Freshman Year Reflection

Freshman year was a learning experience with growing pains. I had preconceived notions of what it would be like as a Black male at a Predominately White Institution. I believed that I would be in a diverse place where I could meet people from different backgrounds and life experiences. I was extremely excited to begin this journey, and being a member of the Honors program made me even more excited. However, that excitement quickly turned into shock and disbelief, when people questioned whether I belonged at UNC in the honors program. It was an isolating experience, being the only Black male in a room, and people having stop their conversations and stare at me.
In addition to struggling socially, I discovered academic challenges – I was not
All of my struggles allowed me to see and understand my strengths and weaknesses. Although, I know that sometimes I will fail, I know that this will provide me opportunities to grow, I know myself and exactly what I am capable of achieving, and I am not afraid to push myself past those limits. When challenges come my way I work hard to find solutions to the problems, and if solutions do not exist I am not afraid to create them, I do not set and play the victim but find ways to make sure that I am victorious. Ultimately, this is the impetus for applying to law school. Many of the issues that I am passionate about, and would like to change will require having access to a legal education. Particularly, I want to fight against the many injustices that prevent young Black men from reaching their full potential, and having access to higher education and better life. My sociology background at UNC helped me understand how unequal our society is, and I feel that law school will further my knowledge and enhance my skills to become a change agent and advocate.
Finally, I know that I will be a great candidate because I understand the importance of the journey. Law school will be a time where I am learning inside and outside of the classroom. Though many people will look towards the finish line; I will use the time to continue to work on myself and develop vital leadership and character traits that will benefit me in my personal life as well as in my future career. I will strive to use the many lessons and skills that will be develop in law school to be a change agent in my community and in the