Lingua, the University of Texas at Arlington’s Linguistics Circle, is a student-led organization composed of undergraduate and graduate students passionate about linguistics. Several times each semester, we invite guest speakers to share insights that can benefit our academic and personal growth. As the secretary of Lingua and a third-year PhD student, I was honored to welcome Lisa as our speaker for October.

Lisa Cortés delivered an engaging and interactive hour-long presentation on time management, a topic that resonates deeply with students balancing demanding schedules. Utilizing her knowledge as a Life Coach, she provided simple yet effective solutions and practical steps to help us manage our time more efficiently.

One of the standout moments was her use of a visual example, a schedule she designed for one of her clients—that made her strategies feel actionable and relatable. I also appreciated her emphasis on tools like the Pomodoro method, which offers a structured approach to focus and productivity.

Throughout the presentation, I felt both reminded and empowered to take control of my schedule. My biggest takeaway was her advice on setting boundaries and allowing myself to say “no” when my plate is too full. Lisa even provided example scripts for politely declining opportunities—something that can be especially challenging for students eager to embrace every possibility.

Lisa is a poignant and articulate speaker who maintained a lively, thoughtful discussion while navigating challenging questions with ease. Her ability to connect with her audience and offer practical, real-world advice left a lasting impact on me and my peers. We are incredibly grateful to Lisa Cortés for sharing her time and expertise with us, and we look forward to inviting her back to Lingua in the near future.