Defining my Future and Deciding my Now

I chose to study journalism because everyone told me I couldn’t. Arguably, in elementary schools, phonics and spelling were my worst two subjects. In short, I wasn’t good at spelling and I wasn’t good at sounding out or putting together sounds. My letter always got confused, and some letters were (and still are) hard to distinguish between. These aren’t exactly the characteristics of a great writer. But I loved to write regardless. During my first year in middle school, both my parents and I fought with the school and the teachers that I deserved a place in an honors English class, as I had an A+ in my current class. That’s not to say that some people didn’t have faith me. Besides my parents, there were teachers in elementary school who pushed me to be better and a teacher in middle school that pressed for the school to place me in honors courses.

The rest is history. I worked for my place in the honors class, despite the odds and my struggles, and I made it. I think that the desire to take that spot even though people thought I couldn’t handle it was my first indication that writing was my passion. First, because I worked so much for it. Second, because I went for it in spite of those who said I shouldn’t. It still doesn’t always come easy. Words are still hard to form at times. But I love it anyways. Later, in high school, I was assigned to write a news article for a history class. I was supposed to write the article as if I was a reporter during the time the event occurred. I went all out. I formatted to fit a newspaper, picked fonts, and added a headline and a byline. I didn’t even realize this wasn’t what was expected until I got to class and saw my classmates with their double-spaced, regular papers. This wasn’t the moment I first considered journalism – the perfect major to combine my passion for writing with a practical career choice.

My choice to study at IUPUI didn’t come to me as naturally as my choice to study journalism. I applied, visited, and was accepted to five colleges – Purdue University, Indiana University, IUPUI, University of Southern Indiana, and Ball State. After extensive pro-con list making, I narrowed my choices down to Purdue and IUPUI. The short answer reason as to why I choice IUPUI is because my sister went to Purdue, and though I love her dearly, I wanted to be different.

I was unsure of my decision – there was no way to know if it was the “right” choice. Now though, I know I chose right. I can’t image being happy anywhere else. Why? Because I’m in downtown Indianapolis. Having grown up near Louisville, I rarely spent any time in Indy. Choosing this school opened a whole new city for me. The environment alone brings me happiness when schoolwork gets tough. Similarly, studying here gives me connections that I don’t think I could’ve gotten at any other school. There’s not a strong reason as to why I chose IUPUI, but there are lots of reasons why I stay. It’s not a typical “party” school. It’s an involved school. More times than not, I feel as though I’m valued and cared for as a student here. Though I know I would’ve adapted to any school over time, IUPUI feels like home.

The professors I’ve met, friends I’ve made, and opportunities I’ve been given proves to me that I chose right. And for that, I am thankful.