By Spencer Hirsch |Coyote Contributor|
It was intimidating transferring from a community college to a four year university but I have learned so many valuable things, both in the classroom, as well as about myself.
When I first stepped onto this huge campus, I had some doubts. Would I be able to cut it at the university level? Would I be able to achieve the same kind of academic success I achieved at Chaffey? Would I be taken seriously by my professors? Would I prove to my professors that I had the ability to write sound, concise and thorough essays?
After completing my first quarter here in Fall 2011, I soon learned that the answer to all of these questions was yes. I had no reason to doubt in the first place.
The formula for success did not change. The only things that did change were the amount of parking spots and the seeming size of a few of the classrooms.
Success is measured by effort, which is something that I have always shown, as I have always given maximum effort in all of my classes throughout my academic career.
What stuck out most to me upon reaching the end of my college career is that I have what it takes to be successful in the real world.
What I have learned most about myself from an educational and career standpoint is that my passion and talent is in writing. I have a God-given gift to write.
I like to write essays, but I love to write about sports.
My favorite learning experience here at CSUSB was covering sports events and writing on those events for the Coyote Chronicle.
I proved to myself that I have what it takes to become a full-time sports journalist.
I am able to conduct good interviews, and get good quotes from the players and head coaches of the respective Coyote athletic sports team that I covered. I am able to write a story that sports enthusiasts want to read, as I know how to incorporate the quotes I got from the players and head coach in a way that keeps the readers engaged and eager to read on.
I also loved getting the opportunity to intern as the Assistant Sports Editor for the Coyote Chronicle during the Spring 2012 Quarter.
This university helped me to grow into the writer I need to be in order to flourish as a sports journalist in the real world.
I am forever grateful to Professor Jim Smart and this university for helping me grow in this area.
While my journey is now complete at CSUSB, I know that there is so much I will take from this university and use in order to flourish in the real world. I also know that there is still plenty for me to learn.
This university has shown me that no matter what you have accomplished and done in your life, learning never stops. You can learn something new every single day.
I began my college career as an 18-year-old teenager, and I am graduating as a 23-year-old man.