I take cold showers. Several years back, the water heater in my house broke, and for weeks, bathing in freezing water was my reality. Although it took some getting used to, I discovered that there’s something refreshing about being drenched in icy droplets. And so, even after the water heater was repaired, I kept the habit. To this day, each time I step in the shower, I first turn the knob to the cold side. More than just being...

Some days, the Burlingame Aquatics Center (BAC) is run entirely by teenagers. Working there as a swim instructor and coordinator, I was oftentimes put in charge of the whole facility. My role revolved primarily around responding to customers and ensuring that swim lessons went smoothly. Of course, with any customer service job comes working with difficult customers. During one of my first days in the position, I faced a challenging situation when a parent of one of our swim lesson...

As an annual school tradition, the entire sophomore class at my high school puts writer William Golding, famous author of The Lord of the Flies, on trial. In the case, Golding has been accused of committing libel against the human race in his allegorical assertion that violence and evil is an innate part of human nature. The whole class is split into two groups: one prosecuting and one defending Golding. Four attorneys are selected for each side, with the rest...

The idea of “safe spaces” has become so politicized, so derogatory, so different from what it had set out to be that I think we need a new term: community support gatherings. Community support gatherings are what safe spaces were intended to be: a place where minority and marginalized students can voice their concerns and engage in dialogue with other members of the group that have faced similar difficulties, helping empower those students to become their best selves. The problem...

Short of straight up asking applicants if they are a good person, here are some questions that I came up with that may help offer insights into the personalities of college applicants: Who’s your hero and why? I think you can learn a lot about people based on who they admire. Our heroes often embody the types of people we ourselves want to become. A person who has ambition and work ethic and has big dreams for the future...

Last year, my physics teacher introduced me to the book "Physics for Future Presidents" by Richard Muller. From nuclear warheads to space exploration to climate change, this book explores the science behind many of today’s most complex political issues. After reading Muller's book, I began to wonder, if politicians need science to generate effective policy, how should scientists navigate politics to educate the public about their discoveries? My response to this question would be to create a course called, ...