Author: Lia Stewart

Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

I chose this poem because of its simplicity yet deep life lesson. Dreams are something everyone has and when you cannot make those dreams come true, it seems like you have lost your purpose and are stunted in your growth. It is like a fish without water, or a bird with broken wings as Hughes describes. It is the consuming feeling of hopelessness when everything you desire and envision for yourself fails to manifest. It is the part of life everyone tells you to be ready for but never what to do when it comes. I feel it is the forced redirection of reality, when you “fail” or when your dreams don’t come true, remember that life is a barren field frozen with snow, and when that snow melts, you’ll be able to grow. There is beauty and teaching in every life experience, you should not let circumstances make or break you because tomorrow will be another opportunity to achieve all that you hope and dream. I feel Hughes intended to illustrate the emotions we feel when things don’t go our way, the urge to quit, but subtly highlights the importance of patience, telling readers to hold fast to dreams, be patient, don’t lose sight, in due time things will unfold. This is something I have to remind myself of often because I find myself getting stressed or anxious about the future and achieving certain goals and dreams instead of appreciating the present and trusting the path that I am on, while giving myself grace.

When I tell people that I’m graduating this semester there is always the follow up question of what I plan to do afterwards. I feel that I am always torn because I have many things I want to do but none of them are jumping into a lifelong 9-5. I want to enjoy my 22 year old life. Sometimes I feel, is that too much to ask? Can I just want to travel, explore the world, meet new people, try new things, love and live unconditionally? Because of this degree, my entire perspective on life has completely changed. Before I entered college I was sure I wanted to go to law school to become a civil rights attorney but now I ask myself do I want to endure another ⅔ years of my life to deepening my understanding of law and politics, continue to stress and depress myself over feeling hopeless at the state of the world. And the answer is hell no I do not, but one thing I’ve never been unsure of was my determination to help people and better myself and society as a whole. You could say I could and should take the law school route, but then I could take a grassroots approach and work from the ground up, in my community and others neighboring by. I want my influence to be known, I want my voice to be heard, and more so understood. I want to make a difference directly, and that’s why I plan to work after college, hopefully in the Mayor or Governor’s office, and then start my outreach program in the fall. I want to speak to the youth, teach, inspire, and resonate with them so that they understand there is no limit to their success. I want to live in Costa Rica for a few years, my fathers country and visit my family, really get closer to nature, and give back to the people of the land too. I want to open women’s shelters, donation services, become a certified personal trainer so I can help people of color with their health, and so much more. But because I remain confident in myself and my faith, in addition to my stance that everything in this life is fake, I can and will do anything I put my mind to. I am already a registered track and field official so I will be working throughout the year doing that but I want to do more, and unfortunately toy can barely do anything if you don’t have money, so I’m learning how to write an application for a grant to get my program set in stone. 

I want to be free
I want my people to see
That there is so much more in life
Than our dreadful 9-5

There is so much talent
And so much love
But where are those people
When you need a tight hug

When life feels unbearable
I close my eyes to see
A beautiful beach right in front of me

When I don’t feel motivated
I think of those who have been underestimated
And I push myself to achieve
Everything I want in life & believe

My parents are immigrants
That worked so hard for so long
To provide for our family a good life
So we celebrate with dance & listen to songs

I want to be free
And I want my people to see
That we can escape this seemingly never ending cycle
And rewrite this chapter of the book with a new title

It is said it is hard to become one
When the country is so divided
I want my people to come together
So nothing is one sighted

I envision a life that is virtuous and true
as the young political philosophers taught
Was the best life for me and you

A world where we can all be happy and free
Is a life and world I envision for me
With hardship comes opportunity
But when the bad outweighs the good
What can you do for me?

It is always easier said than done
To compare and compete with none

But in this life we are conditioned
with materialism and possessions
to flaunt our power
rather than spread love and wealth like showers

I want to be free
And for my people to see
That there is more to life
Than our dreadful 9-5

And in essence one day we can achieve
A greater life for you and me

When people ask me this question, a million things race across my mind. It is a very heavy loaded yet vague question at the same time. I know that I do not have it all figured out yet but I am sure that my purpose in life is to help people and make a difference in the world. Often, it is hard to answer such a vast question as what do I hope to do for the rest of my life because I want to do so many things, life is immeasurable. I aspire to achieve so much, a house, my own car, to get married and live happily ever after, to become the best version of myself physically and mentally, and to become a great cook. I hope to someday run a marathon, go skydiving, fall in love, be able to provide for my family, get my masters degree and start my own program for middle and high school students. I want to establish a program that will empower and motivate children to continue their education and pursue opportunities that will set them on the right path. I plan to empower students to support each other, teach kindness, and emphasize the importance of strengthening one’s character to be the best versions of themselves. I want to offer mechanisms, and resources for youth struggling with their mental health as well. The world needs more love and I intend to do everything in my power to make the world a better place for everyone to feel accepted, loved, and ensure them of equal rights and protection under the law.  Ideally I would like to fulfill a government position as either the mayor or governor of New York one day, and change legislation regarding the school systems, public housing, eliminate sanitation discrimination, and the systemic policies hindering minorities. Although these are big aspirations I know that I have the ability to achieve any and everything I put my mind to. One day I will be successful, and well established within my life, hopefully with some children and a dog or two. My main goal in life is to change the narrative of society, while liberating and unifying all marginalized groups of people.

Professor Cathy Davidson and Dr. Christina Katopodis’s book The New College Classroom details ways of pedagogy in which students can excel in a classroom environment that encourages them to take lead and engage in ways that will propel them not only in their academic careers but in life. This discussion was very interesting and insightful and The New College Classroom will change lives and the education system altogether. Teachers all over can and will look to this as a guide to increase engagement and productivity in their classrooms. Many people do not finish school because they aren’t in environments that are supportive, or taught in ways that make them want to learn. I enjoyed how the authors asked the audience questions as well to get their perspectives and how the authors highlighted statistics and the demographics of the 18 million college students. It is the reason why the method of teaching is so vital and not just the information being given. That was meant to resonate with the listeners and it did. I personally feel this book and method of teaching should be read by every professor, and should be applied in every school. All students, all ages should be able to sit in a classroom that supports and focuses on meaningful learning and outcomes that matter. The discourse on alternative assessments, how to structure equity in courses, and how in order to create life changing learning, the Professor must change too, is absolutely revolutionary. As a student I have always excelled in a classroom environment where I was able to freely participate and speak my mind and it is crucial we create this space for all students.