Contradictions

Don't Judge a Student by Their Major

We are not defined by our major!

During our time in university, interactions with others almost always begin with: "What's your major?" At UCLA, the divide between North and South campus is especially pronounced, and it can be easy to feel stereotyped and dismissed by others' preconceptions of who you are based on your major.

As a team of STEM majors, our intention is to demonstrate not only our own engagement with the arts but also showcase the variety of interests that UCLA students have outside of their majors.

Check out some examples below!

"Being a math major is an important part of my life. I spent a lot of time deriving equations, reading papers, and presenting my research in front of my audience. But I also love arts, music and everything that is beautiful and enjoyable. Whenever I have time I'll go to the arts museum, attend concerts or go to musicals, and these are my favorite ways of spending my weekends."

QINYI

applied math major,

arts & music addict

On the left -

Presenting my mathematical research

On the right -

(Top) Visiting MOMA in San Francisco

(Middle) Miss Saigon at the Pantages

(Bottom) Visiting Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena

YURI

microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics major,

musician, artist, writer

Outside of the work I do for my major, I play music with my roommate to unwind, perform in a Studio Ghibli symphonic orchestra, paint, and write short stories. I think a lot of people consider their hobbies and chosen field of study as separate and self-contained entities, but I strongly believe that everything we are passionate about can be integrated. My identity as a musician, artist, and writer, has taught me collaboration, creativity, and attention to detail that permeates everything I do.

Top to Bottom:

1) me performing my high school senior solo, the Bruch violin concerto

2) pages from my art/bullet journal hybrid of watercolor paintings

3) post-concert polaroid with my string quartet, whom I've been performing with since elementary school

Fontanna

cognitive science major,

pianist, bullet journal ethusiast, aspiring dancer & museum buff

"It took me a long time to find my way to cognitive science, and there are still days where I'm not entirely sure it's the right major for me. I know I enjoy the psychology and linguistics aspects, and my work in a neuropsychological lab gathering data to improve testing for brain disorders is very interesting and rewarding. But outside of my major, I've been playing piano and spending hours in museums for most of my life. Recently, I've found that bullet journaling and dancing are creative outlets for me to destress and organize my overthinking."

Top to Bottom:

1) me performing at my graduation recital

2) a sneak peek at my bullet journal

3) my dance team performing Fall 2019

4) action shot from performance

(I was center!)

5) me visiting the SF MOMA

August

psychology, photographer,

urban explorer, philosophy,

lucid dreamer

Outside of my studies as a Psychology major, I really enjoy exploring the world! When I say explore, I don't simple mean traveling to and visiting new countries; I search for unique / out of the ordinary places while creatively capturing the moment. The hobby is called urban exploration. Aside from this, I love studying different philosophies of the world. I believe it to be a beautiful method of stretching the mind. Lastly, I actively pursue lucid dreaming to attain exquisite self control and improvement. All is possible through a lucid dream: conquering your fears, practicing a hobby, complete creative expression, etc.