Personal Journals.

I was surprised when Dr. Peckham explained to us that we would be writing in personal journals at the beginning of each class. I simply couldn't understand how they would contribute to the class. However, I began to realize just how much our class valued personal experiences. 

Our class discussions were nothing without our personal experiences and we did not grow as writers if we did not put ourselves into our work.

I'd like to share with you a few excerpts from my personal journal that I wrote at the beginning of each class. I think you can see how I began transitions from a scared, cautious writer into a (little bit) more confident and comfortable writer.

This is an excerpt from the very first day of class:
"It's been a long time since I have tried to make sense of my inner monologue through writing. I guess that no matter how much progress I think I've made- my life is still very much affected by my fear that I am not good enough. It disappoints me that when given a chance to express my thoughts in a journal, my words are still tinged with the darkness that is depression. Around me, I hear the click clicking of my fellow students typing away and I must admit that I am intimidated. I feel like an imposter. I do not feel like a writer. I have been much more comfortable in my other labels- reader, student, friend, fiancee...

I hope that this class begins a new chapter in my path as a writer. I hope this class begins a new chapter in my life as a writer."

This is at the halfway point of class. I began experimenting with formats:

"Continuing my focus on Samantha's idea of "micro poems."

#4

I think

that schools always forget 

to teach students

not to be presumptuous douchebags.

Every time a student writes "______ is a thing everyone experiences..."

I want to punch them in the mouth.

#5

Finding kindred spirits

at coffee shops

and then planning a get together

to The Vagina Monologues...

I am the epitome of a liberal college student,

and I'm not even all that liberal. 

#7

I don't want to talk about my fears

to a room full of strangers

but I want to talk about a room full of strangers

to my fears."

Eventually, I began writing in my own physical journal. This was a big step for me, as I had given up writing with a pen on paper for personal enjoyment a few years ago. The personal journal time given to me in this class made me feel more comfortable writing, and allowed myself to take a moment and meditate on life before our class dove into the hardcore meta-conversations about writing, life, and pedagogy.