College for Me..
You can’t have it all figured out, not at once. The college journey is a path of many decisions. It takes Self-esteem. I had fun figuring things out, I hope you do too.
“I do not think a college degree in Mathematics is what we want for you. You’re very intelligent, a degree in a health-related field will be the best fit for you.” Comments like these were usual noises in my ears. (Laughs!!)
The list of shortlisted applicants for the university had rolled out and my admission letter read, “Miss Boamah, you have gained admission to ... university to study a Bachelor of Science degree program in Mathematics.” Although my family was pleased about my college entrance, there was a bit of disappointment in my programme of study.
I gained admission into one of the best universities in West Africa to study a field I was interested in exploring. My family thought otherwise. I couldn’t wait for enrollment to finally leave home and start my studies.
Mathematics was going to open many doors of opportunity and I was ready for it.
I have always been a fan, wait let me rephrase that. I have always loved Mathematics. I had some of the best results growing up studying it in my Junior and Senior High schools. Why wouldn’t I seek to explore it in my further studies?!
I could care less about their disappointment and only focus on making sure they could trust me to do better.
Now here’s where it gets interesting…
Kenya Barris and Vincent Jones envisioned a life like mine whiles writing and producing Grown-ish, an American sitcom series and a spin-off of the ABC series Black-ish.
I bet anyone that has watched this sitcom at certain times resonates with the episodes. For me, every episode aired showed bits of my college life. Except for times when Zoey had boy trouble! But I resonate with Zoey Johnson for most of the series. Let’s talk about her fashion style later, lol!!
When it became a tough call to make decisions on my own, I’d trust an episode of Grownish to help clear my head. Certain times, when I defied the odds and felt ‘guilty as charged’, I’d learn my lessons from an episode with similar situations.
Zoey on the other hand had the support every student would wish for. Not to say I didn’t, but the early stages of acceptance from the family were quite a trip. When the trust and support started to fade, She stood up for herself always.
she always stood up for herself It was her life and making such earnest decisions about navigating it was hard. She wouldn’t risk any opportunity to bring all minds in on what she had decided for herself and how it was going to benefit her. Though selfish at times, I managed to build my self-confidence from her experiences.
College for me was like episodes in Grown-ish!!!
Now, graduation calls. After what seemed like four years of unending stress, I sailed through and my family expressed how proud they are of me. I understood, “Never bail on yourself or an opportunity that you want.”
Remember I expressed my fear, confusion and doubts about leaving college too? Well, let’s say I revisited some old notes and I’m in a better place now. At least not the best place yet, but I know I’ll get there.
I wasn't disappointed in my decision to study Mathematics. Most of my disappointments sprout from me being a lousy friend or perhaps the times I missed out on important family moments just to avoid the constant bashes. I love my family though. When I performed poorly on tests, the feeling of being a disappointment would creep in too.
(Thankfully, I’m not here to bore you with talks about Grown-ish but…
I have a couple of life-changing lessons to end your read with.
You can’t have it all figured out, not at once. Neither can you let your fears hold you back.
Opportunities will forever come. “When one door closes, another opens”. But when we close a door ourselves, it’s easy to second-guess that decision. Remember also, when you look so much at a closed door of opportunity, you fail to see the other open doors.
Stick to your convictions, stay true to yourself, Live life and have the courage to go through it.
“Watch out world, I’m grown now, … my heart’s beating so loud, Mama look I’m grown nowww!!!!”
P.S: Have you watched GROWN-ish?
Then, share in the comment section your takeaways and resonating episodes.
If not, then find it and watch it soon.
Is your girl this smart??? Whooaaatttt!!!
beautiful and intelligent! We want more, dear