My name is Dayln Kinard-Johnson. I’m an 18-year-old freshman attending Bloomfield College in New Jersey, pursuing graphic design as my major and running track on a scholarship. On my mother’s side, I’m from South Alabama and on my father’s side, I’m from Kingston Jamaica. I attended an all-boys Catholic High School named Mount St. Michael in the Bronx, New York. I started my athletic career when I was 11 playing football for the Harlem Jets. I didn’t get much playing time but I got to travel to Florida for the national championship and I loved the experience. It gave me the drive I need to continue playing sports so when I entered high school my cousin and coach encouraged me to try out for the track & field team. They were the only ones, besides my family, at the time that saw the potential in me, and to this day I look up to them as my mentors. Throughout my four years doing high school track, I barely had any friends in my grade level so I mostly hung out with the upperclassmen. They taught me how to do drills properly and execute in practice as if it was an actual track meet. My brothers instilled a new profound level of confidence and discipline in me that carry off and on the field. 

Besides track & field, the greatest thing I’ve learned from them would be time management. Mainly balancing my grades, school work, practice, and social life. Although it’s still a struggle I always remember that I’m a scholar first before an athlete. That is the mentality that brought me to Bloomfield College. I chose to study graphic design here because of its high-level design and animation programs. I’ve always had a desire to express myself in an artistic and visual way. Part of every art piece I make shows part of me and how I see the world. So far, being at Bloomfield College I’ve bonded with a couple of my teammates and taken the resources the school has to offer to my full advantage. In the freshman year seminar I’m required to take I’ve learned the various departments of the campus and what they have to offer, study and time management tips, different active involvement activities to participate in, and just overall life skills that will help me in the future. 

Some of the roadblocks that might prevent me from being successful here at Bloomfield would be getting distracted by females, parties, outings with friends, etc. Every now and then I’ll relieve myself of the pressure and anxiety from class and practice by going out with friends. But as long as I prioritize my work-life rather than my social life then my college journey shouldn’t be too difficult. Some of the materials discussed in my Freshman Year Seminar that motivate me to obtain a college degree are the CSS(Center for Student Success) Building, and the Trio SSS(Student Support Services) program they offer. They offer students like me that are first-generation, low-income, and/or disabled to navigate through their journey here. Some of the resources they provide include academic & personal coaching, tutorial services, career counseling, financial aid assistance such as loans, grants, and scholarships, computer lab, and cultural and social events. So far I’ve only used their computer lab and tutoring services and they’ve helped greatly improve my grades in class. 

Five years from now after I graduate, if track & field does not go in my favor, I would like to pursue a career in becoming a graphic designer. I hope to make my name known throughout the design industry and have my work be included in large clothing brands, films, and businesses. I plan on doing internships Bloomfield’s Trio SSS offers with different clothing companies to gain some experience and limit the obstacles I’ll have when starting my own. Once I gain some exposure and popularity with my clothing brand I’d begin marketing my own skin/hair care products. Also, using all my knowledge with the adobe cloud and excel software my goal is to expand my business, media-wise, as much as possible and make myself stand out in the market.