I’m a legitimate journalist now

Today, on my birthday, I had my first article published in the University Daily Kansan! I work for the UDK as a photographer, and have my photographs published every week, but there’s something about having my writing published that makes me feel like a legitimate journalist. I think it solidifies my writing ability, which I’ve been very self-conscious about, and I’ve tried very hard to perfect it the past two semesters. Obviously, I know I can’t go from never having written an article in January of this year to writing grand pieces by the end of this year, but I’m getting better, and this is proof. The article was originally written for my Health on the Hill beat, but I’m glad the student paper found the article relevant. I haven’t gotten a grade back on the article yet, but the grade doesn’t matter now (okay, it does, but I’m not judging the article’s worthiness — and my worthiness as a writer — based on the grade now.) My confidence has improved, and I hope that my coming work will reflect that. I will strive to make each piece better than the last.