When most people think of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, they might picture prestigious awards or number one rankings in publications and websites. Us journalism students, on the other hand, may imagine some less desirable images.

Being in the J-School seemed almost like a fantasy for some of us, an idea we could chase but never actually obtain. Then one day, as naive and ambitious freshman we were here. Our chance to turn our dreams into realities had finally arrived the day we walked into the number one journalism school in the country. But, as we were about to learn, that chance came with a price.

From the deadlines and the word counts to the "Hi my name is ___ and I'm a journalism student at the University of Missouri" greetings while desperately trying to find sources, everything about the J-School began to slowly take its toll. A typical day in the life of a Mizzou journalism student may go something like this:

8 a.m.- Stumble into your lecture that you somehow woke up for. Awkwardly maneuver around six people and take your place at the seat your friend saved you. Like all others, this class is laptop-friendly so you can ease into the first 50 minutes or so by checking Facebook.

9:15 a.m. – Pound some coffee at RJI, aka your new home, to really get the day started. While you're there maybe start looking at that group project that your group leader won't leave you alone about.

10 a.m. – Go to your multimedia lab to learn that there's a multi-platform story due at the end of class. Proceed to head downtown on a mission to rake up some sources for your story. Throw the quotes onto your iPhone, add some words of your own, and send it to your TA.

12 p.m. – Cut through the quad to go eat lunch at the house. It may be virtually your only break of the day but, hey, at least the columns look nice today.

1:00 p.m. – Call that source who refuses to acknowledge any of the bountiful emails and messages you've left him. Pound your head in disgust after he doesn't answer once again.

2:00 p.m. – Return to RJI to catch up on some blog posts you've long forgotten about.

3:00 p.m. – Trek through the underground tunnel to meet with your advisor. He's telling you that you in fact haven't failed out of school and you can start thinking about which emphasis area you want to pursue.

4:00 p.m. – Possibly the roughest part of your day, news writing lab. After 45 minutes of confusion your TA has just told you that there's a 450-word story AP Style assignment due at 5:15.

5:30 p.m. – Hit Chipotle across the street before your meeting with your group.

6 p.m. – Meet with your group at RJI to go over your final project. Your group leader is dominating the conversation, and maybe she won't say anything about you not having any quotes or legitimate information from your source.

8:30 p.m. – Head to Ellis to study for those other classes you forgot existed.

Being the number one in journalism, like anything else, definitely does not come easily. The rigorous expectations are what we despise the most about the journalism school... and what we love most.

"I love how we do things hands on," Patrick McGovern (Broadcast, Kappa Sigma) said. "I know that we will come out of college knowing how to do way more things in the field rather than some universities because they don't have that privilege." 

Journalism students at Mizzou all share in the daily grind of classwork, and one day maybe something more.

"It's cool that our classmates and peers are going to be the next face of ESPN, Fox News and other big time organizations.," Hannah Landolt (Strategic Communication, Alpha Phi) said. "Yes, we build connections with older alumni, but we're also building connections with our classmates. The person sitting next to you in your 9 a.m. lab might be the account executive of a huge advertising agency some day and will help you get a job in the future."

"I love that the J-School gives you drive. Between the projects, tests and group work that take everything out of you and asks for the smallest bit of detail to get an A, the J-School pushes you to be perfect," Erika Hammerschmidt (Strategic Communication, Alpha Delta Pi) said. "Not everyone had what it takes to be in the #1 journalism school in the world; you have to want it."