Do class presentations make you nervous? How about meeting with employers for job interviews? 

If you’re anything like me, these pressure-cooker situations can be quite intimidating. Not only do they require a lot of research and carry a great deal of importance; they are also uncomfortable because they’re not typically part of our daily routines. So, how can we prepare for these difficult, and even daunting tasks? What can we do to feel comfortable in new and intense scenarios?

In the process of applying for internships, I’ve often struggled with these questions. But over the winter break, I stumbled upon Angela Duckworth’s Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Not only does Grit reflect the power of hard work and determination; it also offers several tips to help people reach their goals. In reading her advice for obtaining success, I decided to come up with my own to reach success:

1. Set goals for yourself. It’s important to stay motivated in order to stay on track. When you have an objective, you’re more likely to stick to your plan. Ask yourself, What do you want to achieve? What will it mean to you to reach this goal? Make a plan, and evaluate the steps necessary to achieve the goal.

2. Embrace challenges. Sometimes, we are going to do things that make us scared. We’re going to have to do things that may be difficult, and that may not come naturally. These tasks will make us feel awkward and distressed. But by reminding yourself why these steps are important, and accepting and positively responding to these obstacles, you can begin to overcome our initial fears and perform productively.

3. Try new things!  As I reflected on my most recent semester, I realized that my “daily structure” was actually a slump. By performing the same activities, I limited my ability and desire to try new things. So shake it up! Don’t be afraid to do things you’ve never done before! The more I pushed myself to meet new people and try things that I wouldn’t normally consider, I could adapt to new circumstances more easily.

4. Be your biggest supporter. It’s easy to criticize yourself. We tend to doubt our talent, and convince ourselves we aren’t good enough to obtain our dreams. But by recognizing our abilities, and maintaining a positive outlook, we can channel this energy productively.

5. Find the fun in whatever you’re doing! I’m a big believer in Mary Poppin’s philosophy: In every task that must be done, there is an element of fun. Even when completing a complex or boring assignment, if you find ways to make the job enjoyable, snap! the job’s a game! Not only will the time fly when you perform the task; you’ll also have fun doing it.

These five steps have helped me develop a better strategy for organizing and completing my goals. These ideas have helped me face my fears, get outside my comfort zone, and ultimately envision and accomplish tasks more easily. What are some strategies you use to achieve difficult goals?

Hello friends. We have just entered one of the most challenging periods of the academic school year: The three-week stretch between Thanksgiving break and Winter break. Thanksgiving break is the breath of fresh air that keeps us motivated to push through the the stress of early November. If you’re like me, you spend the majority of November counting down the days until Thanksgiving; if I can just make it to that break, everything will be fine and I’ll be able to enjoy myself.

Like most people, the Thanksgiving break was not actually a “break:” There was still work to be done during the time off from school. I had a problem set, several papers to complete, and plans to get ahead ahead on studying to make the rest of the semester a little lighter. But somehow, time slipped away: A walk with the dog turned into a three-hour break of bonding with family. One day, I allowed myself a ten-minute study break, and realized Netflix had just released the reboot of Gilmore Girls. I told myself I could watch “just one episode,” as if I wouldn’t turn into a complete monster and binge-watch the entire series. I didn’t even process the fact that each episode was actually 90 minutes long. And once I’d gotten started, I couldn’t stop myself: Six hours later, I was still sitting in my pajamas, and hadn’t moved all day.

You probably wouldn’t be surprised that I had a rude awakening when I came back to school Sunday after a long day of driving up from the Bay Area. Not only did I derail from my ambitious plans to get ahead; I lost all motivation to continue plunging forward and finish the semester strong. Those four blissful days of sleep, time with my brothers and pets, and ignorant bliss from my academic responsibilities drained my routine, my stamina, and quite frankly, my drive to do anything besides watch How to Get Away With Murder. 

Once I’d finished unpacking and settling in to my room, I was forced to face the inevitable: I needed to work. It no longer mattered what I did; there wasn’t a system or an order anymore, as long as I got something done. I had to cross something —anything— off my ever-expanding to-do list.

I’ll just pull an all-nighter, I vowed. I’ll get everything done tonight, and be completely fine the rest of the week.

I looked dauntingly at the clock. It was only 9 pm; the night was still so young. But in the 30 minutes since I’d sat down, I’d only read five pages of a 300-page novel. There was no way I could just blaze through the text that night. Sadly, the long day of traveling had destroyed my energy. Staying up any later would not only lead to inefficient studying, but also an unnecessary lack of sleep.

I’ll just set my alarm early and get a head start in the morning, I told myself. I set the alarm for 5 am, figuring eight hours would be the optimal amount of rest. I could get the day started early, and knock out some much-needed assignments hours before my first class. I went to bed shortly after, disappointed in myself for my lack of drive, but determined to start the next day off right.

The sunlight woke me up the next morning. In a panic, I turned to my phone. The alarm had been on silent, and it was nearly 8:30.

I could have panicked about this moment. I could have been bitter about my phone’s alarm not sounding, and been completely distraught about oversleeping. I could have let the fact that I missed the opportunity to deal with my homework ruin the rest of my day. Instead, I chose to internalize this moment differently. I chose to celebrate the fact that I’d just gotten over 11 hours of sleep. The idea of getting even over six hours is music to a college kid’s ears. Now I could move forward with the day, more recharged and refreshed than ever.

I know that getting 11 hours of sleep every night, and binge-watching TV shows are unsustainable ways of life for a college kid. It simply cannot be done. Over the next three weeks, students across the Claremont Colleges will endure late nights finishing papers, cramming for exams, and rehearsing for presentations.

I’ve always admired the relentless work ethic of Claremont students, who sacrifice those precious extra hours of sleep to ace their finals. And I understand the need to stay up and be a little sleep-deprived to get through the final push of the semester. But I also can’t stress the power of a few extra hours of rest. Whether you’re catching up on a little shut-eye, or splurging on Gilmore Girls, taking a little extra time for yourself — even to do nothing — could possibly help preserve your mental stamina. Even though there’s a lot to do, it won’t be possible to complete without a well-rested body and mind, and sometimes a little R&R is just the ticket.

Throughout my youth, I went to schools that implemented dress codes. These policies determined what types of clothes were appropriate and inappropriate school attire. Spaghetti straps were prohibited, skirts had to reach to the end of our finger tips, and clothing couldn’t be ripped or tattered, and could not contain profanities.

Usually, jeans and a t-shirt were the safest clothing choices in high school. Sure, some were inspired to dress up for classes, but for the most part, kids were constantly burnt out. Don’t get me wrong: I’ve loved fashion all my life. But between juggling school and homework, sports, extracurriculars and applying to colleges, I never had the energy to put together cohesive outfits. Most of the time, I simply threw on their comfiest pair of leggings and called it a day.

Then, I entered college, a place without boundaries for what can or can’t be worn. College has served as a time and space to experiment with my own style, and draw inspiration from my peers. There are no written dress codes in college: People have the liberty to wear what they choose, and get as dressed up or down as they please.

This year, I’ve started thinking more about life after college. I’ve started searching for jobs, and realize part of the process is engaging in interviews. These interviews are a crucial opportunity to prove your potential to the company or organization.

But interviews are more than holding an engaging conversation. In addition to prepping answers to potential questions, you must also consider the question, What should you wear to the interview?

To some, this question may seem insignificant, and even silly. You may wonder, Who cares what you wear? It’s about how you conduct yourself and whether you’re qualified. This is a valid point: Obviously, having great responses to tough questions is a vital part of the interview. But studies have found that those who keep care of themselves and “dress for the job” can be more successful in their work. After all, the interviewer’s first impression is their candidate’s appearance.

When I was in France, my advisor offered me some guidelines for fashion during orientation. I asked her how the French always looked so put-together yet effortless in their attire. She gave me a tip that I’ve since applied to my daily wardrobe: Create an outfit can be worn to work, to dinner with friends, and out on the town.

The key to achieving this look, she said, is by finding basic, yet classic articles of clothing. A good pair of jeans or a comfortable blouse can go a long way. The beauty of these pieces is that they can be worn several different ways, depending on the accessories you pair with them. Wearing something comfortable and versatile may be the key to not only constructing solid work attire, but also creating an outfit you could wear all day long.

Designer Rachel Zoe believes that Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak. It may sound cliche, but sometimes dressing the part can help you play the part. So remember to take care of yourself, and dress for success; you may be surprised how far an outfit could take you.

Hello friends! By now, you’ve gone through the process of searching for a position, creating a resume and cover letter, endured the unsettling waiting-to-hear-back period, and come to terms with the possibility of rejection. And soon, you’ll receive the email: Dear Applicant, I am happy to offer you a position.

There is nothing more exciting than getting this feedback! Take that moment to celebrate your amazing accomplishment! You deserve it; you worked hard to get that job! After all the waiting, everything has finally fallen into place and feels validated by this moment. The job you’ve been waiting for is no longer a fantasy: It’s real and concrete. The position is truly yours. 

Now, reality hits and it starts to sink in. You realize where you’ll be working and what you’ll be doing. But how do you prepare for what’s yet to come? You’ll learn so many new skills and master new tasks in your work. You’ll become oriented with the new space, your new peers, and the new tasks you’ll be required to complete. And naturally, you’ll make some mistakes along the way, simply because the job is brand new! That’s part of the job, and furthermore, part of life!

Don’t be hard on yourself about it. It’s something you’ve never done before. People make mistakes all the time, no matter how long they’ve been working in a specific position. Even people who seem to have their act together are “faking it until they make it.” Just embrace these mistakes as moments of growth, and opportunities to improve and prepare for the next time.

I’m the first to admit: I’m a master of making mistakes on the job. Even though I have good intentions, I always seem to find a way to make a royal fool of myself at work. When I worked as a customer and sales associate at the clothing store Anthropologie for two summers, I made countless mistakes every single day. Some of my duties included organizing sales racks, folding clothes, greeting customers at the door, and working the cash registers and answering phone calls. And yet, I managed to foil these tasks constantly.At first, I’d get mad at myself for messing up silly things, like forgetting a customer’s name for a dressing room, or putting a clothing item in the wrong section of the store. I’d mess up payments at the cash register, and not fold clothing “properly.”

But the most ridiculous mistake I made was when I worked as Anthropologie’s “door greeter.” My only responsibility was to say Hi, welcome when customers entered the store, and Bye, have a nice day when they left. Simple enough, right? How could anyone mess up this job? Believe me, I found a way. As a customer left the store, I told her to have a nice weekend. She responded with a confused look before continuing out the door. It took me a minute to realize I’d told her to have a good weekend when it was only Tuesday. 

As I learned that day, all jobs come with a transition period. The new work and circumstances will be challenging, frustrating, and even discouraging at times. But it is how we respond to these new scenarios that makes us stronger, more resilient human beings.

We must make these mistakes and learn from these mistakes in order to grow, prepare for new adversities, and perform the duties better next time. So cut yourself some slack when you’re first getting comfortable with a new job. With just a little time, you’ll have the system down!

When I go home for the holidays, I feel bombarded by friends and family members who relentlessly ask me about my college experience. They’ll ask, How do you like your classes? What is your major? How many roommates do you have? I’m sure we’ve all had a relative ask these questions back-to-back, like a rapid-fire round of speed-dating.

But beyond these generic questions, I have the hardest time answering, What have you liked most about Scripps? For me, this question contains several sub-categories. The social life, extracurriculars, and living conditions are huge elements that influence the overall college experience. But for me, the most critical aspect of college is the main reason we attend school in the first place: The academics. And what will resonate with us most is not only what we learn in our classes, but also how we learn it.

Growing up, I’d gravitated toward the idea of a big university. My parents both went to big state schools, and hearing them gush about the Greek life, amazing athletics, and widespread campuses appealed to me. Going to university football games nearly every weekend as a child, I became completely biased to the idea of attending any institution that wasn’t a giant university. I loved these schools not only for their “larger-than-life” atmosphere (especially after attending tiny schools throughout my youth), also because I’d be able to bond with my parents and relate to their college experiences.

When the college application process began, I told my parents about my desire to attend a big university. And like any parent, they wanted to support me, but also voiced their concerns. They wanted me to consider a smaller school — they knew I’d always enjoyed participating in class and forming relationships with teachers and classmates.

My mom told me when she attended the university, her average class size was around 400. There was usually no room for her to interact with professors; they recognized her by her ID number, rather than her name. With so many students to teach, my mother’s professors didn’t have the time to answer her individual questions. And while this system forced her to develop a sense of independence, she wished she could have had more of a connection with her teachers.

Perhaps large universities have changed since my parents attended them. Perhaps there are more opportunities to form close relations between teachers and students, or more classes offered that encourage student participation and facilitate discussion. Regardless of these big schools, I knew I’d be guaranteed small class sizes at Scripps.

I know some of the classes required at Scripps can feel excessive. I entered Scripps with no AP credits, and therefore needed to take eleven required courses and three semesters of CORE. Nearly half my classes throughout my academic career have been GEs. While to some, that statistic may seem like a cost, I view it as a benefit. Through these classes, I’ve studied a multitude of fields that I never would have considered in the past.

That’s been the beauty of pursuing a liberal arts education: I’ve been pushed outside my comfort zone in a plethora of studies. Not only have my classes covered multiple departments, but I’ve been academically tested in several different styles. I’ve taken multiple-choice and long-answer exams, written short analytical and long research papers, given fifteen-minute presentations and led hour-long class discussions.

At Scripps, I’ve taken challenging courses that have pushed my mental capabilities and stamina. But more importantly, I’ve learned how to think critically, listen to and learn from my peers, and form and communicate my own thoughts.