As the academic season ushers in the annual wave of graduate school applications, California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) took a unique approach to support its students. On Sept. 21 in room 2159 of the Tanimura & Antle Family Memorial Library, CSUMB’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC) hosted the “Just Write Graduate School Pizza Party.”
This event provided students with an opportunity to tackle the challenges of graduate school applications while indulging in a slice of free pizza and camaraderie.
UROC beckoned students to join a community of writers, find inspiration and make strides in their academic pursuits. Attendees had the freedom to write, seek feedback and engage with fellow students in a flexible, drop-in gathering.
While students were encouraged to drop-in for as little or as long as they found helpful, the event maintained around five students at all times. It was a relaxed, distraction-free environment where students scattered around the UROC workspace, sitting on the couches or even the floor to focus on their writing.
Free pizza, cookies and refreshments were made available for all attendees.
A significant highlight of the event was the presence of writing mentors who offered feedback on drafts. Students also had the opportunity to connect with peers embarking on similar graduate school journeys, fostering a spirit of support and shared experiences.
Outside of this event, UROC remains a resource at CSUMB, offering ongoing educational advising and assistance. Through one-on-one sessions, group workshops, relevant courses and activities that build a scholarly community, UROC empowers undergraduate students to explore their academic interests and achieve their goals.
For those looking to learn more about UROC and their resources can do so here: