Tag Archives: Jaziah Masters

Spring into Spring

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By Jaziah Masters

“Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!” Sitting Bull

Walking around campus can be a chore, particularly during times of the year when one is prone to freeze or melt. But, I believe early spring gives us an almost perfect in-between in terms of weather.

I’m not too much of an outdoors type of person. However, I have quickly realized that spring is an excellent time to be one. As I walk around campus, I can’t help but to simile at the natural emersion. Winter has seemingly been evaporated by the sunshine of spring. More so, People have taken notice.

March madness is one thing, but what is going on this March is something a little different. Campus is vibrant. Campus is booming. Campus is green (even more so). There are people coming and going from seemingly everywhere. The joys of springtime, in my opinion, can never be overestimated.

As the weather breaks, one of the best things I noticed is that we are all allowed to enjoy the weather more. Going from class to class is a delight, one even professors cannot help but to take advantage of.

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The picture above is of my World Cultures class. We were able to have class outside for the first time in, well, forever. I can’t remember the last time I had class outside, especially before college, but the opportunity was just too great to pass up. It took little convincing for our professor to side with us. But honestly, is there a better way to discuss US History than outside, basking in the sunlight? Not to mention the fact that it makes a wonderful picture!

Another thing I mentioned earlier that I also have noticed is the fact that more and more people are visiting. Almost every day, I have run into tour groups or just families visiting. I must admit, it’s a great time to come visit, just after the cold, but right before it gets too hot.

Not just visitors, but others are also taking advantage of the wonderful opportunity that the weather has provided. I’ve passed several different photography set-ups where seniors are taking their senior pictures. I’ve also spotted several student groups hanging out on Fountain Mall. Catching this area at sunset during this time is always a sight to behold.

Overall, campus, like a plant, is blooming. Spring is probably my favorite time of year to take in the beautiful Baylor campus!

Lecture of a Lifetime

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By Jaziah Masters

Recently on campus, Baylor welcomed one of the most inspirational leaders I have ever had the privilege of listening to. Bryan Stevenson serves as the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative. As part of the Academy for Leader Development lecture series, Bryan Stevenson was well informed on the idea of what it takes to be a leader. His message of social justice was not only for those who aspire to be lawyers, litigators or other legal occupations, it was for students of all majors. Stevenson believes that all people are capable of social change, and this was a consistent message throughout his lecture.

In anticipation for the lecture, we were encouraged to look at the TED Talk that Mr. Stevenson gave. Before I continue, I would encourage everyone to stop reading right now and go take a look at this particular talk.

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Stevenson brings up some good points, presented in humorous anecdotes. It is obvious that he is passionate about his work, and that passion inspired me to pursue something that I would love just as much, if not more. Stevenson is changing the world. The work is slow, and the work is tiresome, but at the end of the day, Stevenson is in fact making the necessary changes. He claims that we are all called to change the world. We can all play our part. This was the message echoed in the lecture Stevenson gave on Tuesday night.

The talk centered on the issue of injustice in America’s justice system. He addressed some surprising facts that I don’t believe most people normally give much attention to. But by the way Stevenson spoke about his experiences he was able to make the topic not only relatable, but also allowed the audience to practice empathy. It was a powerful message, and not the only topic discussed in the lecture…

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Stevenson was able to share with us his wholehearted belief that we could all be change agents. He gave us advice on how to rethink both ourselves and our ways, so that we would be open to opportunities that would allow us to service our community, both near and far. Because of Stevenson, I think defiantly about what it means to be a leader. Stevenson created a much needed dialogue on campus.

The biggest takeaway that I will give from this lecture is a simple phrase, “Hold on to the idea that you can change the world.” Everyone, in his or her own special way, has the capacity to do so, and I am grateful to Stevenson for bringing this message.

Bears Abroad

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By Jaziah Masters

Recently, I have begun exploring some opportunities that I’m sure you all have heard about. Studying abroad can be one of the most impactful and defining moments of any college experience. Keeping this in mind: I’ve begun looking into some of the programs and it turns out there are a lot!

I should issue a disclaimer: I am by no means an expert when it comes to studying abroad. In fact, this is the first time that I’ve seriously looked into it as an option. That being said, here are some of my initial reactions.

  1. Studying abroad programs are as diverse as the places you’ll go!

There are many ways for Bears to get abroad for any amount of time. Programs accommodate your schedule. Meaning, if you have a summer internship (like I do) you may consider pursuing one of the May programs. These start just weeks after finals in May and end just about the first week of June. One that definitely appeals to me is a trip going to Turkey and Greece. I was able to speak to the faculty advisor today and he stressed the fact that learning is great in the classroom, but is potentially life-changing in the actual field. I love the idea of learning while visiting the actual place where learning about.

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  1. Studying abroad is not something just done in the summer.

Almost the same as No. 1 is the fact studying abroad is not just done in the summer. I have found many programs where you actually study abroad during the fall or spring semester. Again, there are international options for this, but one of the best programs I found is actually not that far away. Baylor has a Washington Semester program where students can actually take classes on a university campus in DC. In addition, the program allows students to obtain an internship where you can put into practice what you have learned. I think it goes without saying that DC is home to countless opportunities, so the opportunity to participate for a full semester in the area can also be very impactful.

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  1. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

When I talked to the faculty leader of the Turkey and Greece trip, one thing he stressed to me is the fact that there are many options for students to offset cost of these trips. The reality is studying abroad is expensive. However, I have found that Baylor does a great job of helping with the cost. The Center for International Education on campus is dedicated to this very task. Also, many academic departments have scholarships to help defray costs.

Overall I see that studying abroad is not as impartible as it may seem. The benefits are huge, and who doesn’t want to go see some of the world?

Finding a Friend

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By Jaziah Masters

Most new college students are extremely anxious about one thing: making friends. This was especially true in my case. I was the only person from my high school to come to Baylor, so quite naturally I was extremely nervous about making new friends.

Fear not! I was able to meet a bunch of wonderful new people and making friends was not hard at all. Welcome Week was huge in this endeavor. I could go into a spiel about the wonders of that great opportunity, but that is a blog post for another day!

WelcomeWeekEven though I’m almost a year and a half removed from Welcome Week, it’s safe to say that potential friends are around every corner. Recently, I was sitting outside a classroom waiting for my Spanish class to begin. I looked up and I saw a girl walking toward me. She looked familiar so I waved, and she waved back. She sat next to me and we began to talk. Apparently she thought I looked familiar as well. It turns out neither one of us had known each other beforehand (which was pretty embarrassing I must admit). The conversation could have ended there, but before I knew it, we were holding an actual conversation.

Now I’m no small talk expert, but we really got along well. She told me about her struggles taking Korean, and I told her about my struggles in Spanish class. Eventually, we both had to get to class, but in that short amount of time, we really bonded! You’ll also be happy to know that whenever we see each other around campus, we can correctly identify each other!

This story reminds me of two things. One, making friends can be pretty easy, even natural, sometimes. And two, freshmen year is not the only time to make friends in college. Even looking back at my time in high school, some of the people I spent the most time with senior year, I didn’t even know freshmen year. You’re never too old to make friends, just be sure you recognize them after the fact. 😉

Keeping Perspective During Finals

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By Jaziah Masters

It has come that frantic time in the semester when classes are ending and finals are coming. Meaning, this is the time, for better or for worse, to reflect upon the semester and see how it turned out. What did I do that worked? What didn’t? Do I have any regrets? What can I take from this semester to help me with the next? These are all questions that come to my mind as the semester comes to a close.

One of the biggest thoughts I have about this semester can be summarized in two words:  Sophomore Slump. I’d heard about this dangerous precedent early on in my semester, but if I avoided the Freshman Fifteen, surely I could avoid the dreaded Sophomore Slump, right. Well…not exactly.

I’ve come to learn that the Sophomore Slump is not exactly what it sounds. The many transitions that college freshmen face is nothing that should be slighted. In fact, it is the undoing of many unprepared fellows. But sophomore year comes equipped with its own unique set of circumstances.

While freshmen year is about taking the first steps into collegiate life, sophomore year is about taking the first steps into your collegiate career and beyond. What I am doing now will impact the opportunities that I have in the future, both in college and after college. I came to this vital realization only midway into my semester. What worked during freshman year will not necessarily work this year, or in the years that follow. There is no magic formula to do well in “college.” One must be adaptive in their approach and realize the varying dynamics that are playing a role.

With a progressive course load, more leadership roles, life off-campus, work-study, volunteering, clubs and organizations, the plate begins to fill up in the ongoing years of college. I believe this is why time management is such an important skill to practice before, during and after college. There is so much to take into consideration as one furthers their college career, and on top of all of this is the all-mighty GPA, a value of not only you as a person, but your capabilities, right? Well…not exactly.

A number does not and will never define you. In fact, all of the aspects that make you a human individual are impossible to quantify. It is essential to remember this, regardless of what societal pressure may say. This is not to say you should let your GPA go by the wayside, but instead, know there are many more components of your college experience that will contribute to the person you become. Look at your own personal growth, which is a key indicator of how far you’ve come. Whenever I’m in doubt, I ask myself a simple question. Did I come to college for a GPA? To which I answer with a resounding, “No!”  I, along with so many others, came to college for the growth, for the like-minded people and for my own personal mission. Those are the things that are essential to invest time in. Again, not to say that GPA is unimportant, but it does not define you.

I say all that not to complain, but to simply reflect on the situation at large. No semester of college is truly easy. Each and every one will present different challenges. But taking time to reflect can provide insight that can be invaluable to succeeding in any endeavor:  School, Work, Life.

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The Second Coming

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By Jaziah Masters

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Don’t look now, but lining the shelves of your local store is Baylor University in its full glory. The cover of this month’s edition of Texas Monthly is, in my opinion, the best magazine cover in recent memory. The iconic Baylor campus graces the cover, adorned with the title “God, Faith, and The Second Coming of Baylor.” Could there really be a better title?

Written by Baylor alum Tom Barlett, the article takes an honest and candid look at Baylor University in its entirety.  Even though Barlett graduated in the mid-nineties, it is a night-and-day difference between Baylor then and Baylor now. The Baylor of his day, which he describes as feeling “like holdovers from a more innocent era,” has transitioned into a University embarking on its most ambitious plan in the school’s 169-year history. This plan includes a multitude of factors that will help to reshape and strengthen Baylor, such as more competitive academics and athletics.  However, the university is determined to maintain its long-standing tradition of being a faith-based institution, even as more and more universities continue to move away from their heritage.

History is a major topic of the article. The reader is given a glimpse into Baylor’s transitional years. Much of this period was marked by challenge and difficulty, particularly faculty and administration strife. I believe the article does a wonderful job of telling this story. Through the highs and lows, Baylor has consistently tried to maintain and improve the things we love most about it.

Not entirely dedicated to the past, the article does discuss the current state of Baylor.  Barlett interviews current President and Chancellor, Judge Ken Starr, who provides incredible insight into not only the current state of the University, but also gives us clues to what the future may hold. Though I cannot speak for everyone, I believe Judge Starr is a great person. In the few times that I’ve interacted with him, he has always been cheery and a pleasure to be around. His interview shows just how much he truly cares about Baylor and all the faculty, staff and students that he leads.

Overall, this is an article that discusses Baylor: the good and the bad, the past and the present, the ins and the outs. Barlett provides an account that portrays a side of Baylor that even I as a student hadn’t realized existed. The article is a great read and an even better chance to gain a lot more information on facts about Baylor that you wouldn’t normally run into. Also, one of my current professors is quoted in it, which is pretty awesome. Faith, football and Baylor, what more could you possible want? Pic 2

I Found the Answer

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By Jaziah Masters

Now that midterms have come to a close, we can finally breathe a sigh of relief…but pretty soon, for better or for worse, those same tests will be returned…with a grade. Knowing this, I was particularly determined to do well on one of my more challenging tests. There are many ways to study, and if you ask 100 different students how they study, you’ll probably get about 100 different answers. For this particular test, I studied well in advance. Also, I met with people outside of class to form a makeshift study group. After all of this, I knew I was ready.

The day of the test was like any other day, except for the fact that I was a man on a mission. Before taking the test, I thought of a creative way to give me an even more competitive edge. A lot of students have traditions, rituals, gimmicks, etc. to help them do better on tests. I normally don’t, but on this special occasion I thought, “Why not?” After careful consideration, I made the choice to go with a song. I decided that I would replay a song over and over in my head, and it would instill such confidence in me that I couldn’t help but do well on the test. But what song? After strolling through playlist after playlist, I finally settled on the perfect one, entitled, “I Found the Answer.” Could there be a more perfect song choice? Anyway, that same day, I went into the room humming that very song. My professor asked me what I was singing, and I told her it was my good luck song. Then, the test began.

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A few weeks later, our professor announced she was finished grading and would be passing our tests out in class. I, along with the rest of the class, was nervous. The test was difficult, to say the least.  She handed me my test and, to my surprise, I got a 90! The grade was spectacular, but the comment next to the grade made me even more proud.

My professor wrote me a kind note, telling me “Your song worked!” Not only did I greatly appreciate her kind words, but I was also thrilled about the grade. It was an awesome day!

There are three morals of this story: (1) Hard work pays off, (2) It never hurts to have a little extra help (like an inspirational song) when taking a test and (3) Take great professors. Also, feel free to listen to the song. I hope it brings a little luck your way!

Proverbs in Action

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By Jaziah Masters

Around this time of year, many in our Baylor student body make their way south to go to the legendary Austin City Limits Music Festival. I’m told it is a wonderful experience for all.  But this weekend, I found myself in Austin for a very different reason.

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Because I serve as a Peer Leader with the Office of Community Engagement & Service, I was given the opportunity to travel to Austin to participate in the No Need Among You Conference (NNYC). I had no idea that I was about to have an experience unlike any other in my collegiate career. Unlike every other conference I’ve attended, the NNYC revolved around the idea of service. During the weekend, we were shown how to become better service leaders, we became aware of the issues facing America and the world and we met some wonderfully inspiring people, all while being surrounded by a warm and nurturing Christian community.

This year, the Conference was held in East Austin at Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church.  East Austin itself is a very beautiful and unique neighborhood (In fact, it reminds me a lot of Waco). When we arrived at the Conference, we all were presented with various workshops to go to. In the main room, there stood a big banner to remind us all why we were here.  It read, “’Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.’ Proverbs 31:9.” Some of the workshops I got to attend were: “To Serve This Present Age,” “The Church’s Active Response to the Growing Phenomena of the Sex Industry” and “How to Dialogue to Bring About Racial Reconciliation.” All of the sessions were led by passionate and informed leaders in regards to their issues. We were shown ways that we could assist in their endeavors and given information we could take back with us.

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Overall, the Conference was a wonderful opportunity to grow in so many ways: my faith, my local, national and global awareness, my leadership capabilities and myself as a person. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity. It is something so special about being able to sit with likeminded people from all walks of life and work toward a higher, yet common purpose. I would strongly encourage everyone to go next year, so please mark your calendars – October 14-16, 2015!

Field Trips in College?

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By Jaziah Masters

When I applied to college, I thought the days of field trips were over. I’m a person who likes the change of pace that a good field trip can provide. Imagine my surprise when I found out that my class would be going to the Fort Worth Japanese Garden. Because I am in the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core (BIC) (more on that later), I get to take a class called World Cultures. The class focuses on key areas of the world, and we learn from an interdisciplinary standpoint. Learning about a new culture in a class is one thing, but getting to experience it firsthand is even better.

When we first arrived at the Garden, we were greeted by an absolutely beautiful sight.

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The main gate, as gorgeous as it was, is only a prelude to the even more amazing garden, which will instantly take anyone’s breath away.  It is incredible to realize that this tranquil, natural scene is in the heart of a busy metropolitan area. Just like the Japanese gardens we saw in PowerPoints and read about in textbooks, the Fort Worth Japanese Garden is a place to honor and revere nature. It is a place to meditate, to explore and to just slow down.

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As I strolled the stone paths, I couldn’t help but think about the absolute harmony at work. The trees, shrubs, stones and water blended together perfectly. Beauty was created, and serenity was achieved. It was a simple, yet perfectly harmonious balance. I also can’t help but mention the koi fish. These were some of the biggest fish I have ever seen, and I got to feed them!  This is all coming from someone who is definitely not a nature person.

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The moral of the story is…go visit this garden! I’m from Dallas and hadn’t even heard about it.  Who would have thought I would be able to go as a class field trip in college?  It’s just another one of those pleasant surprises that college is absolutely full of.