Sitting in Tyler 102, I eagerly waited for Intro to Professional Writing, my first Professional Writing and Information Design (PWID) class, to begin. Students filed in, some greeting the professor, and took their seats at the rows of tables facing the projector. Excitement cascaded through me. This is it; I’m finally here!

After trying out two different majors, my four-year plan was a mess. At this point, no one looking at my schedule could tell what I wanted to do with my future—and neither could I. My dream of one day looking forward to the “big kid” world of a stable job seemed to slip away into hoping I could make it to graduation changing my major less than ten times.

As I prepare to submit the first draft of my portfolio, I can’t help but take a look at what I’ve become. Before coming to Cedarville, I was a nervous wreck: I couldn’t handle the responsibility of becoming a full-grown adult. I’m doing all sorts of things that I had never pictured myself doing.

Many people have a hard time deciding what they want to major in. When I applied to Cedarville University, my problem was deciding what I didn’t want to do with my life.  Throughout my nineteen years, I have had a wide array of passions and dreams for my future. From a young age, I have had a proclivity toward writing, journaling, and creativity.

I have shed my share of tears over the grueling writing process. I have heard enough “this paper is vague,” “you have too many commas,” and “you’re not supporting your thesis.” No, I am past all that now. I got a 36 on the English section of the ACT and am ready for college. I take my first class, composition, and end it with an A. Finally, I can conclude: I am a good writer.

“It’s really important that you contribute to class discussions every class. ”Did I hear the professor right? It was my first professional writing class—Introduction to Professional Writing—and the professor was explaining that participating in class discussions was vital to achieving a good grade in this course.