Digital Story

- The Light at the End of the Tunnel -

Twists and Turns

The road to Chapel Hill has undoubtedly been a long journey for UNC freshman Carl Alexander. It all started in his hometown of West Bloomfield, Michigan, a city located roughly 30 miles from Detroit. At age nine, Alexander made the trek down south to Atlanta, Georgia, where he would remain up until his arrival at UNC. However, it was here that Carl underwent a massive change, one he admits changed his life forever: When Carl was 11, his parents got divorced.
"They told me to sit down on the couch and they said we have to tell you something. I remember my mom just telling me that they were going to divorce."
Carl Alexander
Freshman

The Impact

The divorce of his parents was something Carl didn’t expect. In the coming days, Carl found it difficult to stay focused in school. He had to travel between two different households, and Carl became stressed over ensuring he spent equal time with each of his parents.

Overcoming

Carl was able to overcome his parent’s divorce after a year. He got used to his new situation and took away positives from it. Carl was able to connect with new people in different environments. He joined YouTube sports podcasts and found people with common interests, which helped build his social confidence.

Now, Carl feels as if he is stronger mentally, and he approaches life with a more positive mindset.

 

Final Destination

Carl came to UNC as a different person than he was before his parent’s divorce.

Carl thrived academically in high school, receiving an IB Diploma at North Atlanta High School and being accepted into elite institutions like UNC, Notre Dame, and Michigan.

Carl grew out of his shell during this time, as he was able to find his social circle. Through the different environments he was introduced to and the methods he used to overcome his parent’s divorce, Carl became more confident in speaking to others.

Now approaching the end of his first semester at UNC, Carl looks forward to his future. Majoring in Statistics, Carl hopes to find a job in sports analytics and use his math skills to combine his two favorite passions. He still holds on to his roots from the 313, rooting for teams like the Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, and Detroit Pistons.

 

"I don't let things bother me as much, and I'm not afraid anymore to step out of my box."
Carl Alexander
Freshman

A Note From the Author

Carl has been one of my closest friends since middle school. Over the years, I have seen him develop into a more socially confident person who works tirelessly in the classroom. Carl wants to see you succeed, and he approaches life with a positive attitude. With this story, he provided a unique perspective on the impact of divorce, which is typically not told from the child’s point of view. The power of his story moved me, and I came to understand the source of his approach. I am impressed with how he navigated a precarious situation, and over the years, he has proved himself to be resilient. Now, I have a newfound respect for Carl and have since taken on his positive attitude toward life.

Citations:

https://www.custodyxchange.com/topics/divorce/divorce-effects-on-children.php

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/help-child-breakup-divorce/

https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-west-bloomfield-mi-to-detroit-mi