Campus Life

The Challenges of Raising Children While Going Back To School

by Lilly Uvalle I started my college journey at UC Merced back in 2010. Like many students, I had big dreams, but life had other plans for me. I got married in 2012 when I was just 20 years old, and by 2013, I had stopped going to school altogether. Life moved forward quickly. I had my first daughter in February 2017, and with hope in my heart, I tried returning to school that same fall. I...

Make A Plan

by Ashley Ramirez The first week of classes is crucial—not only because it provides an opportunity to meet your instructors and teaching assistants, but also because it sets the tone for the rest of the semester. Most instructors will distribute a syllabus during this time, which typically outlines the course objectives, grading criteria, and a tentative schedule of assignments and exams...

What I wish I knew before returning to campus

by Ashley Ramirez Give Yourself Time When returning to campus, it is important to give yourself time to arrive to campus and also walk to class. In my own experience, the walk from the Bellevue parking lot to the SSM building can take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the weather. I usually tried to give myself enough time to arrive to class at least 7-10 minutes early to...

Back to School in the Sandwich Generation

by Jayme Richards When I resumed my college education at age 44, I knew some things would be different. I was now the mother of two, worked a full-time job, assisted with the care of my elderly mother, and had all the responsibilities of adult life – including a mortgage and a minivan. The demands on my time and resources were already enormous, but I knew this was the...

Returning Stronger: How Mental Health Support Helped Me Finish my Degree

by LIlly Uvalle When I first came to UC Merced in August 2010, I had no idea how much my mental health would impact my college experience. What started as excitement quickly turned into confusion and despair. I began missing classes, couldn’t concentrate, and felt constantly down. I would read pages of material and retain none of it. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was...

Lilly Uvalle, UC Merced Degree Completion Program Reentry Advisor

New UC Merced Graduate Joins Degree Completion Team

We're so proud of Lilly Uvalle for finishing her dream! Read her story and learn more about our new Degree Completion Program Graduate and Reentry Advisor.

UC Merced Ranked #1 in Nation

The university's dedication to social mobility has been a consistent strength, earning a top-5 ranking in this category for several years. This latest achievement solidifies UC Merced's position as a leader in providing access to quality education and helping students succeed. Our Degree Completion team is completely dedicated to bringing you back to college and supporting you to...

Programs and Services to Support Your Success

SUCCESS ANYWHERE success.ucmerced Our UC Merced’s Success Anywhere website supports your success by providing support, guidance, and resources to equip you to pursue your educational journey. It’s a great reference hub for opportunities, programs, and services for currently enrolled UC Merced students. PROGRAMS & SERVICES Transfer, Returning and Veteran Student...

Back to College Tips

Coming back to college to finish your first degree is a big decision. Many companies require ongoing training and skills development, and a college degree brings you greater earning potential overall. “It’s also important to note that finishing your degree is crucial. Those with some college but no bachelor’s degree, for example, make only marginally more per year than high...

Husband and Wife are Incoming Students

Liliana Barron and Manuel Barron-Nava, the husband and wife teaming joining UC Merced. Photo by Veronica Adrovar A well-timed email — and possibly fate —played a role in a local couples' decision to enroll in UC Merced this year. Liliana Barron was pursuing a psychology major at UC Merced, but left after two years to marry Manuel Barron-Nava and start their...