classes – Page 2

Get some sleep! Play a song! Get that ice cream!

Posted on June 14, 2022September 21, 2022 by Emily Kim

Emily with friend Steph in graduation robe, holding bouquet

By Emily Kim ‘25 Roughly two weeks ago, I finished my first year of college! This finals season was particularly tiring for me: on Monday I had a computer science exam (though I was glad to get it done early on in the week); on Tuesday I spent the entire day writing a final paper for my Jane Austen class; and Wednesday and Thursday were dedicated to finishing a project and s...

How To Ask for Help When You’re Drowning in a Scary College Class

Posted on June 8, 2022September 21, 2022 by Seohyeon Lee

illustration of ghost-like figure with question marks and anxiety around it

By Seohyeon Lee ‘25 I was clueless about everything when I started my first year at Pomona. As an international student from South Korea, I didn’t know what to expect from going to college in the United States. I was happy to get into a good liberal arts college, but I was terrified that I would face a steep learning curve with very little preparation. Looking back, I did...

Reflections on “The American Road Trip”

Posted on March 14, 2022September 21, 2022 by Porter Reyes

Route 66 graphic with mountain background

By Porter Reyes ‘25 At Pomona, every first-year student takes one of around 30 unique Critical Inquiry seminars to hone their writing skills. My Critical Inquiry seminar, The American Road Trip, was transformative for me as a writer and a thinker. Taught by Professor of Politics, and Coordinator of the Pomona Public Policy Analysis program, Susan McWilliams, the class was on...

Why a Liberal Arts Education Is Like a Thali

Posted on January 6, 2022September 21, 2022 by Vidusshi Hingad

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...

Looking Back: Academic Advice from a Transfer Student

Posted on October 1, 2021September 21, 2022 by Isabel Callahan

By Isabel Callahan (Dec. ’21) “Let me know if anyone needs help with their schedule!” As I peered up at our sponsor from my spot on the hallway floor of Harwood’s basement, I had no idea just how generous his offer was. “How complicated could a schedule be?” I wondered. As my sponsor and I soon realized: for a transfer student, sometimes more complicated than expected! ...

Reconnecting With My Mother Tongue

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

By Sonam Rikha’24 “You’re not Tibetan, you’re American.” If I could get a dollar for every time I’ve heard that phrase uttered to my face, I’d be a millionaire. It’s wild how it's often the people closest to you–relatives, community members, family–who constantly remind you that you don’t belong. I never felt as uncomfortable with my Tibetan-American identity as I did whe...

Q&A with a Geology Major

Posted on August 23, 2021September 21, 2022 by Siena Swift

Dede in puffer jacket, kissing a stuffed bison, with snowy mountains in background

By Siena Swift ’23 This week I interviewed Bert & Rocky’s-loving Dede Chapline ‘23, who is one half of the iconic snake mom, OKC superstars duo with last week’s interviewee Lilly Haave (see “Q&A with a Transfer Student” for further explanation). This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. Q: Can you please introduce yourself? A: My name i...

Not Knowing What To Do

Posted on August 9, 2021September 21, 2022 by Lucy Pan

By Lucy Pan '24 When I first applied to Pomona in the fall of 2019, I was a nervous seventeen-year-old who didn’t have a clue about what I was going to major in or have concrete future goals. College application season was stressful; I remember hearing my friends and classmates discuss their own long-term plans—some wanted to go to medical school, others had plans for gradua...

Never Say Never: My Journey Through Math

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

$two math medals$

By Sonam Rikha ’24 I will never take a math class again, I promised myself. It was my last day in high school. I proudly exited out of my virtual AP Calculus class and then hurled my calculus notebook into the trash. Despite the deep disgust I’d developed for analyzing functions, I’d miraculously aced my math class and passed the AP test, all while during the pandemic. Only ...

A Breadth of Fresh Air

Posted on July 9, 2021September 21, 2022 by Leslie Paz

Leslie's small dog cuddling a copy of Hesiod

By Leslie Paz ’24 Enrolling at Pomona comes with a breath of fresh air. The lenient general education requirements and the vast array of courses mean that students are free to explore to their heart's content. As an undecided first year this past fall, I want to share how these two factors helped guide me to my current interests. It was 2:27 p.m. on August 12th, 2020, and...