First term reflections...

On the eve of my last day of my first term of CreComm (wow, that was not an economical use of words!), I have made the conscious decision to put off studying and reflect upon all of the things I have learned this semester.

I was talking to some fellow CreComms on the bus on the way home today, and we decided that, even though it seemed to drag at times, this term flew by. We also concluded that we did a lot of very different, but complementary assignments. A lot. But I learned something new and important from each one!

For example:
Blue Bomber game: You cannot be afraid to talk to strangers!
Biography: Less is more. Only use relevant details and pare down sentences to the basics.
Brochure: I am terrible at layout and design things. I know it looks bad, but I don't know how to fix it!
Remembrance Day: Even when your arrangements fall through, persevere. You can't not hand something in!
Personal essay: Can get very personal! Writing can affect you more than you would think.
Streeter: I don't always crumble under pressure!
Live hit derby: Practice speaking in front of a mirror!
Advertising: You cannot be creative on the spot. The best ideas come from reflection.

Our bus conversation was followed by some reflective silence. I began thinking back to where I started at the beginning of the term and where I am now. It's really amazing how far I have come in three months and ten days.

I think that is a real testament to the program and to our instructors, who work very hard to teach us what they think we need to know. The more I think about it, the more I appreciate them and the work they do, both individually and as a collective, to teach us skills that cross the four disciplines and make us better communicators.

Another thing I have really appreciate is the guest speakers we get to see every week. It's interesting to hear from someone who is out in the "real world", doing what we all aspire to do.

My favourite guest speaker of the semester was Dawna Friesen, a foreign correspondent for NBC news, and a former CreComm student. As I aspire to do what she does, I was thrilled to hear her speak and see her receive her Distinguished Alumni Award at the 2009 alumni dinner.

She speaks with such composure, never stumbles her words, and provides real insight into the often harsh realities the subjects of her stories are subjected to.

I will leave you with her words of advice for us CreComms, and the video played at the alumni dinner, which I thought was very inspiring.

- Start small and work your way up.
- Be diligent in your work. Check your facts and double source.
- Find a mentor. Ask them for help.
- Find out more than you need to know. Get as many sources as you can. You will tell a better story.
- In interviews, listen more than you talk. Don't interrupt. Let people finish their thoughts. Let time fill the space.
- Trust your instincts.
- Don't do everything that you're told. If you are uncomfortable, say so and why.
- Don't feel you have to do things that will compromise your integrity.
- Don't take yourself too seriously.
- Accept failure and move on - don't get discouraged.
- Setting goals is important. It doesn't always work, but give it a shot.
- Make every story count.
- You're only as good as your last story.
- The more interested you are, the better your work will be.

Distinguished Alumni Award 2009 - Dawna Friesen from Red River College on Vimeo.

Happy holidays!