Finally Finding my Place

Coming into my second year at UCLA, I was looking to find an organization to join that would provide me with a supportive, welcoming community amid our vast campus. I loved my first year at UCLA; however, I struggled to find my place within such a big school. It was difficult to make close friends and forge strong connections. Joining Belles in my second year completely changed this– Bruin Belles welcomed me with open arms, and I am forever grateful for the many ways that this group has shaped me.

Though this may sound very cliché, I can wholeheartedly say that joining Belles has been one of the best decisions I have made at UCLA. Belles has provided me with endless opportunities from expanding the ways I can serve the Los Angeles community to invaluable tips on bettering my personal growth. But most of all, Belles has given me endless love and beautiful friendships.

Throughout the year, I found more and more ways to become involved in the organization, and the more time I devoted to Belles, the more I grew to love it. Some of my favorite memories come from Belles—whether it be beach days or volunteering together, I cherish all the time I have spent with my Belles. I am beyond excited for another year with my Belles, and to give back to this organization that has given me so much by serving as DEI Director.

I cannot put into words how much Belles has given to me and how thankful I am to have joined this group of incredibly talented, inspiring, and genuine people; but I hope this post is enough to show truly how I love Belles.

Belle love <3

Sanaa Malik (she/her)

Comments

Imposter Syndrome and Finding Myself

The person I was when I stepped on campus 4 years ago is unrecognizable to me now. I came to college knowing that I wanted to be pre-med but having no friends or family following a similar path, I felt so lost in navigating my path on my own. I started college being terrified of failing. I was so naive and so desperate to succeed I was not taking care of myself. My second year was when I reached my lowest point. I was so depressed and lonely, I considered leaving UCLA. I did not feel smart enough to be there, I didn’t feel likable enough because I didn’t really have friends. Joining Belles in my junior year was a big part of completely transforming my UCLA experience. Belles was the first time I felt completely embraced by a group of people. It was the first space in which I felt like everyone truly wanted the best for each other. The people and the opportunity to help others were exactly what my heart needed at that time in my life. Service is something that is so incredibly importan

Finding My Community

Coming onto campus for the first time as a sophomore was especially daunting. Similar to most people, transitioning to in-person classes and dorm life was challenging. As I attended classes and other club meetings, I felt like I might have missed out on opportunities during the online year to reach out to people and make friends. Stuck with random roommates and no close friends on campus, I felt very isolated. This wasn’t the college experience that I had imagined. But then I started attending Belles meetings and events, and things began to slowly click into place. Bruin Belles is such a uniquely amazing community where everyone is passionate about so many different things in terms of both academics and personal interests. The Belles community inspired me then and continues to encourage me to push the boundaries of my academic and professional pursuit, to put myself out there, and to carry a positive and optimistic attitude into all my endeavors. From volunteering at the LA Times Fest

What I Didn't Know

What I didn't know The morning after I got the highly anticipated call that I got into Bruin Belles, I found this bell (figure 1) on my dorm door: a door belle…get it? I can still very clearly remember the few weeks surrounding this moment. I wanted it SO BADLY! When I saw the Belles tri-fold at the enormous activities fair, I knew immediately that I needed to be a part of that community. On paper, it sounded like everything I wanted: a group of likeminded passionate women who did community service together and other social events. I worked tirelessly on my application and was so nervous for my interview that I signed up for the very first slot (Monday at 8am… yikes). I got the long-awaited call late on a Friday night. Yashvi, the public relations director at the time, told me that I had gotten in, and while still on the phone I screamed “I GOT IN!” to my roommate. My heart was beating so fast. However, I think if I had known what was to come, my heart would have beat so fast it

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