A Morning Coffee and a Mentor

The first day of college classes is like being transported to another planet. There’s an overwhelming amount of students and professors rushing by on the sidewalk, eagerly greeting friends and chatting about their schedules. It’s easy to get lost in the noise. Sometimes, all you need is someone who will listen and guide you through the maze.

I was lucky enough to find a person who would do just that. I felt a little light-headed walking into my morning newswriting class the first time. Upperclassmen had told me it would be a difficult semester, and I was excited and a little nervous to see what would be in store for me. From day one, we were slashing leads into microscopic components and memorizing AP Style rules. I was extremely impressed with my professor, who had worked as a reporter before turning to teaching. She not only helped me with my writing, but also with finding my voice both in and out of the classroom. Her excitement when talking about past assignments and coworkers made me become excited. When someone genuinely enjoys their profession, it spreads through the room like a magnet and connects others to them. I couldn’t help but hope that one day I would have fond memories to share with my own students.

As a shy freshman, I didn’t have a clear idea of who I was or what I wanted. My newswriting professor encouraged me to take on the subjects I was hesitant to write about. I may have been fearful at first, but I ultimately came out much stronger as a result of the challenge. In high school, I had never had someone push me like that before. I would get an article back with a few red pen marks and a “Great job!” scribbled in the top corner. My professor greeted me with a different kind of feedback: “This is good, but why don’t you try something new?” I think I really needed a little nudge to encourage me to dig deeper. I grew in confidence, and I was making things I was truly proud of.
I would get discouraged with myself at times, but my professor became a confidante who reminded me why I was in a newswriting class to begin with. I am glad I happened to cross paths with her, because now I am more certain of my own path. Good things can come from 7:45 a.m. classes. You never know who may be waiting to meet you.

Jamie Brian is a sophomore global communication major at Kent State University who enjoys exploring the world around her and trying to put it into words.