The fourth term has been and is still the most stressful period I have ever experienced in my life. This is mainly due to the exams looming. “Do I know enough?” and of course everyone’s favourite stress button. That cackling malevolent demon- the duly performed certificate or DP for short ; haunts every young students thoughts daily. Journalism and media studies 1 has been a bottomless pit when it comes to assignments and deadlines. The Blog section of the course really made me wonder why exactly am I taking JMS1? This section inspired my decision to not apply for JMS2. If this is what it’s like I do not want to continue with such and aimless endeavour. Yes, the second and third years tell that JMS1 is complete rubbish used by our crafty lecturers and course coordinators to weed out the hard working and diligent from the coasters also known as the “As long as I pass crowd”. Well I think that the department has really shot themselves in the foot. Yes, Rhodes has been known as the Mecca of Journalistic Studies for years. But the ones in power have began to believe in their own pomp. Okay enough of my ranting; time to actually appease the gods and write on my experiences in relation to Blogging.
Blogging has been a monumental headache. The entire process was painful. Having to cooperate with others over a blog was not enjoyable at all. This is because I see blogging as a tool for the individual to freely express themselves, anything goes. The entire working in groups thing was a complete nightmare. Members not showing up for meetings; the worst was when we lost one of our group members. Then of course there is the existence of a group within a group phenomenon that irks me to no end. A prime example was when my group had to create a photo comic. In the end two people did it alone. Excluding the rest, this is because they had access to a digital camera and all the accouterments that go with creating a successful blog personal computers and what not.
Blogging morphed into an iron gate that sealed me out of pursuing journalism. Yes, I know…that was the quintessential ‘oh whoa is me line’. But (cue the violins) I had only one goal and that was to learn how to be a writer. My mother raised me and my three siblings on her own. Computers and other gadgets were just things we had to do without. Though I know my way around a PC there are times when I find myself scratching my head in bewilderment. ‘Huh? Hyperlink who?’ and many more confusing terms and processes I’m not familiar with. At least I have some computer knowledge. What about the students that worked their butts off to come here to study journalism. They are here on financial aid or a scholarship/bursary. Maybe the closest they have ever come to a computer was paying for something at a supermarket till. The student soon becomes discouraged, ‘Where is the part about writing?’ he might ask. A potentially brilliant journalist, probably multi-lingual as most people from disadvantaged backgrounds are, loses faith and does poorly in the JMS1 course and does not get selected for JMS2. That is a tragic hypothetical situation.
Blogging for me is not journalism. Blogging is an interesting development yes when it comes to how people communicate with each other. What is next, Facebook assignments? Journalists are supposed to write well and report the news, not dilly-dally around writing letters to their younger selves! Blogging while and interesting format is really a pastime for most. Yes some lucky people have turned blogging into a lucrative business venture but most are destined to fade into the depths of the Internet never to receive even a single hit. The course has shown me that I was studying journalism for the wrong reasons. So on a scale of journalism has helped me towards my goal at around a 4 out of 10. The theme of surviving first year was fascinating but first years are hardly the voice of authority on how to survive first year as we are figuring it out ourselves.
Blogging has been a monumental headache. The entire process was painful. Having to cooperate with others over a blog was not enjoyable at all. This is because I see blogging as a tool for the individual to freely express themselves, anything goes. The entire working in groups thing was a complete nightmare. Members not showing up for meetings; the worst was when we lost one of our group members. Then of course there is the existence of a group within a group phenomenon that irks me to no end. A prime example was when my group had to create a photo comic. In the end two people did it alone. Excluding the rest, this is because they had access to a digital camera and all the accouterments that go with creating a successful blog personal computers and what not.
Blogging morphed into an iron gate that sealed me out of pursuing journalism. Yes, I know…that was the quintessential ‘oh whoa is me line’. But (cue the violins) I had only one goal and that was to learn how to be a writer. My mother raised me and my three siblings on her own. Computers and other gadgets were just things we had to do without. Though I know my way around a PC there are times when I find myself scratching my head in bewilderment. ‘Huh? Hyperlink who?’ and many more confusing terms and processes I’m not familiar with. At least I have some computer knowledge. What about the students that worked their butts off to come here to study journalism. They are here on financial aid or a scholarship/bursary. Maybe the closest they have ever come to a computer was paying for something at a supermarket till. The student soon becomes discouraged, ‘Where is the part about writing?’ he might ask. A potentially brilliant journalist, probably multi-lingual as most people from disadvantaged backgrounds are, loses faith and does poorly in the JMS1 course and does not get selected for JMS2. That is a tragic hypothetical situation.
Blogging for me is not journalism. Blogging is an interesting development yes when it comes to how people communicate with each other. What is next, Facebook assignments? Journalists are supposed to write well and report the news, not dilly-dally around writing letters to their younger selves! Blogging while and interesting format is really a pastime for most. Yes some lucky people have turned blogging into a lucrative business venture but most are destined to fade into the depths of the Internet never to receive even a single hit. The course has shown me that I was studying journalism for the wrong reasons. So on a scale of journalism has helped me towards my goal at around a 4 out of 10. The theme of surviving first year was fascinating but first years are hardly the voice of authority on how to survive first year as we are figuring it out ourselves.
