I have personally decided to end my time writing for the Odyssey, but I wanted to reflect back on my brief (and rewarding) experience of being a contributor. Putting all of the frustrations aside (looking at you, MUSE), there are a lot of things I have learned about myself and the way I want to represent my voice. Enjoy.

1. The writing experience

While writing for the Odyssey is not journalism or a guaranteed road to a bestseller, there is something to be said about getting experience writing for an audience. I've learned so many valuable things about how to present my opinions in a way that is inclusive, non-confrontational, and readable.

2. The people

I really did not expect to connect as much with my writing staff as I did. There are tons of people to befriend through Odyssey, and I was really thankful to be welcomed with open arms. My editors are always so helpful and flexible, making the process a lot easier. It's also very important to learn about being a collaborative person, and communicating with my fellow writers about differing opinions was enlightening.

3. The schedule

This one goes both ways. Sometimes it can be nerve-wracking writing on a time limit. Having to think of an article topic and trying to execute it takes time. However, it really expanded my creative process. It also helped keep me consistent with writing as a practice in general, and I am grateful for that.

4. The freedom

I am lucky to be a member of a staff that is constantly encouraging me to pursue topics I feel passionate about. Whether it's really personal or just hoping to provoke a good laugh, the freedom of being able to choose what you write about makes all the difference.

5. The interactions

I've noticed that writing for Odyssey has opened up a lot of new interactions that I wouldn't have otherwise had. Seeing people share my articles or leaving a comment is an amazing feeling. It's comforting to have people that can either relate to or challenge me. This, again, is so important for my personal creative process.

6. The exposure

On a completely self-indulged note, it's pretty neat seeing something you've written on the internet for everyone to see. That's my face. These are my words. These are my thoughts. That is COOL. Even though I don't expect a novel in my near future, it feels good to have published pieces that I can put my name on.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me during my time with Odyssey. Thank you to everyone who interacted with my articles on a weekly basis.

And to MUSE: get your shit together.