Emma Willard School · Class of 2028

Helen Liu

Exploring the space where psychology meets art — how colors shape mood, how creativity heals, and how the mind makes meaning from beauty.

What Inspires Me

Four Threads

Psychology

Understanding human behavior, emotion, and the social forces that shape who we become

Art & Media

Visual storytelling through media arts, exploring how images shape perception and meaning

Cognitive Science

The neuroscience of creativity — how the brain processes art, color, and emotion

Cultural Roots

Ikebana, piano, and the quiet discipline of traditional arts carried across cultures

Current Research

Energy Drinks, Caffeine & Teen Anxiety

Do energy drinks affect how anxious high schoolers feel? My current research uses validated psychological scales like the GAD-7 to investigate the relationship between caffeine consumption and anxiety levels in adolescents. Early results show a statistically significant connection — and I'm still collecting data.

Explore my work

“I want to understand people — not just what they do, but why they feel what they feel.”

Looking Ahead

The Road to College

Searching for schools that balance intellectual freedom with supportive community — places where psychology, art, and cognitive science can intersect.

Planned Majors

  • Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Media & Communication

What I Value

  • Interdisciplinary exploration
  • Supportive community
  • Creative freedom

School Visits

Summer 2026 — visiting campuses across California, Boston, and New York to find the right fit.