The End of the Road Impending graduation prompts look back at college years

“$65.00,” says the woman at the university bookstore.

I was finally purchasing my graduation cap and gown. I took my bag, left the bookstore and headed home.

As I got home, I sat down to look at this curtain-looking gown, the one that would be covering my dress of choice. What caught my eye, even more than the gown, was the cap.

I picked it up and took a good look at the tassel. “Class of 2010,” it read. The only thought that cluttered my mind at that point was, “Weird. I have to be a big girl now.”

I held the cap at about an arm’s length away and slowly moved the tassel from the right side to the left while announcing in my head, “Class of 2010, you may now turn your tassels.”

Picturing that’s how it would be in less than 11 days, I began reflecting back on my college education. As I was sitting there looking at my turned tassel, I begin wondering what I had actually learned in those four years.

Even though it seemed like a whole lot of busy work to me, I knew that couldn’t be what a college education was all about. After reflecting back on the countless papers I wrote, I quickly shifted my thoughts to the experiences.

Opinion editor on the Reflector staff, balancing cheerleading, two to three part-time jobs and school and my internship with Indianapolis Woman were all part of my college experience. Yes, the education goes hand-in-hand, but college is really about shaping character and separating the determined from the lazy.

If I have learned anything from my college years, I have learned what perseverance is. If I can just push myself a little harder to make it through to the next assignment, semester, year, to graduation, I will walk away with a huge prize –– a college degree.

In the end, that simple piece if paper will distinguish me from the others, open doors and demonstrate my dedication and hard work.

I will leave you with a quote from Orison Swett Marden, an American writer associated with the New Thought Movement.

“Success is not measured by what you accomplish but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.”

Leave your comments here or on our FaceBook page.

by Crystal Abrell

My word for the day is frazzled

I always like to try to broaden my vocabulary and today I was feeling overwhelmed. So I decided to look up synonyms for this wonderful state I was in, and “tada” there it was.

Frazzled: noun, pronounced fraz-uh ld
1. the state of being frazzled or worn-out.
2. to become exhausted physically or emotionally.

This was my way of bringing a little humor to the stressful state I have been in.

School has officially begun, along with the rest of my life, and it seems as if I’m just not ready for it. It’s about that time in the semester when I have to start turning in papers, taking exams/quizzes, and anything else you could dream up.

As I was finishing up the ‘Happenings’ section for Indianapolis Woman, I realized writing upcoming events that included: who, what, when, where, why and how, was somewhat monotonous and time consuming. Although, to be clear, I am in no way complaining. I am appreciative of every opportunity that is given to me.

Recently, I’ve been working on the ‘Enhancing You’ section for the March issue. I am enjoying it; it is a lot more exciting than other things I am used to writing about. I get to talk about botox, liposuction, hair replacement, facelifts, basically all types of body contouring. I get to interview with many doctors or surgeons with an abundance of information to offer.

At first, I was somewhat uncomfortable with doing interviews over the phone, but now after doing more than enough, it is almost second nature. I am starting to learn what works, what doesn’t, the easiest way to obtain information and much more.

Recently, the hardest thing for me to has been how to write my articles as if I was speaking (i.e adapting a conversational tone). I have learned it is a much better way for the reader to connect with what they are reading. Shari, the editor-in-chief, explained it to me like this, “write as if you are talking to your best friend.” After that it made much more sense, and I feel like I am getting better.

Overall although the last week indeed has had me frazzled, not to get confused with defeated, I have learned a lot and gained many experiences I wouldn’t have had without this opportunity.

I am more than excited to see how much my writing will transform by the end of my internship. One of my favorite quotes, that keeps me going, from good ole’ Abe Lincoln, “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.” When I say this to myself repeatedly, I always find a way to push forward.

Leave your comments here or on our FaceBook page.

by Crystal Abrell

I’ve Only Just Begun, So far, so good for a new intern

Where do I even begin?

The first day I went into the office, I was not sure what to expect.

When I first got there, I sat in on a staff meeting with the editorial and production staff. It was somewhat intimidating at first, especially when the president/CEO and publisher, Mary Weiss, sat right next to me in the meeting and later asked me about my schooling and myself.

I was surprised at how down-to-earth and nice everyone was. Being the new intern and very low on the totem pole, I didn’t really expect that, but it was definitely a relief.

Editor-in-Chief Shari Finnell was very helpful. She sat down with me and helped me with my edits, which was very cool. I felt in a way I learned more with her in an hour than I had all throughout my newspaper job at my college. It is easy to see why she is such a good writer.

After I finished all of my first assignments, to be quite frank, I was surprised with how well everything turned out. I was worried they were terrible, but after Shari helped me figure out how to write my profiles, I felt pleased and reassured.

After my first day, I felt special to have a desk, e-mail, login name and password. I know it sounds kind nerdy, but it felt good to get addressed as Miss Abrell during an interview and to dress up like a big girl. It made me realize I was becoming an adult, and it was an exciting feeling.

Realizing how long my Tuesdays were going to be was somewhat hard for me. Going into the office at 10 (even though I shouldn’t complain with a late morning), then to night class, dance practice and getting home at 11 p.m. will be one of the things to which it will be hardest for me to adjust.

I’ll find a way to manage. When I’m busy, I’m more successful –– or at least I stay away from the peer pressures that come with the “college life.”

Although I worked all weekend and am not really ready for the new week to begin, I’m excited to see what the week brings –– whether it’s more assignments like before or something new and fun.

Leave your comments here or on our FaceBook page.

by Crystal Abrell

Introducing our newest internSay Hello to Crystal Abrell

Excited, overwhelmed, surprised, and eager are all words that could describe my feelings at the start of my internship. When I received my first assignment, I was surprised at the amount of work that really went into “one” assignment. I soon realized that one assignment really equaled a few assignments sorted into one category.

My first assignment was pertaining to education. I got the opportunity to create a quiz, write two profiles, gather pictures, and write an article on the status of financial aid for students in the given economy.

It was very different conducting my interviews over the phone verses in person. At my college publication doing interviews in person was required, and over the phone or via email was frowned upon. It was a lot easier to contact people over phone and email verses having to set up times to meet with them, especially with conflicting schedules. This was one aspect of the internship that felt like a breath of fresh air.

All through my college education I wrote for a newspaper. Interning and writing for a magazine is much different than I had expected. I am trying to quickly learn the style of Indianapolis Women’s Magazine, as well as how to write for a magazine publication in general.

I am quickly learning that getting things done early is important, and that modeling my study habits from college will not work for my internship. Something positive I feel I will take from my experience at the magazine is learning effective time management. Balancing my studies, part-time job, dance practice, social life, and family will be one of my biggest challenges.

When my friends asked how my internship was going, it was easy to tell I was overwhelmed and discouraged. I realized I have a lot to learn, but I am excited because I know it will make me a better writer, which intern makes me feel eager. I am very grateful for such a great opportunity that will greatly develop my writing skills.

It was hard for me to get back into the swing of things, especially still being on break, but I am excited to see what the future will bring. With graduation around the corner, my experiences at the magazine will better my chances of finding a good job quickly after I obtain my degree.

Whenever I become discouraged I like to reflect back to one of my favorite quotes my roommate introduced me to early in my college career, “No one said it would be easy, they just said it would be worth it,” and I find the strength to persevere.

Leave your comments here or on our FaceBook page.

by Crystal Abrell

Then and Now A look back at all the improvements

My internship here is almost over.

Looking back, things have changed so much. I was so nervous at the beginning. When I received my first assignment, before I was even back at school, I hadn’t researched, interviewed or written all summer. All of a sudden, I had five stories and one quiz to write. I was so worried that I would royally screw up.

I remember my first interview. Except for a couple of my young teenage years when all I did was sit and chat on the phone with my friends, I have hated talking on the phone. I don’t like that I can’t read people’s emotions on the other side of the line. I don’t know how they are reacting to what I say and if I should stop or continue talking. I can’t see their expressions and hand gestures when they are explaining a concept or telling a story. I can’t tell when they are chuckling under their breath.

Up until I started with St. Louis Woman Magazine, I had only done a handful of phone interviews. I always scheduled interviews face-to-face. So for my first one, I had so much trouble just dialing. I sat with the phone in my hand for a good 10 minutes mentally preparing.

Now it’s a different story.

Phone interviews have transformed into something so simple. Pick up the phone. Dial. Ask a couple questions. Say thank you. Hang up. Write.

This is only one little area in which I have improved. Thankfully, I didn’t royally screw up, just little screw-ups along the way. I didn’t get a photo for one of my first profiles. I kept spelling important words wrong. I didn’t pay attention to details of the magazine’s style, such as “says” versus “said.” I waited till the last minute to get some photos for the Happenings section.

The thing is, all of those mistakes have added up to lessons learned. Thank goodness for editors. I don’t know what I would have done without Rebecca. Although I’m sure my mess-ups have been frustrating, she has been patient and definitely turned my internship into a very useful and beneficial learning experience.

Leave your comments here or on our FaceBook page.

by Morgan Brown

Coming Up on the End of the Road With graduation approaching, what’s the next step?

When I received the e-mail from Rebecca back in August with my first assignment, I had no idea where I would be by now. I had no idea how my writing would be accepted, what I would take from the internship or where I would be looking to go come December.

I know this is only November, but I can’t help but look forward to December. In fact, I am encouraged to do so.

I graduate. I need to look ahead.

When I first started this internship, I had no idea where it would lead me. Would it lead me to a job? Would it lead me to continue interning till I found a place that I finally I wanted to work? I honestly had no idea. I didn’t even know if I would like the magazine industry.

Up until the end of August, I had only worked with newspapers. Granted, it was my high school newspaper, followed by my college newspaper, but that was still all I knew. By the time I got to college, I had about three days to write a story and then the next day it was published. On top of that, I liked to take the stories that involved covering an event, so I usually had enough time to cover the event followed by an hour to write. After that, I would meet my editor and edit it for a good 20 minutes … except for my one story that was on the front page, which took two editors and a lot longer.

OK, that sounds impressive the way I put it, but it’s really not that great. I didn’t manage my time very well so I didn’t write very often. Now I am writing so much. I haven’t brought my computer to class in all my first three years of college, and this year it doesn’t leave my presence. I assure you that if class gets boring and we are talking about something unnecessary, I am either writing the Happenings section, preparing an interview or researching a story. I now have written so many pieces. And I don’t always take up my class time. My time management skills have improved so much. And in the process, not only have I built my resume, but I have also made my portfolio much more impressive.

Although I am extremely nervous about where my next step will be, I know this internship has prepared me in more ways than one. I have learned that I love writing for St. Louis Woman Magazine and would love to continue in the magazine industry.
I am honestly a bit scared, but I look forward to seeing where my next step is. This semester has flown by, and December is going to come way too fast.

Leave your comments here or on our FaceBook page.

by Morgan Brown

A Good Week Productive meeting and story idea approval make for successful week

Last Tuesday, as with every week, I went to St. Louis and attended the staff meeting. This one, however, was a little bit different. Instead of checking up on the weekly occurrences or unexpected changes we normally talk about, we got to do something much more, at least in my opinion, exciting.

Not only were there bagels, fruit and cider (thank goodness I didn’t get my weekly scone at Starbucks on my way to the office), but everyone was brainstorming new ideas for the magazine.

With the new year around the corner, the editors were trying to think of creative changes to create an even more appealing magazine. With one of the larger sections disappearing along with the year 2009, we had about six or eight pages to fill and thus new sections to create. It’s amazing how much brainstorming goes into those few pages. We didn’t even fill all the pages yet. We only got almost half way there. The brainstorming continues.

Today I got my next assignment. I’m pretty excited about this one. Instead of just taking an assignment, which still ends up being fun and I always learn so much, I actually played a part in creating it. And I haven’t even started writing yet! Rebecca listened to my story ideas. I was so worried she was going to think they were either ridiculous or not creative enough, but they were good. At least that’s what I gather since all the stories I’m working on –– except for the profile –– came from my list.

With Thanksgiving coming up, it’ll be interesting to see if working on the Weight Loss section actually keeps me from eating all that apple pie, pecan pie or homebaked cookies. Doubt it.

Wishful thinking … but at least I’ll know exactly how to fix it after the fact!

Leave your comments here or on our FaceBook page.

by Morgan Brown