Reflection – Page 3

My (Not So) Strange Addiction to Social Media

Posted on August 27, 2021September 21, 2022 by Sonam Rikha

By Sonam Rikha ‘24 Addiction: “a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity having harmful physical, psychological, or social effects and typically causing well-defined symptoms (such as anxiety, irritability, tremors, or nausea) upon withdrawal or abstinence” (Merriam Webster Dictionary). If I’m being hon...

Finding Home in Online Spaces

Posted on June 25, 2021September 21, 2022 by Lucy Pan

By Lucy Pan ‘24 When the COVID-19 pandemic first started back in March of 2020, I could’ve never imagined that it would completely change the course of my entire first year of college. The abrupt transition from everyday in-person classes to Zoom school was uncomfortable, but I accepted this changing reality as temporary— a short phase from which we would eventually return t...

Embracing My Inner Grandma

Posted on June 10, 2021September 21, 2022 by Sonam Rikha

By Sonam Rikha ‘24 I feel like I’ve been sprinting these past five years, thinking that if I stop, I’ll trip and fall. Growing up, my parents emphasized two things: “Education comes first” and “Take advantage of every opportunity.” When I started my first year of high school I clung onto these phrases and made sure to fill my schedule with difficult classes and many extracur...

Voting in Two Presidential Elections During the Pandemic

Posted on May 18, 2021September 21, 2022 by Sonam Rikha

By Sonam Rikha ‘24 In the months leading up to the US presidential race, my Instagram was flooded with messages telling me to register to vote. Whether it was Cardi B, the kids from Stranger Things, or my fellow classmates, all seemed to want one thing: for me to exercise my civic right and vote. Luckily for me, I was already registered and, by the time October came, ...

The College Search: Sage(hen) Advice from Oluyemisi

Posted on May 10, 2021September 21, 2022 by Oluyemisi Bolonduro

This is the fifth in a six-part series of advice for high-school-aged students about the college search process. Enjoy! By Oluyemisi Bolonduro '23 Salutations all, My name is Oluyemisi Bolonduro, and I’m a second year at Pomona majoring in Africana Studies. Some of you may have nooooo idea where you want to go to college and others of you have had an idea for years. Whet...

The College Search: Sage(hen) Advice from Nelia

Posted on April 27, 2021September 21, 2022 by Nelia Perry

Nelia with 2 other orientation leaders, all in red

This is the first in a six-part series of advice for high-school-aged students about the college search process. Enjoy! By Nelia Perry ‘24 As I approach the end of my first year of college, I have been reflecting back on my high school experience: What led me to a small, liberal arts college? How did I know Pomona would be a good fit? Why didn’t anyone tell me how valuable ...

Letters of L♡ve

Posted on March 15, 2021September 21, 2022 by Oluyemisi Bolonduro

By Oluyemisi Bolonduro ‘23 During Claremont Christian Fellowship’s (CCF) post-Friday Fellowship, two acronyms were dropped. The first was DMC, “deep meaningful conversation.” The second was H2HC (not a molecule), “heart to heart chat.” I had both of these that night. My original plan was to say hello for a short amount of time and vanish for the night (vanishing is me cur...

Surrounded by Birds and Procrastination

Posted on March 1, 2021September 21, 2022 by Sonam Rikha

By Sonam Rikha ’24 With finals looming and the bucket-load of assignments professors are piling onto students, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and find procrastination more and more appealing. As a burnt-out first-year dreading the few days I have left to turn in papers and finish projects, I’ve been finding any random reason to push aside my assignments. Today, I convinced my...

Tackling Imposter Syndrome at Pomona College

Posted on February 25, 2021September 21, 2022 by Hayeon Lee

screenshot of unmute and start video buttons on zoom

By Hayeon Lee ‘23 Have you ever felt like you don’t belong in an environment where everyone else seems more capable? More at home? When you begin to feel the icky feelings of Imposter Syndrome, know that you are not alone. During the summer of 2020, I had the pleasure of interning for the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships as a Communications Int...