Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.
This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.
Blog #6: So What Now?
It seems like from the time I graduated High School up to the time Ive attended SDSU Im constantly being asked “So Whats Next”. I guess there’s no more living in the moment these days, planning ahead has become my most valuable skill. Although Ive planned for various occasions in my life as we all know, when you make a plan God laughs. But it doesn’t hurt to prepare yourself with possible options, the next biggest decision in my life is what I plan to do after college.
High School me knew I would attend a four year university straight out of High School graduated and then begin working in my field of studies. College Gianni now knows my pit stop at a junior college was necessary before attending that four year university I dreamed of. Ive also come to the concussion I want to give myself every possible chance to succeed therefor I will be graduating college and enrolling myself into and Architecture Masters Program but where..
This Blog post is geared towards my top five choices of where I would like to complete my masters program, ranked by practicality.
- University of San Diego
Degree: Master of Interior Architecture
Duration: Two years
2. University of California Los Angeles
Degree: Master of Interior Architecture
Duration: One year
3. University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Degree: Master of HealthCare Interior Design
Duration: Two years
4. The University of Arizona
Degree: Master of Architecture
Duration: Two years
5. New School of Architecture and Design:
Degree: Master of Construction Management
Duration: Twelve Months
Luckily all these programs have the same if not very similar requirements. A degree in Interior Architecture, 3.0 GPA in undergraduate work and be able to maintain a 3.0 GPA through the masters program, Submission of a portfolio, Graduate record examination scores, and to Submit an application with all additional required documents.
Personal Essays
This weeks blog address the possible Topics for my personal essay I will be writing in the near future.
Possible Topics:
- The truth about my College Admissions Process
- Being a young African-American Woman in a predominantly White Male field
- The Reality of Beauty Pageants
The Truth about my College Admissions Process
Questions to pose:
- Just how reliable is the College Admissions Process?
- Should High Schools be more hands on with the College Application Process?
- What is the appeals process and why aren’t more people aware of it?
College is one of the main driving factors of many young teens lives, forcing them to decided on what they will study for the next four years of life, pushing them to write statements to convince people why you should be allowed to attend a certain college. The entire college process is romanticized, in reality it is a stressful, confusing, anxiety rising situation. I went through a heart wrenching emotional rollercoaster with being denied, accepted, denied, and then ultimately accepted again. There were a lot of mistakes on my part and on others in all these circumstances ,but there is still so much knowledge I will be able to give in regards to this topic.
Being a Young African-American Woman in a Predominantly White Male Field
Questions to pose:
- Why are there more men than women in Architecture?
- How do I gain the credibility and trust I deserve and have worked hard for?
- How to be confident in a space where you’re the only person that looks like you?
Being an African-American woman I have always been categorized as a minority. Not only by my gender but also by my race, almost every situation I am in I am reminded of either my race or my gender. While growing up I attend predominantly white schools and as I grow and attend College this demographic has not changed. I am used to being different and standing out but how will this affect me in my career field and what limitations will I be present with.
The Reality of Beauty Pageants
Questions to pose:
- What exactly are Beauty Pageants and why do they have such a bad reputation?
- Are Beauty Pageants helping young girls flourish or creating bad beauty constructs?
- Do the positives outweighs the bad in terms of Beauty Pageants?
For ten years of my life I competed in what is known as a “Beauty Pageant” but in reality was a Scholarship Pageant. Due to the show Toddlers and Tiaras pageants usually get a bad rep because they isn’t any good representation of what exactly they are and the many forms they come in. Pageants are to thank for me coming out of my shell and being able to feel comfortable with public speaking which know helps me in College it also allowed me to receive Community Service hours resulting in Presidential Volunteer Awards and scholarship funds that allowed me pay for college.
The Art of Learning a New Identity; Gee
When I walk into a room, I want to demand attention. I want people to notice my confidence and aura. As I begin my journey becoming an Architect I am intertwined in a major where I am the only person who looks like me.
In a field where majority of its members are older white men I am a needle in a haystcak; a young, african-america, woman. I want to create an identity that screams, “I am well deserving of this position, and you will not be disappointed” I want to create and identity that says “I come with new ideas and possibilities just put your trust in me”.
Ive dealt with being the only person of color in the classroom for as long as I can remember. A situation that could easily tear someone down Ive used to build me up. In times I’ve been looked down upon I reassured myself of my capability to succeed in any and every enviorment; I believe in myself so others don’t have to.
According to Gee knowing the right things to say in various environments can assure your peers of your credibility, the way you speak , the way you walk, and the confidence you exude in “Literacy, Discourse, and Linguistics” stating “At any moment we are using language we must say or write the right thing the right way while playing the right social role and (appearing) to hold the right values, beliefs, and attitudes. Thus, what is important is not language, and surely not grammar, but saying (writing)-doing-being-valuing-believing combinations” (2)
Furthermore, if we act in the manner we wish to be perceived in eventually this will be manifested and we will become that version of ourselves.
The way I carry myself I believe is the reason many people are taken back by me and find it hard to approach me, when in reality I’m a very nice welcoming person.
Although my confidence is present there have been moments of weakness that I’m sure everyone has. For example my very first semester at SDSU. I went from attending classes of 10-20 students to lecture halls of 150-300 and professors who didn’t even know I existed. I wasn’t sure how or when id feel like I belonged at this University, I didn’t feel important just another fish an a huge ocean.
This is where Gee’s knowledge and understanding of knowing what and when to say things became useful. I told myself I was more than deserving of this higher education I would now be receiving and if I want to feel as if I belong I would have to assure myself that I did. I had to figure out how to feel important in a large group of students so I wouldn’t loose myself getting caught up in my own mind.
The truth: Becoming a Successful College Student
My entire college experience has been a true roller coaster to say the least. Both physically and emotionally, Ive had to deal with so many trials and tribulations; thankfully that have lead me to who I am today, but not without some serious learning.
In America college is the next in line to one of the biggest decisions you will ever make as a young adult. Where you attend will shape you into the well-rounded, intellectual adult you wish to be. Will you chose a college on the East or the West, a college where your major is the leading in the nation or a college where your major is a close second. Whatever may influence your decision it all begins with the application process.
Get to know yourself: In order to chose a school that is right for you and you will succeed at you need to be aware of your likes and dislikes, what kind of atmosphere do you flourish in. Along with getting to know yourself research is very trivial in this entire process, it helps tremendously if you know the schools you’re applying to like the palm of your hand, take a visit, ask numerous amount of people how their experience has been.
Find your thing: You will be spending the next four years not only attending the same college but pursuing a career in the field of your choosing. It is very important to be aware of the things you relate to the most or find interesting, a lot of people go into college unaware of exactly what they’re passionate about and what like to pursue which is already a problem in itself. Explore yourself and your interest and find what career makes you happy and not just for a few months.
C’s get Degrees: College is an entirely different field. You are surrounding yourself with people who are all working towards the same goal, finding a job in their career of choice. Its competitive and hectic some thrive and this atmosphere and others don’t. Learn that it is very much possible that you will go from being a 4.0 student to a 3.0 student. College is very different from High School especially your first year, learn the rhythm and how to succeed in the environment before you get down on yourself for getting a C.
Ask a lot of questions: Although I’m a firm believer in “There is such thing as a dumb question” College really thrives on questions even those you might think are “dumb” and “obvious” ask. Sometimes you might be the only person you know in your 300 student lecture and your question can save you from enormous confusion and mishaps. Questions are even important in terms of your class schedule and making sure you’re on track to graduate. Ask thousands of questions, knowledge is key in order to succeed.
Deduction and Dedication: In order to be successful you have to understand your entire life won’t be smooth sailing, there will be times you have to work harder and problem solve. It’s important to stay dedicated and and goal driven because the solutions to your issues may not appear as evident as you’d hope for. But all in all lessons will be learned which will then later help you in other aspects of your life, making it simpler as you go.
College is a whirlwind and an amazing experience, if you’re able to attend take full advantage of your situation because many aren’t as lucky as you. Although you will face some of your hardest lessons they are also your most important. Stay level headed and dedicated and your four years should feel like a breeze.
Where I’m From
I am from beliefs and aspirations.
from “One day I will” to “Now that I have”
from “Try again later” to “This time Ive got it”
from “Lets hope” to “Lets make it happen”
I am from André and Vincent .
I’m from don’t wait until the last minute,
get it done now and relax later.
From set goals that are attainable and then once you’ve
reached them set more, why wait.
I am from head held high, shoulders pushed back, smile!
you’re wearing a crown, be the person people wish to be.
dedicate yourself to your community, and always strive for
excellence.
But most importantly give yourself the opportunity to live the life you’ve dreamed of.
Six Word Memoir
Everything will get better with time.
Like most young teenagers taking on the journey of life we face many trials and tribulations. As we grow we find ourselves becoming our worst critiques, allowing for outsiders input to drastically affect the things we do and the way we think. Learning to love myself and forgive those who have wronged me has become a huge part of how I was able to find myself in depths of darkness. I use to remind myself in times of sadness, frustration, or anger that with time everything always gets better, just remember a time you thought your world was crumbling right in front of your eyes and your issue was unescapable, but then things got better the load got lighter and you were able to learn from what was once your biggest issue.
Ive learned to find happiness and strength in the little things. By reminding myself that things get better with time issues that could’ve possible drastically affected my emotions are seen as life lessons and subtle bumps in the road on my journey through life. Accept the good and the bad and keep on moving because things truly do get better.
Introduce Yourself (Example Post)
This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.
You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.
Why do this?
- Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
- Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.
The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.
To help you get started, here are a few questions:
- Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
- What topics do you think you’ll write about?
- Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
- If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?
You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.
Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.
When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.
