Standing on campus at the beginning of the year, I felt I was 100% percent prepared for the University of Cincinnati. I believed that I was ready for anything and everything that could have been thrown my way. Now that my first year is over, I look back at young and naive Jaela and I can say that I am proud of the person I have grown into. 

Rewind back to move in day- I was so excited and ready to get started with college life. I set up my room all cute: I had a little fountain, LED-lights, an abundance of snacks and some vibrant colors all around the room that made my room feel like a safe place. At night was the first time when the darkness started to appear. The wave of sadness finally hit me and I realized there was no going back, I realized I wasn’t going to wake up tomorrow and be in a town where I knew everyone. Instead I was in this new place:  a place full of streets I had never explored, A place full of people I had never met, A place full of restaurants I had no idea existed and a place full of opportunities I didn’t think I was ready for. I was terrified, more specifically I was scared of this new life I was going to have to live. After some time I had realized that I wasn’t the only one going through this stage of fear. I saw others at the dining halls eating by themselves because they didn’t know anyone either. I realized they were just like me, new students who were getting the same opportunities to start a life of their own. Once I realized this, I started to put myself out there. I started introducing myself to others, I started signing up for clubs that interested me just because I could, I even applied to be the president of my resident halls. Once I started getting involved and doing things that interested me, I felt like a whole new person. I realized that it is 100% okay to be afraid of change and that more than likely there are others going through the same things. All it takes is one leap of faith, one friend or supporter to push you and before you know it. You are doing things you never thought were possible.

During this year I lost friends who were super close to me, I failed at things- not once, not twice, but over and over, I watched as my grades dropped at times, I watched myself get sad and mad. While I had my dose of negative emotions and situations I also had my positives. I finished my first year, I maintained a high gpa, I got involved, I tried new things, I made new friends and I got involved in a community who cares about my wellbeing. My best friend also came to UC and I must say he pushed me in ways that I really need to be pushed, he supported me and introduced me to the Ethnic programs and services family and they took me under their wing and helped me get involved with world fest and even the AACRC. I was able to get involved with student government and the residential life community. Whenever I struggled this year, there was someone always on the sideline who was trying to help me get to the finish line. From my success coach, to my organizations to my advisors, every single one of them pushed me to be better and pushed me to get out of my comfort zone. 

This year I grew because I was able to escape the prisons of my fears, this year I grew because I learned that instead of stressing about the future you should get through things one day at a time, I grew this year because I utilized my support team and because I was willing to do the work in order to succeed. I grew this year because I wanted to be better, and I will continue to grow because I now know that I can.

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