My first semester of college is now complete and I could not be any more thankful. It was a semester I won't forget, but one that was a pretty smooth transition for me. I learned a lot about myself, other people, and Western Michigan University. I also learned a lot about time management, building quality friendships, and how to actually study the right way.
It is safe to say friendships have been a big reason why I have done so well my first semester. In the first photo, there is me and my friend Hannah Talmage, a friend I came to Western with because we both live in the same town. Hannah is someone who has always been the positive support I needed. Since the day I met her, she has always been there giving me good advice and bringing me closer to god, something that guided me through my first semester at Western. I had a lot of challenges in my first semester, but with help from her and having faith in God, I can proudly say I made it.
In the second photo, Me and Kyra Parker took a selfie to celebrate our first chapter of college being complete. Kyra is someone I never knew until I moved to college. She, however, came into my life for a reason, I strongly believe because like Hannah, she is so positive and supportive and those are the people I need in my life at all times. I feel like Ky is someone who I connect with better than anyone I ever have in life and it is the greatest feeling in the world knowing that I can talk with someone who actually understands me and gets me. She has on of the biggest hearts out of anyone I have ever met and I cherish the friendship we have built in such a short time because I know our friendship will last a lifetime.
I also found myself in many ways. This was my first time not living at home with my family and this was a huge adjustment for me. This also was the first time I had to manage my own time and this was also another challenge. I realized that in college you have more "Free Time" but really that time can be used to be productive in some way all the time. The ways I spent being productive were writing, reading my bible, meeting new people personally, studying, planning. and just sometimes sitting down enjoying the view, and just thinking about life. I think this has helped shape me into a more well-rounded person. I have become much more humble, educated, and open minded about life all around. I have got my first taste of what life is like outside of high school. People ask me all the time if I like college life and my response is always absolutely. Was it an adjustment for me? Absolutely. It was a challenge to go from the Cedric a year ago that could care less about anything, to transform to an open minded, humble young man with goals and dreams now.
My first semester of college changed me for the better. It tested me in ways I have never been tested before but made me overcome and conquer those tests. It threw unexpected things my way, and I had to find ways to keep fighting every day because giving up simply is not an option for me anymore. I have too many people to prove wrong and also an army of people to continue to make proud. I am thankful for that support because it has made me drive to succeed and always stay on top of my work. A year ago, College was not an option for me, and today it is my only option because I have worked too hard, and come too far to stop my path to success now. I am extremely blessed and thankful to say I have made it through my first chapter, and I am not done yet.
