Final: All I Really Need to Know I Learned in JRN 215

The title of my blog is my own stylistic interpretation of the book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by David Caldwell. Ok, so I just changed the last part, not much creativity involved right? But there's truth to the title. Here are some things I learned in my Journalism 215: Newspaper Production class that could be applied to pretty much any aspect in life.

1. Deadlines are important: I already came to this class with an understanding of newspaper production. I went to Poly High School and was on the newspaper for two years. However we only had one issue per month. JRN 215 taught me that deadlines are vital for collaborative works. I had to have my articles turned in on time so the section editors can edit them, so the copy editors can edit them, and (finally) so the managing editor and EIC can edit them. There's this entire line of people depending on me to turn something in. This reminds me of all the other deadlines in my life. I cannot miss the FAFSA deadline under any circumstance because then I (or any other student for that matter) will not be offered federal aid. Bills are other deadlines people have to meet. You have to pay your bills on a specific date or you get penalized and have to pay a late fee! Ew!

2. Be a good team player: Working on a newspaper means working with other people. I learned that I need to be considerate of others. The first reason for this is because we depend on each other through deadlines. Not only that but we need to respect each other, something The Banner staff does well. Prof. Pearson is writing her disstertation on collaborative work in journalism classes. This is a vital concept. And I myself personally experienced this when I got sick the last week of October. I was assigned to do an article on Homecoming. I conducted the interview with Wanda Price and was ready to construct my article. But with a 102 degree fever and a viral infection (explained as "the chicken pox's cousin" by the doc) my article wasn't going anywhere. So I emailed Prof Pearson, Jill and Amanda and quickly Serena was working on it. This collaboration had a great final result too! This also applies to any one who has a job. Not getting along with people who you work with creates a bad situation. I pray to God that it never happens to me.

3. Practice makes Perfect: The first article I wrote for The Banner was on Fall TV Show Premieres. When I finished this article I thought it was so good. But now that I re-read it I see that I could improve in a couple places. And with every other article I wrote I began making adjustments. Now as the semester comes to an end, I think I've learned a lot of AP stylebook stuff (from quizzes in JRN 215 and 170) and also on how to structure my articles. Interviews were also difficult for me to do. I'm usually quiet and well stuck inside my shell, true to my crustation birthday (Cancer is my zodiac sign). So my first interview was a little rocky. I've myself noticed that I still get nervous before interviews, but not as much as before. I've grown a little confident. All of this practicing will help me so much for my career. But the habit of practicing has also helped me in other areas of my life, like cooking. Well I bake more than cook, but it involves the same steps. I used to burn pancakes, but now they come out the perfect golden brown shade thanks to my "internal timer." Practing also makes perfect when playing Guitar Hero. I've been playing F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X. on medium and I can pass with a mediocre score. But if I keep practicing (of course after my hw) I can get a higher score.


These are just a few of the lessons I learned while during my semester. I'm sure I'll learn more next semester.