Creative Writing in College

Hello, Readers!

As you may know, this aspiring author has taken her writing life to college, where it is no longer just a passion but a course and a major. I'd never before been in a classroom setting where it was a part of the curriculum to explore your big ideas and bring them to life. Being around people who have dreams to publish books and be in the writing industry is inspiring and exhilarating, and nothing has been cooler than making friends you can have writing sessions with and send author memes to.

For those of you interested in majoring or minoring or (emphasis-ing, if you will in college), I figured I'd share a few things about the shift that occurs when you begin studying creative writing.

• You are learning not just from teachers who got their degrees in English and writing essays, but from publishing works of their own. One of my favorite teachers of my favorite classes last year was one who started as a journalist and transitioned to publishing a series of crime novels. Hearing advice from him about planning, structuring, and making time for your work in your everyday life felt like it carried more weight. 
• You have an opportunity to be excited about your homework. When I catch up with my family and tell them about my what's going in my classes, I never give the "same old, same old" answer. Taking on a hard course load and challenging assignments adds extra motivation when you know you're getting better at the thing you actually want to make your career. It was encouraging for me to feel like I was actually making a difference in my skills as a writer and not just analyzing hundred year old novels (although you will do that– and not all of them are all bad, I promise). 
• Having writer's block isn't just an inconvenience for your own time; now having trouble getting inspired for that short story you have due tomorrow puts a deadline on your creativity. I have done my fair share of frantic late night edits to make my work as good as it can be before I have to hand it in. It is a different and perhaps less leisurely side of writing, but definitely a nice little introduction to what it's like to have publishing deadlines. 
• It is a perfect time to rearrange schedule for writing time. The era of getting caught up in impressing colleges and packing schedules to the brim is over! Where you used to wish on shooting stars for a lazy morning writing session, you now have the opportunity to fulfill your own dreams. Carve out intentional time to work on your projects and hone your craft. Though you will learn a lot in class, you can't rely on school hours to reach your goals and become the writer you want to be. Your schedule is a clean slate– make the most of it! 

If you are a young writer considering going to college to follow your dreams, I cannot recommend it enough. Find a school with a program that will allow you to thrive as a writer and encourage your growth. You can do it!