As the school year comes to a close, the senior class of 2024 says goodbye to the Claremont Colleges and welcomes change into their lives. For many of them, college has been far from normal — from spending a year of college fully online and masking up in classes to witnessing historic protests on campus, these seniors have had a unique experience. Reflecting on this, several seniors shared advice for younger students.
Tian Dong HM ’24, a mathematics major who plans on pursuing a master’s in physics and a PhD in mathematics after graduation, reflected on how important college can be in helping students grow as people, not just academically.
“I feel like I’ve spent a lot of time becoming an actual person,” she said. “I’ve found I’ve gotten a better idea of what my interests are and how I like to spend my time and the kinds of people I like to spend my time with.”
She also emphasized the importance of stepping back and enjoying life, rather than getting carried away by the inevitable overwhelming stress that accompanies these four years.
“I think it’s important to stay present and enjoy your time here,” Dong said. “[It has] become very obvious to me that I’m going to be gone very soon, which is quite sad.”
Michaela Jones PZ ’24, an environmental analysis and American studies double major, echoed Dong, noting how quickly time can move. Currently making plans to work at an environmental organization before pursuing a PhD in environmental science or geography, she reflected on this phenomenon.
“Enjoy it as much as you can because it goes by really fast,” Jones said. “As a senior, I feel like there’s been so many moments where I’m like, ‘Wow … this is so special.’ I’m sad it’s over.”
Jones shared her appreciation for the Claremont community.
“I love the people that I’m around and even just being in Claremont,” she said. “Enjoy it and take as much advantage of it as you can.”
Jones, who transferred to Pitzer College and took a year and a half off during the pandemic, noted her unique college experience and urged students not to compare their experiences to others.
“There’s no timeline that you have to be on,” she said. “If you don’t know what you’re doing when you’re graduating, that’s totally okay … I’ve learned that there’s no rush and everyone’s on their own schedule.”
Sara Colando PO ’24, a mathematics and philosophy double major who will go on to pursue a PhD in statistics at Carnegie Mellon University, shared a similar sentiment. She noted that feeling out of place in college is a common sentiment, but she also suggested that it is one that can be overcome.
“I feel like I was really nervous coming in about just going to college and [it] being a lot harder and worrying about the imposter syndrome of it all,” Colando said. “Something to keep in mind is just to stay curious in college … and not worry as much about comparison.”
Mary Markaryan CM ’24, a biology major on the pre-med track who plans on going to medical school after completing a master’s program, also spoke about imposter syndrome.
“The first year, a lot of students here feel a lot of imposter syndrome and now I don’t feel that at all,” Markaryan said. “Just know you’re not alone in what you’re feeling … and you’re going to feel like you’re the only one, but I guarantee you there’s someone else … that [feels] the exact [same] way.”
Markaryan also urged students to take risks and to form new relationships.
“When you’re entering college, it’s kind of the time where you’re meeting people,” she said. “Let’s say they’re giving out ice cream downstairs in our dorm … Go make relationships because it’s your first year, that’s kind of where everyone’s meeting each other. Reach out to people and be social.”
Similarly, Quincy Johnston SC ’24, a politics major who will be participating in a labor capital strategies fellowship at Georgetown University this summer, noted that being confident and taking risks is important to the college experience.
“I think that especially when you’re an underclassman … it can be scary to take more risks, like whatever that means for you,” Johnston said. “I was afraid to raise my hand at the beginning of … school and like, who cares? You know, you just gotta do it and it makes the experience way more fun. If you don’t take risks … it’s not as much fun.”
Along with this, Johnston emphasized the value in staying true to oneself.
“I think life is just better and everything you do makes you happier when you’re unapologetically yourself,” she said. “I love the people of Claremont … it’s just a wonderful place to meet new people all the time.”
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