I have officially finished my first year at Arizona State University and now that I’ve had a few days to reflect on how it went I’m able to articulate it in a way that makes sense.
My Fall semester consisted of some prerequisites that I had to take before I could officially take my Journalism classes. In the first seven weeks I was doing great in my Intro to ASU class, which I passed with an A, but Grammar was not my best subject and I struggled. Around the time that I had to take my midterm, my Dad fell ill, and it was the first time that my personal life clashed with my school life and I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to balance it all.
I did the best I could, but sadly I didn’t pass my Grammar class – missing the 80% minimum by less than 1%. This was the first time I haven’t passed a class in my academic career.
I picked myself back up after sulking for a few days and started my coding class for the next session. This class was online so I could be more mobile if I wanted to see my Dad in the hospital or stay with him while he recovered. This class unlocked a passion I didn’t know I had. I had never taken coding before or anything like that, but I decided that I would see if I could take some more computer classes in the future, and ending the class with an A as well.
I spent my winter break with my Dad, and it was relieving to see him heal after a tough few months. I was happy to cook for him and help him in any way that I could. Spending Christmas with all of my family was nice and refreshing for all of us to be there together.
Once spring semester started, and I had to take with passing Grammar once again, but I had added Digital Audiences class to my schedule for my minor. Both of my A session classes had intense workloads and I fell into a depression a few weeks into the semester. I had never doubted my academic abilities so much in my whole schooling career. I really didn’t think I was cut out for university, that it was too much, but I pulled off an A+ in my Digital Audiences class and by the grace of God I passed Grammar. With my session A classes out of the way, I was able to focus on my research class.
If I learned anything this school year, it’s that I am stronger than I think. I am resilient, and I am capable of doing anything that I set my mind to. I should never doubt myself when I know I can do something, even if it is coming from a place of being overwhelmed. I am grateful that I was able to pass my classes this year and I will take it as a learning experience and take the next classes I will be taking with some more grace hopefully.