I started writing for Odyssey because after discussing Harper Lee’s book “Go Set a Watchman” with one of my friends for the umpteenth time, she suggested, subtly and lovingly in a way that told me she didn't want to hear me talk anymore. Until then, I hadn't realized that there could be an outlet for me to say what I wanted to say.

That was almost a year ago, and, since then, my experience writing for Odyssey has been one that I am most grateful for. Although thinking of ideas for articles and managing my time to be able to articulate these ideas well were often trying on my sleep-deprived and highly caffeinated nerves, I have learned a lot from this opportunity.

I like to write, and this was something that I tried to deny for a long time. I figured that I’m not an English major, so why would I spend my time writing? Now, I am considering an English minor, and writing has become a cathartic process I very much appreciate in my life.

Because writers submit an article each week, I was forced me to write a lot and often. I most certainly would not have written as much as I have in the past year if it had not been for Odyssey. Having to think of an idea, plan time to write an article based on that idea, leave space for editing, ask for different opinions, think about what would be the best caption to interest readers in an article, etc. is a process.

Odyssey has drastically changed my perception on time management. It wasn’t always easy, but now I know just how long it takes me to sit down and complete an article, and that is a skill that is seriously benefiting me in my classes now. The content is completely different, but I am more confident with my written voice.

My first article for Odyssey was on a movie theater shooting near my hometown. At the time, I was in school a thousand miles away, and it was hard for me to not be home. I would never have written about the experience if I hadn’t had such a supportive and safe place like Odyssey to give me the opportunity to have a voice.

Odyssey has a stigma of not being a well-respected site, but I think what is important about it is that it gives students a means for expression. There aren’t many places in life in general but especially in college where a public platform is made available for freedom of ideas. I have very much enjoyed having the chance to get my words out there. Not so much so that other people can read what I’ve written, but because I realize now that I have the capacity to write something that other people will read, and that's pretty cool.