Week 13-Integration Albanese 1 Moreau First Year Experience Andrew Whittington 3 December 2021 “The More That You Learn, The More Places You’ll Go” -Dr. Seuss Coming into Notre Dame, it was inevitable to have fears and doubts of the academic rigor and the overall overwhelming thought of starting a new journey in college. In week 9, we explored the topic of these insecurities and self doubts, along with the concept of imposter syndrome. Recently, I had not done as well on my midterms as I had hoped, after studying for hours, I felt pretty down on myself and let myself be caught up in negative self-talk and doubt, and I let my insecurities come over me. I think it is important to recognize these feelings, but what is even more important is to remind ourselves that we have talent, are capable, and we belong, in order to keep pushing forward and overcome our insecurities and doubts. Our talk as a class really helped to flesh out these inner feelings, and particularly I could tell that my peers and I found a sense of comfort in the fact that we were not alone with these thoughts. Moving forward, we must confront these feelings head on, and not internalizing them is key- having discussions or seeking guidance is integral. I like to also keep the words in mind of Elizabeth Cox, “You have talent, you are capable, and you belong” (“What is Imposter Syndrome?” by Elizabeth Cox - Moreau FYE Week Nine). Reminding myself of these positive affirmations can help counteract inner doubt and insecurities- because we were all accepted here for a reason and must remember that as we move through the next four years. An important question that was encountered in week 10 was, “What are the central challenges in my community and how do I respond?”. It is hard to pinpoint one central https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQUxL4Jm1Lo Albanese 2 challenge, but largely, polarization has been affecting our country as a whole and inturn, our community as well. The Catholic and Jesuit school communities, like ours, have felt polarization stemming from the debate over inserting critical race theory into curriculum or not. Similarly, polarization can stem from a wide variety of social issues that have been plaguing our country and our communities. Regardless of viewpoints, when tackling controversial and central issues such as these that can lead to polarization in communities, a way to respond to these disagreements is for each side to have patience with the other, “... we need more skill and wisdom in engaging those with other views” (“Wesley Theological Seminary 2012 Commencement Address" by Father John Jenkins, C.S.C. - Moreau FYE Week Ten). And like the Japanese art, kintsugi, we can learn from it’s message that there is beauty in brokenness, because then there is hope. Hope that you will emerge stronger. Recently with former head football coach Brian Kelly abruptly leaving the program, now more than ever the community must come together as a whole to have faith that we will emerge stronger. Our Notre Dame community and our country can seek to find comfort in the polarization of our people, as odd as that may sound, because there is hope for the future for us to come together. It will take effort from both parties, patience, open minds, collaboration, and more, but tackling these obstacles with this mindset will be the first step in the right direction. Throughout my ND journey thus far, I have gained an even greater appreciation for diversity, and seen the importance of it in real time. In my hometown, and at my old high school, I can regrettably say that there was not a whole lot of diversity. Coming to Notre Dame has allowed me to be exposed to people from all walks of life, and I would not have it any other way. Something negative that may come from having so much diversity is the implicit bias, which we have touched on a few times this semester. I think that raising awareness of implicit bias is so https://president.nd.edu/writings-addresses/2012-addresses/wesley-theological-seminary-commencement/ https://president.nd.edu/writings-addresses/2012-addresses/wesley-theological-seminary-commencement/ Albanese 3 important, because people don’t even realize they have a subconscious bias, but it does not make it less harmful. I hope to visit the new Klau Center very soon, so I can be immersed in different stories and hear what others have gone through and have to say, because “The story of race has many voices” (“With Voices True Snapshot Summary” by Klau Center Archive on Race - Moreau FYE Week Eleven). The Klau Center is collecting the stories of all types of Notre Dame students, in order to create an even larger picture and story of race as a whole. I actually had the opportunity to meet the Klau’s at their tailgate one football weekend, since a good friend of mine from home is family friends with them, and they were so welcoming and their love of Notre Dame was evident. The creation of the Klau center seems to reign true with ideals they hold close to their hearts, which is so admirable. I will be certain to make a trip to their center, because I am eager to hear the stories of my Notre Dame family, which will help me, as well as many others, overcome such things such as implicit bias, and ultimately strengthen the bonds with those around us. How do I live and grow in hope? This is a question that doesn’t have a concrete answer, but one that I will be sure to keep in mind all throughout my Notre Dame journey. I have been put in so many situations in my life where I needed hope. Hope may look different for every individual, but for me, it’s maintaining a positive outlook when faced with adversity or encountering a tough or trying time in my life. I also will turn to God in these situations, because He is a catalyst and beacon for my hope. For example, I had hope that I would be admitted to Notre Dame, after being deferred from Restrictive Early Action to regular admission, and with a positive mindset and faith in God, this was able to come to fruition. In C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape letters, he puts himself in the shoes of the devil, and he recognizes that God needs His creation to have hope in times like I have mentioned, “It is during such trough periods, much more than https://voicestrue.nd.edu/ Albanese 4 during peak periods, that it is growing into the sort of creature He wants it to be” ( "The Screwtape Letters" Chapter 8 by C.S. Lewis - Moreau FYE Week Twelve). He is saying that during tough times or obstacles and setbacks, that is when humanity learns the most or grows the most, that is the integral point where they can overcome and get back up again. Humans will need hope during tough times, more so than in “peaks” or good times. Avoiding the demons, avoiding the temptations of evil to give up or give in by having hope and pushing through is how we are going to live and grow in hope. https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/28308/files/189486?wrap=1 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/28308/files/189486?wrap=1