I remember A-level results day so clearly. The anticipation of finding out whether I’d be going to my top university was huge, considering I didn’t really want to go to any of my other choices. Getting that email from the University of Sheffield saying I’d been accepted filled me with excitement. But I also felt anxious about moving away from my family home to complete a degree I hasn’t previously studied or had much experience in.
However, once I got to university, I loved it. The freedom it gave was a great boost for my confidence and I was so happy to be doing something I enjoyed with people who had the same interests as me. Studying a course that relies on speaking to people from a range of backgrounds is both interesting and educational. So far, I have learned about subjects I would probably have never actively researched myself.
Interviewing strangers was something that, to begin with, I found daunting, having never done it before and not being the most extroverted person. After a few phone calls and meeting up with interviewees in relaxed settings such as cafes, I realised just how friendly strangers could be.
Perfect platform
The main reason I wanted to go into journalism was to be able to give people the platform to talk about what they are most passionate about, listen to their experiences and raise awareness of important issues. Unlike most degrees, journalism doesn’t involve many essays. As someone who finds reading tedious and boring, I’m incredibly grateful for that. It is much more practical and prepares you for post-graduation, providing you with skills to use in the working world.
Studying a journalism degree also makes you realise that Twitter is your best friend, whether that be to find interviewees, find stories or to publicise your work. I find myself scrolling through Twitter at least five times a day. Sometimes for leisure. Sometimes for work. You may worry about looking like you have a big ego. But it is so important to share your work and achievements on there. It could lead to someone offering you experience or, better yet, a full-time job after university.
Overcoming difficulties
The most difficult part of my degree would be sometimes having to wait right up until a deadline to receive replies from some interviewees or not hearing back at all. That, for me, is the most stressful aspect of reporting.
Specifically being a ‘student’ journalist, even after doing three years and having various writing jobs, some people may be less willing to give you their time because you are ‘only’ writing for an assessment rather than a publication. If this happens, it can feel like you’re not going to get anywhere with what could potentially be a really good story. However, in most cases, there will always be someone happy to help. If not, there will be another story just around the corner, or another angle you could take.
I find that journalism is also a very competitive degree. You might find yourself fighting one of your classmates for a story or a work experience opportunity. That being said, journalists are usually more than happy to help out others by providing contacts or letting people know about job opportunities. This is mainly down to everyone having the same goal and the same common interest of telling stories.
The right call
Even though Covid has affected most of my time at university, and on occasions it has been hard to remain motivated, I’ve still enjoyed studying journalism and the many opportunities and skills it has given me. In my upcoming final semester, I’m particularly excited to work on a big individual project and create a food magazine with some of my coursemates.
If you are interested in studying a journalism degree, or becoming a journalist when you graduate, I hope you find this honest insight into the course useful.