Having a bad day? College getting you down? Do you go to Howard University? Then we get it. College can have some of the best and worst of times. This column is a gateway for students to know that they aren’t alone in our large Bison family. I hope that hearing from your peers will continue to give you hope to keep going on another day.
Meet Amos Jackson III, a junior Political Science major from West Palm Beach, Florida
Avery: What are you currently happy about today or just in life in general?
Amos: Today, I am happy that I get to advocate and represent 2700+ students in COAS as the President of COAS Student Council.
Avery: How do you keep yourself motivated during the darkest of times?
Amos: A couple of reasons…
#1 My faith.
#2 Knowing my goals and the purpose I have in my life.
#3 Realizing that what I am going through is temporary and finding new ways of pushing through.
#4 I can’t really have a lot of dark times because I am responsible for a staff of 50 and have students coming to me day by day for support, so I need to keep a smile on my face because there are more issues more important than mine.
Avery: What advice would you give to someone who is really down in the dumps?
Amos: Never get too high, never get too low. Reality: it’s somewhere in between. So basically, get comfortable with being uncomfortable because that is the only way to survive and especially at Howard University because you will be in some uncomfortable situations that you will have to find comfort in. But It’s only temporary.
Avery: Do you have any rituals you do to keep a good mojo going throughout your day?
Amos: Every day I tell myself that it’s going to be a good day and that God woke me up this morning. I also, listen to gospel music when I wake up; especially Still Here by the Williams Brothers.
Avery: What is one of your favorite memories so far at Howard University? If any.
Amos: One of my favorite memories at Howard would have to be…. the snowball fight my freshmen year during Snowstorm Jonas. It was my first time experiencing snow, it was like I was a little kid again.
Avery: What is one thing you wish someone told you before attending Howard?
Amos: One thing I wish someone told me… that it’s okay to say no when people ask you to do things.
During my Freshmen and Sophomore year, I would say yes to anything and get involved with a lot because I really wanted to get myself out there. My GPA dropped because I was doing everything BUT my academics.
Avery: What is one motivational quote/piece of writing that keeps you going on a day to day basis?
Amos: 2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, and not by sight”
Keep up with Amos!