Assignment 14: Halfway Reflection

1) Tenaciousness is a competency. What are the behaviors that you have used (or developed) to keep up with the requirements of this course? 

Reporting is widely considered to be the most difficult class in the journalism college. On top of getting your weekly story done, you must always be thinking about what you will cover next week. It's a constant revolving door of work that just doesn't allow for procrastination. I've found that the same skills and work "flow" I developed in reporting I am now using to manage my time in this class. You know what's coming every week, so you need to plan accordingly. I'm not a "work a little each day" person, so I usually find a day during the week with nothing else going on and knock everything out. 

2) Tenaciousness is also about attitude. Talk about a moment or two when you felt like "giving up." What pulled you through? Do you feel like you've developed a tenacious attitude during the past two months? What experience or experiences most contributed to this?

I don't think I've ever felt like giving up in this class, but I've had a few days where I just couldn't seem to put my ideas on paper (or screen) as hard as I tried. On those days, I'd take a walk around my house to clear my head and put my phone far away from my work station. Once I put myself in the right headspace, I was able to crank out some quality work. I don't know if you could call the drive to just get your work done a "tenacious attitude," but I suppose I have developed a level of tenacity due to the rigorous schedule of the course. You have to be willing to plow through your workload to get things done, especially if you're taking multiple classes this semester.

3) Three tips. What are three tips you would offer next semester's student about (1) fostering the skills that support tenacity and (2) developing the 'tenacious mindset'?

1. Don't listen to everyone who tells you to do a little work each day or set aside a specific day each week to work. Life doesn't work like that. Someone is going to ask you to go to the beach on the day you're supposed to work. You'll have days where you don't want to work at all. Just know yourself, how you work, your weekly schedule, and plan accordingly. If you try to force yourself into a routine that doesn't make sense with how you work, you won't work efficiently. Knowing how you operate is part of being tenacious.

2. Don't be afraid to ask for help, whether it's from your professors, TAs, roommates, friends, family, or whoever's around. I'd say that I get someone else's opinion on almost everything I turn in. As a journalist, constructive criticism is my lifeblood, and that applies to the rest of my work as well. Knowing where your strengths and weaknesses lie will help you map out future assignments and approach every week with a fresh perspective.

3. Remember why you're doing this whenever you feel bogged down with work. There have been plenty of times when I'm on deadline and I ask myself, "Is this even worth it?" Many people would say no, but I hold firm that everything I am doing now will be worth it in the end. All the hard work you're putting in now is part of a much larger picture. Try to envision that picture when you're feeling overwhelmed. I promise you, it's a lovely sight.

I'm not sure what kind of image we're supposed to add but here's a wholesome meme to motivate you to get through the semester <3