April: Easter, Exams and Getting into a HBCU
On navigating procrastination, my walk in faith and getting into Howard University
So… nearly two weeks ago I was accepted into Howard University, as an international student. I was shocked, to say the least and now I’m faced with an incredible (and expensive opportunity) to go to university in the USA. For context, in the UK, students looking to apply to university in America tend to use agencies or access programmes. Agencies are used by people whose parents can afford to send them to US universities and pay the tuition. Access programmes help strong academic achievers who may not have the means and resources to apply to university in America, create stellar applications and find the scholarships needed to attend with minimal financial stress.
I on the other hand, applied independently. Meaning, I did my own research on the US application process, and applied to university in the US because I had gotten stuck there over the summer holiday and decided that I wanted to attend university in the US as I really enjoyed my time there. The university application process was strenuous and I applied to a few colleges and was accepted into Howard!
It’s an incredible accomplishment and I’m glad I was accepted, but I’m unsure of what my next steps are. No matter what I choose, whether to stay where I am or embark on a different journey, I know that God is in control. That’s all that matters.
“For the vision is yet for the appointed [future] time
It hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail.
Even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it,
Because it will certainly come; it will not delay.”
- Habakkuk 2:3
Someone once said that ‘procrastination is the arrogant assumption that God owes you another chance to do tomorrow what he gave you the chance to do today.’ Whilst that is true, I’ve noticed that when I procrastinate it is often because I am scared to start or the task seems to be daunting. I’ve seen procrastination and laziness rob of me of things I know I’m capable of, things I know I deserve. However, sometimes I’m met with the fear that if I try my best, work my hardest, push myself to the next level or goal, it still won’t go the way I’ve planned, so why not just settle for mediocrity.
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
- Isaiah 55:8-9
When people would tell me that certain things were spiritual, thoughts weren’t my own and my feeling low was really an attack, I thought that it meant that my feelings and thoughts weren’t real or they weren’t valid. However, just because you have a thought doesn’t mean you have to dwell on it, or believe that it will become your reality. Sometimes, you have to pray, sometimes you have to fight, and most times you’ll have to do both.
“We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ”
- 2 Corinthians 10:5 (AMP)
I spent my Easter doing… well I’m not completely sure to be honest. I did some revision, I made some content, I got a new book, I read some more of my Bible, particularly verses about the resurrection of Jesus and why it is so important, I went on a walk for Good Friday, performed a poem at church on Easter Sunday.
All I can say for this month is thank God for his grace and his goodness and Thank You Jesus for your sacrifice on the cross.
I love you.
Your friend,
Hannah
So late but congratsss 🙃🙃✨️
and honestly for the procrastination, even if things don't work out your way, God works out everything for your good. We're told to do everything as if we're doing it unto God (colossians 3:23), so that's a good reminder.