If you’re thinking of applying to do journalism at university, you might be wondering, what kind of life am I getting into? Whether you’re interested in print news, podcasts, presenting, blogging, or if you haven’t quite figured it out, the world of journalist writing is endless. To show you what that world is like, here is what a day of journalism is like for me and the ways I stay on top of my work!
The reality of news
As a Nottingham Trent Journalist student in the city, stories are EVERYWHERE. From exploring the endless number of quirky cafes, to watching the rugby society’s bizarre costumes on ‘Ocean Wednesday’, there is always something to broadcast here.
I am in my second year of university and have had some amazing opportunities, such as working with the Nottingham Panthers media team, getting interviews with local artists and working closely with projects I’m passionate about.
It is so important to have different passions too, something to strive towards and keep you invested in the course. For example, I regularly keep up to date with favourite podcasts and blogs about food and travel because aside from the general entertainment I get, it’s an inspirational tool for when you build your own digital footprint.
A typical day in my life studying journalism
In my everyday life, it can get busy quickly.
I’ll grab my coffee and lunch as quickly as possible because knowing me, I’m probably late for the bus and need to leg it. My friends and I start our week off with the lecture ‘Ethics and Representations in the media’ where our lecturer always brings the mood up and keeps us engaged with his favourite songs and interesting stories – no matter the time or day.
Swiftly after is shorthand (my favourite class), where we learn the fastest and most efficient ways of recording information down for our future interviews and reports. Although learning an entire new way of writing seems tricky, you’ll soon realise that it is a great alternative to having awkward pauses with your interviewee while you try to write things down and be ready for the ethical altercations where filming and audio recording may not be permitted.
For shorter days like this, I’d usually spend a couple of hours in our Boots Library, planning stories or reading the latest news from my favourite news sites.
Whatever university you go to, the library is the best way to lock into your academic side as you’re constantly surrounded by other students trying to knuckle down for the term. And when I have practical assignments due in, trust me when I say get yourself outside into the busy streets to find the stories needed.
Your laptop won’t always be able to show you the full grasp of what’s going on in the world or locally. See the issues you want to talk about in your work head on, in the flesh – BE YOUR OWN SOURCE!
If financially stable that day, I’d take myself to a café and get a sweet treat and coffee because where would we be without self-love?
Because on a serious note, university isn’t all about ‘getting your head down’ and studying day and night, you have hundreds of opportunities to be social (and not social, if that’s your vibe) with friends and societies that you’ll find along the way.
An example of this is me…funny that…Even though I am in the second term of second year, I only just found societies that fit my passion and extracurricular activities that give me a well-earned break from university work. This year I joined NTU’s Feminist society which explores topics of equality and social justice in fun and creative ways, giving me an opportunity to stay educated but rested, even when not in class.
Find out more about the different societies at Nottingham Trent here.
If you want a more course-focused society, most universities thrive off student writing and reporting talents to promote their niche group – as they say, any publicity is good publicity! At Nottingham Trent, the university magazine ‘Platform’ and radio station ‘Fly Live’ always look for new members to write and present news. What’s also great about joining societies is the socials! If you are a Nottingham girlie like me, then you’ll probably know about all of the different nights out there: Unit 13, Stealth, Bodega, Ocean, Rock city and so many more.
Even if Nottingham isn’t the university for you, wherever you choose, you’ll still have countless amazing nights out to look forward to. In other words, your nights will never be boring (just pray you’ll get up in time for that morning lecture)!
Why I chose the course
The thing I love most about Journalism is you can find news and creativity in anything. That’s why I am constantly taking photos, saving things to my collection on social media and writing in my notes. And if you’re like me, of course I’ll be chatting about it on my private story later on (the girls that get it, get it)…
I have accounts on my social media dedicated to my journalist studies and creating a digital footprint. This means I can focus and practise reporting and writing, but in an exciting and more personalised way.
The course is also very practical so be ready to put yourself out there. In first year, we would regularly be placed in the city and expected to just talk to anybody and everybody. Talk and talk and talk to complete strangers, and surprisingly, you’ll quickly realise its not as daunting as it sounds. My friends and I began to just say “the worst thing they can say is no” – and although frustrating, it only made us want to speak to more and more people. We’d ask people about current affairs, opinions on dilemmas, and get to know new faces and thoughts.
I can’t wait for more opportunities to arrive and for my experiences to grow in journalism, and if you’ve chosen journalism, hopefully you feel the same way.
