campus – Voices

Snow in Paradise

Posted on April 22, 2023 by Emma Grace Howlett

By Emma Grace Howlett ‘25 I was reading the dictionary the other day, and beside the word “paradise” was a picture of Pomona College. I saw Marston Quad’s expanse of emerald green lawn, dappled with shade from the white, wizened sycamores. I saw the deep purple irises and countless camelias tended with care by Pomona’s landscapers. I saw the snow-capped peak of Mt Baldy in t...

Combatting an Erasure of My Identity: Feeling Unforeign in Oldenborg

Posted on March 29, 2023March 29, 2023 by Vidusshi Hingad

Vids in long skirt against glittery backdrop

By Vids Hingad ‘25 A ticket from Terminal 2, Chattrapatti Shivaji Terminal in Mumbai to LAX. A 26-hour journey. Four oceans in the middle. Before boarding the flight from Mumbai to LAX, my dadi (grandma) always used to put a teeka on my forehead. This red dot symbolized that, no matter where I am, she would protect me and guide me. Guilty of wondering what strangers would...

Senior Thoughts: Upon Fourther Reflection

Posted on February 21, 2023 by Oluyemisi Bolonduro

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...

All of Campus is a Classroom

Posted on January 25, 2023 by Emma Grace Howlett

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...

An Ode to Teo’s Omelets

Posted on January 19, 2023 by Porter Reyes

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...

Midnight Walks Around The 5Cs

Posted on January 10, 2023 by Young Seo Kim

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...

Study Break Ideas for Finals Season

Posted on December 9, 2022December 12, 2022 by Serena Lin

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...

Approaching Normalcy

Posted on December 2, 2022November 30, 2022 by Porter Reyes

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...

A First-Year’s Largely Unhelpful Guide to Showing Your Family Around Campus

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Emma Neeb

By Emma N. ‘26 A couple weeks ago, my family came to visit. Since I’m an international student, that was the first time they’ve made the trip “across the pond” to see the place I now call home, the first time they got to see Pomona College with their own eyes, rather than through FaceTime. I was overjoyed, of course, and incredibly grateful that they were able to come to visit...