As I write this article, I have officially taken my very last final at UCLA.
It’s strange to think that this academic year began with my “last first day” of school and is now ending with my last class ever as an undergraduate. Somewhere between those moments, the reality finally hit me: I’m graduating.
Four years ago, I was the girl refreshing her admissions portal in disbelief that she had gotten into UCLA. Even after committing, I worried about everything. Dorming for the first time. Finding a roommate. Making friends. Joining clubs. Getting classes. Balancing academics with everything else college has to offer. The list goes on.
If I’m being honest, one of my biggest fears throughout college was that I wouldn’t graduate on time. Every enrollment period felt like a battle. Enrolling in classes sometimes felt harder than getting concert tickets on Ticketmaster. There were schedule changes, waitlists, emails to professors and departments, and more moments of panic than I’d like to admit. I definitely had my fair share of crashouts, worrying that I wouldn’t be able to graduate.
But somehow, through all of that, graduation arrived.
The worries that once felt so overwhelming became memories. The problems I thought would define my college experience became small chapters in a much bigger story. Now, as I write my final article for Her Campus at UCLA, I’ve been reflecting on the doors that opened for me, the doors that closed, and the lessons I learned from both. To think baby me fresh out of high school is now #unc is truly crazy. I am no longer an undergraduate. So, as that chapter of life comes to an end, I have advice and pieces of my journey that I would love to share with those who will be in my place soon.
Door #1: Not Every Space Will Feel Like Home
Cliques. They never really leave us.
Maybe it depends on the friend group or organization, but those dynamics still exist. They are still a part of life. When I first arrived at UCLA, I already knew some of the spaces I wanted to be involved in. But even then, some clubs and organizations still exhibited cliquey behavior. And honestly, that’s okay.
More than anything, it helped me realize whether those were spaces I wanted to associate with or continue being involved in. College is an important part of figuring out where you belong. The right spaces are the ones that make you feel seen, valued, and welcomed. Those communities are what encourage you to stay involved and give you a genuine sense of belonging.
Door #2: Send the Email
Don’t be afraid to send that cold email.
Finding opportunities – whether it’s a job, internship, or research lab – often involves a waiting game. Especially when hundreds of other students are also applying, it can feel like you’re just another email sitting in someone’s inbox.
But trust me, it works out.
I didn’t start sending those emails until my third year. I looked into labs I was interested in and started reaching out. Some got back to me within a week. Others took a month. Some didn’t respond until summer. But those emails eventually led me to the lab experiences I have today.
I had the opportunity to be involved in three different labs, and I’m incredibly grateful that I took the chance.
Networking also goes a long way. Maybe it’s a professor whose class you loved. Maybe it’s someone you met at an information session. Don’t be afraid to reach out and build those connections. Getting involved and meeting people can open doors you never expected.
Door #3: Leadership Begins Before You Feel Ready
Being a leader in a club or organization comes with a lot of responsibility.
Sometimes just being involved is already enough, especially when you’re balancing classes, work, research, and other commitments. Leadership adds another layer to that responsibility.
When it came to taking on those positions, I always tried to do it with intention. I asked myself: Is this something I truly want? If my motivation was to give back to a community that once welcomed me, help improve a space, or make a meaningful difference, then I knew it was worth pursuing.
This year was my first time officially stepping into a leadership role. I applied to be a coordinator for a space that gave me a sense of cultural belonging before I had even committed to UCLA. Being able to give back to that community has been one of the most rewarding parts of my senior year.
Door #4: The Right People Make Themselves Known
College is where so many friendships begin.
No matter how many people you meet, it’s important to recognize who the real and genuine people are. They’re the people you know you can rely on, even if you haven’t known them for very long.
It’s not the people who constantly flake on plans, only reach out when it’s convenient, or fail to show consideration when it matters. It’s the people who show up when you least expect it.
Maybe it’s the people you had Avocado Toast Wednesdays with to keep up with each other and continue growing that friendship.
Maybe it’s the person whose dorm became your safe space when you needed a place to stay overnight during roommate struggles.
Maybe it’s the person you briefly met before UCLA and now share countless study sessions and Smile Hotdog runs with.
Maybe it’s the friend (counselor) who listened to every problem, validates your feelings, and encourages you to advocate for yourself.
Or maybe it’s the people you met at the very end of your senior year but still cherish because of the impact they made in such a short amount of time.
Regardless of how often I see or talk to these people, I hope they know how much I appreciate them. They have truly shaped my college experience – and my life.
So don’t forget to reach out to the people who matter. If someone made your experience even a little bit better, let them know.
Door #5: It’s Never Too Late to Try Something New
College is one of the best opportunities to step outside your comfort zone.
Whether it’s joining a sorority, participating in a new organization, or getting involved later than everyone else, it’s still worth trying.
I remember hearing all sorts of opinions about Greek life before experiencing it for myself. I wanted to see what it was really like. Going through the process helped me better understand what sisterhood meant and whether it was something I wanted to be a part of.
The same thing applied to career-related opportunities. I didn’t really start pursuing those until my third year. At the time, I thought I was starting way too late.
Looking back, I wasn’t. There’s no deadline for discovering new interests, finding new communities, or trying something you’ve always been curious about.
Door #6: Get Your Tuition’s Worth
Take advantage of where your tuition goes.
Enjoy the dining halls and food trucks. Trust me, you’ll miss them once you’re off campus. Go to campus events. Explore the resources available for students. Use the printing services, food access programs, student support resources, and everything else UCLA offers.
Even the gym. I didn’t start going regularly until my second year. Eventually, I realized I should at least go since it’s “free” access through my tuition, so skipping would not be an excuse. And I’m really glad I did.
College goes by fast. Take advantage of everything available to you while you can.
Door #7: Friends and Roommates Are Not Always the Same Thing
This might be one of the biggest lessons I learned.
I’ve definitely had my fair share of struggles with roommates throughout college – even up until now. For the longest time, I questioned whether I was the problem. Call me crazy, but sometimes I genuinely wondered if it was because of me. But after getting different perspectives and hearing neutral standpoints from people I trust, I realized that how I felt was valid and deserved to be considered, too.
When it comes to roommates who started off as friends or mutuals, it’s important to recognize those boundaries before agreeing to live together. I’ve always had that mindset, so I’m simply sharing the advice. Some people can be really great friends but not necessarily great roommates.
One thing I never expected to learn from roommates was how differently people view fairness. Sometimes it’s not the big issues that create tension, but rather the small ones. It’s realizing that something you brought into the apartment to share suddenly becomes a discussion about reimbursement after everyone has already benefited from it. It’s how intention and generosity disappear when every interaction becomes transactional. It’s that the absence of proof gets mistaken for the absence of effort. It’s feeling like every contribution needs to be measured, counted, or justified.
Living together is about communication, respect, consideration, and being willing to compromise. That’s why I advise talking things out beforehand, establishing expectations, discussing concerns, and setting boundaries early on. Because once you move in together, if someone isn’t willing to listen or be receptive to your transparency, it can reveal a lot, not just about the living situation, but about them as a friend as well.
As uncomfortable as those conversations may be, it’s important to have them. I think this lesson really taught me the difference between friendship and compatibility as roommates. And it’s funny how the roommate struggle comes full circle.
Door #8: Being Kind Doesn’t Mean Saying Yes
If there is one thing about me, it’s that I struggle to say no.
Not because I want to be a people pleaser, but because I genuinely care about helping others and making things easier for the people around me.
Maybe someone asks you to help pay for food for their birthday party even though you don’t really have the money to spare, but you still take the time, effort, and money to help out. Maybe you’re asked to do something because you’re already doing it anyway, and it conveniently allows someone else to show up later. Maybe people just expect you to handle things because you’ve always been the person who gets them done.
Well, no. That’s not how it works.
Because after the first time of doing something, if you can clearly see that your effort wasn’t appreciated or that the same people can’t even be receptive when you ask for a small favor in return, then stop.
Don’t do more for others than what you can even do for yourself. A lot of it comes down to having personal boundaries and being able to stick to them instead of constantly giving in.
I personally struggle with this a lot. I can’t seem to advocate for myself because I hate confrontation. I don’t want problems. Sometimes I just want a simple life with a simple solution and none of the extra stress that comes with conflict.
But advocacy comes with clarity.
Even if things don’t work out the way you hoped, standing up for yourself gives you insight (and hopefully peace of mind) about where those people stand in your life and how to move forward.
The Door I’m Walking Through Next
Now, if you think this was an article of me reflecting on the good moments, the amazing people, and maybe even complaining a little about experiences that caused me stress and took up more energy than they should have – well, you’d be right.
But more than anything, I wanted to highlight the version of myself that has reflected, grown, and come to terms with it all.
Some doors opened because I chose that path and was brave enough to walk through them. Some doors closed because they were never meant for me. Regardless, both shaped who I became.
The biggest lesson UCLA taught me wasn’t really from a classroom. It was learning how to recognize when a door was worth knocking on, when a door was opening for me, and when it was finally time to walk away from one that remained closed.
Now it’s time to change my bio from UCLA ’26 to UCLA alum. Four years ago, I arrived wondering where I would belong. Today, I leave knowing that every door that opened and every door that closed helped me find my way.