An old maxim tells us, “we reap what we sow,” and LEDA Scholar Cam My is digging in her heels. Having spent the summer as an Advising Fellow for Matriculate (as well as taking up sewing and baking), she is now in her sophomore year at Princeton University. A budding architect, this member of LEDA Cohort 14 isn’t on campus, though: she is taking classes remotely like many fellow students throughout the country. Cam My admits that she has concerns about staying on top of her academics and staying in touch with her friends (“I am the worst texter!”). Nevertheless, she believes that a remote semester was “the most responsible thing for my school to do because of the risks involved with having everyone back on campus.”

Self-care is particularly essential during this challenging time, and one way that Cam My is practicing self-care is by exercising her green thumb. “I like growing plants because I find that nurturing them is therapeutic,” she shared. “I hope that this will help me stay productive.” Click the video below to see how she prepares an avocado seed for planting, as well as a peek at an avocado tree that has already started growing.

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LEDA has been a consistent presence in Cam My’s life, and she credits the strength of the LEDA Community with helping her ensure that she stays connected with other Scholars during a challenging time. Cam My is also grateful that LEDA and fellow student-serving organizations are helping to connect her to various resources, and she encourages them to continue advocating publicly in support of their students against systemic injustice.

In addition to this support from her peers, she anticipates that the advising provided by our College Success team will be an important part of successfully navigating this surreal academic year. Her prediction: “I will be signing up for more meetings!”

With LEDA now in the second month of our 2020-2021 application season, Cam My encourages interested high school students to apply. She understands that some students might be concerned about a remote model, but she emphasizes that “LEDA’s support during the college application process was priceless.”

As for the rest of the current academic year, Cam My is planning for success. “Even in this less-than-ideal situation,” she said, “I will focus on getting good grades and doing meaningful work through my school clubs.” Looking ahead to next summer, she has her sights set on securing an internship at an urban design or landscape architecture firm.

Stay tuned for more in the upcoming weeks on how LEDA Scholars are adapting to the “new normal” of going to school this year.