Looking Back, Looking Forward

            The end of anything often brings about nostalgia. The end of College Now brings about the same reflection although we have only been at Baruch for six weeks.

            I’ve learned many things about myself that I will appreciate going into the college admissions process. I’ve learned that I do want to study journalism in college. Even though I decided I wanted to be a journalist at the age of ten, I sometimes questioned my long-time dream. 

    Before I decided I wanted to be a journalist I wanted to be an actress, a model, a dancer, a QVC anchor and probably something else I would positively hate doing now. Sometimes I wondered if what I’m planning to do for the rest of my life is just a quixotic dream. It’s possible to worry that in ten years you’ll dread waking up in the morning instead of jumping out of your cramped walk up in the West Village.

            After this class I’m sure that if I follow this career, unhappiness won’t paralyze me every morning.

            I’ve learned over the last six weeks that I love reporting. The anxiety of asking an over-worked and under-paid store employee is worth it when they say an amazing quote. Walking around for days, occasionally in the pouring rain with a friend and a small umbrella, is valuable when I feel accomplished because I interviewed every thrift store in a ten block radius. I love talking to people and hearing their stories and opinions.

            I’ve also learned that I am a better “journalism” writer than op-ed writer. News features are amazingly fun to write and much easier, in my opinion, than organizing my thoughts into an editorial. I enjoy writing, but at least I know I can’t be a columnist in the near future.

            I’m sad to see a class I enjoyed going to, and was willing to wake up at 6:15 to get to, end. What I do have to look forward to is that this time next year, and three after that, my schedule will be filled with journalism and writing classes like this one.