As a young girl growing up in a predominantly white community, I never truly understood the concept of race. In my eyes, I was just the same as my white counterparts. However, I fear that in every Black adolescent’s life, there is a moment when everything begins to make sense. A turning point where we realize we are different from our counterparts due to our melanated skin. A revelation of such gravity can truly change one’s perception of life. The idea of being lesser or treated differently is so incomprehensible that it honestly makes us question our worth. After years of these thoughts swirling within my mind, choosing to come to Howard was an easy decision. I finally had a chance to be around others who not only look like me but also may have had the same intrusive thoughts I had encountered during my youth. 

Once I arrived at this illustrious institution, I immediately felt like I belonged. I felt like every decision I had ever made led me to this place. Even though I am only a quarter through my second year, I truly feel like I have already learned so much. One misconception I had coming was that my classmates and I were all the same just because we are all Black. I quickly learned the opposite. The great thing about the Howard University experience is that it is really diverse, even though it is historically Black. The students are from various walks of life. One of my favorite conversation topics with new people I meet is exchanging “slang words” about where we are from. Learning about other cultures of places I have never visited is exciting and so enlightening. The most valuable lesson I learned is self-discipline. In high school, there was always someone guiding us toward the finish line; teachers, guidance counselors, and especially our parents. In college, we do not have that same support system. Although we still have caring faculty and the support of our parents, it is up to us to seek out the support we need. There is nobody here to chase us down and make us great; it’s up to us. This fact is scary, but also exciting. At some points, it felt like I was alone during this new experience called college, but I remember there are at least 3,000 other students feeling the same way. I also remember the amount of faculty and alumni on this campus I have at arm's length. The connections we make at this school can last a lifetime if we let them, I suspect that my roommate will end up being my bridesmaid, and the alumni I met on The Yard might be my future employers. I wholeheartedly believe that Howard is the only place to make such strong relationships, and I am beyond grateful for it. 

If there was anything I wish was different for my first year at Howard, I wish I had come post-Covid. The pandemic changed my freshman-year experience greatly. My first semester on campus was completely virtual. I spent every day on zoom calls and doing virtual worksheets, and after a while, I started to become discouraged. I lost motivation and interest in my school work and became disconnected from the college experience. Luckily for me, I had friends and classmates who were experiencing the same thing. We found camaraderie and unity within our struggles, and that is what Howard is all about. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, but Howard is an open place where we connect through them. This school has its ups and downs, and its pros and cons, but I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else. 

Congratulations to me, and my fellow classmates of the Class of 2025 for making it through freshman year triumphantly. I can’t wait to see what these next three years have in store for us!