The Semester That Almost Silenced My Voice

Finding My Footing in University Journalism

Stepping onto the university campus as a budding journalist in 2025 felt like navigating a new world, still shadowed by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Relearning the rhythms of in-person interaction coincided with the daunting reality of being the new beat reporter for the College of Arts and Humanities. Suddenly, the onus was on me to conjure story ideas, pitch them to my student editors, and tackle both the immediacy of hard news and the depth of feature pieces. The foundational principles of reporting, the ethical compass of journalism, and the art of conducting interviews – both live and through a screen – became my daily curriculum.

Adding to this already steep learning curve was a professor whose teaching style could be best described as trial by fire. Our initial cohort of twenty aspiring reporters dwindled rapidly, leaving only three of us standing by the semester's close. A strange mix of pride and apprehension washed over me for surviving his gauntlet. Had I truly proven my mettle, or had I simply endured? The experience left me questioning if this demanding, often unforgiving environment was the true face of journalism.

His intention, I believe, was to simulate the pressures of a real-world newsroom editor. Yet, his methods often felt less like mentorship and more like a series of sharp corrections delivered without a safety net. He imparted the basics, yes, but the constant critique chipped away at our confidence. His attempts to offer guidance felt like a lifeline thrown with a shaky hand, making us hesitant to seek his advice. The initial impression of a harsh, almost adversarial figure lingered, even when he belatedly shifted towards a more encouraging tone towards the semester's end. By then, the student-teacher bond was irrevocably strained.

That semester became a crucible, forging resilience but also revealing a side of the profession I hadn't anticipated. It starkly illustrated that not every editor operates with the ideal balance of support and constructive criticism. I learned that collaborative efforts can be complex, often deviating from a reporter's initial expectations. And the impact of a negative first impression, I discovered, could cast a long shadow.

The final tally was stark: only three out of twenty. I finished the semester utterly drained, both mentally and physically, the stress manifesting in lost weight and a persistent tremor of exhaustion. The immediate aftermath demanded a summer dedicated to recovery, a period of rebuilding my emotional and physical reserves.

Returning the following semester felt like emerging into sunlight. My previous professor had moved on, a relocation that, despite his attempts, I couldn't recall with genuine fondness. He had tried, but his communication style had inadvertently created a tense and discouraging environment. In contrast, the professors I encountered afterward were a breath of fresh air – engaging, supportive, and genuinely invested in their students' success. They embodied the kind of mentors I had hoped for, reigniting the spark for storytelling that had nearly been extinguished.

Looking back, I cringe at the thought of how close I came to abandoning my journalistic aspirations, all because of one challenging individual. What if I hadn't persevered? Would I have changed my major, allowing one difficult experience to derail my passion? Now, having encountered a diverse range of journalism professors, I recognize that while their ultimate goal is student success, their approaches can vary dramatically, either building confidence or inadvertently tearing it down. For me, that semester felt like being swept off my feet only to be dropped from a cliff, dangling precariously with others until only a few of us managed to climb back up.

It was a tough ascent, but the view from the higher ground has been invaluable. I honed my social skills, learned to navigate the ever-evolving media landscape, approached interviews with greater empathy, and understood the importance of seeking support when the weight of the story feels too heavy to carry alone. That challenging first beat reporting experience, though arduous, ultimately shaped my understanding of the journalist I want to be – resilient, ethical, and always mindful of the human element, both in the stories I tell and the way I collaborate with others.