By Elizabeth Fitzpatrick
Outgoing Features Editor
I never meant to get into journalism. I applied to The Elm mostly on a whim last spring because my roommates were both studying abroad and I was looking for things to prevent myself from losing my mind alone in our suite. Now, here I am with more articles than I can count and a full year as Features Editor.
When I started, my goals were less focused on journalistic writing, and more about writing consistently and meeting deadlines in a short amount of time. I wanted to get more comfortable having other people read and give feedback on my writing, and I wanted a reason to engage with people and campus events.
Since working for The Elm, I have become more comfortable in all aspects of my writing. I have made unprecedented progress on personal projects. I have submitted—both successfully and unsuccessfully—to The Collegian and The Washington College Review. I used to have to leave the room whenever anyone read one of my academic papers, but now I am able to let my friends read my creative writing without blinking an eye.
I can confidently say I would not have done any of these things without the feedback and encouragement from The Elm.
Thank you to everyone who has written for the Features section. I appreciate your hard work and I hope you continue.
Thank you to my fellow editors for everything you have put into The Elm this year. I know that you all will do great things going forward.
Thank you to all of my friends who have tolerated me bothering them about last-minute pitch ideas, and to everyone who let me corner them at an event for an interview.
And, of course, thank you to everyone who reads The Elm, in print or online, for your support for student journalism.
Even for students who do not think they are interested in journalism, I would encourage you to consider getting involved in The Elm. Put yourself out there and you never know what might happen.
Photo Caption: Fitzpatrick covered everything from bears to campus events.
Photo by Ella Humphreys