The Journey Is Not the Beginning, but the End

For a lot of people, the 1st of January is the start of new beginnings, and a clean slate. In the world of a student, August is our New Year’s Day. Whether it be primary school or a PhD program, August is the new book of our academic career waiting to be written. School brings about different feelings in everyone, but at the end of the day, we are all there on the mission to become educated in respective subjects. On this journey, it is not cut and dry. Obtaining a quality education is one of the most challenging things a person can do, and we’re doing it. The course of getting the next degree is not what it may seem; it isn’t the beginning failures. It is, more importantly, where you end up. Every journey has its bumps, but they’re passable. What do you do after you slow down for a speed bump? You speed back up. After the bumps in your educational career, you have the ability to speed up again. Getting that beginning subpar grade can be discouraging and even have you second-guessing yourself, but the journey is not the beginning. As I enter my sophomore year of college, I have experienced many a semester where my grades weren’t where I wanted them to be, but the show went on. That first C my freshman year of high school hurt my feelings, but that was not the end of my journey. I had time to fix it because I defined my grades by the work that I chose to put in after the bump in the road. Slow down for the speed bump, but don’t forget to speed back up once that bump has passed. The beginning isn’t the end-all be-all of your class average or your education as a whole. The course of a semester or a school year can be a journey filled with trials and tests that may not always go the best; the key is to remember that one grade does not make or break you, and neither does one class, or one professor. You declare your journey, and it is not over at the beginning. It is over at the end.

Bonjour mes amies! My name is Jayla Blakemore and I am a student at The University of Georgia pursuing a degree in Psychology. I love good food, great music, making people laugh, doing hair that is not my own, and spending time with my friends. I live by three short phrases: “Trust God.” “Be educated.” and “Spread love.” Make what you will of each of them. I am more than excited for sharing my writing with all of you, and embodying all the positive things life offers!