MOST students rush to class when the bell rings. Campus journalists, on the other hand, rush to cover stories, events and interviews — sometimes at the cost of missing lessons, deadlines, or even sleep. This isn’t a complaint. It’s reality.
Juggling journalism duties and academic performance is no easy task. Event coverage often overlaps with class hours. While others are solving math problems or reading chapters, some student reporters are running across the campus — notebook in one hand, camera in the other. By the time they return to class, the lesson is halfway done. The struggle continues after school — catching up on missed topics while racing to meet article deadlines.
The pressure doesn’t stop there. Layout teams work late into the night. Editors revise multiple drafts. Writers chase quotes from sources who reply hours — sometimes days — later. All this while keeping up with quizzes, assignments and group projects in other subjects.
Many think journalism work is just “writing articles.” Few understand the mental load it carries. There’s always a story to finish, a page to revise, a deadline to meet. The demands are constant. The sacrifices, often unnoticed.
Still, the drive to continue remains. There’s pride in seeing a published issue, in telling stories that matter, in giving voice to the unheard. It’s not about fame or recognition. It’s about purpose. It’s about learning responsibility, time management, leadership and communication — lessons that go far beyond the classroom.
There are bright sides, too. Journalism opens doors: competitions, connections, opportunities, growth. It builds confidence, sharpens skills and reveals the power of truth. It challenges students not just to report on the world, but also to understand it.
Struggles — skipped classes, sleepless nights, burnout — will always be part of the process. But at the end of the day, it’s worth it. The work may go unnoticed by many, but it is never meaningless.