I started writing for the Odyssey in November because I loved connecting to the articles I would read. Throughout senior year, I would constantly read articles about Binghamton, about being a second-semester senior and about graduation. I would get excited from the Binghamton articles and sad thinking about graduating. I felt connected to the authors who wrote these pieces and wanted to feel the connection for myself.

I signed up in November and struggled with my first article. I didn't know what I was doing or how to connect with a reader. I pressed submit on my first article and wondered if writing was the thing for me. A week later, I experienced the situation that inspired my second article about bullying. Writing this article I felt such a passion and knew that I wanted to share my life with the world.

As the weeks progressed and I submitted more and more articles, I fell more and more in love with sharing my articles and getting feedback. I love hearing when people relate to my articles or just seeing that people like them.

Something that really bothers me is when people criticize what I post. After I posted my article on hookup culture, I got a lot of feedback asking why I would post it. People didn't understand that It was something I felt strongly about. I found myself constantly explaining that it is something that happens and can't just be ignored.

The Odyssey gives a platform for people to share anything they want, when they want. The Odyssey gives people a chance to connect with readers. The Odyssey gives everyone a place to feel like they belong.

This is why I write and why I will continue to write things that I feel strongly about.