Introduction

 

Hello everyone,

My name is Lamya Young, a current senior at New Jersey City University. As well as being a full-time student I am also a student athlete for the track and field team. I am academically studying and majoring in biology as I am mainly interested in the human body and the way it works. However when I first attended NJCU for my first semester I was undecided for I was completely lost and confused on how I wanted to expand my education. Growing up I struggled with reading and writing. I was behind and frustrated because I couldn’t read chapter books like the rest of my class. My mom saw my struggle and gave my brother and I extra academic assignments to do such as flashcards with words and definitions, quizzes, and book summary assignments. Long nights were spent at the kitchen table and television was not just something I could do randomly, it was now a reward. Then every so often my mother would quiz my brother and I on our progress to make sure we were retaining the information. My mom is my role model. She is one of the reasons why I take learning and education so seriously today. Not only did my mom help me, she gave me an advantage in the school systems. Being an African American in the ‘‘poor’’ city of Camden New Jersey the school system was not primarily set up for students to secede and when my mother saw the struggle ongoing she fought hard and went out her way to give her children what was best. My brother and I were one of the first to participate in the 2010 school choice program which granted us the ability to go to school in a different school district. When first arriving at my new school I was behind, but sacrifices were made. As other kids played during recess I was staying back with my teacher to do extra problems or reading alongside with my teacher. I gained the confidence to read out loud in classes which was something I struggled to do. Fast forward I was able to graduate high school with a 3.4 gpa with scholarships and 23+ acceptance college letters.So why was I undecided when going into school? I was simply scared. I thought college was going to be another challenge in my academics and I didn’t wanna let my mother down. My mom pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me decide my future. When I graduated my freshman year I did so with the first time ever accomplishment of a 4.0 gpa. As much as I enjoy my biology major classes I thoroughly enjoy my tier classes as they expand my thinking and open my mind to more literature aspects. I enjoy reading with my favorite book currently being Kite Runner. I am still progressing in the expansion of my vocabulary as I learn everyday. I am pleased to say I am excited to further learn from Going Public:Lit&Hist American education.