semester recap fall 2022
I am proud to say I’ve had my best semester yet and haven't even gotten my final grades back.
First, each of my four classes was crafted by professors who put a lot of thought and effort into the content of their classes. I learned theories created by genius black women, and I applied them to my life. Having that knowledge made it much easier to go about in the world. At least I knew what to call the phenomena I was experiencing. I also spent a lot of time “unlearning.” This means, what I previously held to be true and pure and right was flipped left. It was like my professors had a special flashlight that allowed me to see the truths that are hidden in the dark. I took an art history class with my good friend and spent a lot of time contemplating the role of art in our world, and in my life. I read Assata Shakur and fell in love. She’s everything I want to be. I went (multiple times) to an art show with artworks created by previously incarcerated artists. I was required to find my position on the criminal justice system in a one-page paper and wrote it in 5 minutes (no joke I had a lot to say). I developed a high school curriculum about the Kent State shooting and pondered how to teach young adults about censorship, revolution, protests, and grassroots movements.
Beyond the classroom, I grew close with one teammate and built a friendship I’ve never had before…it's really girly. We talk about boys, we go out to dinner with just ourselves, we go shopping for just one thing, we text each other about the slightest inconvenience, we ask each other for outfit/hair/nail opinions, and we give into each other’s delusions. I think that is what I was really missing these last years in school, just a real friendship. It makes sense that when I got close to her, I had a lot more fun. But she’s leaving me. Doing a semester in London. I am in awe of her determination to see the world. She’s the most independent person I know. I look up to her because of how she carries herself. I know she’s going to take over London & soon enough she’ll be telling me about the man that fell in love with her or how she got a full-time job in a law firm over there (her dream). It’ll come true.
And lastly, I worked really hard on treating myself with kindness. This looked like getting a coffee after a rough day, having a self-care night, or even reminding myself that I have good things coming in my future when things feel like they're falling apart. I most definitely haven’t perfected this skill but this semester I loved myself a lot more than I ever have. It was easier to live with myself and sit alone when I had love for myself. From me and only me.
May I always remember the lessons I learned this semester. May I never forget the knowledge I worked hard to uncover.
Fall 2022,
THANK YOU!
