Peer interviews

In a semester defined by heavy courses and sleepless nights, Subhana stood out not because of her accomplishments but because she takes them for granted and is willing to accomplish more. As we had a deep conversation about this semester, and how we have lots of similarities in our journey, whether they are ups or downs, we are both learning from each other. Just showing up to class day after day, to hard classes, long labs, or new challenges is the clearest sign of growth.

This was Subhana’s first time cramming all her hard courses in one semester, which was a challenge for her. But she approached with courage and hope. She learned to navigate her schedule with thoughtful planning, balancing the heavy academic load. When multiple exams were crammed into the same day, it was hectic for her, but after working on a routine and visiting her advisor more often, it helped her not only academically but mentally as well. 

One of Subhana’s most impressive aspects in her semester was her growth in the biology lab, which made her more than just study from textbooks. She mastered Excel, a skill that intimidated many of her peers due to its heavy statistical demands. What also surprised her was the dissection in the lab, where she was fully engaged without any hesitation. These weren’t just academic milestones, but they reflected an expanding comfort with unfamiliar tasks, which is a usual thing in a science major, but it’s worth it.

Her semester was not just about academics, though. Volunteering at an event related to her community, which is the Muslim Community, is a very good tip for surviving college. Meet as many people as possible. This was Subhana’s way of getting more involved, and it inspired her to do more volunteering at any event that she gets an opportunity to attend. And one of her memorable moments was with her events, which were celebrating Ramadan with her peers at events, and breaking her fast every day in college with them for a month, which made it easier for her.

Looking further, Subhana plans to volunteer more and acknowledges areas she needs to refine, like reducing procrastination, cutting on caffeine, and sharpening time management while maintaining her fitness. She is focused on applying everything that she learned. Focusing on a healthy and balanced routine and getting involved on campus. And most importantly, passing her finals.

As Alondra Mendoza Pineda started talking about her semester, it showed that it was full of creativity, not just academics.  Participating in a campus musical shaped most of her semester. Joining a musical that requires demanding hours is not easy. But everyone engages on campus differently, and we usually meet the most amazing people in areas that interest us. That was Alondra’s case; she met a lot of amazing friends, even though they spent hours a week, almost 20 hours, she still felt like it was nothing because of her friends.

The musical was not just a hobby; it was long nights of rehearsals, repeating a part more than once, and the stress all over the room. Anyone who goes through that would hate it, but Alondra’s peers made it fun and exciting. Balancing these long hours of rehearsal with her academic responsibilities and a job on top of all that required time management. Alondra used methods like writing down her tasks and finding productive spaces like quiet cafes, which were a little expensive but useful for completing homework. This balancing act impressed me. Though it does not work with everyone, but is worth a try.

Yet despite Alondra’s outstanding musical performances and academics, she faced rejection twice this semester. Facing setbacks can lead some people to give up and not know their worth, setbacks that could easily rattle anyone’s confidence. Instead, she took it another way around, and she was stronger than she expected; she knew her self-worth, which is an important key in life. “I was reminded that I need to know my worth, “she said simply. This line inspired me, and the way she talked about it made it more inspirational. It shows the confidence she gained after that experience.

Academically, Alondra was impressive. Mostly in her English course, which she described as one of her favorites, and she would take it again, it strengthened her skills in writing poems and plays. Alondra developed a new study habit, like beginning her homework early in the morning at 5 AM. Even though she admitted that she procrastinates a lot, her intention to improve is clear. Looking forward to the end of the semester and the next one, she plans to procrastinate less, stay strong in the face of challenges, and continue refining both her academics and her hobby. She showed me her optimistic side, which creates resilience that will guide her forward.  

Narrative Writing: A Whole New World

        The air in the small, dimly lit room was thick with the scent of old books and polished wood. Outside, the last remnants of the sunsets clung to the horizon, tinging the sky with red and golden streaks. Zain was on the side of his bed, staring at the suitcase before him as if it were a portrait of another world. The weight of the moment lay upon his chest, heavy and unfamiliar. The small city of Tyre, in the south of Lebanon, had been his whole world, but now it’s just a memory of a life left behind.

           Zain’s heart was racing in his chest. This was his dream, moving to New York, and pursuing a successful career, but now that it was before him, the dream felt almost too big to be realized. His mind wandered back to the night before. He had gone to the city’s ruins with his childhood friend, Layla. The two had spent countless evenings there, talking about their futures, hopes, and fears, watching the stars appear over the sea. That night, as they sat on the seacoast, Layla turned to him, her eyes reflecting the same horizon he had stared at so many times before. “You know, Zain,” she had said softly, “you’re not just leaving Lebanon. You’re leaving a part of yourself behind, too. Don’t forget who you are when you’re out there.” 

He had so many thoughts that day, thoughts of fear and excitement. What if the life he was about to build in New York wasn’t the one he imagined? The bright lights the promises of success, what if it wasn’t as dazzling as he had hoped? What if he feels homesick and just gives up? What if he doesn’t get used to living in New York?

           Zein felt a deep connection to the place he was leaving behind. The memories of Tyre City, the sound of waves crashing against the rocks, the smell of Jasmine in the air, and the comfort of his family’s voices in the house were all around him. It was like they were reminding him that they would always be part of him no matter where he went. He could carry those memories with him, but they didn’t have to define his future. Zain walked over to the window and looked out at the sea. The horizon stretched out in front of him, as vast and open as his future. The weight on his chest had lifted. He didn’t have to be afraid of change. He could embrace it. He could bring the best of Tyre with him without letting it hold him back.

      Zain’s mother stood by the window, her hands absentmindedly tracing the beads of the necklace that Zain had bought her. The soft click of the beads against each other was a quiet rhythm, almost like the pulse of time itself. She hadn’t spoken for hours, lost in her thoughts.

        Her gaze was fixed on the horizon, the same horizon that Zain had spent his childhood gazing. She had raised Zain alone for most of his life, watching him grow from a curious child to a young man with dreams too big for their small city. It had been her job to protect him and give him everything she had, her love, and her strength. Yet, now, she could feel that her role was slipping away, replaced by the daunting thought that the world was opening for him, and he was stepping into it alone.

       She had always known that the moment of Zein leaving was coming, but now it was with a packed suitcase and a ticket in his hand. Her emotions were a tangled mess of pride in the man he was becoming, sorrow at the thought of him leaving, and a quiet fear about whether she had prepared him enough for the challenges ahead.

    She wanted to say something to him, something more than the usual comforting words, but the lump in her throat made it impossible to speak. She couldn’t tell him that a part of her would stay behind in Tyre, forever attached to the city and its memories. And yet, she knew that for Zain to succeed, he had to let go. He had to step into the world without the weight of her shadow. Her prayer was that he would find his way, find happiness, and never forget where he came from.

   “Zain,” she finally whispered, as she placed her hand on his shoulder, “you can do it. The world is waiting for you.” The words were both an affirmation of his ability and a prayer that she hoped would carry him through the uncertainty that awaited. Then he packed and left for the airport.

         The airport was a blurred moment, people rushing past him, each person holding their journey. Zain had a stomachache as he stood in the long line for security. His hands were slightly trembling, but he tried to ignore it. The weight of the suitcase in his hand felt different now. It was no longer just a bag filled with clothes, it was the last piece of his old life, and the first step into the new one.

         When the boarding call finally echoed through the terminal, Zain stood up and joined the line of passengers. He settled into his window seat, looking out as the plane began to take off. His heart was still heavy, but now there was a sense of excitement beneath it, a quiet calmness. This was the beginning of something new, something he had worked for and dreamed of.

    A few months have passed since moving to the city, a lot has happened. He had quit jobs he didn’t feel like he was fitted into, some he didn’t feel like getting out of bed to go. Finally, he landed a job, which he felt excited to wake up to. It was a famous company, which had good pay, connections, and most importantly were professional.

          But things took an unexpected turn when Zain was asked to handle a crisis in the company. One that wasn’t related to any of the usual projects, despite his relatively short time at the company, the manager handed him the responsibility of leading the team to resolve it. It was a systematic issue, and he had to identify the root cause first. They discovered that a recent update to the company’s software had inadvertently triggered a chain of errors, causing the entire system to crash. The fix wasn’t going to be quick or easy.

       As the days passed, Zain’s role became more demanding. He had to coordinate with the engineering team to patch the software, work with the customer support team to handle the mounting complaints and communicate with top executives about the progress. The longer the glitch persisted, the more frustrated clients became. Zain could feel the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, but he refused to give in to the pressure. Through late-night brainstorming sessions, strategic meetings, and countless troubleshooting attempts, Zain and his team managed to pinpoint a potential solution. They worked around the clock, testing every fix and double-checking each line of code. There were moments when it felt as if they were getting nowhere, but Zain kept pushing forward, encouraging his team to remain focused.

       Finally, after days of intense effort, they managed to patch the software. The system was back online, and operations were restored. In the end, the challenge taught Zain a powerful lesson in resilience, leadership, and the importance of staying calm under pressure. He realized that facing the crisis head-on had pushed him beyond his limits, helping him grow both professionally and personally. The experience made him understand that obstacles, no matter how overwhelming, were just opportunities in disguise.

         Moving to New York had been tough navigating the city’s relentless pace, adjusting to a new life, and dealing with unexpected crises but it was all worth it. The hardships he faced had shaped him into a stronger, more adaptable person, and he knew now that no matter what came next, he was ready to tackle it with confidence and determination.