M A X I M O

Balancing His Way Toward Success

Maximo's journey began as a Freshman at Dominican High School, where he joined the UCC Pre-College Program with a keen enthusiasm to become more involved in school activities. His friendly, outgoing personality quickly caught the attention of his Pre-College Advisor, who recognized his potential. Maximo wanted to participating in clubs and sports, but balancing his commitments with academics was proving to be more challenging than he had anticipated.

Already fully immersed in his high school soccer team and the UCC Latino Arts Strings Program (LASP), Maximo found himself stretched thin, often feeling overwhelmed by how to organize his academic responsibilities and extracurricular passions. His days were packed with after-school practices and weekend commitments, leaving little room to manage his schedule effectively.

Maximo’s Pre-College Advisor quickly recognized that his success lay in finding balance. It became a priority to help him maintain his grades while continuing to engage in the activities he loved. But one challenge stood out: Maximo struggled with staying organized, which made it hard to prioritize tasks and communicate his needs.

To address this, his advisor introduced the Pomodoro Technique, a time management method designed to break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable segments. This allowed Maximo to stay focused, avoid procrastination, and feel a sense of accomplishment with each completed task. Slowly but surely, Maximo found himself becoming more organized, tackling his assignments with renewed confidence.

With the guidance of his Pre-College Advisor and the unwavering support from his family, Maximo’s growth was evident. He learned to clearly voice the support he needed, gained better control over his time, and most importantly, improved his grades. His hard work paid off when he was accepted into Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish and Psychology classes for his junior year—an incredible achievement that fueled his passion for academic excellence and personal growth. Now, he envisions a bright future for himself after graduation, aspiring to attend the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) as an engineering major. By turning his challenges into stepping stones, he has laid a strong foundation for success, paving the way for the next chapter in his academic and personal journey.