Aaron Murphy is attending college for the first time at the age of 20 and finds it challenging to adjust both emotionally and physically. He lives off campus without reliable transportation, causing him to be late or miss class. He realizes he must wake up earlier and dedicate more time to his classes to succeed. Murphy spends a lot of time in the library and finds counseling helpful to relieve stress. Despite difficulties, he remains determined to accomplish his goals and refine his acting skills through club involvement.

1. To live a life filled with challenges,
attending school for the first time,
and to play catch up at the age of
twenty.
Aaron Murphy

4. Arriving but not there yet!
I am at CAU, emotionally and mentally. I am not
here physically all the time. It’s been a challenge
to get here and a challenge to stay. I have not
been totally emerged into the college
experience. I life off campus and it has totally
hindered my first year outlook on college. When
you have a goal in life you run after it. You put
your ego aside, leave your fantasy world behind
you, pray that you will succeed in college, and
your life after.

6. Get up! Time is school!
The first week waking up was a breeze, since my classes
start at 11:00 and 12:15 I got to sleep well. The downside
to that was I had and still no reliable transportation. I
sometimes was late for class and even missed a class
because of a fail car pull. I run to class with a thirst of
knowledge and a plate of shame to complete the meal. I
am so eager to learn but embarrassed that I still carry
high school tendencies with myself. Only this time I want
to attend class. The more time you waste not being in
school, the more opportunities begin to slip under you. I
wake up at 5:30 now. It is brutal but I have no choice, it’s
a sacrifice but it will pay off for my opportunity of
greatness will surely come.

7. Classes are my precious children, they
require all my time!
Six classes at CAU are different than high school.
The difference is more freedom, but more
responsibility. See in my first week I noticed that my
classes are like having children. You have to attend
to their needs, all of them are different so they
require special care and attention. All of them are
equal you can’t decide you like one class and skip
the next. Treat them equally they all deserve time
and effort like caring for children. I soon got into
this method of thinking my first week. I wouldn’t
neglect my classes like I wouldn’t neglect my
children in the future.

9. The home is where the Library is!
I spend most of my time here. In my first week
the library was like a home for me. Still it will
forever be my sanctuary. For I did not have my
books, I had resources. Not only is it beautiful it
is peaceful to concentrate and reflect. Outside
of my studies, I thought about the second week
and the future of my college experiences. “Will
it change, will it stay the same, will it get better
or will it get even worse” I wondered in deep
thought.

10. Counseling why not?
Not a bad idea with such afflictions right? With
the baggage I carry I need someone with
professional guidance to dump my frustration
on. Speaking about my first encounters at CAU
helped structure my brain. When I began to
share my thoughts a sense of relief came over
me. Holding problems will fill you up like a
balloon until one more issue disguised as a pin
and pop you. I learned to release that hot air in
a more rational approach.

12. I will never give up! The road is dark
but I will see the light in the end!
I knew better than to just throw in the towel. I
have more things to accomplish, goals to
achieve and knowledge to obtain. I carried my
portfolio proudly my first week showing to any
professor who knew the entertaining industry. I
joined an acting club to refine my talent. I even
networked and made friends my first week.
When you put positive energy in the universe it
will surely shine on you. I am a reflection of my
thoughts.

13. Director, Author
Aaron Lamar Thomas Murphy!