1. Be accepted into Pharmacy school
I'm in a 6-year program for pharmacy at Hampton. However, I still have to apply and be officially accepted into their pharmacy school. I submitted my application during the Fall semester, but I still have to complete the interview process in the Spring.
2. Participate & Fundraiser for a Lupus Run/Walk
As many of you know, I was diagnosed with Lupus during my freshman year of college. Ever since I have really been interested in learning more about the disease. I really would love to participate in a run and fundraise for the cause.
3. Go to at least 2 concerts or attend a music festival
I genuinely have a love for music. It's basically a huge part of my everyday activities. Unfortunately, I have only been to one concert in my entire life. This year, I am determined to have that experience again!
4. Splurge on one clothing item
Basically, I feel like I never truly treat myself to certain clothing items or brands. I want to give myself something I really want without considering the price. It's important to treat yourself, right?
5. Get my first tattoo
I have been dead set on getting a tattoo since my 18th birthday. However, every single year, I chicken out of it. This year shall be different!
6. Go on a legit, all day adventure
I'm not quite sure where I will be going just yet. I just know I want to go somewhere that I have never seen and explore the area.
7. Hold a position of office in a campus organization
In high school, I was always super-involved in school activities. However, once I started college, I wasn't as active in organizations. This year, I want to be extremely active in all the organizations I participate in. Also, I would love to be able to lead and hold a position of office in one of those organizations.
8. Create blog posts at least twice a month
I definitely struggle with posting consistently each month. I want to commit to a set amount of posts that I have to create. I plan to actually schedule my posts and keep up with the blog as a whole.
9. Organize a community service event on my campus
I have always wanted to create my own community service event. I am passionate about many issues, and I would love to bring awareness to my peers. My plan is to come up with an event and host it at my school sometime during the 2017-2018 school year.
10. Do something that scares me
I must admit that I'm such an anxious person. If I haven't tried something before, I'm almost automatically afraid. I tend to think of the worst before even trying something out. I want to make myself do something that scares me this year. Although, I'm not quite sure what exactly it will be just yet.
11. Read the entire bible cover to cover
This past year, I started to be more serious about my faith and my relationship with God. I want to continue this in the new year. Therefore, my goal is to read the entire bible by my 21st birthday. I will be using a Christian website that will provide me with chapters to read daily and keep me on track.
12. Complete 4 sewing projects
When I was younger, my dream was to become a fashion designer. A couple years back, I got a sewing machine. I was so excited to use it at first, but now, all it does is collect dust in my room. I really would love to get back into sewing. It's always such a great feeling to create something yourself.
13. Obtain a summer internship in pharmacy
This one is pretty self-explanatory. As you all know, I want to become a pharmacist. So, I want to spend this Summer doing research in the medical field and getting to know more about my career path.
14. Save for my future apartment
It's my goal to have my own apartment by my senior year of college. However, I really don't want to have to depend on my parents to pay for it. This year, I want to start putting away money so I can make it happen.
15. Take a trip to New York
I have never been to New York but I have always wanted to go. So why not make it happen this year?
16. Be more selfless
I want to work on becoming a more giving person this year. It is my goal to be able to give myself selflessly to people, without thinking of myself first.
17. Refrain from putting heat on my hair for an entire year
I have gone months without putting heat on my hair, and the growth was tremendous. After my birthday, I want to keep from using heat to promote growth and healthier hair.
18. Consistently pay a bill
This one will definitely make my dad happy. Even though it's super small, I want to take responsibility for one bill this year. I think it will help me become more mature and accountable of myself.
19. Have two completely new experiences
This one is kind of tough to explain. Basically, I want to have two experiences that are completely new to me. I can't be specific yet because I'm not sure what they will be or consist of.
20. Plan my 21st birthday getaway
I have been talking about my 21st birthday for a few years now. I have huge plans for the celebration, so I need to start saving and planning for it asap.

Hello lovelies. I know I been gone for awhile but I have a lot going on school wise. Luckily for me, next week is my last week of classes then I take my finals! I'm so ready to go home for the Summer. In celebration of almost completing my freshman year of college, I decided to do a reflection on this year. I definitely went through many trials and tribulations this year, and I think its always good to reflect on what I learned. So I hope you all enjoy.


This year was definitely an eventful one for me. Personally, I learned that I am waaaaay stronger than I thought I was. Between my health, my social life and making my transition to college, I had a lot of things going on.

My health certainly took a toll on me this school year. In November, I was diagnosed with Lupus after many tests and doctors appointments. At first, I didn't really know how to react because it was the first time my body had betrayed me. I have always been a healthy person so it was a huge adjustment. Initially, I struggled with taking my medication and monitoring the disease. It was just a lot especially with the other things I was dealing with. However, around January I got myself together. Mainly due to the fact that taking better care of myself was one of my New Year's resolutions. Looking back, I am thankful that my disease came to the light when it did. My doctors were able to get me on a treatment plan that will hopefully prevent the disease from progressing. Today, I am keeping up with my meds and managing the pain that I do experience.

Socially, I went through it. I literally did not have any friends my first semester and even the beginning of second semester. I started my year with what I thought were friends, but let's just say I was very wrong. Not even half way through the first semester, I moved into a single by myself. It was that completely broke me as a person. I didn't socialize. I barely left my room. If I did decide to go somewhere, it was by myself. Let's just sum it up as I was super lonely. It was really hard for me because I have never felt like that before. Personally, I have always had friends. I have always been able to socialize with almost everyone. In high school, I was known for always talking in class or being loud. It was like I had totally changed. During this time, I was definitely really depressed. I hate saying that because I feel like people use the word so loosely now a days. However, I was genuinely going through a depression. The worst part about it was I didn't want to tell anyone. I felt like I was burdening my friends from back home, if I bothered them with my problems. On top of that, I honestly felt ashamed. Everyone of my friends was striving socially and academically, I felt like I was the failure. I spent so many days & nights crying, just wishing the days away. Honestly, it was a rough time for me. All that being said, somehow I was able to keep pushing. This is not to say that I have fully overcome the depression, but I have made it a point to push myself to be happy. Today, I go out more. I try not to lock myself in my room as much. I have met some people who I think I can honestly count on to be friends with over the next few years. I even made the decision to have a roommate next year, instead of being trapped in a room by myself. Currently, I am filling out applications to join a few on-campus organizations. So, I think I have made tremendous improvements in a short time. Everyday I just try to stay positive, especially on the harder days.

Transitioning to college as a whole was an interesting experience. There is so many things that no one told me. Everyone always stresses how its the best years of your life. However, it can be so lonely sometimes. Many people surrounding me did not have my best interest at heart and I had to learn that. Personally, I cut off a lot of people. I found it very hard to open up with new people because of my fear of them treating me wrong. Not to mention, I do not like partying like that. Don't get me wrong, I can go out every once in awhile but partying every weekend just isn't my thing. Many of my classmates only care about partying and their social status, so it was super hard finding people who liked a good balance. Also I am extremely dedicated to my academics. I always put my school work before anything else. The struggle was finding "friends" that understood that. I have always been a person that stuck to my morals. Never letting anyone really influence me to do something I didn't want to do. Being a headstrong and different individual made it extremely hard for me to fit in. However, once I joined Honors College, I was able to find like minded individuals. It was super cool to be surrounded by people who love to have fun, but also don't play when it comes to their GPA. That's the type of people I wanted to be around. Currently, I am trying to find other organizations to join that are tailored to be strengths and likes.

College can be some of the best years of your life. As many before me have said, "It's what you make of it." After my freshman year, I can truly say that is an accurate statement. Once I pushed myself out of my comfort zone, I found so many different opportunities. I definitely have much more work to do. However, I'm happy with the growth that I have made over this year. I pray that next year will only get better. I just have to remember to keep my head up, and continue to do me. The only thing I am determined to do is graduate and make big things happen.

                                               Yours truly,
                                                               MPS

On January 4th, I turned 19 years old. It's crazy because i don't feel older at all. 19 is one of those weird birthdays that doesn't really change anything. Nonetheless, it was a good birthday. I spent it with my friends and family. I went out to lunch with my friends which was so much fun. I got to catch up with some people I haven't seen in awhile. I had dinner with my family. It was an uneventful day, but I still enjoyed it.


Now on to the birthday outfit, which is the most important part to be honest. I kept it pretty simple this year. I wore my Navy blue bubble vest which I pieced with a plaid tunic. Plaid has been an extremely popular trend this year, and I must say I love it. To keep it simple, I paired with jeans and my brown riding boots. Lastly, I wore a deep red/burgundy lipstick to accent the outfit.

Plaid Tunic: Old Navy | Vest: Old Navy | Jeans: Abercrombie & Fitch | Boots: Steve Madden | Lipstick: NYX Copenhagen

Every year people create tons of resolutions for the new year. If we're being real, many of those people barely make it a month before giving up on their so-called goals. I have been one of those people countless times, if I'm being honest. Nonetheless I still believe it is an excellent idea to set goals every single year and attempt to achieve them. This year I am very determined to achieve mine. Today, I will be sharing with you all my 2016 New Years Resolutions.