Four Unexpected Joys of Going to a Liberal Arts College

flag of Taiwan on a table with sign advising not to speak English
By Serena Lin ’25 If you're a high school senior trying to decide which college to attend, you've probably heard the conventional Pomona sales pitch: small class sizes, “liberal arts experience,” being in the Claremont consortium, and good weather. But what does that actually mean? Here are four unexpected benefits of going to Pomona College. 1) Exploring One...
Read More

Summits and S’mores

By Emma Grace Howlett ‘25 Sweeping mountain slopes glistening with snow, cascading waterfalls, and towering, flowering yucca plants. Bright orange Indian paintbrush flowers, majestic ponderosa trees, shady valleys, and clear amber streams. The San Gabriel Mountain range is within half an hour from campus and offers a breathtakingly beautiful respite from everyday college lif...
Read More

A Letter to Hayeon

Hayeon looking rueful at her laptop
By Hayeon Lee ‘23 Recently, as a senior at Pomona College, there have been moments when I pause and recognize that my college adventures are already and slowly coming to an end. Whether it be my walks between classes, a warm dinner together with friends at the Hoch, or a discussion of post-grad plans with professors, I realize that 18-year-old Hayeon, who walked onto the Pomon...
Read More

Senior Thoughts: Upon Fourther Reflection

two students doing handstands outside
By Oluyemisi Bolonduro ’23 Salutations! It’s been two years since I’ve written a Voices blog post, but it’s good to be back. A lot has changed since my fun lil’ celebration of finals week, whether it’s academically, developmentally, interpersonally… even extracurricularly, if that’s a word. One thing that’s the same: I still love the number four and using it to frame each co...
Read More

Claremont FC: Building Community Through 5C’s Club Soccer

Emma Grace and a teammate smiling
By Emma Grace Howlett ‘25 There is perhaps no greater view on campus of the San Gabriel Mountains than from Pomona’s turf soccer field. During late spring nights, the snow-dusted mountains glow a dusky pink as the colorful sunset arches rosily across the sky. It is in this scenic setting that the 5Cs women’s club soccer team practices twice a week. Composed of students from ...
Read More

My Favorite Study Tools

screenshot of Hayeon's thesis deadline calendar
By Hayeon Lee ‘23 If you ever catch me studying in the library basement or having a study sesh with my friends at the Coop, you would immediately notice my highlighters, planner, and stationery strewn about on the table. I am obsessed with all things stationery, academic planners, study apps, and so on. I am that one person in the class with different highlighters for differ...
Read More

Rediscovering the Joy of Music

hand holding heart object with words about creativity and joy
By Serena Lin ‘25 "You cannot count the beats. You must simply feel the music." As someone who is very numbers-based and methodical, this was quite a challenge. There was something stressful about not being able to protocol-ize a music note. As I stumbled through the first semester of my beginner's clarinet lessons, I originally expected just to "get through it" for th...
Read More

All of Campus is a Classroom

Great horned owl in tree
By Emma Grace Howlett ‘25 Whether they overlook the Quad, lay nestled beneath an Oak tree, or hug the side of the stately Carnegie Building, outdoor classrooms offer a beautiful, natural environment in which to learn. As a precautionary measure against Covid last year, Pomona has set up various outdoor classrooms around campus. Learning outside the traditional classroom shif...
Read More

An Ode to Teo’s Omelets

Teo behind a grill
By Porter Reyes ‘24 This year, one of Pomona’s two dining halls–Frank Dining Hall–changed its schedule, which much of the student body is excited about. Sundays through Thursdays, Frank now offers brunch from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM! This is GREAT news for late risers (like yours truly) and people like me who really enjoy Frank’s brunch menu. Undoubtedly, my favorite menu item i...
Read More

Midnight Walks Around The 5Cs

Young Seo and 3 friends on steps
By Young Seo Kim ‘26 You’re one of the 50 Pomona College first-year students who came early to campus. It’s nighttime, and you’re bored. The Village is closed and you and your friends don’t own a car to travel outside of Claremont. What’s a better idea than going out at night and walking around campus with your friends? It was my third night in Claremont. After going thro...
Read More