When school started back in August I felt like I was well prepared to take on any mission to accomplish. However, once the semester began I added more to my schedule.

It started out fairly well. I had all my classes down packed and ready to go. Then one of my professors suggest me to add another course, making it six classes this semester. At first, I sat and asked God if I could actually do it, then I thought, if only I try, I will know. With that thought, this semester has showed me a lot about myself.

I have worked entirely so hard staying up throughout the night finishing up homework. Adding on to the stress, all of my classes require projects, which has really kept me going. Most importantly, it has kept me praying and helping others succeed in the process too.

Right now, today begins week 13 which means that there are only four weeks of school left. It makes me feel amazed because this semester is almost over. And to think of it, I have been pulling through this semester sharing a smile on my face, while balancing all of my classes.

To reflect on this semester thus far, it has been great. I have had the opportunity to do two internships along with 18 credits this semester and work a part-time job. When people ask me how, I simply say “prayer.” I know that I am not all I am supposed to be when it comes to religion, but God has been my source of strength.

In September I had the opportunity to leave home for the first time being over 1,000 miles away. I left to attend a journalism conference for five days in New Orleans. Although I was scared to fly, when I arrived in La., I absolutely loved it. I was able to meet incredible people with real jobs and real careers. But most importantly, everyone that I came into contact with, were very genuine.

One of the classes that I am taking this semester is called Community-Based Journalism, which focuses on food justice. Food justice relates to food deserts to see how the government plays a major part in how people receive food.

In this class, my college has partnered with West Virginia University to do research to build a project to point out important details on why this issue is important.

Students from WVU had the opportunity to visit my college in September to research and visit local farms in Baltimore to get a feel of how residents are able to receive their food.

A few weeks later, my class traveled to West Virginia to meet with their students and visit a food bank and conduct interviews in connection to food deserts there. On the last day of the trip, all professors came together and decided that we all should do one last trip, an Immersion Trip to Charleston, W.Va.

In Charleston, this trip ran for five days as each classmate were split into four teams to conduct interviews related to their topic. That trip worked out perfect as everyone were able to spend more face-time together and do field work in a timely manner.

Now that this semester will be ending soon, it makes me sad. I have yet learned more about myself as a person and working with others. With just a few weeks left, it is now time to fully focus and finish out strong!