College Updates: Weeks 4-6

The Journey of a 40 year old Freshman

Hey Family,

Happy Summer Solstice!! I’m writing today, bright and early, getting a jump on my final assignments for the semester. I took two classes for the first summer session: English 101 and First Year Experience. English has been pretty good. Aside from a really annoying classmate, I truly enjoyed my time in class, and it was fun to push myself to write for a different audience. I’ve always considered writing to be something I did without thinking too much about the process, so to have deadlines, assigned readings, and peer reviews? That has been a journey! I can see how the next class is going to build off what we learned in this one, so I’m looking forward to that.

As I finish this final essay on the importance of community, overlapping identities, and connection in spiritual spaces, I realize that outside of these spiritual spaces, I keep my life very compartmentalized and separate. I'm in no way ashamed of my beliefs or practices; I’m just not accustomed to discussing them in mixed company, so to speak. So when the professor asked us to connect our own lived experiences to the ones in the reference materials, I chose what came up first and what felt easiest to discuss. It was a surprise to me that when I had to hand over my papers to my classmates for peer review, I felt self-conscious! I didn’t share anything that couldn’t be found in a book at the library, but in that moment, I understood how much I didn’t talk about these things with outsiders. My classmates were respectful and objective, I don’t recall anyone having too much of a reaction one way or the other, but it was a great exercise for me because as I get deeper and deeper into my studies, I will be called to share some of my own field research and I need to be ready for that level of vulnerabilty.

First Year Experience is an asynchronous class that covers everything the school has to offer, including policies, procedures, and career assessments. I took some career quizzes a few weeks ago, and I was not shocked at some of those results: radio host, educator, historian, journalist, set designer. Pretty much everything I’ve either already done or aspire to do. I have an assignment due today about some of the career choices we can see ourselves exploring after we’re done with school. I’m going into these assignments with an open mind because I honestly don’t know where any of this is going to take me. A few weeks ago, at The Roots Picnic, I got to spend some time with a friend I hadn’t seen in a while, and she asked me what I planned to do with my degree in Black History. I didn’t take offense to her question, but it made me think about what I planned on telling people about my pivot. Not that I need to justify my choices to anyone - it’s something that is going to come up in conversation, and I should be prepared. I’ve always had some type of employment, and none of my previous careers have ever required me to have a degree of any kind. So it’s just not a question that I’m used to responding to. More food for thought.

A reminder from my dry erase board

I’m in this odd in-between spot right now where I am half heartedly searching for a job because my logical brain is saying I need something to help cover the bills, but my higher self is like “girl, if you can’t find a job right now maybe that means you are the job.” Because the way I’ve been getting rejected for things is comical at this point. I’m being open-minded, but I’m also being kind to myself because I’m in the middle of a transition. My resume is lined with television shows and film festivals. I have hard and soft skills up the wazoo. This isn’t about a lack of skill - it’s an alignment adjustment. So I’m being patient with myself and doing what I can in the meantime.

Maybe I’ll post the essay that’s due today when I get my grade for it. We had four essays assigned for the course, but the professor said if we got above an 85 on the first two, she’d make the final optional. I got 92s on essays one and two, so I will be exercising my right to not take the final and praying that this third essay solidifies my A in this class. Fingers crossed!! 🤞🏾💗

Until Next Time,

Nikki