Treading through the Spring Semester
I’ve always heard people say that you can only truly understand where you’ve been after going through the experience — and now I know exactly what they mean. This Spring semester has been one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever faced. Between getting familiar with a new environment and managing an incredibly packed schedule, I can hardly believe that I’m the same person who made it through this intense semester without dropping the mantle. I honestly think my parents, all the way back in Kenya, sent me a powerful good luck message that's carried me through to this point.
To say that I didn’t experience extremely low moments would be a lie. There were times when my mind was desperate to find space for studying, yet my assignments were stacked in front of me, almost screaming to be completed. I knew that if I didn’t keep up, I would lose valuable points — points I could have easily saved with better time management. But looking back, those moments taught me something invaluable: every assignment and every homework gave me a new perspective on how to approach studying smarter, not just harder.
Right before Spring Break, things hit a particularly low point for me. However, the Civic Semester support team — especially our amazing program director (shoutout to Jessye!) — were an incredible help. They reassured me that feeling sad is a normal part of the process, and that it’s okay to lean on your support systems. Knowing about the many resources Tufts provides made a huge difference. I wasn’t shy about reaching out for help when I needed it, and I believe that’s what really builds resilience: the ability to recognize when things aren’t going well, and to actively seek solutions or adapt to the challenges you face.
On the flip side, the highs of this semester have been truly unforgettable. Meeting and connecting with people from all over the world has been one of the sweetest rewards. The richness of diversity I’ve experienced has sparked a new eagerness in me — now, I’m determined to learn several languages from different parts of the world. My friends are incredible, and every day, I find myself making new connections. They don’t exactly teach you how to make friends here, but somehow, you end up with more than you can count — and that’s something truly amazing.