Journals

Why I Write

April 18, 2012   

Some students choose their courses of study because they believe they will be lucrative. Some do not choose at all; instead, they allow others—their parents, guardians and advisors—to direct their paths. Still others, aware of their abilities and their interests, make the natural choice to follow their passions. I fall into the first camp. An English and psychology double major, I certainly didn’t think my areas of concentration promised any sort of security when I declared in February. In fact, I am confident that nothing will be secure about my future. I selected these areas of study because they directly reflect two sides of my personality. Some might even say that my majors chose me.

I have always been a writer. Though my earliest pieces of prose likely lacked the depth of those I now compose, it was clear from a young age that I was meant to be an English major. Because I was a quiet kid, writing provided a way for me to communicate my ideas covertly—without sacrificing any of the confidence and persuasiveness that oral presentation asserts. I still believe that my best self comes through in my writing.

I’m also a total bookworm; I relish my alone time and get lost in storylines with ease. But reading and writing are not enough to satisfy me, at least not fully. My pychology-driven side yearns for interpersonal interaction. I love talking to people and listening to others speak on most any topic.

My English and psychology sides cooperate most harmoniously in my journalistic work. Interviewing allows me to engage with and learn about people, while composing articles from shorthand notes tests my ability to create clear and cohesive narratives. I write to marry my majors. I write to integrate my selves.