a year ago
165
59
Posted On: May 21st 2025, 07:57 pm
Tagged Users:
Girls go to college to get more knowledge.
Words cannot explain how I feel right now but I’ll try. A year ago, I didn’t even think I’d be crossing this stage. My mental health was the worst it had ever been and it felt like I had so much on my plate. Realizing it would take me an extra two semesters to graduate made me feel like a complete failure. Even with my huge support system, the workload felt insurmountable. 365 nights full of tears, Quizlet flashcards, and energy drinks later, I am now the first person in my family to receive their Bachelors degree.
A week before graduation, I ordered Chinese food (Yummy Wok, I love you) because I truly didn’t want to cook during finals week. I always check my fortune first but this one was so weird. It said “Hold the door open” and I almost tossed it. Maybe I’m reaching but after a second I thought about how I am holding the door open. My nieces and nephews will never have to be the first in their family to earn their degrees. Every obstacle I faced on my way to this stage was worth it just so they don’t have to push past the same ones.
People always said that you find out who you are in college and if you asked me 5 years ago, I would’ve told you that’s just a cliche. My college experience did not start off how it did in my dreams. Virtual classes, daily health checks, global panic, and isolation in my dorm room didn’t feature in my visions of my time at University. But I truly couldn’t have imagined a more fulfilling 5 years if I tried (and i’ve tried). I’ve met so many amazing people at ODU that have forever changed me. I found love and joy in the most unexpected places and I have this school to thank for it. To my YoungLife girls, coworkers, supervisors, and friends I’ve made along the way, I’m so grateful we met! There’s a universe where i never took that secondary education class, applied for that job, went on that Fall Weekend trip, or signed a lease on a different house in my third year. I never want to see it.
I love you ODU! I couldn’t have done this without my ride or die, Big Blue. 💙🦁
📸 @morley_ry
Britney Chantel Kouassi
B.S. Biology
Old Dominion University
Class of 2025
Words cannot explain how I feel right now but I’ll try. A year ago, I didn’t even think I’d be crossing this stage. My mental health was the worst it had ever been and it felt like I had so much on my plate. Realizing it would take me an extra two semesters to graduate made me feel like a complete failure. Even with my huge support system, the workload felt insurmountable. 365 nights full of tears, Quizlet flashcards, and energy drinks later, I am now the first person in my family to receive their Bachelors degree.
A week before graduation, I ordered Chinese food (Yummy Wok, I love you) because I truly didn’t want to cook during finals week. I always check my fortune first but this one was so weird. It said “Hold the door open” and I almost tossed it. Maybe I’m reaching but after a second I thought about how I am holding the door open. My nieces and nephews will never have to be the first in their family to earn their degrees. Every obstacle I faced on my way to this stage was worth it just so they don’t have to push past the same ones.
People always said that you find out who you are in college and if you asked me 5 years ago, I would’ve told you that’s just a cliche. My college experience did not start off how it did in my dreams. Virtual classes, daily health checks, global panic, and isolation in my dorm room didn’t feature in my visions of my time at University. But I truly couldn’t have imagined a more fulfilling 5 years if I tried (and i’ve tried). I’ve met so many amazing people at ODU that have forever changed me. I found love and joy in the most unexpected places and I have this school to thank for it. To my YoungLife girls, coworkers, supervisors, and friends I’ve made along the way, I’m so grateful we met! There’s a universe where i never took that secondary education class, applied for that job, went on that Fall Weekend trip, or signed a lease on a different house in my third year. I never want to see it.
I love you ODU! I couldn’t have done this without my ride or die, Big Blue. 💙🦁
📸 @morley_ry
Britney Chantel Kouassi
B.S. Biology
Old Dominion University
Class of 2025
Comments (59)
Load More
More posts
