Study Break Ideas for Finals Season

hand holding sketch journal with tree in background
By Serena Lin ‘25 With finals season in full swing, here are some of my favorite, easy ways to practice self-care during your next study break. Savor Stillness There are many quiet spots on campus where you can sit and just enjoy a few moments of silence and be present. One of my favorites is taking a tiny sketchbook and drawing in the Skyspace. You can also tr...
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Approaching Normalcy

icon for 5C friend is chicken with antlers
By Porter Reyes ‘25 Being a first-year at Pomona last year was weird. We were getting close to “normal,” but the pandemic’s effect on the first-year experience was tangible. This year, however, things are different for the new first-year class and the entire student body as Pomona approaches normalcy. Staples of life at Pomona, such as Orientation Adventure, cross-campus...
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An Unforgettable Halloween

3 people in shark costumes dancing in front of a crowd
By Sonam Rikha '24 I stopped celebrating Halloween in 7th grade. What once was a fun time to dress up and stuff myself with candy became a regular, uneventful day. So when Halloween rolled around this year, I expected my normal wave of apathy to rush in. While I’d heard of Halloween parties and events being prominent in college, I underestimated how much fun Halloween weeken...
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A Magical Experience: Pomona’s Harry Potter-Themed Dinner

glass of butter beer
By Sonam Rikha ’24 Universal Studios isn’t the only place where you can try the legendary butter beer from Harry Potter. In a matter of twenty-four hours, what once was Frary dining hall—a cafeteria for Muggles––is transformed into the magical cafeteria of Hogwarts. Banners of the four Hogwarts houses hang above the long rows of tables. Upon entrance, you are greeted by dini...
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Why a Liberal Arts Education Is Like a Thali

Vids and friends arm-in-arm, smiling
By Vidusshi Hingad '25 A liberal arts education is like a thali. I promise you this analogy makes sense—just stick with me! Just like the thali is a large plate in which a plethora of dishes are served, a liberal arts education is like tasting different flavors of areas of knowledge which eventually develop your taste buds to their maximum potential. [At Pomona] you are requ...
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What Time Is It? DECISION TIME

singer Lucky Daye with microphone
By Sonam Rikha ‘24 “AHHHHH I GOT IN!” We’ve all heard the screams, we’ve all watched the reaction videos, and some of us have even screamed those same words ourselves. The college application process is tough: which schools should I apply to? Who should I ask to write my letter of recommendation? Can I even afford to go to this school? Though for some, the decision proces...
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PP vs. CMS: A Small but Tough Rivalry

Pomona-Pitzer Sagehen mascot
by Sophia Augustine ‘23 Most of my friends from back home attend large state universities with flourishing and very prominent sports cultures. This means endless tailgates as well as rowdy and boisterous football/basketball/hockey games galore. I never really prioritized that avid sports culture when applying to colleges, and I think it’s fair to say that Pomona and the ...
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Leaving the South

Darien with book in library
By Darien Corrales '22 Beyond being accepted at Pomona, getting the chance to visit campus remains one of my most personal and cherished experiences. I applied to Pomona through QuestBridge, a program for high-achieving, low-income students to apply to colleges where their full financial need will be met. As part of the QuestBridge application, I had to rank schools from a l...
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Making a Change For the Better

Sunrise members protesting
By Ben Reicher ‘22 When I started college, there was a lot I didn’t know, and I’m sure there still is. But I knew that there were a lot of problems in the world, and I knew I couldn’t just stand by and watch them happen. I knew the planet was on fire, and that I had to do what I could, no matter how small, to help extinguish the flames. If you’re an incoming or prospectiv...
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A Letter for Incoming Black Students, from a Black Student

By Ebere Amadi '22 It was a 47-minute car ride from my house to Pomona College on Move-In Day, August 25th, 2018. I drove down the 60 freeway with a car full of family, luggage, and Frank Ocean’s nostalgic tunes. As the familiar melodies of Ivy and Nights boomed through my speakers, I almost cried as Frank beautifully sang “we’ll never be those kids again” because it was tru...
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