Passion for Your Program is More Important Than Grades

It's just past mid-term now. I can't believe how fast time flies when you're having fun! And no, I'm not being sarcastic.

 

When I first got accepted into the journalism program, after the excitement of actually getting accepted passed, I started to worry that I made a mistake. I started to doubt my decision. After all, journalists have to talk to people day in and day out, and I've never been all that comfortable approaching people.

 

In the second week, when we finally started handing in assignments, my first grade was a 60 per cent. It was on a hard lede we had to write as our first assignment in Newswriting. Seeing such a lousy grade made me think that I had made a mistake, that I was too stupid for college and I should just give up while I could still get a refund (like I've mentioned before, I'm a pessimist by nature).

 

Obviously I didn't quit. Instead I put more effort into my next assignment and got 100 per cent.

 

The truth is, college isn't easy but it isn't nearly as difficult as I had feared either.

 

But more importantly than my intelligent or skill level, is my passion.

 

I never knew I could like something so much before. I'm excited to go to school every day, and while I don't enjoy some classes as much as others, I appreciate what I'm learning and know it will be useful (ahem, Group Dynamics).

And so I've just recently noticed something. My friends and family aren't nearly as excited about journalism as I am! Can you believe that? Big surprise, eh? Unfortunately they don't seem to want to listen to me describe each class, and each lesson, and each assignment in detail.

 

At first I didn't even realize how much I talked about school. Until one day I was telling Nick about my day for a couple of hours, until he finally said in the nicest way possible that he wanted to change topics. I wasn't insulted or anything. A few years ago the tables were turned and I had to kindly inform Nick that I just couldn't listen to him talk about work any more.

That's not to say that the people in my life aren't supportive! Because each of them are in their own ways.

The point is, it was an eye opener.

 

I knew I enjoyed my classes but having someone point out that all I talk about is what I'm learning (even law!) must mean that I really love it. Good grades or bad (or really a mix of both), I know I made the right choice because it feels right.

Obviously aiming for high grades is extremely important as well. What I mean by this is that sometimes you might not get as good a mark as you had hoped, or you might not start out getting good grades right away. But if you have passion for your program you will want to study, to do the work and constantly seek new information which is bound to lead to amazing grades, amazing opportunities and an amazing life.

Have you ever gotten that feeling before? That you were doing what you were meant to do?

Thanks,
Cole

Don't Waste Your Money - Choosing a College Program

 

A friend of mine is considering going to post-secondary school but has no idea what she wants to take. So that got me thinking about why I chose Journalism, and how other people might decide on a program.

 

I think a lot of us have experienced that feeling of wanting to work towards a career but aren't sure exactly which direction to go in. But if you're going to spend thousands of dollars on school you want to make sure it is the right program. Too many people rush into college or university and end up dropping out, and get stuck with giant student loans they have to pay back and don't even get anything out of it!

 

Before I chose Journalism as my college program I considered so many different options. I like so many different things. Especially within the art/creative field.

 

I considered taking:

 

• Graphic Design
• Interior Decorating
• Photography
• Fine Arts
• General Business (I still want to be an entrepreneur.)

 

It was when I worked at D3 Artworks Inc. that I really focused on choosing a program. In fact, it was a requirement at D3 (which is a government program to help youth find employment). The employees at D3 helped us in so many ways.

 

We had to:

 

• Take personality tests
• Mind-map
• Research different schools and programs
• And of course, do a lot of thinking!

 

Journalism is something I've always considered taking but I never saw myself having much of a future within that field because I've always been so shy. You can not be shy if you are a journalist. As a journalist you constantly have to put yourself out there; cold calling people, getting interviews, doing interviews, networking and connecting with the community.

 

Working at D3 really helped me get out of my comfort zone. They gave me support, and believed in me. Sometimes having at least someone tell you they believe in you is all it takes. If it's fear that's keeping you from deciding on a particular program, you need to face that fear. You can accept it, but know that you will have to work with it, and to overcome it if you want to succeed.

 

To be honest, I would like to take photography after I've graduated from my Journalism program! And I wouldn't mind taking a few business courses either. The fun thing about college is that you can keep going back as much as want, or are willing to pay for.

 

And, you might not even need post-secondary! Really think about it first. Can you teach yourself? Can you learn as you go? Can you find someone to mentor you?

 

For those of you who are in post-secondary right now, how did you decide on what to go for? Was it something you've always wanted to do? Did you start going for something else and then switch?

 

Let me know! I'm curious. :)

 

Thanks,

Cole

Do You Dare to Dream?

Life's Unexpected Moments

Life doesn’t always work out how we expect it to. Sometimes we end up in places without knowing how we got there or why we were lead there. At times it can seem completely unfair as if you’re the unluckiest person alive, but there are times when you will feel the opposite and wonder how you ever got so lucky.

I have had days, months and even years where I stopped to reflect on my life and wondered those same things. Why did this happen to me? What did I do to deserve this? It can be extremely depressing, but then again, it can be extremely uplifting.

The one thing I do know is that no matter how difficult things are, or how awful things feel, it never lasts forever and most likely I come out stronger, wiser and a better person because of it.

When I got pregnant at 16 I thought that my life was over. In my mind I would have to give up every dream I had to support this child. That my life’s purpose was only to care for this little human being that was beginning to grow inside of me.

From that moment on every decision I made was made with my daughter’s needs as my top priority.

She needed a healthy mom, I became healthy. 

She needed an educated mom, I made sure I graduated. 

She needed material things, I made sure I could afford those things.

I thought, “It doesn’t matter what I want anymore because the only thing I truly want now is for my daughter to grow up happy and healthy.”

It took me a long time to realize that I could still dream, and pursue the things I wanted, and by doing that I was being an even better mom.

For the first couple years of my daughter’s life I never considered that I could have a career as a writer or an artist, because in my mind that wouldn’t make me enough money. I thought the best way to make sure she had a good life was for me to suck it up and find a 9-5 job that paid decent whether I enjoyed it or not.

And do you know what happened?

I burnt myself out.

I became so depressed that I quit my job, moved out of my apartment and back home with my mom and decided to rethink my life. I was just that unhappy.

It’s been almost two years now since that mental breakdown and I’m still in the process of working towards my dream, but at least now I recognize that I’m allowed to have one and I know what I want to do in life.

I want to write, I want to take pictures, I want to be creative and I want to own my own business. These are things that I want. Just for me. It isn’t going to happen overnight, nothing ever really does, but working towards it is half the fun! Learning new things, meeting new people, having new experiences.

Now my family and I are facing another challenge - getting our mortgage caught up. It’s terrifying and needless to say it’s been causing me a lot of stress and anxiety, but no matter what the outcome is somehow we will make it through this. What other choice do we have?

Life sure can be scary at times, but what the heck, might as well enjoy it!

What are some of your dreams?

Thanks,