So instead of judging, try observing for a change. — Consider the following two scenarios: Scenario 1 Isabella, a senior in high school, has been dating her boyfriend Rodney for about a year. They started hanging out last summer, and she fell hard and fast. She and Rodney made plans to attend college together, helping each other with applications. Both get…

Drop them to reach your full potential. — “The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice.” — Brian Herbert Learning is the primary genetic feature that sets humans apart from animals; whereas animals naturally know how to behave via their instincts, humans have the ability…

Myth number 2: You have to be a math whiz to succeed at data science — Early on in college, I was training to be a climate scientist. I was fascinated by the intersection of computer science and climate models, as well as excited by the opportunity to contribute toward much-needed solutions for climate change. During those days, my friends had a go-to joke whenever I…

It doesn’t take much to spread positivity. — As I sulked back from class one afternoon, an older student walked by, jovial and energetic. He looked at me, greeted me with a warm, genuine smile, and said, “Why so down, my dude? It gets better, I promise.” I don’t remember what he looked like, or even why I…

Even if you think you are. — My freshman year of college, I took a field course in geology taught by a 90 year-old professor who’d been at the university for decades. We took a 4-day trip, most of our time spent on strenuous hikes in glaring California heat, with few breaks in between. …

Who knew French philosophy could be so enlightening? — “That’s all I want in life.” A good friend of mine sent me the following text as I was arriving to a local cafe to meet her for brunch. …

Go beyond the standard curriculum to get the most out of your data. — “Don’t get a PhD in History,” I was once told by a PhD Student in History. I wasn’t planning on it, but I must admit I found the tip to be a bit ironic and amusing, in particular because of where it was coming from. I was given this advice…

An amateur’s perspective on what seems to be the mental health word of the decade. — This is an interesting time in my life. As I write this, I feel many different emotions amalgamating into one another — pain, despair, sadness — but also hope, cheerfulness, and joy. And, dare I say, even a hint of tranquility. In the midst of this emotional barrage, I once…

Practical guidelines for the next time you find yourself struggling for motivation. — About one year into college, I was enrolled in a course in undergraduate computer studies. Having struggled in previous courses, I made a plan to ace this class through daily study, avoiding procrastination, and attending office hours. I stuck to my plan wholeheartedly. But, despite my best efforts, I received…