Adventurous

A year ago, around this time, I was going through a crisis. I wanted to change my major, and anyone who’s ever gone through a change in major knows how stressful that can be. From the agonizing confusion, to the frequent meetings with advisors, to the re-working of your graduation plan, to the fateful decision day—changing a major is a big deal because, essentially, you are changing your life. I entered TCU as a political science major hoping I could one day become a lawyer. Well, the more hours I spent in my political science classes, the more I realized I didn’t really want to be a lawyer. I just wasn’t wired for that job.

Then, after a convoluting turn of events, I found myself reluctantly changing my major to journalism. And now, the more hours I spend in my journalism classes, the more I realize I really, really, really want to be a journalist. This is the job I was wired for.

This first semester of my junior year is by far my busiest academic semester as I juggle seventeen hours, TCU 360, and other activities outside of school. I have to admit, however, that this semester has been the most fun so far.

Being a journalism major has given me the opportunity to explore. (Well, I’m forced to explore because I’ll get an F if I don’t!). It’s an interesting feeling to walk into an empty Daniel-Meyer Coliseum on game-less days and have the people in charge of Go Purple Friday know who you are, then walk from Daniel-Meyer Coliseum all the way to the Bass Building on a one-way trip. Needless to say, I didn’t look cute that day.

Being a reporter means I have to step out of the shell I never thought I had. I have to initiate conversations. I have to stick cameras in people’s faces. I have to bug people. Never before in my life has the phrase “you gotta do what you gotta do” rung so true.

 I also realized my overinflated confidence needs even more of a boost. In Radio/TV Newswriting class, we are practicing anchoring and speaking in front of a camera. After watching myself numerous times and letting others critique my performances, I’m learning that a reporter must exhibit utmost confidence and control in telling the news. I can’t be “happy, cheery Sam” all the time. It’s time for me to turn up the professionalism.

All in all, being a journalism major is teaching me to be adventurous. And I’m just doing simple stories like College Colors Day or the new bubble tea shop opening in the Grand Marc…how much more “hard news” stories that involve crime or government scandals? Journalists have to be risk-takers. They step out into the field and explore without shame. They risk the possibility of getting hurt, exposing a controversial secret, or breaking a relationship. The media has so much power to shape the worldview of an individual, and I’m on my way to being a part of it.

But before I can become a full-fledged journalist, I need to learn to let go of my fears and reservations. Every day is a brand new test of that. I believe that when the time is ready, I’ll be ready; so I will try my very best every day until my news goes from TCU to your TV screen.