Ten Stitches Up, Nine Down
On knitting, perfectionism, and the scarf that’s been narrating my MIT years
We all know the trope: pick up a hobby, splurge on supplies, try it once, and never touch it again. I took it a step further—starting a scarf in 2019 and heroically refusing to finish it for years. What began as a quick winter project quietly turned into a long-running companion to my time at […]
The Dome of Dreams
A Tribute to MIT’s Iconic Landmark
The majestic MIT Dome is a sight to behold! It is a universal dream – whether you go to MIT or not, to get ‘that’ photo at Killian with the Dome adorning the backdrop. Some grandiose few have performed flash mob proposals in front of the Dome, but for the simple rest when this backdrop […]
Grad school is like high school for adults (in the best way)
Letting go of the worst qualities I developed in college and re-embracing the best qualities I lost from high school
Since I started my PhD in 2023, I’ve felt like I’m in high school again—I’ve ditched my hyper-focused mentality from college and allowed myself to let loose like a teenager.
All in on MIT as a 1st-gen PhD
How an unexpected, last-minute campus tour changed my life's trajectory
Everyone has heard the expression, “It’s never a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket.” This is a wise piece of advice—unless we’re talking about your dream grad school! Hello, my name is Annabel Gomez. I’m a first-generation Mexican American and the first in my family to pursue higher education. Growing up, […]
Loud Steps and Strong-Smelling Cuisine: The Terror of Being Different
An account of my experiences of navigating roommate conflicts and finding my voice
#TheBeginning It was a typical morning when I woke up at my usual time, ready to get some studying done before heading to the lab. Around 5 A.M., a noise from the kitchen drew my attention. Something was different. The sound of a pan sizzling, the smell of fried eggs in melted butter, and the […]
