As teens, the older we get, the more we realize the difference between ourselves and others. Skin tone and physical appearance are the first to register in our mind. Then, the variety of personality traits gain recognition. In addition, we view the lifestyle of others in comparison to ours. Entering the atmosphere of a college campus, the diversity alone is a learning experience. There, we will find students from various “walks of life.” The many stories of individuals that we meet will most likely contribute to our own personal growth.
Each new experience and person that we encounter tends to expand our knowledge and help us to excel. During freshman orientation at _________________, I was given the opportunity to meet a multitude of people. With the excitement of the beginning of my first year in college and meeting others, I neglected the urge to make a trip to the ladies room. When I did find time, I rushed to the restroom so I wouldn’t make a mistake that would scar me for years to come. In the steady flow of traffic around the restrooms, I finally found the door. As I was walking in, a gentleman was walking out. We stared at one another for a minute. “Why were you in the ladies room?” My tone was sharply accusatory. A look of surprise appeared on the confused face that bored into mine. “Excuse me, this is the men’s restroom. Can you read?” he remarked in an understanding tone. “CAN I READ? I’ll have you know-” As I was preparing to finish telling him about himself, the sign on the door was captured in my peripheral vision. This was the men’s restroom. I felt there was nowhere to escape my utter embarrassment so I ran into the room next to the restroom to wallow in my own stupidity.
When I was able to overcome my shame and walk out of the room I had locked myself in, the guy from the “restroom incident” was waiting outside the door with a smile. I was determined to wipe the smile I took for a smirk, off of his face, “Look, if you’ve come to-.” He cut me off. “All I wanted to do was apologize, I didn’t mean to offend you. I understand its hard facing that you cant read. I mean its-”. For the first time that day, I let out a real laugh. Not a fake giggle or yelp, a real, hearty, and wholesome laugh. He began to look at me like I was psycho. “No, no. I can read, I just made a mistake. I apologize too. I should have looked up at the sign.”
After that night, Eric, the guy from the men’s restroom, and I became fast friends. Ironic, huh? We now talk on a regular basis. On the outside, based upon physical appearance, he would be described as a black male with “thug” appeal, possibly a football player, and a college student trying to succeed without a real purpose. However, to be awestruck by the things I have learned about him would be an understatement. Graduating in the top five of his senior class would have sufficed to say he was an academic scholar. Also, he played soccer and excelled in many other extracurricular activities.. He is majoring in Architectural Engineering in hopes of moving to his parents’ birthplace, Bangladesh, to design the restoration of the “third world” country using his acquired skill.
Listening to Eric speak and the passion he has behind his words propel me to put my heart into everything I do and the goals I set for myself. Once upon a time, I felt as though I would breeze through college like a have done high school. I’ve realized that this next phase of my school career will have a reward in the end but I need a plan and a set of goals for my future. Accomplishing a goal is great but having a purpose that will aid you in future endeavors is where true success lies.
Eric Mokolvo is the student that changed my outlook on certain aspects of my life. In the beginning, my perception of him made me inquisitive to peer into what the admissions office perceived when they decided to admit him into this university. Now, I know the true meaning of the cliché statement, “don’t judge a book by its cover.” I’ve learned that in the inside of the book may contain a whole other world yet to be explored. I owe thanks to Eric Mokolvo for the personal growth his words give me and to my ignorance on the day I almost entered the men’s restroom. If I hadn’t, would I have met the classmate with enough potential to aid me in the future?
P.S. I WOULD NOT STEAL THIS IF I WERE YOU!!!