Sitting in my room yesterday, among half-packed luggage, it hit me. Freshman year was almost over. All those late nights studying, days spent relaxing with my friends, are almost over. One fourth of my college experience is gone, but not forgotten, saved in our memories and phones. One year at Morehouse is gone. As I reflected on the year, I asked myself as a question that crosses the mind of every student: what did I learn?

They say it's the lessons outside the classroom that matter the most. I don’t know who “they” there is truth in this saying. For one thing, I’ve learned more about Black people, in the past ten months than I had the past 18 years. There is something special about living and learning with other Black individuals. I see firsthand that, contrary to popular belief, we are not a monolith in any sense of the word. I have met people from all walks of life, all corners of the country, all ideologies, all socioeconomic backgrounds, the list goes on. We are all Black. We are all striving to receive a higher education and make an impact on the world. That is the intangible aspect of HBCUs which I appreciate the most.

I feel optimistic about the future. I have the opportunity to study abroad in Costa Rica with Morehouse’s Foreign Language Department and will be traveling there soon. I am currently in the process of applying for a media internship and will hear back from the organization in the coming weeks. Even if I do not receive the position, I have made connections with alumni and entrepreneurs over the course of the year. Morehouse has set me up for great success like no other institution could.

The renowned educator, minister, theologian, philosopher, and author, Howard Thurman ‘23 said, “Over the heads of her students, Morehouse holds a crown

that she challenges them to grow tall enough to wear”. Despite all the conjecture about the relevancy of Morehouse and HBCUs, I firmly believe this statement is 100 percent true. The college expects nothing but greatness from its students. Attending Morehouse has forced me to grow as a person, not just academically, but mentally, and spiritually too. (Physically, I grew as well. The freshman fifteen is real y’all). I think there are some crucial moments in your life, where you must reevaluate who you are and what you stand for in relation to society around you. Morehouse has helped me begin that process and for that I am grateful.

I am glad I chose to attend Morehouse College.

There’s no other place I would rather be.