Hello, 2022, and hello spring semester!!!

If you’re a first-year college student like me, the past couple of weeks have been spent seeing family, catching up with hometown friends, and finally winding down from a very hectic first semester away from home. And if you’re also like me, you’re currently diving into a brand-new schedule, running to a multitude of foreign buildings, and cramming as much work as you can before the clock strikes 11:59. Overall, just trying to get a sense of some time management.

For me, time management last semester was one of my greatest strengths coming into college and actually played a major role in balancing the topic of this post. I was fortunate enough very early on in the fall semester to be the Editor in Chief of Ink Lit magazine; a magazine run by first-year students for first-year students who had no experience in the publishing industry and funded by the Magid Center on campus. Not only was this daunting because I’d never dipped my toes in the industry before, but after I got the job, I suddenly had a team of 10-15 individuals who were looking up to me as the chief of staff. People, who were looking at me to answer all their questions. I know, terrifying.

I will admit, it took some time to find my footing. This included missed meetings, scrambling to find emails, and plenty of uncertainty, which all led to this sense of dread that I was not appearing as the leader I wanted to be. Luckily, though, I was gifted with two fantastic publishers and a team of nervous, but equally as excited, first-years who were passionate about all things creative. I’m proud to say that their faith and willingness to help made being the Editor in Chief less of a “job” or a “club position” and more of a passion. It made the experience incredibly worthwhile.

As time went on, I learned so much about the publishing industry. I learned how to sift through slush piles, how to order a magazine, and how to proofread (I’ll admit, this was my least favorite part). And then, when the magazine was curated and finally printed, I learned how to party plan, how to script, and how to write the annual Editor in Chief letter. Yes, also very daunting, but also very rewarding.

Overall, having the chance to work on a magazine was one of the best experiences of my first semester. It allowed me to learn a variety of new skills, take on a position I’d never dreamed of getting, and be the figurehead for a magazine that is the only one on campus that trains first-years in a career they may go into for the rest of their lives. I loved the experience so much that I just submitted my application for the spring semester in hopes of getting the chance to work on the magazine again and the team which made it entirely possible.

If you’d like to read the latest issue of Ink Lit magazine or submit work for the spring edition, follow us on Instagram (@inklitmagazine) and click the linktree in the bio.

Happy reading everyone!