I really wish I would have started journaling or better yet, blogging while I was at University. There’s so much to be gained from it from a personal, academic and career perspective. If only I had known!
Personal Perspective
From a personal perspective, I have found putting pen to paper (or keystroke to Word document) to be incredibly helpful. It’s helped me organize my thoughts in a way that simply thinking about them does not. It’s brought structure to my thinking and new insights to my challenges, concerns, and decisions.
If I could turn back time, I would blog before or while at University. The proof is in the pudding, so to speak. I read a lot of blog articles and the articles written by young bloggers are so insightful and far beyond where I was at at that age. Now, of course, that can be attributed to many things, but I can’t help but think that that is attributable at least in part to their ability to mastering communication through the written word.
Academic Perspective
I wholeheartedly know that blogging has made me a better writer. Through editors giving me tips and also just simply blogging at a steady pace, I have learned so much from them and myself about writing a top notch article. Ones that will entice my readers to want to read more. Or articles that will pull at their heartstrings and leave them wanting more.
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice it would be to write, write, write! I know that my grades in my University English classes would have been much better and come with much more ease. In addition, it would have been something that I could have shared in University and gotten additional feedback from my professors on to gain additional writing strategies and also to show that that I am serious about writing. I really think it would have given me a step above my colleagues to blog, or at least journal during University.
Career Perspective
Similar to the academic perspective, I think that journaling or blogging can really help in one’s career. Blogging causes you to look at your words carefully and ensure that they really mean what you intend them to mean. This is so important in the workplace. You never want to give a bad impression, let alone one simply through a poorly written communication.
Communication is key in the workplace. Whether written or verbal, you want to make sure that your message is clear. And blogging, for me, has done just that. It’s made my message cleaner and crisper and helped me avoid the missteps of an inadvertent message in an email.
Blogging is not be something that I bring up at work, as it does not have direct relevance to my job. However, I have seen it directly open some doors for people. Being a blogger often means that you have a great grip on creating enticing twitter messages or other social media messages. There are plenty of jobs in this area. Blogging just may be your stepping stone into one of these careers.
What Does Blogging Mean to You?
What benefits do you see from blogging? How has it helped you in your life? Have you found an academic benefit? Career benefit?
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06 April 2021
You definitely learn a lot of new skills and improve old ones as a blogger. I’d like to think I’m a better writer after so many blog posts too, haha! I started my blog as part of a university application and I definitely think it was a huge advantage.
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
That is fantastic to hear – you were smart to start so early; I wish I would have!
Blogging has been my hobby for a while and I feel it had changed a lot my everyday life
I feel it has for me too Get your Sunshine (love your name!).
I didn’t start blogging til my early 30s, but it has made me a more confident person and a better writer! Also, I’ve met so many amazing people, and gained a better understanding of my own mental illness. It’s just awesome in general!
I completely agree Jen – it’s awesome in so many ways!! Personally and professionally!
So true! Writing daily has made me a much better communicator overall. I agree with you that you learn to use your words carefully and that can definitely help in any career.
Absolutely! I know that my career (lawyer) has helped me become a better communicator while at the same time my blogging has made me a better lawyer.
I didn’t blog at university but it’s definitely taught me new skills and helped me get my current job! Lisa
That’s fabulous Lisa – As I mentioned in the article, I think that blogging has so many benefits from personal, to school, to work! Clearly that was the case for you. 🙂
I definitely wish I’d started blogging earlier, it was always in my mind as an idea, just took along time to have the confidence people would want to read what I had to say.
Same for me too Adam – it took getting sick for me to have a “reason” to blog. I started later in life but sure wish I would have started earlier know now all the benefits of it
Blogging is more my hobby, but it is my creative outlet so I definitely enjoy it!
Finding a hobby you love is priceless – I’m glad you found blogging Charity!
I’ve been blogging whilst doing my MSc, and it has made me a better writer in general, it hasn’t made my academic writing better, as I have to write in a different format and style. It anything, blogging sometimes gets in the way as I research, write, and promote my new posts. But if you’re better at time management than I am, it shouldn’t be a problem
It’s been the same for me as far as making me a better writer! I’m so glad that I started doing it!
I started blogging three years ago, just as I started University. It was the best decision I have made in my life and I cannot imagine my life without blogging. Great post!
xoxo Olivia | http://www.oliviaandbeauty.com
That is awesome Olivia – I’m glad you found blogging!!
I took Creative Writing at University and we were actually marked on journals throughout the process! So that’s kind of different from what other students experience, I guess.
That sounds like a great experience Meaghan! I hope it was enjoyable. 🙂
I wish I started blogging when I began traveling; for sure I have tons of stories published by now. I started blogging last year, when I moved to another country and with time in my hands I created a blogsite. It’s a work in process to improve my writing. As I look back to my early articles I think they need a lot of polishing. I love blogging for it challenges me plan the structure and body of a new article.
I’m so glad to hear that you love blogging Vinn and that you feel like it is improving your writing. It’s such a great hobby and profession for others!
I love your thoughts on how blogging is useful at more then a personal level at university! Since you can write about anything, it would be a big help in making points flow in a logical order or simply as a daily exercise to find your style.
Exactly Jaya!!
I started my blog after university but I think it would be great for during. You likely have more time to invest in it than you would in employment. It teaches you great skills in terms of editing, social media marketing etc. Depending on your niche it could be a great conversation starter or something to add to your CV. And it gives you a chance to make some extra money which I’m sure most students want/ need x
Sophie
Yes, yes, yes to all of that Sophie! Completely agree!