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Health and Wellness

Why I Took A Month Break From Odyssey

I needed time to think, and here are my findings

Jazlyn Rust

Jan 21, 2018

Huntington University

457

Ashley Preston

Hello everyone. If you are familiar with my work you may have noticed that I haven't written for a bit, and I have a good reason for this hiatic. I have been struggling with writing. I have been wondering if I am writing for me, or just for the views and when it gets to this point, I had to take a step back. Here is what I learned from my time off:

1. Writing is a talent and a passion, not just a job opportunity

I started writing when I was in middle school. Starting with short stories and then moving to poems and research papers, and now writing for Odyssey. I have always been told that my writings were good and that I should start putting them out there for people to read. When I became a freshman in college, little did I know that I would join this fantastic social media platform. But lately, it has become a job that I don't get paid for and that I work so hard for. So during my time, I learned that I have to write FOR ME! Yes, page views are great, but I have to know that at the end of the day, I am a writer in my own life and this is a hobby.

2. I don't have to have a viral story, those who care will read

I have been so worried about having a great story that brings all of these views and attention to a particular issue but I learned that I don't always have to be the hero. My story or article will not always be the number one article and I probably won't solve any big life problem with my words but I can bring attention to those who read. I have friends and family that read my articles every week and that core support is so important as a student writer. I had some come to me and ask why I stopped writing and that said that I had viewers, maybe not a whole nation, but enough to make me happy.

3. If you need a break, take one

Since I started this platform, it has been a LONG TIME since I have taken a break from writing just because I needed one. In fact, I am not sure I have ever taken one. So as I took this time to breathe and regroup so that I could bring great content to those who read, I realized that I was getting burnt out. I thought this would just be a semester thing and now this March will be three years I have been writing, and June will be two years I have Editor. I have seen great success and horrid failure but never did I give up and this break was NOT me giving up. When you love something, you may need to take a moment and regroup but it is not quitting by any means.

Sorry, this article is a bit formal, I just wanted to address the questions and concerns. I love you all and be ready for amazing work in 2018.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Why I Took A Month Break From Odyssey

I needed time to think, and here are my findings

Subscribe to our Newsletter

No one best represents the struggle like our favorite 90s squad.

1. When course schedules are released and you have a conflict between two required classes.

2. When there is only one section of a popular course.

3. Receiving the 18,000 emails reminding you to register ASAP.

4. When you need to see an advisor, but they are too busy/unresponsive.

5. Trying not to dress like a bum for your appointments with your advisors/department heads.

6. When you have a perfectly planned out schedule, and one class ruins it.

7. Carefully moving things around to accommodate a different class/section.

8. Waking up at 6:00 a.m. for your enrollment time.

9. Concocting a new schedule at your enrollment time after your original plan gets changed.

10. Getting into a class and filling the last available seat.

11. When all of your classes finally go through.

12. Realizing that you forgot a class that was a pre-requisite for everything else.

When your capability of "adulting" is put to the test

Nobody deserves to be living in poverty.

"Nobody living in one of the most influential nations in the world should be worried about making ends meet."

What is the current minimum wage at the federal level?

What are the benefits of raising the minimum wage?

What are the states that have set a $15/hour minimum wage?

Told through Parks & Recreation GIFs

Because who understands your bitterness better than April?

1. When you have to provide an "interesting fact" for your first day ice-breaker.

2. When your professor is babbling on and on in his lecture.

3. When you edit your friend's paper and they get an A.

4. When it's 2 AM and you remember you have a test tomorrow.

5. When you finish taking the test and you're pretty sure you failed...

6. ...but then you get the test back and somehow passed.

7. When you've been up for 12 hours straight writing a paper.

8. And then you manage to stay awake in class the next day.

9. When you have to butter up your professor for an extra credit opportunity.

10. When you're assigned a group project.

11. And your group-mates are trying to chat about life instead of the assignment.

12. When it's your last class of the day and you're about to go home.

13. But then you remember rent is due tonight and the anger comes back.

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