Welcome To My College Blog: College-Ish
“College is that part of your life that you are going to relive in your memories forever. ”
Never in a million years would I have thought that my college career would be what it is today. I remember my excitement when I found out that I got my admission into a University in the United States. Throughout the admission process and my search for a university, I found numerous resources from the college bloggers at the time, who wrote about the several tools necessary to survive college in America, and although these resources were available for me and extremely useful, they weren't written by people who looked like me. I could, of course, relate on some level with most of the general topics like study tips and career guides, however, none of them fully explained or showed the "black college experience". I know, I know, for anyone reading this you might be wondering where I am going with this... but hold tight, we are just getting started.
I found out about the "black college experience" my first semester at my university. No amount of reading college blogs and scrolling through Pinterest could have given me a true insight into the experiences you face being a black female at any college that is not an "HBCU" (more on this soon) and when you add being international into that mix... it’s just very different. The Black experience in college, is walking across your college campus and seeing very few people who look like you in high leadership positions, it is having to go to a "kickback"(house party) on a Saturday night and listening to Cardi B's Bodak Yellow since that would never be played at the club downtown. I didn't know all this when I started college and so I felt extremely unprepared to face my college experience.
The black college experience, "COLLEGE-ISH" if you will, is something that should be widely talked about and appreciated and that is why I really wanted to start this blog. That realization that my college career isn't just what the average American goes through is what is pushing me to try to be that voice that can help fellow black queens who are trying to be their best selves in college. This blog would focus on everything and anything college related, college style, study tips, how to apply for internships, career advice e.t.c. It’s been a couple of years since I have had this in the works and although there are a variety of black bloggers now who are doing some phenomenal things, there still hasn't been enough of us focused on the black college experience. I hope to change that.
My personal college experience has been nothing short of exceptional. Going into my final year now, I have high hopes about what I can achieve and I hope you would like to follow me on this journey. College for me is that one place that you find out who you are or who you are going to be. When I first started my college career, I never would have suspected that I could be as successful as I am today. I have gained lifelong connections with my college advisors, mentors and even University Deans and these connections have gone a long way in motivating and pushing me to be the successful person that I am. On May 11th 2018, I will finally be walking across the stage getting my degree in Political Science with a concentration in Law, moving on to another chapter in my life. With my degree in hand, I would also be leaving behind several leadership positions such as the Vice President of a Programming Council, Executive Director of The Big Event; a community service initiative, Senate President of the College of Liberal Arts and many others. I do not say all this to brag, rather it is to show you that college is for everyone and that no matter where you come from or what you have been through, your college experience and drive will be an experience that will last you a lifetime if done right.
I have found a balance between academics, extra-curricular activities, and a social life. I have managed to have a 4.0 every semester since my sophomore year (more on this in a next post), be a part of several leadership positions/organizations and still party like I have no care in the world. Your college experience could be amazing if you decide to make it amazing and that’s where I come in YAY!
Some of the topics I would talk about on here might be confusing for those who aren’t attending college in the United States but I would try as hard as I can to relate most of my experiences and posts to everyone regardless of where you are studying. This is my baby and I am super excited to start writing more on this content and I hope you are too.
Make sure to comment on any suggestions you have for me or topic ideas you would like for me to write about and I would make sure I write something just for you. SHARE this with anyone and everyone you know.
Let’s get COLLEGE-ISH going!
