As I woke up on Monday morning, Aug. 22, the thoughts of tiredness, nervousness and excitement coursed through my veins. Knowing that it was my last first day of school ever was an unhinged thought that I felt for most of the day.

All throughout the summer, I was overthinking at times that I didn’t need to prepare for the responsibilities I had to face while being in college. Spending time with family and talking to the people I care about was an essential part of my summer, but with the school year approaching, I was worried that I would lose contact with the people I love most.

Riding my scooter and heading off to my first class, COMJOUR 425, Reporting of Public Affairs, the routine actions of getting to know people distracted my inner thoughts and I realized the importance of in-person classes.

When COVID-19 spread across the nation and shut down the opportunity of meeting new people, the year felt too hard for me to function by staring at my computer screen until 2 a.m.

The class is about reporting on public affairs such as the environment, crime and other topics that revolve around money. Learning about these topics felt as if there were some normality in my life and in a flash, my professor Tracy Simmons dismissed us.

COMJOUR 425 was my only class that day so it felt unordinary that I was not rushing to class or practice. However, I received an email discussing a meeting that will separate this year from my past years as a WSU student-athlete.

This year felt odd not only because it was my senior year, but because we obtained a new coach. Derick Hinch, my new coach, was intrigued by the thoughts I shared and my career as a high jumper. Sitting down and talking with him, I deepened my knowledge of the importance of patience and determination that fueled me for this year.

Tuesday rolled around and I was feeling more balanced about everything surrounding school, track and my future by letting everything flow. It was a hectic day, to say the least, taking two classes that felt overloading.

COMJOUR 487 and COM 471, are two classes that have different learning skills. With COMJOUR 487, I have to enhance my knowledge about sports journalism while in COM 471, I have to learn more about stereotypes in communication, which can be overbearing.

Lately, I decided to head on the route to be a music journalist. The question of what I wanted to be and do for the upcoming future was answered that Tuesday when I decided to just let things in my life flow.

From my love of Kirk Franklin as a teen to now creating “A Rabbit’s Hole,” I’ve been able to learn much about the music industry, some topics which aren’t brought up as much in music such as the inspirations behind album covers or influences behind a music video.

For my senior year, I’m having faith in what I can control and letting everything else come to me. I want to learn more about how to be better mentally, spiritually and physically. I’m sure everything will come full circle.