By Serena Lin
As I sit down to write this, I still can’t believe I’m a senior! Throughout my 3.25 years at Pomona, I’ve made a habit of writing letters to my first-year self as a way to reflect on memories that I cherished and ways that I’ve grown. Looking back at the first of these letters is quite a time warp. (Reflections on my First Semester…)
Here are the first 3 pieces of encouragement I would have told Serena on her first day of classes on September 30th, 2021.
1: Embrace the Iterative Process.
“Life is a series of tiny experiments.” One of my favorite insights from my Human-Centered Design (HCD) classes at the Hive is learning the value of iteration. For example, I changed my major more than 3 times, oscillating from PPA (Public Policy Analysis) to Science Technology and Society (STS), considering Pre-Med for a stint, considering Computer science and Econ before finally landing in Neuroscience. Although this path was winding and chaotic, I’m grateful for all the various classes and experiences I had to make my decision.
2: Be Present
Being Present = Having fun for the sake of it. Especially in my later years, as the prospect of internship and job searching became more of a deadline, it was tempting to only prioritize activities that were “efficient” or “had purpose. But it’s ok to find joy in the process, even if the end product is not “useful.” For example, I made this very bedazzled origami crane with a friend at HMC’s makerspace. Its sparkles and beaded wings are a reminder that you don’t need to over-optimize the joy out of your life.
3: Cherish Diverse Conversations.
Our differences are what make life rich. Some of my favorite moments include engaging with groups of different perspectives, such as doing an exchange project during my Advanced HCD class in partnership with a design school in Mexico during my sophomore spring semester, hosting an interfaith service event in April 2024, and visiting Biola as part of Pomona’s Bridging the Gap program.
More pieces of encouragement to come!