Major Reflection
Being part of InFocus has really helped me grow both as a journalist and as a person as I start this new semester. Working in a student-led environment taught me a lot about responsibility, independence, and how important it is to manage my time. Unlike some other classes, InFocus depends on students to stay motivated and get things done without teachers always reminding us. This pushed me to take more ownership of my work and understand that my choices affect the whole team, not just me.
When I first started, one of my biggest challenges was procrastination. I sometimes waited too long to start writing scripts, editing, or planning out my packages. This caused a lot of stress and made it harder to do my best work. Over time, I realized that waiting until the last minute did not just affect my own grade, but it also slowed down group projects and our production schedules. To fix this, I worked on getting more organized by planning ahead, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and setting my own deadlines. As time went on, I got much better at managing my time and turning in work more consistently. This improvement helped me feel more confident and a lot less overwhelmed.
Working in a student-led newsroom also helped me improve my communication and teamwork skills. I learned how to work with other reporters, editors, and videographers to make strong broadcast packages. Whether I was filming, writing, or editing, I had to stay in contact with everyone and be open to feedback. I learned that constructive criticism is not meant to be mean, but instead helps make the final video look a lot better. These experiences showed me how important teamwork is in journalism and in the real world.
Another area where I saw a lot of growth was with my editing and technical skills. I became way more comfortable using the cameras, audio equipment, and Adobe editing software. At first, editing felt really tough and took a long time, but with practice, I got better at ordering clips, adjusting audio, and making smoother packages. Learning how to use professional equipment helped me see how much work actually goes into producing broadcast journalism. These technical skills are something I am super proud of and want to keep working on.
Through reporting on topics like school policies, sports recruitment, and student concerns, I learned how journalism plays a huge role in informing our school. I became more aware of how journalists have to be accurate, fair, and responsible when sharing information. Interviewing different people helped me see issues from multiple sides and taught me how important it is to just listen. These reporting experiences helped me grow more confident and thoughtful in how I look at stories.
Overall, InFocus has taught me lessons that go way beyond journalism. Learning how to stay organized, work through challenges, and fix my mistakes are things that will help me later in life. I know that future problems, whether in school or work, will require patience and responsibility. Reviewing everything I have done so far helped prepare me to handle those challenges much better. Being part of InFocus has been a big step in my growth, and I look forward to continuing to build on these skills and habits this semester.