My First Year @Spelman College❤️
As I read over other students at my school give in depth reflections on their first year, I got the idea of creating a blog post to share my first-year experience at thee illustrious Spelman College. It's so crazy how the year passed by, but its also eye-opening that I'm able to think back on how I entered and exited this school year. Growth is something that is so emotional for me. The growth of myself, others, family, and more. Growth is a journey that lasts a lifetime and within it lies joy, pain, stress, heartbreak, happiness, loneliness, and more. Within this self-reflection, I want to make sure I start it off with stating the lesson.
Since 2021, I've been writing down lessons I've learned in my notes app, it's a lot of lessons and I can't wait to share them all soon.
Here's 5 lessons that I learned throughout my first year at Spelman College:
1. "treat everything you’re going through like a visitor coming by your home, entertain it for a little bit..then allow yourself to let them exit"
During the first semester, A LOT HAPPENED. I was trying my best to understand how to navigate Spelman, going through the motions of being homesick, having doubts about being a bio major, figuring out financial aid in college, & just so much more. Through those moments, I didn't realize that in the end, all will be great. It's ok to not have it figured out, it's ok to refuse dealing with said problem for a bit. The visitors I've had through the school year stayed in my home (my aura & space) at different durations, but I was able to give myself the courage and time to allow them to leave. Most situations at first you can't control but there's certain things that you can control...it's just up to you to understand what exactly!
2. sometimes you gotta go back to square one, even if you’ve been there done that.
Yall...I'm going to keep it cool and brief. I had to retake Pre-Calculus. I'm not even going to go in on the professor I had because that's me wasting energy but ya girl was GOING THROUGH IT!!!
I remember balling my eyes out after finals during fall semester when realizing I was one grade letter away from passing the class (I had a C-...needed a C). Although that was such a depressing moment, I do want to highlight my way of accepting that I had to go back to step 1 and relearn pre-calc. Throughout winter break, I remember growing a positive attitude about it and understanding that I will be in a better place. Also, that everything happens for a reason!!!
In the end, I receive a B+ in the course and will be taking Applied Calc next semester inshaAllah ya rab😊! I'm a lor scared but excited to make use of my new study habits inshaAllah! Another bright side of understanding that it's ok to start over is that I was so so close to making Deans List!!! but I'm happy they considered me to have Honor Roll 2x💙!
3. be cautious of what you give your mind.
I think throughout the beginning of the year, there was times I allowed others to speak for me instead speaking for myself. Allowing others to do that made me believe things that weren't right minded. In college, I realized there's so many bad influences and your exposed to different perspectives and mentalities. If you are around people who don't have pure intentions or mindsets, you get influenced. "You become the people you hang around" is true. It might be hard to believe but trust me...I understood that throughout the month of Ramadan.
4. still be that youthful spirit.
Being a bio major on the pre-med, I feel like its so hard to balance my social life with academics. My phase of going to parties with friends died out the beginning of fall semester, and I found myself wanting to go out and explore Atlanta. Unfortunately, I had moments where I didn't put me first and put work before practicing more self-care. I want to make sure I have more fun throughout college and fulfill my promise of having more fun by exploring new things. Now that's how you maintain that youthful spirit!
5. i’m here (at Spelman) for a reason.
This lesson still applies to everyone no matter where they are in life, but I had to always tell myself (even now) that I deserve to be at Spelman. I wouldn't have imagined myself at this institution 2 years ago because of imposter syndrome and self-doubt. I'm grateful and IM AT SPELMAN FOR A REASON!!!! I'm grateful and just blessed to be here. Do I still go through imposter syndrome, of courseee! We all do and it's no escaping it, but it's up to you allowing it to exit it by telling yourself you're here for a reason.
Spelman Founder's Day Festival 2023
Thank you for reading my first-year at Spelman College reflection, and I can't wait to continue this series and write more blog posts for you all!
Thank you again & stay safe!
-Ayishat. Y