My first semester: the good, the bad, the ugly

And just like that, I'm in my last week of classes from my first semester in college. This school and the experiences that I have had within it are absolutely insane to me. I've had moments that have literally shaped who I am as a person. Now being officially classified as an "enlightened" college student, I am going to reference Ancient Greek scientist Archimedes when describing what the best parts of this semester have been.

Archimedes once exclaimed the phrase, "Eureka!" upon discovering the answer to a problem that he had been facing for a very long time. Here at the University of Kentucky, I've had my own eureka moment when discovering who I am and what I want to do with my life. Writing for the Kentucky Kernel made me realize how much more fun being in the communications world is as opposed to the business world. Don't get me wrong, I think business is a very important foundation and I believe that I can truly benefit in life if I know the basics. However, the business school at UK is not for me, and it took me all but two weeks to discover that.

My mind does not work within boundaries. It seeks a spectrum of solutions to problems presented to me, and there are exceptions to every rule. To me, that's the most concrete definition of creativity that I know. After realizing that my major in marketing and my pathway with the Global Scholars did not gel properly with that ideal, I began to question if I really wanted to stick with that path. After talking to the Gatton College of Business and Economics Associate Dean Meg Marquis, I realized that it was not a good fit for me. She explained that some universities have a marketing program that is heavily reliant on the student's creativity. UK's Gatton College is not that. It is very research, math, science, and principle-based. This makes sense, seeing as UK is defined as a "research school."

After talking with the Associate Dean and the former Director of the Gatton Honors Pathways, and my UK 101 teacher, Chelsea Brislin, I decided that being a marketing major was not a good fit for me. Chelsea suggested that since I loved writing so much (I was actually set on majoring in journalism) that I should major in ISC (integrated strategic communications). She said it was the perfect blend of public relations, communications, advertising, marketing, digital strategy, campaigns, journalism, and media relations. It's the kind of program that I was in the illusion of going into whenever I chose to major in marketing. Dr. Marquis had also mentioned something about me minoring in business, and since ISC requires students to have a minor outside the college of communications, I went for it.

Now an official general (non-pathway) honors student with an ISC major and business minor, I am so excited to go forward with my educational journey here at UK. I feel comfortable, prepared, and eager for the next steps.

College has otherwise been such a huge adjustment. Being hours away from home, family, and everything that I once knew has caused me to be a nervous wreck at some points. I have exhibited some signs of depression, social isolation, and anxiety. My health, diet, and mental well-being have all plummeted to levels that I never thought were possible for someone like me who has always been so full of light, love, positivity, and kindness. It's harder for me to just be me than I ever could imagine.

That being said, I am growing. And learning. And now I love it. College is an adjustment that is hard for a lot of people. I was so used to being almost forced to see my friends all the time in high school, and now I'm having to make a ton of new ones. I was used to knowing the fun things to do in my hometown, and now I'm having to navigate through a new and bigger city that is my home for the next few years. The longer I go along with the changes, though, the easier it gets.

There are moments and experiences that I have had here that I could not have guessed would happen to me in these short months. I have gone to press conferences with the UK football and volleyball teams, met the Athletic Director, Mitch Barnhart, made eye contact with Anthony Davis (it was awesome), made friends with people of all different races, genders, and disabilities, and experienced true freedom and independence living in a gorgeous and thriving new place. And through all the hardships I have come to know, it's the little moments that truly make it all worth it.

#college #Lexington #UniversityofKentucky #UK #business