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Student journalists are real journalists

As I sit here at 2 a.m. on a Tuesday morning, it baffles my mind that someone could undervalue the time and energy it takes to be a student journalist. I don’t think most people understand what it’s like, so I’m here to share my experience. 

Student journalists are real journalists. Us student journalists have a lot on our plate sometimes. We juggle writing articles, editing news packages, conducting interviews, researching data and much more, while also being college students in 15 plus credit hours with personal lives. 

I’m not complaining. I love it, and I have to in order to do it. 

Alongside my studies, I am plugged in on campus. I have multiple meetings each week, some that I lead. When I’m not in a meeting, in class or eating, I’m probably reporting. 

News takes no lunch breaks, so I sometimes skip mine to grab a quick interview with a university official or student. Just like the real journalistic world, news happens 24/7. In order to cover stories, I remain flexible. I could be up at 8 a.m. before my classes or out at 8 p.m. covering stories. There really is no telling. 

I have to remain flexible at all times, as I might have to sprint across campus in order to interview someone minutes before our show goes live. I’ve become accustomed to carrying the heavy camera equipment alongside my school backpack while briskly walking, it’s probably funny to witness.  

I work on real, hard deadlines like any other journalist. Daily, I have to meet deadlines for the broadcast stories I produce, quickly writing and editing video to get it out to viewers by 5 p.m.

For our student newspaper, I convert my broadcast stories into print articles before the paper goes to press and is posted online.  

After a long day of work, I come home and complete homework, every college student’s pride and joy. I share my news stories on social media, as I have been working for years to create a professional news presence online, then can finally socialize with my friends before going to bed. 

Every day is a little different, which is what I enjoy. No day is ever the exact same. So, student journalists always enjoy the thrill of not knowing what is next. 

When I wake up in the morning, I will start my day again; not knowing exactly how it will end.

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