My time at scholars has been filled with highs and lows. At the beginning of my freshman year, everything felt dire. I was alone in my room 24/7 – save for one class – and I did not talk to anyone. At the beginning of Media Scholars, I did not interact much on Zoom. It was extremely awkward to be on a zoom call with people I did not know; everything got worse because every chance at meeting others was wrapped in the danger of Covid. People consistently got Covid on my floor, which decreased my likeliness of talking with others. Despite this, I learned to talk a lot during class time to offset the effects of loneliness. I especially appreciated the CBS Morning portion of class, because it made me feel like there was a subject that I could relate to well. I felt good talking to others about the news. However, I think over time I became more emboldened to speak my critical mind about what was going on. I cared less about what others thought about me because I realized that I would not be being true to myself otherwise. Additionally, I was greatly influenced by the panels we had during sophomore year. I saw the many ways that people were able to apply the concepts we talked about in class, whether it is through documentaries, podcasts, or journalism. The panelists we had were motivated to do what they were doing; it made me more motivated to do better with everything that I enjoy.

           

When reflecting on the words of my program – Media, Self, and Society – I think about how I was taught to think critically. Media is present every day in my life. That means books, T.V., news, and even coursework. Media is not just simply something that shapes the individual, it also is something that the viewer can shape. Throughout scholars, we were tasked with creating media ourselves. We learned about voting rights and then we had to make media that would convince others that they should vote. That assignment helped show me that we as individuals can shape media. Before that, I saw media as something that only those that had resources beyond what I have could create; now, I know that anyone can make a difference, even if it is just a minute video taken on an iPhone. Additionally, I saw the problems in society when it came to media. After watching CBS Mornings for three semesters, it is fair to say that the news can be rather deceptive with its framing. For example, this semester there was a story about the supply chain crisis. Instead of focusing on the problems consumers might run into regarding getting essential services or the safety of workers, the story was framed about how holiday shopping might be disrupted. This is just one of many instances in Media scholars that has shown me I need to take an active role in confronting the media I am confronted with every day, as well as taking a role in figuring out how such media affects society.

          

I see Media as extremely prevalent in my major field, Public Policy. News often determines how policymakers react to issues; policymaker can be driven to act or stay away when it comes to difficult issues. News shapes public opinion, and it has the amazing ability to stir up controversies when there are none (crime waves) or when there are pressing issues (strikes). Additionally, I learned more about social media’s impact. Policymakers have social media teams, but it is not because it is fun. Rather, it is because social media is a direct way constituents can connect with their representatives and senators, as well as public officials. Being in touch with your community is crucial; it determines whether you will be successful at your job or not. Your constituents have a way to publicly shame you if you mess up. Beyond any future careers, I have found that the lessons I have learned in media can easily be applied to my life. One of the most important ways is during online interaction. When discussing issues with others, it is important not to spread misinformation; being able to detect what is real and what is not online is crucial to being media literate. Media scholars made me better prepared to spot misinformation online, as well as teaching the ability to look for my own information more intensively.