By Katie Tegtmeier (Contributor) – Email
Print Edition: August 21, 2012
As university students we all have a lot on our plates between class, work and actually trying to have a social life. But between the insanity of our day-to-day lives, we need to pursue a deeper meaning. From the moment you begin your post-secondary education to when you graduate years later with a degree – life goes by faster than you could guess. In the end, you’re left only with memories of the classes you attended (as often as possible), the cramming sessions for final exams (I swear I’ll get off facebook eventually), and those coveted breaks in-between semesters.
Yet there is a way to create memories that will ensure those years are not lost within the pages of a Coleridge anthology. That way is to join your university newspaper, The Cascade.
Now journalism may not be for everyone, but whether your talents lie within writing, photography or business, there is something at The Cascade for almost everyone.For me, writing and photography are two of my passions. Wanting to grow in both those areas, I began contributing to The Cascade, which allowed me to have many opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise had.
I have attended a Vancouver Canadians game, interviewed Alan Errington (UFV’s men’s soccer coach, who has an impressive coaching history), taken photographs of a century-old wagon wheel, and have gotten my face painted to be part of the Canada Day issue. All those experiences, and I have only been with The Cascade for a very short time.
Being a contributor has its perks. You can become involved and see what the paper is all about without getting too committed initially. Most clubs or associations you join require immediate commitment, and while that has its place, having the opportunity to dip your toes in the water before diving in is always a nice option.
As well, there may be some times in the school year that you are too busy to take an article, when you go on vacation, or you just feel like shutting yourself in your room for a week to beat the Ocarina of Time for the ninth time (no one can blame you). And in the case of being a contributor, you can have the freedom to be part of things when you are available, and quietly disappear when you don’t have time. It truly is the best of both worlds.
Getting more involved and becoming a staff writer—or if you are a real go-getter, an editor—is a big job. But having the experience, getting paid, and having the chance to boss people around is totally worth it. Plus, the privilege of priority registration is priceless, especially with the waitlists at UFV.
Becoming involved in a more committed sense gives you a sense of family; with all the crazy antics at the meetings you may feel like it is Thanksgiving at your aunts’ house with all your wacky family members. Okay, just kidding, it’s not that wild! There’s no turkey, people getting progressively drunker as the meeting wears on, or the unbuttoning of anyone’s pants to relax – but no promises, like I said, I haven’t been there too long as of yet.
The Cascade is a great paper, an awesome experience, and it gives you the ability to meet some amazing people. I strongly urge you to come to a meeting, maybe take an article, test the waters a bit. You might find that you want to dive right in.
