Looking Back: Academic Advice from a Transfer Student

Transfer group 2018
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! ...
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A Breadth of Fresh Air

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...
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Somehow, Some Way, Community Finds You

group of 7 students attempting to do freeze frame jump
By Ben Baraga ‘24 Although I’ve finished my first year of college, just like the rest of my classmates, I’m mentally stuck in March of my senior year of high school! Indeed, nothing wakes you up out of a 15-month spring break like being called a “rising sophomore” and the wave of nausea that comes with it. But being bitter about a global pandemic is sooo last semester. I’...
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Semester Wrap Up: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

two bags of coffee
By Nelia Perry ‘24 With the semester coming to an end and finals fast approaching, I thought I could shine some light on what the end of a (virtual) semester looks like at Pomona. There are good things, bad things, and maybe a few ugly things thrown in as well. While “the good” comes first in the saying, I like to save the best for last, so let’s start with “the ugly.” Fi...
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Class Registration: The Most Hectic and Overwhelming Time of the Year

professor in Buddhist robes at desk, talking with student
By Danny DeBare ‘22 The craziest time on campus isn’t during finals. It isn’t orientation or move-in day, either. No, the most hectic, overwhelming time at Pomona is class registration. A few weeks prior to registration, the course catalog goes public. Everyone spends a whole afternoon fantasizing about their perfect schedule. However, most first-years and sophomores then...
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Braving Office Hours

small white dog in costume with sign encouraging voting
By Nelia Perry ‘24 So, you’ve decided to attend a small college––meaning you must be interested in close student-to-faculty relationships. But, if you’re anything like me, you’re wondering how to actually create a close relationship with a professor. First of all, let me say not all of the work is on your part. AND, the work that is on you, isn’t actually all that muc...
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First-Year Reflections: What I Wish I Had Known Before Coming to Pomona

four students eating ice cream
By Ebenezer Mensah ‘23 It seems like only yesterday that I moved into Mudd Hall as a first-year student, but autumn and winter have passed by, concluding my first year at Pomona. Reflecting on my first year, these are the things I wish I had known before coming to Pomona. Professors want to know you Coming from an educational system that was not easily accessible, ...
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Why the World Should Be Run by Professors

Out of sheer PSSD (post-swim-season disorder), I find myself with a few extra minutes of free time and energy to appreciate the non-water-related things in life. Today, this just so happens to be Claremont professors. First of all, I still cannot help but feel an amalgam of giddiness and grandeur as I turn towards one of my teachers and address them as "Professor". I feel li...
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The Hunger Games: Pomona

Once again, I find myself wanting to go to all the events put on by groups at the 5Cs. My original plan for last night was to attend a screening of The Dark Side of Chocolate hosted by the Environmental Analysis (EA) department so that when I tell people I don’t like chocolate, I would have an arsenal of reasons of why chocolate is bad, not just to my taste buds, but for the en...
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