My Intro and Words of wisdom to freshmens A performative piece

 Tap tap, is this thing on?

Knock knock is everyone home?

Now of course before you let me in I must introduce myself.

Hi, Hello, Holla!

My name is Christyn, but you all can just call me Chrissy.

I'm 23 years old not that it's any business of yours, but it's to say without having to tell you outright that  ‘no’ you can not ask me out. 

I've been here for almost four years, I'm on my fourth now, one more semester to go and I'll be leaving out of the same room I entered, the same door you came through, the same door you'll soon leave through.

Ok story time it's 2019,

So as I take a step back, relax, allow me to enlighten you, and tell you where I've come from.

Born and raised in Wilkinsburg, where I'm from there's cookie cutter people, identical goals and admirations,

it's the same story to get out and spread my wings.

Folks raised me right, see I'm standing here tall, confident, my hair done and make-up is on, I'm ready.

Let's let you in on a little joke.

Even though the room was set up differently,

Even though the room I once sat in was on a different floor,

It wasn't all that long ago that where you sit now I used to set too.

Something even funnier, you're not too far off from standing where I am now,

no not necessarily in front of a class, but three years down the line adult life will be waiting for you outside these four walls.

Hey, can I let you in on a little secret this life isn't gonna drag on for as long as high school did.

You blink once a little too long and all this might just be gone.

So this luxury that you love now, will soon become a dream come and gone.

Imagine this a year ago you were still more of a kid to the world, in someone's eyes, you still needed them.

Transportation, housing, food, someone out there had you, but here you fed for yourself, find food and groceries for yourself, manage the time between school, getting to class on time, turning assignments in on time and socialized, hanging out with friends, learning where you belong in the world as the person you are now and who you want to be later on, by yourself.

My friends remember that these times are supposed to be challenging, but not every grade has to be an 'A' that every assignment needs to be a 10/10. Look in the mirror and remind yourself, as long as you are trying and your heart is your accountability partner that you're on the right track. My friends, 

I wish I knew this and heeded this information where you are now, I wish that my group of friends and I had fewer times of stress and doubt.

My friends, cherish these moments.