Senior Nikhil Pandey is embarking on his first year in journalism, eager to combine his passion for writing with storytelling. Outside the classroom, Pandey channels his creativity into making inspirational and informative reels, a hobby that first sparked when he downloaded Instagram and came across motivational content. He views these videos as not only mindful, but also uplifting, something that continues to shape his outlook on life. Beyond his interest in content creation, Pandey is also dedicated to fitness. He spends much of his free time at the gym, where he embodies the motto he lives by: “discipline over motivation.” For Pandey, motivation is fleeting, but discipline is what drives lasting progress and greater success. This belief extends to all areas of his life, from academics to personal growth. Looking ahead, Pandey envisions himself pursuing a high-paying career in technology, ideally in fields like data science, and settling down in the Bay Area. As a reporter this year, he hopes to sharpen his skills in informal writing—something he believes will serve him well not only in journalism but also in writing strong and authentic college applications. Pandey also aspires to use this platform to shed light on issues that don’t get much attention, such as high-dopamine games like on Roblox, a topic he feels especially passionate about.