The supposed grievousness, ingratitude and moral offense of skipping class wasn’t what was getting to me — it was what my missed classes were leading me to believe about myself.
For these students, teranga meant slowly walking by our sides and supporting us as we learned to live in Senegalese culture - it was welcoming, it was protective, and it was love without expecting anything in return.
Whether it meant financial sacrifice or sacrificing my time, I made sure to choose grocery stores based on my needs at the moment, not on any expectations I had for myself.
Although I was excited to explore and learn more about the great outdoors, I didn’t know how I would cope with the increasing presence of climate change in my everyday life.
I have come to understand that the reason New Year’s resolutions were so daunting, and perhaps so apt to fail, is that they are a universal concept attempting to fill the role of a very personal task.
Just as "The Shining" confuses the boundaries of reality in the Overlook, it prompted me, as well, to ask myself if the plot of the movie was truly fictional, or based in real truths.
Though not all U.Va. students are religious, I truly believe that all U.Va. students can benefit from the practice of rest.
Though I miss the closeness we had last year, I will forever value the lessons they taught me and the memories they gave me.
It’s possible to have it all in college. However, it’s only possible if you place yourself in healthy environments and communities that allow you to do so.
Humans weren’t made to experience our lives through a screen, but while we had to do just that, we didn’t let it change us.
