Expectation vs. Reality
By Mary Nobles Hancock
Mountain Brook High School
Birmingham, AL
Coming into the Auburn Journalism Workshop my expectations were vague. I thought I would probably learn a thing or two about writing and photography, I thought I would make a new friend or two outside of my longtime friend, Kendall Gibson, who accompanied me here, and I thought I might have to work kind of hard on an article or two.
I had no idea what was in store.
This week I have learned countless things that I can bring back and utilize in my high school newspaper, The Sword & Shield. As incoming co-editor-in-chief many of the things that I have learned here will be invaluable come Fall. Each class, from photography to sports writing, is easily applicable to my role as editor.
One of the most important things I learned was how to do web design. For the past year or so my staff has tossed around the idea of going online with our paper, but the project always go pushed onto the back burner. Always deemed “too time consuming” or “too hard.” But after my one class in web design I am beginning to feel more confident in our ability to take our newspaper from print to the web this year.
Another thing I underestimated was the friends that I would make. I have met a whole gang of new friends either during dinner, by sharing a bathroom, or even just riding the elevator. We’ve worked together, ate together, and spent every other moment together. I know these newfound friends will be with me long after I return home from Auburn.
I also underestimated the workload that I would be assigned. While writing three articles in a week is hardly enough work to make a fuss about, spending all day in various classes, workshops, and seminars to return to my dorm room and try to motivate myself to write, photograph and blog takes motivation. I’m beginning to understand what my life will be like should I decide to pursue a job in journalism.
Coming to Auburn has surpassed all of my previous notions of what I would do during this week. I have learned, befriended, and worked far more and harder than I ever thought I would, and I can’t wait to return home to begin using all of my newfound knowledge.
Mountain Brook High School
Birmingham, AL
Coming into the Auburn Journalism Workshop my expectations were vague. I thought I would probably learn a thing or two about writing and photography, I thought I would make a new friend or two outside of my longtime friend, Kendall Gibson, who accompanied me here, and I thought I might have to work kind of hard on an article or two.
I had no idea what was in store.
This week I have learned countless things that I can bring back and utilize in my high school newspaper, The Sword & Shield. As incoming co-editor-in-chief many of the things that I have learned here will be invaluable come Fall. Each class, from photography to sports writing, is easily applicable to my role as editor.
One of the most important things I learned was how to do web design. For the past year or so my staff has tossed around the idea of going online with our paper, but the project always go pushed onto the back burner. Always deemed “too time consuming” or “too hard.” But after my one class in web design I am beginning to feel more confident in our ability to take our newspaper from print to the web this year.
Another thing I underestimated was the friends that I would make. I have met a whole gang of new friends either during dinner, by sharing a bathroom, or even just riding the elevator. We’ve worked together, ate together, and spent every other moment together. I know these newfound friends will be with me long after I return home from Auburn.
I also underestimated the workload that I would be assigned. While writing three articles in a week is hardly enough work to make a fuss about, spending all day in various classes, workshops, and seminars to return to my dorm room and try to motivate myself to write, photograph and blog takes motivation. I’m beginning to understand what my life will be like should I decide to pursue a job in journalism.
Coming to Auburn has surpassed all of my previous notions of what I would do during this week. I have learned, befriended, and worked far more and harder than I ever thought I would, and I can’t wait to return home to begin using all of my newfound knowledge.