Keeping up with a full course load is overwhelming to say the least—balancing 4 or 5 classes of work can mean hours upon hours of reading, writing, worksheets, and tests that no one wants to take.
This can be overwhelming and time consuming, so many may believe that extraneous writing endeavors are a waste of time. When you already have so much work to do, keeping up a weekly or bi-weekly blogging schedule can be tough. Why would anyone want to write extra essays for their student newspaper when they already have another essay due that will actually be graded? I know it can seem ridiculous, but here’s why you should try anyway:
1. It is so satisfying submitting your work.
Even though writing can be a strenuous process, actually finishing the piece up and pressing the submit button has to be one of the most relieving feelings in the world. Just as finishing homework or work is mentally fulfilling, so is finishing up your latest writing project.
2. Seeing your name in print is amazing.
Now, one of your masterpieces has been created and is ready for the attention it deserves. Having your name printed makes you feel like an accomplished author, and you want to continue this feeling for as long as you can.
3. It's a good habit to set regular deadlines for yourself.
Even though it can be a pain, setting deadlines for yourself and following them is excellent practice for the real world. While it’s true that schoolwork forces deadlines upon you, there’s something about setting them for yourself that makes you more inclined to complete them.
4. Creating an online presence for yourself is a big accomplishment.
This is a major plus for creating future connections—people like to see that you’ve taken on writing or editorial positions in addition to your normal curriculum. Think of it as an investment in your future, and yourself.
5. It's cool telling people you write for [insert publication here].
Who doesn’t love bragging about their cool extracurricular activities? If you love writing like I do, it’s a fun side fact to throw at anyone that wants to listen, including future employers or anyone you want to impress.
