September 9, 2021

A day later, Ramon asked everybody in the chat if they had finished their initial research. We all agreed, and we went to work on the outline. We reviewed the rubric and started to write out our thesis statement and objectives. Then we decided who would cover each section. Once we were satisfied with our outline, Ramon then sent a copy to Professor Edwards for review.

Two days later, the Professor emailed our group, saying that our outline was well written. She also said she looked forward to our group paper and presentation. I was relieved; the feeling was apparently mutual as I started to receive notifications from our chat…

Ramon: Have you looked at the Professor’s email? She thought we did well 

Eloise: We are totally getting an A  

Anais: I think so too, but we should focus on the next steps we have 3 ish months to finish our group project along with the other assignments for this class

Ramon: Why don’t we allocate a day to practice our presentation and time ourselves. Also, if someone has trouble with their section, we can obviously just text each other. 

Maki: Sure, but what day?

Anais: We don’t have to worry about it now but probably a week before our presentation.

Eloise: Hey, what are your majors?  

Anais: What, why?

Eloise: Well, we will be working together, and it would be a good idea to know a little bit about each other, don’t you think? 

Ramon: Your right; it will help us in the long run.

Eloise: Cool, I will go first. I am a hospitality major and minoring in finance.

Ramon: Interesting; what can you do with that degree? By the way, I am a nursing major. 

Eloise: A lot of things you can work in places like catering companies, real estate, and travel agencies. My concentration is hotel management. Also, I am a third-year student. What kind of nurse are you going to be? 

Ramon: I am a senior. I am training to be a clinical research nurse; they do things like screening people for clinical trials and developing treatment plans. Who’s next? 

Anais: I am a senior also and a political science major with minors in legal studies and environmental studies. I am planning on being an environmental lawyer. They advocate and focus on environmental rights and laws and work on climate change, renewable energy, sustainability projects. 

Maki: I am a junior and majoring in Health and Nutrition Sciences with a concentration in Foods and Nutrition.

Me: I am a senior and a double major in Anthropology and Literature. 

Nova: Senior and an animation major and a minor in film

Eloise: Cool, so why did you decide to take this course? I did it to fulfill one of the common core requirements. 

Ramon: Same, I needed to fulfill one last requirement 

Anais: The requirement 

Hugo: Requirement 

Me: Major elective  

Nova: Requirement 

Eloise: Cool, so everybody but Maki and I will be graduating next semester. Are you guys excited?

Now that is something I really don’t have a clear answer to. I put my phone down on the nightstand, leaned back on my bed, and began thinking. Next semester is the last time I get financial aid refunds. I have gotten a little better at managing my money, but I could do better. I could stop buying takeout and go to the supermarket more, but mom gets upset if I spend too much money. Mom might also need help with the bills again since Isaac and Lucas keep freaking growing out their clothes. But then again, I have to make the money stretch since I won’t have any money until I find some work. That’s another problem, as I haven’t been able to get any internships because of the pandemic and lack of experience. Because of that, I have been taking classes that could potentially help me develop skills, but Vincent College lacks a variety of Anthropology and literature courses. Even if I take another course in one of the other city colleges, there would be no guarantee that I would get a spot. Why did I think majoring in Anthropology and Literature would be a good idea? Oh, now I remember because I found it interesting, but being interesting will not help pay the bills. As for what I could do, that is another thing I can say with absolute uncertainty. When I first studied Anthropology, I thought working in a museum was cool, and when I first studied Literature, I thought working in a publishing company would be interesting. But I don’t know if I would be able to get an internship at either. I could always be a tutor. I did tutoring during high school, but then again, I probably won’t be super helpful, or I could be an online tutor and upload my past study materials. But some of those sites are super sketchy. I am good at school and could go to graduate school. Still, the Gilbert Program doesn’t provide financial aid for graduate students. I don’t want to have any debt, and even if I could go debt-free, I probably won’t be able to handle it.

My overthinking came to a halt when I heard a “Woof.” I look to my right and see Roxy staring at me. I then remember that mom told me to feed her while she and Julianne were at work. “Come on, Roxy,” I said, ushering her to follow me downstairs to the kitchen. I pour some dog treats into her bowl and leave her to eat.

I go back to my room and looked at the others’ replies. I then put my phone and started doing my other assignments.