Reflection - Extra Credit

While brainstorming for my final project I thought I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I thought I could do what had been done before in a fresh and new way but I was wrong. Everything I wrote was everything that had already been written. Seeing as how I’ve based many major decisions on a long term goal of owning my own magazine one day with the main intent of assuring young girls of their own beauty, realizing that my idea for this final project was boring I’ve reassessed many future dreams.
While being in this class and especially while working on the final project I’ve realized that I really enjoy writing, writing but not reporting news. I like flowery language, analogies, deeper meanings. When I write I hate following formats. Rules bother me. I find the inverted pyramid and AP stylebook frustrating. If I want to write 5 or five I don’t think it should be a big deal.
As I was reflecting on this class I also realized that everything I imagined doing for my magazine involved working with kids on a one on one basis outside of the magazine. But the reality of life is that if I were an editor my entire life would be consumed by my work. There would be no time to pursue the heart of my project.
I am now seriously considering switching to a minor in journalism and focusing more strongly on careers that would let me work more closely with youth..
One final note, as I’m already over word count, this class also taught me how to take constructive criticism. Before when I wrote I didn’t allow anyone to read my work and I certainly did not appreciate any comments. After being in this class I’ve realized that sometimes people can see things you can’t and you should appreciate anything that would make your work better.
Thanks for everything you’ve done for me this semester. I really appreciate all the time and effort you’ve put into my education. You have been so understanding and I am sincerely very grateful.