Why Did I Go to College?: Semester 1 Review

​As I sit here singing Turn Around Bright Eyes, by Total Eclipse of the Heart with my roommate, completely ignoring the fact that I have three major finals starting on 6thof December, I realized that I have to do a review on my first semester that is coming to a dramatic halt. As stated in the title, why did I go to college has been a recurring question since the end of September. The transition to not being in school for two years to assigned major papers and exams every two weeks and learning one to two math topics in 50 minutes was insane. Purely, truly, insane. I mean academically things weren’t hard, my brain was just stilling sleeping after June of 2016. 

However, the academics was not the brunt of this journey. What has me questioning why I went to college is the emptiness of my bank account, the high levels of stress of trying to sleep and the fact that I can’t just order some sate potato from Ana. I really want a plate of Sate potato from Ana, soaking in sate sauce. Someone, please.  Heads up, I’m continuing this blog post, a week later after crying over exams. Whew. 

​This semester review is going to focus more on how I am adapting to this new place, being thankful for the beautiful personal and professional relationships I’ve gained so far, and why supporting the Men’s Basketball team is a subscription to stress.  

​ The Transition: 
Earlier in the semester I wrote An Afro-Caribbean Girl in the Midwest and I talked about explaining where I’m from and where it is, over and over and over again and how tiring it can be. Well I am still explaining but the ignorance has finally surfaced. About a week or so ago, I was telling someone where I’m from (just stuck with the Caribbean) and then they asked me if it snowed there. I-I 

​I had to just pause for a moment and take a quick breath and just answer no. I know it’s probably not fully this person’s fault, but my heart sank. This education system needs help. Besides still being asked about if it snows, the transition period has gotten better. I’m comfortable in walking around the campus, going from point A to point B and comfortable with the roads and places around campus (when I leave to go grocery shopping of course). Wichita is slowly becoming home and I’m okay with that. 


​My Lovies: 
 
This city and school wouldn’t be morphing into home if it wasn’t for my ‘two friends.’  I am thankful for Elise and Rai for dealing with my extraness because Jah knows extra is my middle name. They’ve made this semester fun with us joking around, carrying me to go to the grocery store (lol) and just being awesome.  Big up one time to my basketball buddy Jayden for allowing me to rant, cuss and yell, especially at the men’s basketball team. Unfortunately, moving here has triggered my social anxiety, to a point where I would have mini mental breakdowns in public. It is honestly extremely scary. Thankfully there have been places where I’m somewhat comfortable and be able to relax my anxious thoughts and be myself.    I would thank the Community Service Board and the Black Student Union for an awesome semester. These groups are filled with a set of motivated and inspirational persons who wouldn’t fail to make you laugh here and there. I don’t know how this semester would’ve turned out if I didn’t have these people and/or organizations. So, thank you. 

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​Basketball:
 
If you know me, you know I breathe, eat and sleep basketball. If I had coordination skills, I would honestly push myself to play the highest level of collegiate basketball. Unfortunately, I did not get those talents, so I have to stick to my role as the fan. The supporter. The one who is yelling Go Shocks in a different accent. Honestly and truly it is one hell of ride supporting this school’s basketball teams. The women’s team is currently 6-4 and we are doing good compared to what the critics said and I’m proud. We had a couple of nasty losses, but they continue to push through and get those wins. When I say they will fight to win, those girls will get on the ground, roll and grab for that ball and I truly love it. We got a couple big games next week that have me a little worried, but I know they got this. 
 
Now the guys are currently 5-4. Thank the heavens. We did not start off good and that game against Oklahoma had me mad for days. FOR DAYS. However, they are slowly finding themselves, knowing who what can do what, who will pull up in clutch and who would make those crucial stops and I’m happy for them. They better show out Saturday Night at Intrust Arena because I did not buy me a new sweatshirt and going to catch a lyft down town to watch them lose. Nope Nope. I refuse. 
 
In all honesty, they’ve stressed me out a lot this season. It came to a point where I wanted to fight. I was quickly humbled as I stood next to one of the 7-footers in the dining hall. These man dem huge meh son. ALSO, THE NCAA IS DUMB FOR NOT FREEING TEDDY ALLEN. WE NEED TEDDY.  

​So, that was my first semester in review. Just a likkle ting dere yuh know. It’s officially winter break and for the next five weeks I will be pushing out content. I’m going to be discussing elitism based off an in-class assignment I had to write for American Politics, talk about how the NCAA is really trash, and might dabble around on the homophobia and the transphobia and anti-fatness, things to shake the table a little bit. 
 
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