My freshman self thought journalism would be a cute class to enroll in because I’d be like Rory Gilmore from “Gilmore Girls.”
On the first day of class, I came in with no expectations. Other than what the name hinted, I didn’t know what to expect. My sister had taken the class during quarantine, but I knew her online experience would be much different from the real-life one I was going to experience.
In a class filled with unrecognizable faces, I was surprised to learn that almost every grade level of students was clustered in the room. As an ice-breaker, we gathered outside on the beautiful, hot, summer-feel day. We took turns matching the first letter of our name to an animal. I picked jellyfish. Looking around the circle at my new classmates, I was oblivious to how fast we’d become friends throughout the year.
One of my favorite things about journalism is that it’s impossible not to make friends in the class. The class requires you to communicate with your classmates to ensure the most efficient editing process and to learn the savvy ways of business and communications. I give you something (a story idea) and you give me something back (editing or art) – but I also gave and received friendship.
Over the course of the year, I learned how to write like a journalist using AP style, made new friends with all kinds of people, many whom have since graduated, and never once was be bored in class. I became so enthralled with the class that I once stole my sister’s newspaper-themed dress and wore it to school just to match the class.
I learned how to take better pictures, learned to appreciate the frustrating cycle of writing, deleting, re-writing, cutting, and trying again. The rush of adrenaline I felt when a story of mine was published is unmatched to this day.
If I’m being completely honest, I didn’t even know if I wanted to write when I started high school. I actually thought I was going to go into a STEM field like everyone else in my family. But journalism made me realize my passion for the humanities.
Journalism has strict deadlines. Journalism can be very cut and dry. Journalism can be ruthless. Yet, all these combined make me a more persistent, passionate and curious person.
If you’ve ever hesitated to join journalism because you think it’s just a girls’ class, you don’t like writing or having to talk to a lot of people scares you, let me assure you, these temporary inhibitions dissolve immediately. You will be so distracted creating unforgettable memories and endlessly coming up with fun and ambitious stories with the class that you won’t have time to check on your past insecurities.
Journalism is like a tiny ecosystem: each person plays a key role, each with their own unique symbiotic relationship. You need writers, editors, artists, photographers, visionaries, leaders. There is no criterion for joining journalism – just being curious is enough.
Journalism is a class worth taking. I urge you to take journalism, even if you’re in your last year of high school. Don’t be afraid to be part of something you’re not used to identifying with yourself. And if at the end you decide journalism isn’t for you, great! At least you went out of your way to try something new, and now you won’t live with possible regrets at what could’ve been.
Journalism isn’t just important at school; it’s the heartbeat of the world. And when good, ethical journalism is written, it moves people. Think of John Hersey’s “Hiroshima,” Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring or Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle. Journalism is a part of our history and I am so thankful I can be a part of it. If you’ve ever wondered how to make an impact in the world, journalism is one way to do it.
