Abstract
This study explored how Latinx students at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) perceive and experience belonging in their daily campus lives. Using a two-week video diary method and reflective thematic analysis, alongside descriptive survey data, the study examined how everyday moments influence students’ sense of connection or disconnection. Findings showed that while some students described increased confidence and support through peer and faculty interactions, others reported uncertainty and isolation tied to lack of representation, family obligations, and fears about immigration status. Quantitative data revealed a rise in perceived academic confidence and social acceptance, alongside mixed shifts in feelings of fit and visibility. These insights suggest that belonging is not static, but shaped by daily interactions, external pressures, and institutional environments. The study offers a more personal lens on belonging and highlights the need for support systems that recognize the complex realities Latinx students navigate at HSIs.