Four years ago, I walked into the bustling streets of George Washington University, a mix of excitement and trepidation swirling inside me. As a first-year student, I was overwhelmed by the endless possibilities before me but also frightened of how to navigate this new chapter. To all my fellow Black girls or new students preparing to step into the vibrant-yet-complex world of GW, I want to share the wisdom I wish I had back then. Trust me, this journey is yours, and every twist and turn along the way is perfectly okay.

One of my biggest desires when I arrived at GW was to find a sense of community and belonging. Let’s face it: Making friends in college can often feel complicated and awkward. I wish someone had told me just how essential it was to put myself out there. Early on, I joined organizations like Alianza, a group dedicated to Afro-Latino students, and the National Association of Black Journalists. In these spaces, I found solace and understanding, where conversations about everything from curly hair struggles to the best professors in the School of Media and Public Affairs fostered a real sense of belonging.

I was raised in a family surrounded by people who looked like me. My relatives and friends back home made me feel secure in my identity and were always there if I needed to talk. So the idea of actively searching for my Black community was a novel challenge. I had grown accustomed to having a support system around me that was deeply familiar with the struggles of Black womanhood, but in college, I had to search for that understanding. And as I progressed through college, I discovered the friendships and camaraderie I had longed for.

Remember that you can also pursue interests beyond your race. I immediately felt a sense of belonging when I entered the audition room for the production of All Shook Up in my freshman year. The community of theater puts you into an immediate group of people all working toward the same thing: an incredible show. As one of two first-years in my first-ever college show, the upperclassmen took me under their wing and made me feel welcome.

When I joined student theater as a first-year, the number of Black girls was limited, but that changed dramatically over the years. As I enter my senior year, the participation of Black girls in theater has significantly increased, a testament to the power of representation.

Even as the only Black girl in many rehearsals, I felt seen, known and understood. This experience allowed me to welcome more girls who looked like me into the space, cultivating a close-knit Black community within the sub-community of student theater. In many ways, these friendships have become my second family — supportive and unwavering.

While I had found my people on campus, I wish I had learned earlier the lesson of  grounding myself in difficult situations. I’ve faced moments in classrooms where I was the sole voice representing my experience, only to be talked over or dismissed. It was a feeling that made my skin crawl and my throat tighten, fighting every urge just to run away and hide. Microaggressions — those subtly undermining remarks or actions — can sting. During those instances, I took a deep breath and reminded myself: I have worked hard to be here, and my voice matters as much as anyone else’s. 

I recall an incident with a professor who mixed up the names and grades of the three Black girls in our class and conflated our grades. It was a frustrating microaggression that made me feel invisible. But I chose to stand my ground and reached out to a different professor I felt comfortable with. He spoke to her on my behalf, and she apologized and fixed our grades. 

It was frightening, but the only thing worse was letting it continue to hurt and bother me. The experience reinforced that I have allies: people willing to listen and help when you find yourself in tough situations. Don’t underestimate the power of connection. Seek out those who have the experience and are willing to help you out. We all thrive when we come together and create sisterhood.

You are embarking on a remarkable adventure, and the world is eager to see all the fantastic things you offer. Welcome to GW — the beginning of something beautiful! Remember, you’ve got this!

Aaliyah Guzman, a senior majoring in political communication, is an opinions writer.