I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my life.
I’ve learned from some and forgotten about others.
And it’s taken me a while to realize that being the copy
chief this year wasn’t a mistake.
As a copy editor, I’m expected to correct other
people’s errors and not make any of my own. Yet no matter how
careful I am, I end up making mistakes too. The paper and my
initial plans are proof.
I was ready to quit the Daily Bruin last year.
Working 20 hours a week as a staff copy editor seemed pointless
to me when I had no interest in pursuing journalism as a
career.
My friends told me they hardly ever saw me and wished I had more
free time. I wanted to apply to grad school and concentrate on my
studies. I expected to leave in the middle of the year.
But I was mistaken.
I don’t know what it was ““ maybe a combination of
the people and the power ““ but I applied to be copy chief at
the end of the year and got the position.
I was happy and sad at the same time.
I went from wanting to do nothing to having to do everything. It
was an extreme jump, and I knew my life would see a big change.
I’ve wondered this whole year if I made the right choice.
My senior year has certainly been different than I’d
imagined because of The Bruin.
I’ve been on call all year to edit breaking news stories
that happen anytime from afternoon to midnight, on weekends and
holidays.
I’ve edited several football stories but haven’t
gone to a single game.
I’ve finished shifts at 2 a.m. only to get calls about
inaccurate headlines at 8 a.m.
Reflecting back on the year, though, I realize that it was
rewarding in the end.
I’ve seen my section grow more than twice its size and
stabilize. I’ve formed close friendships and worked with some
dedicated people.
I’ve still managed to hang out with my friends and go on
road trips.
And most surprisingly, I’ve decided to continue journalism
for another few months with a copy editing internship in the
summer.
If anything, The Bruin has taught me to learn from my mistakes.
I’m glad I made the right choice and stepped up this year. My
biggest challenge now will be stepping down and leaving The
Bruin.
Looking back on my four years at UCLA, I see a few things I
should’ve changed or done better.
The same goes for stories I’ve worked on at The Bruin.
But you can only do so much with the time you have, and
sometimes mistakes will get through despite your best efforts.
I couldn’t correct everything, but looking at the overall
product, I think I did a pretty good job this year with both the
paper and my life.
Liu wishes the best of luck to her Sashes and thanks the
desk for an amazing year.