A photo gallery depicting ODYSSEY Media Group Visuals Staffer Ma’Kiyah Thrasher’s time in the program (2022-2025) is shown. Thrasher was nervous when she joined the program as a freshman, but through it, learned how to not overthink so much. “The class helped me academically and personally by building my confidence level and enhancing my skills to better my future,” Thrasher wrote. Photos from the ODYSSEY archives
Overcoming overthinking
Visuals Staffer Ma’Kiyah Thrasher reflects on her time in the ODYSSEY Media Group.
As a shy kid stepping into ODYSSEY’s Journalism I class as a freshman, I was filled with a mix of anxiety and thoughts about not succeeding in the class because I didn’t enjoy writing or talking to people. The thought of having to make new friends and interacting with others who possibly enjoyed writing more than me was daunting. I found myself wishing I could just fit into the class perfectly. I was hoping that being in the class for a week would help me enjoy writing more because of being around people who enjoy it.
My ODYSSEY friends taught me how to not get so stressed out about situations and how to work harder.
However, as the years passed, I discovered that I was overthinking everything. I finally gave the class and writing a chance. I met a lot of people that I enjoyed being around while doing so. For example, Class of 2024 alumna Aza Khan, helped me come out of my shell and pushed me to believe in myself more. My ODYSSEY friends taught me to not get so stressed out about situations and to work harder.
Journalism may not be my thing, but I enjoyed every moment in ODYSSEY and wouldn’t trade it for a thing. The class helped me academically and personally by building my confidence level and enhancing my skills to better my future. The class transformed my fears into great experiences. What once seemed like an impossible challenge turned into a rewarding opportunity for personal growth.
