The New Yorker

My life at Howard so far ... well lets just say its been an interesting week. I experienced an earthquake and a hurricane in one week, how would you feel?

Other than natural disasters, Howard has been all that I expected and more. After this week I expect the rest of my time at Howard to be full of memories and laughs. Attending classes this week made me realize I'm not in High School anymore. College is a whole new world that I'm ready to conquer. My nights will be full of homework and studying but I know at the end of the day it will be worth it.

I see Freshman Seminar as a mentor for me throughout my first semester. I expect Freshman Seminar to teach me the in and outs of Howard and its history. The lecture that interest me the most is the lecture about freedom because it provides us with information about the stepping stones laid for us by our heroes.

Howard hasn't reached all of my expectations but I believe with the help of Freshman Seminar and my dedication to my classes all my goals should be fulfilled at Howard. This is the school of my dreams that offers everything that help me progress in life i just have to get up and work for it. I'm a part of the Howard legacy and won't be a disappointment.

You Want Me to Do What?!

I'm not sure how I feel about life right now, to be perfectly honest. I am an only child from Dallas and on the second day of school I wake up to an Earthquake? 

My name is Britni Cuington and I am a freshman Biology major at Howard University. My plans are to proudly serve my country in  the United States Air Force and to pursue genetic research upon retirement. I feel that I have an obligation to study at an Historically Black College and to succeed beyond adversity as an expression of my gratitude for the ancestors who fought for my right to study. 

Now all of that is fine and great, but that earthquake shook me a little--literally. 

However, first week of classes was nothing I didn't expect after the rumble on  the east coast. I feel that there is an expectation of dedication when a student lives in the "valley" Biology here, Chemistry there; life is pretty much depending on my GPA. I feel that my teachers expect a lot, but it is only because they want the best from us (which is totally acceptable and honorable, in my opinion).

Freshman Seminar is a class I feel I will enjoy. I admire the thought put into appropriating a class that focuses on our (African American) past and how we can cherish it in a way that nurtures our future. “Omoluabi” will most likely will be my favorite lecture because I love how beneficial and enlightening community service is for everyone. Freshman Seminar is a interdisciplinary course that I feel will encourage me to become a well rounded student committed to service, not only to my country, but to the world.

On top of Chemistry, Biology, Freshman Seminar and English, I also participate in AFROTC. I love my HBCU and I also love my country. HOWEVER, after studying for four different classes, when my LT Col asked me to wake up at 6:30 and run three miles I looked at her and said, "You want me to do what?!"

Welcome to the rest of my life. 
-Britni Cuington

WELCOME TO HOWARD

The moment I’ve been waiting for, for months has finally arrived. I was actually on the campus of the prestigious Howard University getting ready to move in. On the day of move-in, everyone was so helpful which made me feel even more sure of my decision of attending Howard University. As soon as I got out of the car, there were upperclassmen ready and willing to help. As I went to fill out my papers, they gathered all of my luggage and carried it up to my room. I spent hours unpacking, making sure every thing was perfect – zebra print here, purple there, pictures from everyone back home all over. After all, this was going to be my new home for the next ten months.

As freshman week went along, there was always something to do (thanks to the Campus Pals). During the day, we had events such as the ice cream social and the pinning ceremony; and as night came, everyone gathered in Cramton Auditorium whether it was for the Talent Show, Taste of Howard, or the Variety Show. My favorite event was “A Taste of Howard”. This definitely gave us freshmen a look at the many things Howard University has to offer. However, the first day of classes was becoming closer and closer. Every day, I checked and double-checked to make sure I had everything I could possibly need for classes.

During the first week of classes, everything went by smoothly. There wasn’t much work given or tasks to complete since it was the add/drop period. At first, I didn’t understand why Freshman Seminar was required for graduation but as I sat in the first lecture and listened as the presenter described the course, I realized that Freshman Seminar would be much more than a mere one-credit class. Freshman Seminar, as stated in the course syllabus, was created to encourage us students to become engaged participants in the intellectual and cultural life of African peoples throughout the Diaspora by exploring this rich history and legacy and this legacy’s vibrant contemporary work and institutional life. This course would not only allow us to graduate, but it would also affect our personal lives helping us become more fruitful and beneficial citizens of the world.

Although each lecture has its own specific purpose, I am most looking forward to lecture three “Abandonment and Dismemberment: “Something Torn and New””. This lecture is about the separation of Africans from their homeland because of enslavement and the maintenance of their culture. This lecture seems most interesting to me because I am from the US Virgin Islands and now being on the mainland I need to find ways to maintain my culture while adapting to new surroundings.

- Carina F.

New Beginnings

Here is a little bit about my self. First, my name is Kapri Robinson. I was born in Champaign, Illinois, raised in Maryland and Georgia. I am and always have been an open person and I get along with almost everyone. To give a percentage I get along with about 99.9% of people I meet. My open and joyous character help me to meet four wonderful people who, at the time, were students of Howard University. Until this day i am still in contact with all of them.

These four individuals had such a great demeanor and were very classy. They all had a definite character. They were all confident in who they were and they always talked about Howard University so highly. These four were a huge influence on my choice in Howard University. Although I met them at a fairly young age they impacted my life in a gigantic way. I wanted to become my own person and have such a definite character as these four did. I felt as though Howard help them to do that and I wanted Howard to help me find my character also.

So now here I am. I have to say Howard is everything i thought it would be and more. The people here are so open and helpful. Every student here knows how to have fun but they also have their priorities right. All of the upperclassmen I have encountered always says to put studies first and that is the way to succeed. My first week of Howard was great and I have big hopes that it will just get better, more challenging, yet better.

I believe Freshmen seminar is going to open my eyes to many things. Honestly I was a bit confused on why we had to have a class like such, but I am going to look at the brighter side and try to enjoy myself as much as I can in that class. One of the seminars, "Omoluabi", i trust will be the most interesting and helpful to me. Because I am here at Howard University to find and define my character that lecture looks the most appealing. The lecture is meant to help me understand myself my responsibilities qualities of a good character.

Freshmen seminar shall be beneficial to me and other freshmen. We come to college for knowledge, correct? So the more knowledge the better. Freshmen seminar seems as though it is there to help us get started becoming our own person as educated individuals.

- Kapri R.