Giving myself, and Miami, a second chance

Every day, society obeys unspoken rules outlined by the latest trends. Most of the time, we observe a trend, its peak and then the subsequent decline. However, on occasion, whether due to nostalgia or the unity of generations through their shared favorite memes, we feel the impact of trends years after they emerge.

I’m sure you’re familiar with the term “canon event,” a phrase coined by “Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse,” in reference to an inevitable positive or negative event in one’s life that must occur to maintain order and balance in the multiverse. This is one of those trending phrases that is undying and will spark conversation for years to come.

I want you to know something about canon events: you cannot outrun them. I spent the first week of school convincing myself that I would never fall victim to the long string of student illnesses … Well, guess how many times I went to the clinic in the span of a month and a half. Four times. Don’t underestimate that canon events are unavoidable, but some of the worst ones provide you with an opportunity to redeem yourself. I learned this the hard way.

In my first year, I was completely lost. I felt stuck in a place that didn’t feel like home, I was undecided on my route of study and I despised the fact that Oxford didn’t seem like anything at all. I was surrounded by new people introducing themselves and confidently sharing their dreams, while I was the girl telling everyone I had no clue what I wanted to do. I had a very small circle of friends, and I spent most of my time avoiding conversation with strangers; I felt guilty for letting my mental health diminish my social life.

My greatest canon event of my first year was losing myself. The winter months were arguably the worst because not only was I sick, but I was freezing, pale and lacking energy for anything other than bed-rotting.

This past summer, I resolved to make my second year something to look forward to. I started researching on and off-campus activities I knew I’d love and started a little note in my phone detailing how I’d avoid the sophomore slump. My plan was simple: say ‘yes’ to new opportunities when they arose, attend more hockey games and escape campus as often as possible to avoid burnout.

In just the first month of my sophomore year, I had so much fun that the other day I found myself saying out loud, "Wow, when I'm not hating my life and crying every day, I actually like it here!"

First-year me could never have imagined that such a day would come.

It’s not the end of the world when you hit rock bottom. As I found out, Oxford is sometimes entertaining. In all honesty, I know the actual fun lies in Hamilton or beyond.

What makes Oxford fun is the people you meet. I love having extroverted roommates, girls who are down to do a lot of the things I love. Most of my favorite activities involve some kind of a yap session with a side of spending money.

This tiny town is pretty great when you stop listening to the dumb voice in your head, dead set on ruining the fun. At its core, college is not about succumbing to your respective canon events, but about learning to hurdle them gracefully and move forward.

roger199@miamioh.edu

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Jada Rogers is a sophomore studying diplomacy and global politics with a co-major in environmental science. She is a writer for the opinion section of The Student and a member of the Miami Striders and Paws for a Cause.