Students
Justice C. Echols
Domestic Exchange Student Reflections
Stanford University

Once school started, I spent most days on my 15-minute walk to class asking myself 'What's going on with you?' For many reasons that are still unknown, I couldn't shake the uncertainty that greeted me every morning. As cliché as it sounds, I listened to music to help me figure out my next move. Then I found the answer. I just had to keep going. I had to just start doing things that I was so excited about when I applied to Stanford. I went out for the Women's Rugby team, reached out to some of my Sorors, started making friends and building meaningful relationships with my professors. Even though with every step I was scared and uncertain, I just had to keep going. I couldn't pay the fear of failing any mind.
So I am deciding to look at the quarter up to my first round of midterms as a trial and error run. I know my way around now; I know I understand the material and now I have many friends that are helping me enjoy my experience here at Stanford. Most importantly, I know I belong here. I wish it wouldn't have taken this long to realize it, but with any new environment there is change, and sometimes that change is not easy to get used to and overcome. That's just life. I can't really beat myself up about that, but it's what I do from this point on that matters.
Wish me luck Spelman Sisters!