I have always been a naturally anxious person who used any academic challenges as fuel to keep me going in school. Throughout high school, the fear of failure and being left behind became my driving force to succeed, not my own interests or passions to learn. I then attended community college because it was an easy stepping stone that was covered by scholarships. Money, the fear of the unknown and the uncertainty of my future made my choices feel like they weren’t my own.
When I finally transferred to UCA, my older sister was already working towards her bachelor of arts in English. I was proud to watch her succeed and feel fully comfortable in an academic setting. Her experience sparked my desire to explore my education on my own terms. I began to work towards my own bachelor of arts in English with a minor in history.
The English professors at UCA challenged me, opened my mind to new experiences and expanded my passion for literature. From a class that gave women playwrights a moment center stage and perplexing courses emphasizing the impact of race and culture to intertwined film and literature classes, UCA offered endless paths through experiencing literary texts. I was encouraged to explore new avenues of my major while connecting back to various captivating texts.
The History professors incorporated pivotal moments in time with deeply informational yet emotional texts. Artfully balancing “Pride and Prejudice” with Jack the Ripper to dive into the Regency period exhibits the use of pleasure and education. From the inspiring tales of bravery in “Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed,” to “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa,” represent the horrific consequences strung throughout history. Each immersive role-playing game and every striking and enveloping text drew me closer to rediscovering my love of school again.
Before UCA, I struggled to find my joy in learning. The fire that once pushed me to succeed had somehow burned out along the way. UCA and its extensive community, from empathetic professors to new friends, reignited my desire for knowledge. By reminding and motivating me of what I loved, I have begun to feel like myself again.
By nourishing my passions in new, exciting ways, I dared to run with my ideas, test out theories and create work I was immensely proud of.
I have been recognized as a presidential scholar every semester while attending UCA, not because I feared failing, but because I enjoyed applying myself to every course.
Although I initially joined the Echo for class credit, it quickly became an outlet for expression, activism and new writing opportunities. The paper projected my voice while also providing numerous chances to explore campus and local events I never knew existed.
The journey of self-discovery became exponentially more enriching the moment I touched the UCA campus. I love the student and person I have become, and the unknown future I was once afraid of is now something I am excitedly running towards. Who knew purple would look and feel so good.