How to Succeed in School (college) .

I was recently having lunch with my graduate professor and it was a very relaxing event. I was able to discuss my strengths and fears over an Italian meal I didn't know how to pronounce. That is not the point here. The point here is that I went to lunch with my professor. We stepped outside the classroom and actually had a conversation beyond the paper that's due next week or the assignment that I forgot to post. I have learned so much in my few years in school and I want to share some of these tips because I believe it is one reason why I am successful.

1. Be Aggressive.
That might sound a little strange seeing that you don't want to scare your professor. However, if the professor sees and understands that you are completely enthusiastic about their class then I'm sure you will be noticed. In the copy of your syllabus, you will see your professor's office hours. Make time to talk to that professor during those hours. Talk about your expectations for your class, your research, or ask any questions you have about the class. Don't forget to say your name several times. Remember that you always want to stand out.

 

2. Produce Knowledge
Getting noticed is the first part of the game. Now you have to show your professor your skills. You don't have to be well versed in the subject of discussion since there is enough time to learn. You must,however ,ask interesting questions. Questions that are thought provoking, questions that require both you and the professor to read more.

 3. Remember your professor is also a human being.
Sometimes people see professors just as professors but not as mothers, fathers, aunties or uncles. Speak to them like you would speak to a counselor (at least say something in connection to your paper). But equally important, ask them how they are doing. Ask them how their classes are going and if they are enjoying it. I am not saying these kind of questions would cause your grade to go from a B+ to an A-. Being nice to professors teaches you how to relate to people who are in authority and how to confidently express your ideas in these kind of environments.

4. Create Excellent Work
Fortunately or Unfortunately for some lazy ones, you actually have to do the work. DO NOT PRODUCE AVERAGE WORK. Take that extra mile. If the assignment asks for 5 pages, ask the professor if you can write a little bit more (unless they say otherwise). Don't be afraid to ask your professor to read over your draft and give you comments on how to revise the paper. Visit the writing center of your school to get that extra help.

5.Appreciate Yourself
Always, Always look up to yourself? (I am trying to say here that don't look down on yourself) no matter the grade you get. If you don't like your grade, go back to the professor and ask him or her to explain their grading method. If you would like to improve your grade, ask the professor whether they would take a revised rewrite. Some professors would say no while others might have pity on you. Be ready to push yourself even further when life gets demanding.

My last tip would be to ask your professor for the class' syllabus two weeks before the class begins. It makes you look very impressive and also helps you to know what books to buy first.

Valentine's Day....5 Days Later.

Here is something to keep thinking about even after Valentine's day is dead and gone. There are no more flowers to be sold and there are no more teddy-bears to be passed around. How was valentine's day for me? very interesting.

It started out as a completely normal Friday. I was of course running late for school and tried as much as possible to catch the earliest bus. I bought a crossaint which had a weird smell  but I had to eat it because I was hungry and I have decided to eat breakfast as my New Year's resolution. So on I went, eating my oatmeal and staring at that crosaaint.

The real action happened as I sat in the D train, making an effort to get home. I was so tired that all I needed was a good meal and a great nap. As usual the train was crowded so I decided to shift my skinny body to one side, hoping to get a seat as others got off. Fortunately I got a seat: unfortunately, it was next to a guy who wanted to find love that day. (At this point I would say I will use a pseudonym because I don't want to embarass the guy. Since I don't remember the guys name in this case, I will just make up a name:John)

John: Do you speak french
Me:(rolling my eyes and saying to myself mr.man I am tired don't start) No
John: Really you don't speak French?
Me: (Technically I do but I don't say all the words correctly and I have to think before speaking and I don't have the time to explain myself to you so no) No
John: Ohhhh
Me: smiling and nodding my head
John: where are you from?
Me: (If I tell him, he will leave me alone) Ghana
J:Oh that's nice. I'm from togo. My mom is from Ghana and my dad is from Togo.
Me: (to myself, thank you for sharing)
Silence
J: Do you speak ewe?
M:no
J:Hausa?
M:no
J:Oh okay.
silence
J: Tu est jolie
M:(this guy is just getting annoying by the minute)
Looking confused: what does that mean?
J:You are beautiful
M:Thank You.
akward silence then I notice him smiling
J:I would like to go on a date with you. Can I have your number?
M: pretending I didn't hear him) What?
J: I want to take you on  a date
M: okay
J: Can I have your number or will you take mine?
Me. I was so tired at that point I couldn't reach into my bag or pocket for my phone) Just give me your number. I don't motion to pick up a pen, paper, or phone.
J: how will you remember
M: (I'm not supposed to) I will remember
J:Am I bothering you?
M: (Yes) NO. why did I just say No? maybe I didn't want to be rude. Okay so no. Final asnwer.
J:ok
John then proceeds to give me his number and then I repeat it after him.
We also spoke about where we would get off but I didn't tell him where I would get off.

Lesson of the day, don't accept numbers on Valentine's Day.

Rejection Hurts!!!

I just got rejected AGAIN!!! why is rejection so difficult to deal with?
It's not what you're thinking.. a guy didn't just reject my elaborate proposal. I don't usually do that by the way. If something like that happened, the roles would be reversed. Even if I got rejected by a guy, I would not write so extensively about it since he would probably feel too good about it.

 I feel these kind of rejections are more important to talk about since they can affect how you feel about yourself and your future. Technically, I didn't get rejected  but my favorite poem got rejected from a literary journal. As an English major, this means a lot to me.  Since my concentration is in literature but not in creative writing, however, I am not too affected by such an outcome. I think the part that hurts me the most is that I took time out to write the poem. I won't post the poem here because it is really personal: (so why did you submit it to the journal?) I was just trying to be daring. Anyways back to rejection. I did not really feel so hurt about this rejection honestly because I have so many other things to think about this year. Also, I have been rejected several times and have managed(with my best-friend grace of course) to still continue on a successful path towards the future.

My first eventful rejection was in 2010. It was spring break: April 1st. My senior year in high school. I was enjoying the weather and also waiting anxiously for my acceptance letters from colleges. Yes! I had already determined that they would be acceptances and so I was just waiting for the confirmations. I opened the mail to two short letters. I knew it there and then that they were rejections. You know how a rejection letter reads right? If you don't, let me show you:

Dear Ms. Rachel Ansong,

Thank you for your application...This year we received so many  talented and intelligent applicants...Unfortunately we could not offer you space in this year's application cycle...we wish you success where ever you go.

Thank You.

I shed some wonderful tears that day. I wondered, why couldn't I be successful there, at your school, Mr. Chairperson, whose signature is signed beautifully at the bottom of the page ?Those tears were very wonderful but looking back, I can only conclude that they weren't necessary. If I had just stopped and thought about ways to make my life better instead of concentrating on the past, I would have been so much happier in the beginning years of my college life. The fact is that rejection will come. It does not mean you should always look gloomy or always expect it. Life is about being hopeful; believing that no matter what comes your way, you have a reason to smile. Even now, I sometimes still get a few rejections but I cannot allow them to weigh me down. I have a vision and VERY BIG dreams and so I have to keep on moving forward. The next time you get rejected, whether it is by a human being, institution, or literary journal always remember it is really not the end of the world: apply again or look for the position elsewhere.

FYI: The same literary journal that rejected my poem actually accepted two of my poems last year...

Anger or Hunger?

I wrote a beautiful post on Thursday speaking philosophically about reflections and love and all that good stuff. I thought I saved it but I didn't and I was so upset. I will share something a little less philosophical about anger.You should always be angry. No! I meant like in a good way. I think a better word is motivated: inspired. Don't ever settle for the simplest thing. I think the word I am looking for here is hungry. I am a little too angry and hungry to share a story about these emotions and so I will just share some pictures. Read them how you will like and have a restful evening!

 Eat some good food. Cooking is one of the few things that makes
me extremely happy. If you don't know how to cook then do something
that keeps your spirit alive and singing songs of freedom.

The best way to get over your anger is to smile. I know it sounds really cliche but it is the best way. Never let the people who you think hate you see you sweat or cry. Smiling  also works well especially for an interview. Always keep your head up and in some air of confidence and smile. It might not land you the job but it sure does make you feel good.

Always have good friends

                                                                                                                                                                               

close by who can make you
laugh even more. They work
like magic. 

African Heaven by Frank Kwabena Parks *One of My Favorite Poems*

Give me black souls,
Let them be black
Or chocolate brown
Or make them the
Color of dust —
Dust like,
Browner than sand.
But if you can
Please keep them black,
Black.

 Give me some drums;
Let them be three
Or maybe four
And make them black —
Dirty and black:
Of wood,
And dried sheepskin,
But if you will
Just make them peal,
Peal.
Peal loud,
Mutter.
Loud,
Louder yet;
Then soft,
Softer still
Let the drums peal.
Let the calabash
Entwined with beads
With blue Aggrey beads
Resound, wildly
Discordant,
Calmly
Melodious.
 Let the calabash resound
In tune with the drums.
Mingle with these sounds
The clang
Of wood on tin:
Kententsekenken
Ken-tse ken ken ken:
Do give me voices
Ordinary
Ghost voices
Voices of women
And the bass
Of men.
(And screaming babes?)
Let there be dancers,
Broad-shouldered Negroes
Stamping the ground
With naked feet
And half-covered
Women
Swaying, to and fro,
In perfect
Rhythm
To “Tom shikishiki”
And “ken,”
And voices of ghosts
Singing,
Singing!
Let there be
A setting sun above,
Green palms
Around,
A slaughtered fowl
And plenty of
Yams.
And dear Lord,
If the place be
Not too full,
Please
Admit spectators.
They may be
White or
Black.
Admit spectators
That they may
See:
The bleeding fowl,
And yams,
And palms
And dancing ghosts.
¹Odomankoma,
Do admit spectators
That they may
Hear:
Our native songs,
The clang of wood on tin
The tune of beads
And the pealing drums.
²Twerampon, please, please
Admit
Spectators!
That they may
Bask
In the balmy rays
Of the
Evening Sun,
In our lovely
African heaven!
¹Odomankoma : Akan appellation for God
²Twerampon : An Akan appellation for God