I have started this story three different times. Each year we get to the end of the year and I I find myself sitting at my desk top writing the same goodbye journalism story. This year feels different. I always knew there was a “next year” for me. Mrs. Basinger and I would refer to things as “next year we’ll do this” or “that’s our goal for next year” but every time we joked about something being different next year it brought up the rude awakening that there was no “next year” for me. This was my final year to make a difference in this class.

My Sophomore year I was just beginning to learn the ropes of journalism and how to write a simple story. I still remember Mrs. Knipper’s Teacher of the Month story (AKA my very first story published on our new site). The second being a story about Scooter coming to town.

Throughout these past four years there are many lessons that Journalism has taught me, and I intend to remember them every day for the rest of my life.

1.There is always a deadline. Meet it. 

• Every month there is a deadline for stories to be done, and in life there will be endless deadlines to meet. Making sure you have your work done, done well, and done before your deadline.

2. Make Goals for Yourself

• News is a team effort. It takes multiple people with all different talents to put together a News site and all of the productions we put on. I’ve always been an independent person who just wanted to do things on my own, but news has taught me how to work as a team towards a wildly important goal. We set goals for ourselves every single week, and put it on a sticky note in a place where you will see it every day. Having something to work towards, big or small, each week gives me motivation to keep going.

3. Create a routine for yourself

• As I near the end of my final year as a Tiger I realize that I have created the same routine for myself for the last 12 years, and its all going to change in a few months. I love my routine and can’t wait to make a new one. Having a routine gives you steady plan for each day and helps me outline each week.

4. There is always more to learn

• Having Mrs. Basinger as a teacher will make you quickly learn that you do not know nearly as much as you think you do. Everyone has a unique story to tell. I have been lucky enough to hear quite a few stories in this class. I encourage everyone to ask questions, get to know people, hear their story. You wont regret it.

5. Soak in all that you can and appreciate every moment

• Take in every moment like its your last.  For the last few months my motto has been “I’m graduating and will probably never see this person again” and that is how I’ve gotten myself to be less introverted. I want to take that motto and use it for the rest of my life. Life is short, and I may never know the last time I’ll get to see a friend, stop by my moms classroom for lunch, or go for an ice cream run at 9pm on a Tuesday night with my high school friends. Seize every opportunity that life throws at you because you never know when it will be your last.