It’s the beginning of the week. My weekend involved hours of work, catching up on sleep, cleaning my house, late night talks with friends, homework assignments, paying all my money for concerts, hangouts, and Pabst Blue Ribbon. I ponder what this week has in store for me. I have to gather music and practice for RUF worship, meet new people, more work, study for tests, write papers, practice for our house concert, and lose more sleep trying to get to class on time. No matter what your year is in college, you immediately have responsibilities that take up your schedule. Sound familiar? How in the world will I get all of this done so that I can write more short stories and finish John Steinbeck’s East of Eden?
There has to be a solution.
As an English major at UTC, I think the three most important things are homework, writing, and reading. Homework is my archenemy.
I hear this conversation between my friend and I:
“How are those new poems gong? Started anything new?”
“Nah, I’m behind on homework. But I have new clever ideas that I want to get back to!”
“Right, right. Keep me updated!”
This has happened too many times.
I think that the first step in conquering these tasks is to either get ahead of homework, or always stay on top of it. Ironically, homework has a mysterious force that is knocking at the door of our brains, eager to find a home to rest. Homework is the key to decreasing the study time we put into tests and papers, and it eventually allows more available time to write. If I am caught up on homework, I can write more. Simple, right?
Secondly, I think that consistent writing is essential. I know this sounds unrealistic since we do enough writing as it is, but developing your own voice is something that can’t be ignored. English majors love to read and write, no matter how much stuff they have to get done. It is what gives us encouragement in our own character and writing.
I know that some people are not confortable with sharing their writing, but this challenge has to be met if you want to further develop your voice. Please, take a class with Professor Najberg or Professor Braggs, and then you’ll be set.
Lastly, I think reading inspires better writing. This is where I might lose some of my readers, especially if you’re trying to read a novel a week in class, and on top of writing papers and finishing King Lear. I get it. I trust that the materials read in certain classes are capable of influencing better writing; however, wouldn’t it be better if we could shred through 20 pages a night in a novel? I like that thought a lot. Think about what your schedule will entail after college when there will be more tasks that need to be met, so why not take advantage of the time now?
I challenge myself and other students to live this life style. Maybe it will be too stressful or not worth it. But I know from experience, that this challenge is worth practicing and mastering. Now get a friend and start sharing your creative work.
– Adam Jones
Sequoya Review 