Christen's English Blog

 I've gotten too old for cartoon afternoons now, but I do miss it. I could simply sit back with a bowl of treats and get lost in my favorite cartoons without having to stress about homework or duties. Now I feel I have too much on my plate to sit and watch cartoons all day, but every so often I'll catch an old episode of a show that I used to watch, and it all comes flooding back with the happy memories. It's a reminder of happier and simpler times.

 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.