Year-in-Review
Sophomore Year
Growing pains is the phrase I would use to describe my second year of college. My first year consisted of me navigating and setting my feet here at UC. I was quiet, shy, reserved and still scared of rejection. Don’t get me wrong I still have those traits, but I no longer turn a blind eye to opportunities I see fit for me. I feared what I needed the most, building community and finding my place at UC. I held back on joining clubs/organizations, talking to strangers, making friends, going out on my own, and building connections with professors. The disease of perfection is what led me to isolation. The need of zero anxiety, chaos and uncertainty is what takes away the fun, learned lessons and memories needed in life. So, the summer before school started this year, I decided to make a change as I headed into my second year at UC. I went into the year with a learner mindset on taking opportunities. I started telling myself it’s fine to not always be perfect and validated by those around you. Instead of hesitating on attending new club meetings or holding back my tongue on speaking to new potential friends I just did it. This has led me to become a more confident version of myself. Though perfectionism may be a good thing it can damage one’s growth towards achieving higher success. There were times this year where I wanted to resort back to my old ways of isolation, but I reminded myself what little growth it did for me. For instance, I joined a club called BAC (Black Arts Collaborative). BAC consists of different groups of performing arts; dance, music, poetry/spoken word and visual. I was a member of the poetry department, and it was the first step towards expanding myself onto the campus of UC.
I joined the poetry department of BAC to help my skills as poet and meet likeminded people. I learned how to actually perform poetry for the first and it wasn’t easy. As easy as it may look, performing poetry takes skills. It’s easy to over perform your work and miss the meaning of the art. You need to have a cadence and the right tone in your voice so that the words move the audience. Throughout my time in BAC, I got the chance to perform a poem of mine for a fall showcase. I had one poem I had written specifically for the theme which was masquerade it was going all good and until rehearsals started. I was told my piece, and my delivery were not connecting. I tried to better my delivery, but it was working, resulting in me changing my poem the day before the showcase. I just wanted to drop out the showcase, but I decided not to. This is because I have always wanted to share my art to others and to begin making a name for myself to my peers on campus. A major thing that helped me build resilience was having that community that I needed. Having friends, mentors and professors that actually care about my success and is patient with me really was my saving grace. Whenever I feel myself getting overwhelmed, I talk to one of my close friends to feel less alone. This year I have also went to the AACRC to have moments to just talk about what’s going on in my life, both highs and lows. I have been shown what it feels to be cared about and finally feel a sense of belonging.
Junior Year
Joining Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. on April 17 was among the most significant and life-changing experiences I have ever had. During a demanding three-month journey, I faced challenges mentally, emotionally, and physically. I connected with my two line sisters and my prophytes, building an intimate and a personal setting for growth, reflection, and accountability. The limited size of our team strengthened our connection—we needed to depend on each other continuously and be present not only for ourselves but for each other daily. That experience transformed my perspective on collaboration, sisterly bonds, and resilience.
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Joining Sigma Gamma Rho influenced every aspect of my life. For me, it provided stability. I discovered the genuine essence of sisterhood—supporting others, keeping one another accountable, and demonstrating grace during challenging times. I also discovered how to step forward with assurance and intent. There were moments when the journey challenged me, yet I found a part of myself that could persevere, remain concentrated, and uphold high standards, all while balancing academic, social, and personal commitments.
This experience increased my discipline academically. I needed to be deliberate with my time and effort to keep up with my studies while also fully committing to the intake process. It enhanced my time management, work ethic, and capacity to prioritize what truly counts. I currently tackle my schoolwork with a greater sense of duty and a stronger drive to achieve—not merely for my own benefit, but for the standard I wish to establish for others.
Professionally, becoming a Sigma has strengthened my leadership skills and commitment to service. The values of Sigma Gamma Rho—sisterhood, scholarship, and service—align perfectly with my long-term goals of making a difference in the lives of others, especially in underrepresented communities. I’ve gained confidence in my voice and in my ability to lead with integrity. Through our chapter's work and future community service initiatives, I look forward to putting that leadership into action.
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In the upcoming year, I intend to keep developing upon this groundwork. In my academic pursuits, I concentrate on sustaining a high GPA and getting ready for subsequent phases in my career, such as internships and opportunities for graduate studies. I intend to pursue opportunities that enable me to develop in areas related to advocacy, education, and social change. I aim to assume leadership positions both in Sigma Gamma Rho and in other campus groups to foster safe and empowering environments for fellow students—particularly Black women.
Ultimately, joining Sigma Gamma Rho has influenced not only my actions but also the person I am becoming. I set higher expectations for myself and take pride in representing something beyond my own self. I am eager to carry on with this path of development, contribution, and excellence—since this is merely the start.
