Christen's English Blog

 I used to believe that "popular" high school kids are all about parties, being perfect, and being really social, like they're experts on everything. But when I did get to know some of them, I discovered it's not really like that. Most of the so-called "popular" kids are just regular people who just happen to be outgoing or confident. They are doing nothing differently than anybody else, including school stress or figuring out who they are. Though I do believe many of them hide behind a facade in which it’s noticeable that they don't show their authentic or genuine self.

 I used to believe that all Africans lived in the countryside and had traditional lives, mainly because that is how the media represented the continent. But when I met an Uber driver that had recently moved here from Nigeria, I was shocked at how modern his life was in Nigeria. He lived in a city, had a job in tech, and liked pop culture. It helped me realize how unfair and limiting those stereotypes were. From then on, I tried to get to know other locations and not judge people based on where they come from, which has transformed how I view the world.

 I remember when my friend Hassan, who's Guinean, was at the cafeteria and someone came up and jokingly asked him if she spoke "African." It made him uncomfortable since "African" is not even a language. It reminded me of the way that sometimes people would envision the entire continent as being just one kind of place. That is what's bad about having just one story because it conflates people together and ignores all of the diverse cultures and experiences. To avoid that, we need to ask more questions, not jump to conclusions, and really hear people's personal stories. Each person's story is unique, and the more we know, the less we depend on stereotypes.

Having the right words can make a great deal of difference in everyday conversation and in school. With good vocabulary, you are able to express yourself more clearly, which prevents confusion and ensures your message is conveyed as you mean it. In school, using the right words makes essays, presentations, and classroom discussions better because you come across as more confident and convincing. In addition, it helps one to read and understand difficult texts without getting hung up on difficult words. Texting a friend, class discussion, or writing a paper, using the right words to say makes communication easier and better.

 I would much rather stay in the suburbs of Atlanta. It's a great combination of having room to breathe and close enough to the city. You have the easy-going, tranquil quiet of the suburbs, with lots of room for a yard or just so you have elbow room, yet you're close enough to everything that happens in the city. Atlanta has just so much to offer, no matter if you're into, such as eating out and concerts, you get to enjoy all that without the hassle of traffic or congestion. The suburbs are also safer, and just have a more community-oriented atmosphere to it, where you're never actually in such a hurry. It just feels like the best of both worlds.

 To try to stay out of student loan debt, I will apply for scholarships and grants as much as I can, these are the best ways of obtaining money without ever needing to pay them back. I will also work part-time when I am at school to help cover some of the expenses. I plan on choosing a college that is less expensive and will not get me into too much debt. If I do need to borrow, I will keep the loans as small as possible and ensure that I understand how they will impact me after graduation. I will also try and find an opportunity to attend while living off campus. 

 The word "onus" has stuck with me since high school is basically responsibility upon responsibility. With homework, after-school activities, and just trying to keep up with everything, the onus of being on top of things can be a bit much sometimes. I remember this one time when I just forgot about an essay until the night before it was due. No one was going to do it for me, I was going to have to stay up all night or fail. I stayed up all night, and while it wasn't my best work, I got it done. That moment remained with me because it was one of the first times that I understood completely that responsibility (or the lack of it) has real consequences.

 When I first tried learning the guitar, it was complete and utter disaster. My fingers wouldn't land on the right frets, each chord was out of tune, and I couldn't strum in time to save my life. I honestly thought that I just couldn't do it and came close to giving up. But after several frustrating weeks (and quite a few sore fingers), I realized that flunking was something to be expected. Each mistake, actually, taught me what not to do, and eventually, things started to click. Looking back, those early struggles were what pushed me to practice harder, and now playing the guitar is almost second nature.

 Yes, I certainly have. One time I was stressing so much about a major presentation, and everything felt strange, like I was watching myself from outside of myself. My brain was racing, and I couldn't focus on anything. What brought me back to myself was really just to take a second to breathe deeply, focus on tiny things around me, like the feeling of my feet on the ground or the sound of my pen clicking, I also started counting in my head. Telling myself that I was there and in the present really cleared my head and helped me to chill out.

 The word "maelstrom" literally means a wild and confusing mixture, like being in a perplexing whirlwind. I first heard it while watching a documentary about extreme weather. They talked about a huge ocean whirlpool and called it a "maelstrom", and the word stuck in my head because it sounded so intense. Now I use it whenever I need to describe something that is totally out of control, like one of those days when everything that can go wrong happens at the same time. It's such a good word because it really conveys that sense of being in a messy maelstrom of chaos.

One time I really thought I was losing my mind was finals week last year. I had three massive tests in a row, an essay due at midnight, and still had to act like a normal human being. My brain was burning and no last-minute cramming was going to help me. I have gazed at my laptop screen for so long that the words blurred and intertwined like some strange optical illusion. I even began writing my name as part of my notes without even realizing. By the time I finished, I was fueled by sheer stress and snacks, but I did it, somehow. 

 Though it is slang, my favorite word right now is probably "bro".  It is probably my favorite just because of how much I use it, I basically use it to refer to anyone, and while talking with friends I use it almost ubiquitously. Not only can I use it as part of sentences, but I can also say it as an interjection, allowing more frequent use of the word.