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9 Reasons Every College Student Should Keep A Journal

I love writing, so maybe I'm biased, but hear me out.

Paige Wilson

Dec 20, 2018

University of Georgia

9 Reasons Every College Student Should Keep A Journal

Paige Wilson

I haven't always enjoyed writing.

In all honesty, I used to really hate it. My middle school English teacher made us write for 10 minutes straight at the start of each class period every single day without stopping. In the beginning, I struggled. I didn't know what to write, because the thought of my words on paper unedited and raw was frightening. I grew up as a reserved and introverted kid. I picked my words carefully because when I spoke, I wanted it to be just right.

So, writing this way kind of threw all of that out the window. This exercise forced me to be raw with my writing. It taught me that first drafts are worth reading, that it's okay to strike out words, and that nothing has to be perfect on the first try. It also taught me that I enjoyed unstructured writing and that I found joy in sitting down and pouring out my thoughts. To me, it doesn't matter if my words are read, but if they are, I always hope they touch somebody, inspire somebody, or teach somebody.

Journaling is incredibly personal, and I believe there is great value in documenting your thoughts. Let me convince you.

1. It relieves stress.

Every college student can relate to feeling stressed (some more than others). Dedicating even just five minutes to journaling will release thoughts from your mind that you didn't even know were stressing you out. Sometimes, writing something down and getting it out of your head will de-stress you better than anything else.

2. It cultivates positivity.

When I journal, I find myself writing down things I hope to happen or goals I have for the future. This keeps me positive because it's tangible evidence that I have things to work towards. It always keeps me hopeful for the day ahead.

3. It shows growth.

I started journaling in 2014. I recently read through all my journals, and I was awestruck by how much I've grown as a person through the years. There is something so intimate and inspiring about reading your thoughts from years ago. My only wish is that I had started sooner.

4. It inspires gratitude.

Most ~expert journalers~ recommend "beginners" to start by writing down things they are grateful for that happened throughout the day. I love sitting down at the end of the day and picking out things that really made be grateful to be alive. Even my worst days held moments that I am grateful for.

5. It makes you self-aware.

Jotting down your thoughts will enable you to see your flow of consciousness. Does your mind tread towards thinking positively or are you thinking negatively? Do you see the good in every day or do you tend to pick out the bad? Do you have passion and drive, or do you feel yourself lacking ambition? Seeing how your thoughts flow out will help you see if there is needed improvement in your thought processes.

6. It tracks passion.

Is there a reoccurring theme to your journal entries? If there is, that could be where your passion lies. For me, I found I constantly journaled about how I could be kinder, how I treated others, and how I loved nutrition. I found that I had a passion for learning about nutrition, and how I could help others through that field. Without journaling, I wonder if I would have ever put those all together enough to gather the courage to change my major.

7. It's a safe place.

No one ever has to read the words you write if you don't want them to be read. Write whatever you want in your journal. Is school stressing you out? Journal about it. Having problems with your social life? Journal about it. Struggling with your family life? Journal about it. Find the value in a safe place to vent.

8. It brings clarity.

Writing things down turns the abstract into the concrete. It simplifies your thoughts, your goals, and your feelings into words. And words are a lot easier to understand than a flurry of thoughts running through your mind.

9. It keeps your memories.

I wish it wasn't true, but memories tend to fade over time. If you writing everything down, you'll be able to remember forever through your written words. What better time to write down memories than in college? You'd be grateful for it ten, fifteen, or fifty years from now.

All it takes is ten minutes out of your day. If ten minutes is too long, then take five minutes. Trust me, it'll be worth it.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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9 Reasons Every College Student Should Keep A Journal

I love writing, so maybe I'm biased, but hear me out.

1. It relieves stress.

2. It cultivates positivity.

3. It shows growth.

4. It inspires gratitude.

5. It makes you self-aware.

6. It tracks passion.

7. It's a safe place.

8. It brings clarity.

9. It keeps your memories.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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