Turns out, it took attending one of the most prestigious universities in the world for me to realize there's more to life than studying.
In an attempt to transition to University life, I found myself saying “yes” to way too many things, which left me feeling detached from my surroundings rather than at home on Grounds.
Despite our different temperaments, my mother and I understand each other perfectly through the language of food.
Cleaning out my closet has become more than a seasonal comfort — it has also taught me that I should not rely on school or social media for fulfillment and peace.
As I have traversed the ups and downs of self-esteem and reflected on the "Freshman 15” phenomenon, I’ve discovered how freeing it is to live beyond the confinements of body image.
No matter what changes in my life — with school, my friends or my love life — my daily stop at Bodo’s is one constant, always providing me comfort, joy and, of course, bagels.
After we truly ended things, I did not jump right back into the dating game and find true love, nor did I become a self care queen who takes herself out on fancy dates.
I lived under an imagined spotlight for years, constantly worried about my perceived intellect and physical appearance.
Changing my hairstyle allowed me to reconnect with a version of myself who was carefree and always looking for the next adventure.
Biking made me realize how even silly commutes to class are filled with things that make everyday life more interesting.
I would not be the same person I am today had I never left China and experienced life outside of the country.
Sometimes, I think life would be a lot brighter if I allowed myself to tackle my days the way I would as a child.
Here are some simple yet effective ways to let your mind, body and social life prosper this spring.
Experiencing the full force of all four seasons for 21 years has made me reckon with the fact that winter is unavoidable.
Now approaching my fifth finals season as a third year at the University, the trick for me to survive this time has been to force myself to go out and have fun.
I think I’ll be a 22 year-old teenager forever.
While it may not be reasonable in every situation, I believe, if it is possible, walking is such an underrated option to get around Grounds.
How do I come to terms with the fact that the year is going by so quickly? To be honest, I’m not sure if I can ever really accept the reality of a fleeting fourth year.
It’s not easy to break routine, but there are too many exciting opportunities all around us to let our typical schedules trump everything and dictate what we do every single day.
Just as I spent too much time focusing on the mess the construction created in my busy and sad days, I also focused on my past and neglected the fact that my college life had already guided me forward.
