By: C. Symone Gurganious
“Words are powerful, especially those we speak to ourselves. Be intentional in how you talk to yourself. #PreventionStartswithME”
Attending a Predominantly White Institution can be very triggering for students of color. Not only do people of color experience different challenges in the world than others but going against society's standard and pursuing higher education is a different level.
I grew up in Oakland California and I attended a school where the majority of the students were Black and Brown. Attending the University of California, Davis I received a huge culture shock my freshman year. I went from being in a classroom with people that looked just like me, to going into a lecture hall and going into a lecture hall consisting of only two black students.
My freshman year, I was extremely depressed and found it very hard not only to adjust to college but to feel comfortable in a school where I felt displaced. I realized I was focusing more on attending classes and getting through them, than focusing on what I was actually learning. I really started to lose my focus in college just because of discomfort and displacement.
One day, I was driving back to school after spending the weekend with my family. The entire time I was driving, my body was aching at the idea of going back to school. It was pouring down raining this day and my car hydroplaned from one side of the freeway to the other, hitting big rig truck. I closed my eyes and I knew for sure my life was over. As my life flashed before my eyes, I called on to God because I knew my time here on earth was over. My car stopped moving and all I could hear was a man saying “Hey sis, are you okay?”. I opened my eyes and I was still here.
“There should be no punishment for kindness. No toll to pay because you wanted to reach out or wear a nice dress or see if the guy across the street is really sleepwalking and maybe help him out of it. #PreventionStartswithME”
From this day forward, I woke up different. I was tired of tears, tired of getting low grades, and tired of not feeling like myself. But most importantly, I was tired of taking time and opportunities God sent to me for granted. I began to get a daily devotional book where I could start my morning by talking to God. I started my mornings with worship music or Drake, depending on how I felt that day. I wrote sticky notes of affirmations and put them around my mirror so I can read them every day and remind myself who I was when I looked in the mirror.
I utilized my planner during this time by breaking down my entire day, including giving myself reasonable times to study. I also incorporated professor’s office hours in my schedule. I realized that when my academics were good, life was better. So, I had to fully focus on myself, God, and academics during this time. This required sacrifice and self-discipline. I put my phone on Do Not Disturb throughout the school day so I can fully focus on what needed to be done and only allowed myself phone leisure right before bed.
Lastly, once I felt better and whole again, I reached out to the Black community in Davis so I can gain a stronger support system. Here is where I began getting more involved. I got involved in the Black Student Union where I am able to serve the Black community in Davis and plan/organize events. The Black Student Union brings me joy because I can serve my community and also organize fun ways to bring Black students together. Getting involved on campus, allowed me to focus on my academics because I was no longer running from adversity but changing my troubles into triumphs.
Christian Symone Gurganious is from The Bay Area. She is currently a Junior at the University of California, Davis where she is pursuing a degree in African American Studies and Communications with a minor in Community Regional Development.
She plans to work in Marketing within social media for her future career as well as opening a center for young girls of color who are at risk. Last summer, Symone volunteered at a group home for girls at risk and advertised promotions for the company Joy Run through social media and flyering.
Symone offers great communication and organization skills which any organization can benefit from to help progress the company. In her free time, one might catch Symone listening to Drake and hanging out with loved ones.
Symone is also one of the newest initiates of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc., Lambda Xi Chapter (ΛΞ) , Spring 2019 #Setaria7 #Proud2Be #DeltaGirl #Legacy.