As much as I enjoy writing, sharing my work with others in class has always been a daunting task. Well meaning high school classmates sometimes gloss over the challenge of critiquing, or they are quick to praise writings that even I’m finding new critiques as the words leave my lips. Yet my enduring struggle is the ability to feel comfortable enough to put myself out there as a writer because of self limitations in my confidence and freedom of expression. The Creative Immersion Institute experience this summer helped me to face these challenges and relish in the company of students where I felt familiar and at home in sharing my writings and thoughts.
My favorite experience in the program, and the aspect that leaves me feeling the most prepared for college, was engaging and reflecting with classmates to help improve each other's work. I felt that I was among peers who cared equally about helping each other develop our writing projects. The class time discussions were among the most meaningful I have ever experienced. Not only did I feel like the quality of my writing improved, but I appreciated the responsibility to help others in their quest to perfect the ideas in their writings. The first assignment we shared was difficult because of my own nervousness about this process and only having high school classroom experience from which to compare. However, that day had a natural ease, and we created a safe environment where we all felt comfortable being vulnerable and sharing ideas. The thoughtful and in-depth discussion that each student received was unlike anything I had experienced in school, and it was clear that all of us were very passionate about our writings. It was then that I began to realize how this class was going to levitate my experience as a writer and a student. I learned as much from listening to the critiques of other students’ work as I did from my own.
Over the two weeks we developed a close community, and I felt like I really got to know my peers even though we never were able to meet in person. I had an amazing time getting to share work and learn from other kids my age who share some of the same interests as me. I can only hope that this class is a small reflection of the amazing opportunities that lie ahead in college.
This essay is one of the winning submissions from our 2021 Student Reflection Essay contest.
