When I joined Eastern’s Odyssey last semester, I wasn’t sure what to expect. For those who might not know, Odyssey is an online blogging platform with affiliate branches on universities across the nation that allows students to write about whatever they want. I’d heard about it before I officially committed but thought it’d take up too much of my time, especially given that I am a senior; however, after I researched Eastern’s Odyssey, I decided it sounded like the perfect opportunity. In reflecting on this experience, I have found that it was an even greater blessing than I could have imagined.
Writing about on-campus events has helped me recognize the importance of getting involved in various activities while giving me opportunities to spend time with friends. For example, last semester I attended SAB’s roller-skating and silent disco events with my friends and had way more fun than I had expected. The Senior Dance Concert in February was another important campus event that inspired me to write an article. In this article I interviewed the head of the dance department, Stephen Welsh, as well as a graduating senior, Alex Roberts, to see what their perspectives were on the dance concert, as well as the Eastern administration’s decision to cut the dance major. Through this interview, I learned new things and received interesting and thought-provoking opinions from people passionate about this major and the arts. I now have a better understanding of what the dance department is going through and how I can get more involved and support the department.
In addition to immersing myself in EU activities, I have also benefited from how much I’ve grown as a writer. Since academic writing is much different than writing for a publication or blog, I was unsure how I would go about writing more informal pieces. Initially I lacked confidence, but as I wrote more, I saw evidence of my growth as a writer, and this has also manifested itself in my academic writing. Now when I write essays for my English classes I know I have a specific tone that no other writers bring to their papers. Because of this, I have learned to embrace my voice in my essays. Rather than simply sticking to the basics of writing, I can incorporate elements that give my papers my own flair, such as using diction other students would avoid. Finally, writing for Odyssey has forced me to reevaluate who my audience is and what they look for when reading articles, allowing me to serve my community through my writing.
I am graduating at the end of this semester, which means my time writing for the Odyssey is likely drawing to a close. But I know that I’ll take all the knowledge I’ve gained from this opportunity and apply it to various situations throughout my life, whether or not they’re related to writing. Overall, writing for Odyssey has helped me become a more well-rounded person, and I feel much more prepared and confident in life because of this experience.