Vegetable Lo Mein, rice, Spicy Garlic Chicken and Vegetable, Vegetable Stir-Fry, and lemonade. Three things students enjoyed about this term’s Comfort Food Friday: The food, of course, the weather, and the socialization aspect.
At every Comfort Food Friday, there are always student favorites, and this term was the hot and spicy chicken, which ran out within the first 45 minutes of the event. Some students enjoyed the food so much that they came for seconds, and most of them, when throwing away their waste, mentioned how good the food was. TRIO provided students with an abundance of food, leaving them with plenty to take home. Everyone ate well and was satisfied.
The weather was excellent with the sun out, so TRIO set up chairs outside for students to stay outside if they wanted. Students enjoyed the nice weather outside at the TRIO house, some sitting in rocking chairs on the porch, while others sat under the tree in the front, socializing and enjoying their food.
Socialization started from the beginning of the event. Students stood in line, engaging in joyful conversation with one another as they waited to receive their food. Conversations range from classes students will be taking next term to summer plans, random observations, and life in general. Both outside and inside the TRIO house were filled with lively conversations. Some students get to reconnect with friends they have not seen in a while, and the excitement on their faces is contagious.
Trio’s Comfort Food Fridays have always been a meaningful event for students, as they not only get to enjoy good food but also take a chance to relax and catch up with friends. One highlight as the event ended was Dean Livingston stopping by to greet staff and students at the TRIO house. This Comfort Food Friday was a great way to remind students of how valuable they are at Carleton by providing a communal space that felt like home as the term came to a close.