The past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to talk to potential new members during sorority recruitment and new members at the house, friends, and professors about what the Odyssey is all about. Sometimes the conversation results out of questions like, “what the heck are you reading all the time?” or, “I want to get involved on campus, but I don’t know how.”

In both cases, I’ve been able to explain that The Odyssey is those articles you’ve seen on Facebook and, yes, Kansas has its own team of writers. I continue the to nod as they ask if I write, and if I like it. Truth is, it’s quite powerful to have a platform that publishes writing of students from across the campus. I am constantly reminded of what an honor it is to lead this team towards publication each and every week.

Of course, some weeks the writer’s block is real and there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day for brainstorming a decent writing prompt. However, those days often turn out to be a time of reflection about what the past week or two has really taught me. Most of the time, the life lessons I think back on, are tied to an annoying classmate or situation that tested my patience and ability to act with grace. As I reflect on what all I’ve worked through, I’ve realized that one of the best ways to channel my emotions in a productive way (and one that won't bite me in the butt, later) is through writing. Although some may view writing as an inevitable evil in a liberal arts college education, for me, it’s much more.

Writing is a chance to sort through my thoughts and see them laying on the paper, in plain truth and clarity. Such clarity is often what I need when I’m knee deep in frustration or bitterness about a given situation. For instance, I recently reached a point in a relationship when I needed to stifle my hesitations and be assertive about my opinions and feelings. For anyone who knows me, this is the bane of my existence. However, I first wrote it all out on paper and worked through exactly what my intentions of confrontation were, and it worked wonders. I only hope that writing can provide the same benefit to not only the Kansas Odyssey team, but everyone who enjoys picking up a notebook and pen or clacking away on the keyboard.

So, to those whom I talked with about the Odyssey, I would tell them that you don’t need to be a journalism or English major to enjoy writing. I’m an architecture major, and still appreciate the power that simple words can communicate to any given number of people.

It’s a power not to be underestimated or under appreciated but, rather, embraced.