Almost a year ago I graduated from Palm Beach State College and had my mind set on attending University of Central Florida. I visited the school and met a few faculty members. I have family in Orlando. My mind was made up until a last-minute phone call that changed my decision.
Before my cousin called and talked to me about Tallahassee, I never had Tallahassee on my radar. He graduated from the same state college as me and spoke to me about coming to FAMU.
He said, “Let’s go take a trip to Tally to see FAMU. It’s an HBCU and I think it’ll be the best opportunity for us both.”
After visiting the school and looking around j-school I fell in love and decided to come to FAMU.
In the beginning it was rough and I wasn’t adjusting well. I was in a new city and a different school. I considered calling it quits and dropping out.
I was having dark days; the classes were stressing me out, the workload was much more than community college and I wasn’t finding my place in j-school. I felt like I didn’t fit in. The transition wasn’t going my way.
I had a deep conversation with my mom, and I decided to stay and make things work some way, and somehow things began to slow down and I was able to think clearly.
One day I walked into convergence and spoke to Terrance Ward, who oversees the radio station. I told him about my interest in sports, and how I wanted to be part of the sports radio team. He introduced me to former sports director Robert Rimpson.
Robert introduced me to members of the weekly “Playmakers” show, and they became my family – and I found my place in the school. I was presented with opportunities I never imagined were possible. I stepped out of my comfort zone and was meeting people all around who helped me get to where I am today.
My first semester here broke me, but it also made me into the person I am today. The easiest thing to do in life is quit but the support system I had back home and the one I now have here made it difficult to quit.
Transitioning up here was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done so far, but I’ve loved every step of the journey. There are some days where I am overwhelmed and exhausted, but the difference is I’m not going to call it a quits after coming so far.
God provided me with more than I could ask for and I’m putting all my trust and faith in him to get me across the finish line. I don’t regret coming to FAMU and I’m thankful for everyone who has helped along the way. This is just the beginning and I’m far from the end.