Alumni spotlight of the week: Naomi Smith George

by Jasmine Tejada, staff reporter

When did you graduate from WJPS?

I graduated two years ago.

Where are you studying?

I am currently a sophomore at Agnes Scott College located in Atlanta, Georgia.

Why did you choose this college?

Agnes Scott College is small liberal arts college, and had a lot of what I was looking for in college. Small classes, great community, wide range of diversity in students faculty, curriculum as well as community overall. Agnes Scott was one of the many schools that I wanted to attend that made their school stand out, and emphasized the fact that they wanted me to attend their school. My first choice school, Drexel University is a wonderful school, and I was ecstatic when I was accepted, however at the end of the day Agnes Scott was the best choice for me.

What are you studying?

I am now Double majoring in Creative Writing and Business and am minoring in Psychology.

Why did you chose this particular field?

I am still sticking with my beloved passion journalism, however my Agnes Scott college does not offer Journalism as a major within itself. I am able to do a self- designed major, however as flexible as the field is becoming now, I think it would be in my best interest to major in the closest runner up to journalism, and use the skills I’ve learned from WJPS and gain further skills with various internships that I do each semester/year.

What is the workload like?

One misconceptions that a lot of individuals have about small private liberal arts college’s is that they may be easy; especially since my college is also a private all Women’s College. That idea is far from the truth, in that I have never received as much course loaded work as I am now. taking four to six academic course, with electives on the side can get pretty hectic and sometimes difficult. But the beauty is that college allows you to do things on your own time and plan out your own schedule according to your activities during the day. The course load is a lot, and the academics at my school are rigorous, however with good time management skills and diligence, you are sure to get through each semester.

What class prepared you the most for college?  

The class that prepared me for college the most, I will say was Ms. Sackstein A.P Literature and Composition class. Ms. Sackstein’s class was the class that mirrors a college class the most. From the course work/ syllabus, to the way the class as conducted mirrored a typical college class and professor.

How different would you say college is from WJPS?

College is different from WJPS in the way that it is a different world. For the first time in your life, you are in control for the most part of your actions, decisions, and day to day encounters. You’re able to branch out in all departments of your life, academics, extra curricular activities, friend and social groups. What you choose to prioritize and who you choose to keep close to yourself all amount to the person you are and how successful you become in your further. Future meaning next week or years in advance. Everything you do and everything you choose not to do whether good or bad all fall in your hands as blessings or consequences, and your teacher’s principle’s/dean’s, and peers are not required to pick up after your slack, or remind you of exactly what it is you are at school to achieve, like in high school. No one is there to hold your hand, but rather to guide your path while you’re driving.

What is your favorite experience?

I can’t say I have one favorite experience from college so far. I truly love the year and a half that I have spent so far. I’m in love with my progress as a student, and appreciate the friends, mentors and opportunities that have come my way since I’ve been there. I’ve learned so much already and cannot wait to look back on four years with the knowledge I will gain.

What advice do you give to the community?

If I had to give advice to the students, I would tell students to trust in themselves and do the best/most that they can with the time that their given. It goes by fast believe it or not, and freshman year is not a layover portal from high school to the real word. Know what you want and work towards that. Even if you don’t have it all planned out, thats okay, be open to new ideas and opportunities. And if you do have it all planned out, plans do change as you grow older and wiser so don’t freak out because change is good! Laugh a lot, and surround yourself with those on the same path as you. Never be afraid to be bold and be unapologetic for your past mistakes and your future goals. Most of all during those nights in the midsts of finals week, take lots of deep breaths and remember that life goes on and everything works itself out eventually.