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Politics and Activism

Farewell 2016, Hello 2017

A message from the past to the present.

Amanda Herbert

Jan 08, 2017

University at Albany, SUNY

Dear 2016,

You were far from perfect. You gave me a chance to grow and to discover parts of myself I never knew existed. I have learned to love myself and build great connections with my friends. What this year has taught me the most is to never give up.

College is a time where everyone is pushed to their limits. After a while, those limits makes us stronger. I became stronger this past year. I've realized my weaknesses and I've dealt with loss within myself. I struggled with finding the right path for myself. I began my journey as double major in English and Journalism, realizing slowly that I hated journalism and the conformity. My perspective shifted away from this concept of me being a journalist to this dream of becoming a teacher. I wanted to make a difference and it wasn't going to be exactly through writing. This past semester I took various of Africana studies courses to understand my heritage more. I began to understand that I have to fight for what I want. I've realized more about myself as a black young woman, than any other part of my life. Society has placed a stigma on black men and women determining that they won't account for anything. I'm finally beginning to see the place I want in this world. I know nothing ever comes easy. I want to succeed and not settle for mediocrity. The color of my skin puts me at disadvantage. I don't want to prove people wrong. I want to prove to myself that anything is possible.

So for this new year, there's no new me. I do not plan on changing, but only growing from the person I am. I want to understand more about myself. I want to be more vocal about what I want out of life and not be afraid. Last year allowed to me to understand myself. This year I want to push my limits. Step out of my comfort zone. I need to conquer my fears, because only then can I succeed. I hope that I have a chance to accomplish all I can in this year. I want to leave my mark on this ground I stand on. This will only lead to growth and maturity. With any mistakes I make along the way, I only hope I get stronger.

This also the year I graduate, so I have already been blessed these past four years. I'm not the same person I was four years ago. Life has been nothing but a journey. I cannot wait to see what life will be after May. Thank you to 2016 for giving me a chance to understand myself. I hope 2017 is another blessing.

Amanda

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Student Life

Things I Am Actually Going To Do This Semester

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New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

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And so it begins.

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I know every college student has daily thoughts throughout their day. Whether you're walking on campus or attending class, we always have thoughts running a mile a minute through our heads. We may be wondering why we even showed up to class because we'd rather be sleeping, or when the professor announces that we have a test and you have an immediate panic attack.

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Farewell 2016, Hello 2017

A message from the past to the present.

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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