Finals are finally over. I survived another year of college, once again. At this point in my life, all I can do is think about how far I have come. My college journey has been long but it will be well worth it in the end.
Just a brief overview, I graduated high school in 2010 from Monmouth Regional High School in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. Once I accomplished the task of walking across the stage to get my diploma, I had two options: either attend college or join the military. I come from a background of military parents, so they knew right off the bat that I would follow exactly in their footsteps.
After having to make a decision, relatively quick, I drove to Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, New Jersey to speak with an advisor. Since I wanted to be a lot of things, my mother suggested to me to start out as a general studies major. Now this was a new era in my life--as my mother would say time to grow up-- I had no idea what that was, until I had to sign my name on the dotted line. I cried a big river when my mother told me that I was on my own to take out a student loan. But what else was there to do? I couldn’t join the military at the time because I didn’t meet the weight requirement.
Fast forward; it was the first day of freshman year. As any other freshman, you’re excited, now that the title "grown" can be a part of the vocabulary. I took a freshman orientation class that reminded me why I’m in college and to hopefully stay in college to finish. When the semester ended, I reflected on a quote that the instructor would always repeat. Till this day, I have kept the words of the instructor, which is “No matter how many times your major may change, just finish.” So why would my instructor, tell me such a thing? Every time I look at my transcript, my major has changed so many times. And that journey actually took place, when I moved to Maryland.
Moving to Maryland was definitely not in my radar but I had to tag along because my mother had a job transfer. So here I am, stuck in unfamiliar territory and the people were not what I expected. With that being said, I still had to continue my journey. At this time in my life, I was only 20.
I registered for classes at Harford Community College, in Bel Air, Maryland. Attending that college was when I begin to experience many changes. My major started out as criminal justice. I enjoyed the classes associated with it, until I took procedural law and evidence. Then I decided that my career was not to be an FBI agent anymore and it was time for change.
The process to change majors required so much paperwork for an official to approve but I didn’t care, I went through the process five times until I landed where I am today.
Currently I am pursuing a bachelor of science degree at Morgan State University, in Baltimore, Maryland. My major is journalism, with a concentration in broadcast. I decided to stick with this major because I have gotten tremendous support from faculty, staff and students.
As I reflect on my college journey, I can honestly say one thing about myself: I grew up. I say that because at one time, I didn’t know who I was and I was always scared of facing my giants to accept the challenge.
Now I am a rising senior, and it feels great! I love giving hope to underclassman so that they will make good choices and decisions. Then share with them “No matter how many times your major may change, just finish” and keep positive people in your circle.
