Honestly, when I look back at this semester, I can actually see how much I have grown as a write; even if I did not notice it while it was happening. At the beginning, I kind of just wrote the way I always do; straight-to-the-point, emotional when I need to be, and in my own voice. But throughout this class, I have learned how to adjust that without losing who I am in my writing. I don’t feel like I have to sound “perfect” or “dumb it down” just to get it right.

My confidence definitely grew too. I used to second-guess myself a lot, especially with academic writing, because it always felt like there were so many things I could mess up. But now I feel like I understand the structure behind different types of writing. I know what teachers actually want, and I know how to make my writing fit their expectations while still keeping it me. That took so much stress off of myself..

The biggest thing I learned is that different disciplines write in completely different ways. Psychology writing isn’t the same as English writing, and English writing isn’t the same as science writing. Once I realized that, everything felt way more easier. Instead of trying to fit everything into one style, I learned how to switch my tone, structure, and references depending on what I am doing.

I know these skills are going to help me as I move deeper into my psych major. I want to help people, and writing clearly and intentionally is something I am always going to need. This class actually made me feel more prepared for that. Overall, I am proud of how far I have come, and I feel more grounded in my own voice than I did at the start of the semester.

Angel.