In The Aftermath Of Our School Shooting, It Is Important We Lean On One Another | The Odyssey Online
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Student Life

In The Aftermath Of Our School Shooting, It Is Important We Lean On One Another

Welcome to "the day after."

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In The Aftermath Of Our School Shooting, It Is Important We Lean On One Another

Last night I sat on the balcony of my apartment for two hours as helicopters spiraled my campus and sirens rang out. A shooter came to my campus and killed two students. Several others were injured as well.

I'm finding it difficult to process; I don't have words for my emotions. I'm not devastated. I'm not a mess, or crying, or even sad. I'm not angry either. I feel something and yet nothing.

I wasn't on campus at the time of the shooting. I was at my apartment with friends. I keep imagining what it must have been like to be locked on campus for hours with so little information, and just the fear and terror of not knowing.

Would you be next?

I keep thinking about the kids who died. They woke up and went to class like any other day, and now they can never go home. They will never graduate and start their careers; they will never get to say "I love you" to their loved ones again.

What do you do when something like this happens so close to your home?

I am not the most active or spirited student. I don't champion my school. I don't go to sporting events, and I'm not in any clubs. But this is my school and these are my friends and peers.

You may feel disconnected like me. You may have trouble expressing and processing your emotions too. That's ok. We are allowed to feel and we are allowed to not feel as well. We don't all have to cry and we don't all have to tough it out.

I will be there for my friends who aren't as strong as me right now. I will be their rock if they need me to be. I will be there to hug them if they need a hug. I'll hold your hand if you need a hand to hold. I will drink a beer with you if you need a beer.

If you are a student at UNC Charlotte my heart is with you. If you are not, then lend us your strength just for today, and think about what it must have been like for all who go through such tragedy. Feel compassion and empathy. Spread love and positivity. Be an ear for those who struggle. And be the spark that starts a change so these crimes of hate end.

Thanks for reading <3

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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3. You will have classes that are just the professor reading from their lecture slides for an hour.

4. You will need to study but also want to hang out with your friends.

5. Coffee is your best friend.

6. You don't know what you're doing 99% of the time.

7. You will procrastinate and write a paper the night before it is due.

8. Money is a mythical object.

9. It is nearly impossible to motivate yourself to go to classes during spring.

10. The food pyramid goes out the window.

11. You will have at least one stress induced breakdown a semester.

12. Most lecture classes will bore you to tears.

13. You will not like all of your professors.

14. You will try to go to the gym... but you will get too lazy at some point.

15. When you see high school students taking tours:

16. You will try to convince yourself that you can handle everything.

17. Finals week will try to kill you.

18. You won't like everyone, but you will find your best friends sooner or later.

19. You actually have to go to class.

20. Enjoy it, because you will be sad when it is all over.

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