Second semester of freshman year

 As always before starting a new term or semester now that am college, I write my goals down. So early January l sat myself down and asked myself what l wanted to achieve in my second semester of year one and l did. One of my goals was working up early. I was pumped for the semester and l started out well. In fact on my first Monday, l woke up at 5am, l had my morning devotion then went for a run. Now it was winter time so l was freezing and failing to catch my breathe but l had a goal and so l ran in that cold early morning breeze. I kept running until the sun started rising. Now am a lover of sunrises and sunsets so l stopped to look at Gods beautiful creation. And in that morning breeze under the sunrise l whispered a prayer to God. I asked for the Almighty’s guidance for the entire semester. Then l went back to my apartment after stretching. 

I was ready to start my day, l read all my assigned readings and submitted my assignments, this was my routine for the first 3 weeks or so.

Then l started slacking, first l stopped going for my morning runs then everything else came falling apart.

It became harder and harder to read for my classes and l completed my assignments last minute.

The only thing that remained consistent was my morning devotion and l think what really helped me was having the morning revival book which l didn’t want to miss because l was hooked. I liked the fact that the first thing l did before opening up to all sorts of information was listening to my creator.

Academics 

I took 6 courses, l8 credit hours

Calculus 1, Expository writing, Social

Problems, Africa and the diaspora, understanding the global community and Nutrition. 

All of these classes are general requirements except understanding the global community. 

I was very excited about all the classes and l started out strong. Reading before class, submitting my assignments on time and my participation was top notch. 

I enjoyed my nutrition class particularly because l became more aware of the food l eat and since l am passionate about living healthy l was very invested in learning and also made some changes to my diet. I would go to the cafeteria and start looking for vegetables and slowly, l minimized my soda intake.

I generally enjoyed all my classes except they all added up to a huge workload. 18 hours a semester is ridiculous especially because 5 of the courses were reading intensive. I was burned out and overwhelmed towards the end. 

I participated more in the smaller classes just because they were discussion oriented and l enjoyed talking to professors one on one. In the bigger lectures however, we had no discussions so l just listened and observed. I think it’s good to have a combination of big and smaller classes so that they can balance out.

I did exceptionally well in my English class which continues to be a surprise to me because l never really thought of myself as an excellent writer but hey we will take it as it is and continue to improve on it. Math slapped me left right and center hahahaha, this calculus as they call it called for my focus and maximum attention which l guess is good. I was with 3 of my good friends (Roxane, Nabila and Dieko) in my math class so l looked forward to class because they are such good company and very helpful  classmates. The social problems class was very interesting, the professor was very passionate and enthusiastic. He really does enjoy his work. This class pushed me to think outside the box and to be very critical.

For the Africa and the diaspora class it was intense l must say. Lots of information and critical thinking.

Understanding the global community was a repetition of many of the concepts l learned in my IB global politics class but l did enjoy the discussions we had and l had a political science professor which was inspiring considering my interest in politics.

Social life

I made a couple of new friends which was fun. I love to meet new people, just to get to know them and hear their story. I continued being friends with the amazing beings l met last semester and it’s been great to spend time together, laugh , go out and just have a good time. You all helped me pull through this semester and l thank the almighty for you.

Work

I started working at price college IT office as a student assistant. My main tasks are to assist students who want to check out laptops, proctor exams, desk take such as answering calls from professors and sometimes go to a classroom to fix any technology issues. This job is not as demanding as the working at a restaurant so l am extremely grateful. When it is less busy, l can actually work on some assignments. My workmates are very helpful  and reliable. Sometime l do feel out of place, like l don’t know what am doing really but l always remind myself to ask when l don’t know and to talk about to the imposter syndrome. Hoping to continue to learn more about technology and work ethics in general. 

Spiritual life

God continues to amaze me in ways that shock me. This semester he took me on a journey learning about vessels. I kept hearing the question, what kind of vessel are you. Well he taught me that l am a vessel meant to contain treasure and that treasure is the Holy Spirit. It’s such a mystery to know and such a blessing to have. I am grateful to God for all that he continues to teach me. In my bible study with Christian’s on campus , we walked through the book of acts and leaned about the life of the apostle Paul, I really enjoyed all the meetings and messages. COC is just a blessing and am so grateful that l get to be a part of this family.

Highlights 

I met Joe-l Barnes from Maverick. Still feels like a dream honestly. God is good , who would have thought that l would ever meet him. He came to OU and l volunteered as security during that event. During the same event Lacrae also performed. It was super fun.

I got to worship with Chandler Moore. Mhhhhhh these are dreams really because Chandler is my favorite worship leader in the whole wide wide and getting to worship with me was such a miracle. The first song he sang was Christ is my firm foundation. Now l have been listening to this song this whole semester, l really love the words they speak so much faith. So for Chandler to come sing that song out of all the songs he could have done was shocking to me. Then we he sung Jireh. When this song came out l remember waiting for it until midnight and I feel in love with it. Now singing it that day was different. When we sang am already, am already chosen l just couldn’t help but fall but on the chair and glorify God for his love which had carried me from my mothers womb until today. He love me and he choose me , that alone is a reason to stay alive and live in his purpose. I just felt the love of God and his all sufficient grace.

Performed at the eve of nations 

This was my first solo performance at OU. I couldn’t decide between singing Loliwe and a poem. When l registered l was convinced l was gonna do a song and l kept practicing it. I asked Andrew to help me play the keyboard and he did. Practicing Loliwe was great, Andrew even got to know the lyrics which was super fun to have him sing along. And then one night l was sitting on my bed and l wrote a poem titled I am from. I wrote it like 10 minutes but l had thought about it for so long. After practicing the poem l thought it would be great to do it instead of the song. I auditioned for both l was asked to combine the two acts but then l felt that they were both too different to be combined but I still couldn’t choose. Long story short the poem is what l ended up doing and it was so beautiful. Andrew played the piano after practicing last minute, he is so talented and he made the act come together so beautifully.

Hopefully am gonna write about these events separately, they were all very great experiences and l would write a whole book about each of them.

1. MMU conference 
2. Waco college conference 
3. Spring break trip 
4. UWC trip

Overall l had a great semester. As always, I continue to learn and to remain ready to adjust. I am grateful to everyone who helped me and encouraged me. I also constantly reminded myself to be present. To enjoy todays gift and live todays purpose.