Step out of your comfort zone when put in any situation in or out of the classroom.

As communication may be very difficult for some people due to shyness or lack of confidence, this is where stepping out of your comfort zone comes into play. You must be willing to try new things, talk to new people, and be open-minded about the subject at hand. If the person you are interviewing picks up signals that you are introverted and uncomfortable, they start to get uncomfortable as well. This results in poor explanations and may not consist of the whole truth. The fact of the matter is, if you are dedicated to being a student journalist, you must express it. What better way to show it than becoming a better person and breaking boundaries? Jamie Smith, Global Chief Communications Officer from The BitFury Group said, “Life is short, run with the stuff you’re good at, drop the rest,” This quote is significant to your role because if you are good at telling a story, share it with the rest of the school, or even the world. You can step out of your comfort zone by taking time for YOU to make decisions, trusting your instinct, believing in your abilities, and taking things in small, precise steps. Take risks and interview someone you haven’t even met. Write an editorial on a controversial topic and state your argument clear and appropriately. By stretching your limits and expanding new horizons, journalism becomes more exciting and engaging to the audience as a whole. Seeking out new people, locations, ideas, perspectives, opinions, and actions is what you should be doing in the process of putting yourself in the limelight. It’s okay if it is difficult at first, as it is for most people. You are learning, just as professionals are, so do not be intimidated. Confidence is essential in this process as well because you are also learning about your skills as a student. When you are assigned a story, write about it as you are the expert. Everyone who reads it will look to you for answers, so be ready to tackle any questions with courage. After all, you are the one who has done research and talked with multiple sources. You are the writer so you make the call on what the audience is reading. The power is in your hands, so utilize your resources and use it effectively.