By Amanda Cross

When I first heard of this month’s theme I knew I had to write a post for ARWB. I have fallen more in love with education and learning over the years. I am currently a graduate student in Arkansas (and I also run my own blog as a side project.) Learning has been so central to my life ever since I can remember and now I am able to use that love to inspire others on a daily basis.

This learning journey took a lot of help though. I definitely wasn’t confident in myself. I still suffer with my own academic confidence issues. It definitely took a village to raise my academic faith in myself. When I first got to graduate school last fall I was miserable. I felt consistently behind everyone else and I was homesick because I had yet to make attachments to my classmates. I had received my Bachelor’s from the University of Central Arkansas so starting completely over at a new university was difficult for me. I didn’t have my same 18-year-old social curiosity at 22.

Finding out and using what I was passionate about was so important. Remembering your goals is important. Learning can feel endless, it can feel like you are always two steps behind, it can feel thankless. Taking a step back to admire the bigger picture will keep you grounded in academics, blogging, life, and love. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

A year later, I am so thankful for all the people I have met at Arkansas State University, my family, and my friends from my old university. Every one of them has kept me grounded in some way during this learning transition. They have given me confidence in my abilities. They have made me understand that I can do so much if I put my mind to it.

Now my nights are filled with learning, highlighter and pen smudges on my fingers, and growth. I am doing the best that I can and I know I have so many people to learn with along the way.

Amanda Cross is an Arkansas native from eastern Arkansas. Amanda loves writing, reading, and fueling her shopping habit by checking out cute Arkansas boutiques. Amanda writes a blog called The Happy Arkansan where she discusses all things academic and college lifestyle related. Amanda is currently also attending Arkansas State University where she is getting her MA in Sociology.