Undergraduation

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." -Nelson Mandela

On the day I graduated with my B.A. in Psychology, I got dressed and rode with my family to campus to take photos. I was excited to have completed this phase of my life, but I was slightly more upset by the people that I wanted to see me walk across the stage being unable to attend. Despite being a very sentimental person, I told myself I wouldn't cry.

Inevitably, I did.

As the ceremony began, the American flag was marched in by young men and women who have pledged to serve our country after completing their education. Once the national anthem began to play, tears sprung to my eyes. My first thought was that Pakistani's don't show their emotions, so I should wipe the tears away and smile, but I let that pass.

Listening to the national anthem, I was reminded of all the sacrifices that had been made in order to get me to this moment. Specifically, my parents moved halfway across the world--away from their families and comfort of home--in order to raise me in a country that would allow me the opportunities to get an education and become a professional in whatever field I chose. Yes, I worked hard in school and strove to move forward in life, but my path was really set long before I was born.

Shared Experiences

There's something very reassuring about knowing other people in the world have shared some of your experiences. I'm very much drawn to the field of psychology because I want to understand why the chemicals in my head do what they do, and how those same chemicals influence other people differently. I've found that quite a few people are drawn to the subject for similar reasons.

This past semester, I took a class called Research Methods. Auburn University requires the class before taking most other psychology classes. Because it's required, the class draws a large crowd of psychology students, all who love the field and many of which share certain experiences. During this class, I met another person with OCD--the first time I'd met anyone with OCD. As we talked, I felt myself sigh several times with relief. There was a real human being sitting next to me who understood how I felt on a daily basis.

Me: I'm sorry, but I just overheard your conversation. You have OCD?
Her: Yes, I do.
Me: Oh my goodness, me too.
Her: Real OCD?
Me: I think so. It seems pretty real. Do you count?
Her: Yep. I have to wash my hands a certain amount every night. My boyfriend makes so much fun of me.

And just like that, I was no longer alone.

We may not have exactly the same experiences--for instance, I don't count things, I have a song constantly stuck in my head--but knowing someone else near me understood what I felt made a world of a difference.

30 Day Challenge Fail

I had some momentum going as far as my writing goes, but it fell and crashed as soon as I got back to school. I would write more and just backdate the posts, but finals are coming up and I figure I should probably focus my attention on studying. 

Moment of truth: I broke my writing streak because I went to my first college football game. I don't understand the sport at all, but I made it onto the largest video scoreboard in college history! 

In case I, or anyone else, would like to complete the challenge, here are the rest of the prompts from Thought Catalog: 

9. Give 14 pieces of advice to a teen who is graduating high school.

10. Write the autobiography of the life you weren’t brave enough to lead.

11. Write a love story from end to beginning.

12. Pick a person you can’t stand and write a letter describing every wonderful thing about them.

13. Write a love scene from the point of view of your character’s hands.

14. Turn the thing that makes you the angriest into a poem.

15. Write about the way things should have been.

16. Write your own obituary honestly.

17. The person you loved who didn’t love you back.

18. A coffee date with the person you were a year ago.

19. The horrible secret the grocery clerk was hiding.

20. Write a love story starring your algebra teacher.

21. Write a letter to your future self.

22. Write about writing.

23. You approach a stranger on the street and ask them to tell you one thing they have never told anybody. What do they tell you?

24. You only have room for 5 things on your bucket list – what are they?

25. Describe the exact day you just had, but from the point of view of a psychopath.

26. Personify regret.

27. Write the back cover of the fiction novel that is based on your life in high school.

28. Detail the adventures of a day where you say “Yes” to everything.

29. How do you feel about love these days?
30. Write ten facebook status updates written by yourself in 2025.

How To Win With Random Roommates

For my first year in college, I rented an apartment walking distance from campus. Because few of my friends were going to be in the city with me, I opted to be placed with random roommates. My apartment company gave me a survey to match me with compatible students, and voila, I was given two roommates. 

Thanks to my wonderful year with said roommates, I have been able to compile a list of tips regarding living with people you've previously never met.

How To Win With Random Roommates:

1. If you are given a "matchmaking" survey, tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I've had too many friends say they are alright living with someone who has certain habits that ultimately drive them insane. 
2. Create a system for sharing and/or purchasing food. For example, my roommates and I decided that we can eat each other's food, but we had to replace it later. In addition, we took turns buying staples like butter, eggs, and milk. If you are not comfortable sharing food with your roommates, or would rather pool money for groceries, let them know. I can almost guarantee they cannot read your mind. 
3. Find things that you have in common, and share the things that you like. When we moved in together, I suggested doing yoga to my roommates. They laughed and called me crazy. Several months later, we instituted a "roommate yoga night," which was a great way to spend time together and unwind. 
4. Stay on top of housekeeping. No matter how messy you keep your room (for me, that is VERY messy), common areas have to stay clean for everyone to maintain their sanity. When the dishes are dirty, do them. When the trash needs to be emptied, empty it. When everyone pitches in, keeping the apartment clean is easier, and many fights can be avoided. 
5. Don't be annoying. If you know your roommate has an early class, don't throw a late night party. If your roommate has a pet peeve, avoid doing what pisses them off. Being a decent human being is easy, and being a decent roommate even more so. 

You don't have to love your roommates. Frankly, you don't even have to like them. With random roommates, being able to coexist is the goal. A closer relationship is just bonus!

Photography Friday #2

Recently, I visited the Auburn's arboretum with a friend. The lighting was perfect for pictures, so we had to take advantage of the beautiful day. Armed with our cameras, we explored my favorite place on campus.

Back to the Blog

Fun fact: It is very difficult to pick up a new habit. This is my attempt to blog: take two. I'll be successful this time, I'm sure (sarcasm).

I am currently enrolled at Auburn University as a freshman. As part of the Honors College, I am taking a seminar class called the Muslim-Christian Dialogue. The class consists of around ten highly intellectual students that enjoy discussing and debating aspects of the Muslim world and Muslim-Christian relations.

As part of our grade, we were asked to prepare a short presentation about a topic we found of interest. My friend, Parker, and I wanted to evaluate the controversy surrounding American Sniper,  directed by Clint Eastwood. We created a list of questions, then set about interviewing both friends and strangers that we found around campus. We were fascinated by the multitude of opinions found on the subject.

Here are the questions we asked.

• Have you seen American Sniper?
• If yes:
• How do you think it portrayed American Military?
• What did you think of the main character and author of the book?
• How do you think it portrayed Muslims?
• Have you ever met a Muslim?
• If no:
• This is Safa. What do you know about her faith?
• Do you have any questions for her?
• If yes:
• How closely have you known someone who is Muslim?
• How much do you think you know about the faith?
• Do you have any questions?
• If no:
• What do you know about the controversy surrounding the movie? (If something, explain. Expound on this.)
• If they don’t know about the controversy: It’s the story of Chris Kyle, the deadliest sniper in American history.  people are divided on how the movie portrays the American military and the Muslims they were fighting, resulting in an opinion on Muslims in general.
• Critics to the movie argue that Chris Kyle’s personal views, which are often racist in nature, are made to reflect the view of the entire American military. The movie was called by Brandon Griggs of CNN to be a cultural phenomenon. How do you think this reflects American culture and society?
• What is your view about Muslim portrayal in American media and culture?
• Have you ever met a Muslim?
• If no:
• This is Safa. What do you know about her faith?
• Do you have any questions for her?
• If yes:
• How closely have you known someone who is Muslim?
• How much do you think you know about the faith?
• Do you have any questions about the Muslim faith?

• Have you seen American Sniper?
• If yes:
• How do you think it portrayain character and author of the book?
• How do you think it portrayed Muslims?
• Have you ever met a Muslim?
• If no:
• This is Safa. What do you know about her faith?
• Do you have any questions for her?
• If yes:
• How closely have you known someone who is Muslim?
• How much do you think you know about the faith?
• Do you have any questions?
• If no:
• What do you know about the controversy surrounding the movie? (If something, explain. Expound on this.)
• If they don’t know about the controversy: It’s the story of Chris Kyle, the deadliest sniper in American history.  people are divided on how the movie portrays the American military and the Muslims they were fighting, resulting in an opinion on Muslims in general.
• Critics to the movie argue that Chris Kyle’s personal views, which are often racist in nature, are made to reflect the view of the entire American military. The movie was called by Brandon Griggs of CNN to be a cultural phenomenon. How do you think this reflects American culture and society?
• What is your view about Muslim portrayal in American media and culture?
• Have you ever met a Muslim?
• If no:
• This is Safa. What do you know about her faith?
• Do you have any questions for her?
• If yes:
• How closely have you known someone who is Muslim?
• How much do you think you know about the faith?
• Do you have any questions about the Muslim faith?