At the beginning of each school year, students head to the stationary section of stores to choose their school supplies. If you ask a friend, they will be adamant that each school subject deserves a notebook that has a specific color.  When I was a kid, my English notebook was yellow, math was blue, science green, and history always was a red notebook. It is pretty funny that I have been using the same colors ever since I was that little kid. I thought that everyone had the same subject color scheme as me. However, when I started asking others, I found out that I was completely wrong. 

These disagreements with what color was associated with what class subject brings up the question as to why we correlate a particular color with each subject. I needed a little more help figuring out more color associations,  so I went around and asked Regina staff and students for their input. 

My search started with focusing on the meanings associated with colors. Colorpsychology.org provides some insight into the history and psychology for each color. For example, red is a color that is often used to represent strength, power and determination as well as attracts the most attention more than other colors. Yellow indicates happiness, intellect, and energy which stimulates mental energy. Green is a representation of nature and growth and is beneficial to the body and mind. Blue symbolizes peace and serenity, also used to represent enthusiasm and compassion. 

Assigning or associating a color with certain subjects allows our brain with organization. “Cause it makes sense. When I was in 5th or 6th grade, social studies was blue and science was green, so I still have that mind set today, but when I came to high school, I just did random things that made sense and a lot of people agreed with me,” said Sania Moinuddin ‘23.

Our brains can associate objects with colors as it sets a boundary, making it easier for us to distinguish one thing from another. After doing research, I sat down with Regina Dominican’s very own psychology teacher, Ms. Gianos. She used the term synesthesia. Synesthesia refers to the way our brains associate a color when we hear words and sounds or when we see certain objects. “It’s the way our brain perceives things. I can see red in a different way, but you can look at it another way, but we are both saying red.” Ms. Gianos said. 

In conclusion, everyone has different perceptions of colors. Once it comes to color coding, it’s up to the individual to see which way is more effective and efficient for them.