Cartoon by Joaquin Junco Jr.

Some of the best-kept secrets in our community are hidden at Southwestern College like Easter eggs on a spring morning.

Unfortunately, the eggs often go bad while students go hungry.

There is not enough of a push to inform students of the available resources SWC offers. Time to fix that. SWC should print brochures and flyers to broadcast and market available opportunities. Technology allows services to be posted on the campus website and social media sites.

After the first week of the ASO’s welcome programs and activities, it is easy to forget about resources such as EOPS, health services, counseling, arcade, the automotive department and the beautiful Botanical Garden.

SWC’s excellent Academic Resource Center assists with writing and math tutoring. All that is needed is a student ID.

EOPS is a service that helps with college book expenses. Unfortunately, EOPS staff is hard to find. It is pushed into a corner of the Cesar Chavez building.

SWC’s automotive department will often repair students’ cars for low prices. Students only need to fill out a request form for suspension, high performance tune-ups, brake, tire and engine jobs, all without labor fees.

SWC’s Botanical Garden is a four-acre wonderland of fragrant flowers and beautiful trees. This is an excellent hide away for students to de-stress and relax between classes.

Other stress relief possibilities reside in the Student Center. It hosts a game room, video games, a pool table and other games like chess.

Health Service has nurses on campus for students, but too few ever visit there. This is one of the great bargains on our campus.

Some great deals await students who take the time to look for them. Go explore our campus and its services. Great surprises await.