Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
    BAUCE
    SUBSCRIBE
    • Hustle

      Here Are The Top 10 Websites Black Women Can Use To Find A Remote Job

      January 30, 2023

      Financial Influencer Reni The Resource Shares 8 Saving Hacks For Chronic Spenders

      January 27, 2023

      These Are The Best Companies For Black Women To Work And Build Their Career At

      January 23, 2023

      Franchise Expert Kechia Taylor Shares 5 Benefits Of Starting A Franchise Business

      January 25, 2023

      How To Create An Effective Open Enrollment Communications Strategy

      January 18, 2023
    • Believe

      What It Means to Retire as a Self-Made Woman

      January 11, 2023

      Entering Your 30s And Feeling Less Sure Of Yourself Than Ever? Consider This

      November 9, 2022

      10 Ted Talks To Help Black Women Entrepreneurs Grow Their Businesses

      October 14, 2022

      4 Ways To Set Yourself Up For Success After College

      September 29, 2022

      How To Build Your Confidence in 30 Days

      August 30, 2022
    • Earn

      How to Grow Your Investments at Home

      January 27, 2023

      5 Best Credit Cards For Black Women Entrepreneurs

      January 20, 2023

      Planning For Retirement Early Matters — Here’s Why

      January 27, 2023

      Financial Expert Octavia Conner Shares 5 Ways Women Can Prevent Foreclosures And Repossessions Amid A Recession

      January 18, 2023

      Here’s How Investing In Gold IRA Can Prevent Inflation After Your Retirement

      January 11, 2023
    • Live

      These Are The 5 Must-Have Accessories for Your Swimming Pool

      January 30, 2023

      The Difference Between Soft And Full Glam Makeup

      January 27, 2023

      6 Ways To Date While Traveling And Working Abroad

      January 26, 2023

      5 Tips for Increasing the Comfort of Your Home Office

      January 27, 2023

      The First Step: A Traveling Guide For Beginners

      January 23, 2023
    • Profiles

      The Founder of Gyrl Wonder Is Connecting Gen Z Women Of Color With Life Changing Opportunities

      February 3, 2023

      How This 28-Year-Old Made $11M From Founding Her Own E-Commerce Academy

      December 23, 2022

      How Aysia Hilliard, Founder of Trapstix, Leveraged TikTok To Accelerate Her Business’ Growth

      November 29, 2022

      Meet Kelley Jamison Who Is Opening The 1st All Black And Woman Owned Adoption Agency

      November 28, 2022

      Here’s How Beth Smith Redesigned Her Life: From Corporate CPA To Top Interior Designer For Home Goods

      November 27, 2022
    • About
      • Advertise
      • Jobs
      • Contact
    BAUCE
    Live

    7 Ways To Navigate A PWI As A Black Woman

    By Jiya PinderMarch 15, 20185 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    We all come to college with certain expectations. On my first day, I would have never expected I would be the first Black woman my peers had met nor that I would be living in a dorm with three white women who purposely excluded me from their conversations.  At the end of the first week, I was homesick and looking at HBCUs to transfer to. I couldn’t believe I was the only person of color in my lectures.  I had never been in an environment where I was the anomaly, a speck of Black within a sea of White. I grew up going to an international school where people’s cultures were embraced and their ethnicity accepted. But as I came to understand, Black people stand out like a sore thumb at PWIs (Predominantly White Institutions).

    In light of the recent events on UVA’s campus, it is obvious that minority students in today’s America are still under threat. Our history is not known, our culture is mocked and our bodies are not respected. We are the elephant in the room, silenced, brushed aside and out of sight. Despite this, there are many paths to success at PWIs. These seven tips will empower you and hopefully shed some light on ways you can remain a BAUCE at a PWI.

    1) Find your Happiness

    Above anything, your happiness is first.  In order to endure the tense environment at a PWI, self-acceptance is your kryptonite. Racist comments and micro aggressions are difficult for anyone to withstand, but the fact that you have to sleep, eat and essentially live in the same place as your aggressor, it’s important that you find some means of obtaining some joy. Whether it’s getting your nails done every weekend or keeping a small journal recounting your experiences, do something to fulfill yourself.  Take time out of your busy schedule to cater to your utmost needs. When your mind body and soul are in harmony, nothing can bring you down.

    2) Get Active on Campus

    The key to happiness is finding your community. In order to do so, it is necessary to get out there and meet people. Write for your school’s newspaper or get a job on campus. Join the Black Student Union or whatever groups you identify with. It will help you to find your community. Just do something. The more you do the more probable it is that you will find like-minded people who are undergoing similar experiences on campus. It’s important to have people who understand you, and who you can lean on. While there may not be a large population of POC at your school, you can bond with students through mutual interests and hobbies.

    3) Speak Out

    My college was constantly neglecting the voices of minority students and members of the greater city community. Students called for better contracts for adjunct professors, the disarmament of the university’s police force and divestment from fossil fuels. With just their voices, I saw the change that my peers created on campus. There are resources for change at every PWI. As long as you have your voice,  make an effort to discuss the racial and social climate at your campus. This can enlighten administrators to your experience hopefully prompt them to make improvements for future generations.

    4) Explore Cultural Centers

    Most PWI’s will at least have a space dedicated to students of color that offer specialized support by people who look just like you. The college I attended had an African-American Institute which saved my life. I would constantly spend intimate time with my Black peers who comforted me and genuinely cared for my well being.  At the institute, there were always meetings discussing problems we faced on campus and ways to overcome those problems. Cultural centers can be safe space for students of color, the sense of pride and unity received from being amongst students of the diaspora is nurturing and much needed.

    5) Keep Mentally and Physically Healthy

    Maintaining your mental and physical health is imperative to succeeding at a PWI. The sheer emotional labor of existing at a PWI is enormous but in order to remain strong, your physical and mental health must be in tact. Between classes take the time to go to the gym, do a Zumba class or whatever keeps your body moving and healthy. Likewise, take the initiative to talk to a therapist. Sometimes what you need is to vent, and you can do that in a healthy way by expressing your feelings to a certified therapist at your school’s health center. They can assist in confronting your feelings and finding habits to assist you in prospering at a PWI.

    6) Take Breaks

    Once in a while, make it your mission to leave campus and explore. It doesn’t matter if it’s to the movie theatre, CVS or the park adjacent to campus. Just get out. Experience life outside of your college. Talk to people who live in your neighborhood, find a local Thai place or even a new hair salon. Just whatever you do make sure you are taking the time to spend time with yourself outside of the school environment.

    7) Love Yourself

    Learn to love yourself in a space that doesn’t accept you for you. Love your magic, your curls, and your traditions wholeheartedly. It is only through love that change can appear. Embrace your truths — wear them brightly like a BAUCE.

    Featured Image: XO_Rarebreed
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Reddit WhatsApp
    Previous ArticleHow To Start Dating Again As A Single Mom
    Next Article Are Dating Websites Really So Helpful To Find Love?
    mm
    Jiya Pinder

    Jiya Pinder is a budding freelance writer based out of New York City. Her work aims to amplify the voices of marginalized groups within out society, especially women of color. As a lover of creative writing and photography, you will never catch her without a camera and notebook close by.

    Related Posts

    These Are The 5 Must-Have Accessories for Your Swimming Pool

    January 30, 2023

    7 Reasons Why Your Period Might Be Late Sometimes

    January 23, 2023

    What Are the Requirements for Title Loans in Indiana?

    January 16, 2023
    Add A Comment

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Your Go-To Resources

    How To Truly Break The Cycle of Debt

    It’s Time To Stop Sleeping On Your Credit Score, Sis – Here’s Why

    These Are 15 of the Highest Paying Careers To Pursue

    15 Good Jobs That Women Can Do From Anywhere Without Experience

    Here’s How To Trick Yourself Into Saving More Money

    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • Jobs
    © 2023 BAUCE MEDIA LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.