August 2020

I honestly can say that there has not been a big barrier in my life that has altered me from learning to read or write. However, the closest one would most likely be race. I know that my race does threaten people and some do not like me because of the color of my skin. I could mostly relate to 1000 Black Girl Books. There are not many books that feature a strong black female. Growing up I can honestly say I read Junie B. Jones or the Fancy Nancy. Even after I grew older, my joy to read decreased and I was only subjected to read what was required for school. I can recall from ninth grade to the present, that I have not read a book with a black lead whether it was male or female for school. I think schools generally do not think about things like this nor do they care to have a wider variety of authors and characters in their curriculum. Everything school-based is very narrowminded and I can say that not having a wider range of authors to read from has altered the way I think. As I have grown older, I have been able to open my eyes and enjoy books by authors that resemble me or characters that relate to me.  

The two pieces of advice that stuck with me was to not take these memories for granted and to NOT procrastinate. The memories thing stuck with me because college is such a new experience and with everything going on in society, I feel I have to think more in the now than the later. Although everything is very unfortunate, it is good to still be able to make these memories even though life is not normal. The second piece of advice is to not procrastinate. In high school I procrastinated a lot. I can honestly say I procrastinated the assignments that is due tonight because its a habit. One thing for me in college is to get better at doing my work now rather than later and to just not think about it. I hate that I procrastinate, but it is not as bad to where I don’t get my assignments turned in, They may just be really close to to the due date. This year I am most looking forward to the new relationships I will make and just having fun/ making memories. College is a new ball game and i’m very excited to be here and just away from home and adulting. However, I am not excited for the mask. The mask really do make it hard to breathe, and they are not fashionable. However, I do know that they are required and it is also a safety requirement for not only myself, but for others. lastly, the advice I would give a ninth grader would be to ride the wave, but realize what’s real and fake. Growing up I wish I had this advice because as a new high schooler it is very important to make memories through all 4 years, and in someway it it like being in college, but without the added responsibilities. However, I wish someone was there to tell me not everybody is my friend, or to watch out for people who use each other for selfish gain. I think that’s great advice because high school could easily become the best or worse years of a persons life, and to already have the set knowledge of “everyone is not your friend” could hugely impact in which direction a ninth grader takes in high school.