OK, so you just moved to the nation’s capital. You’re in a new city, with a new transportation system, and a new workplace. You’re overwhelmed, excited, exhausted, happy, nervous, and eager to start working.
The first week you will be drinking information out of a fire hydrant. You’re learning new policies and procedures, you’re meeting with clients, and you’re wondering how to find more information about your beat. You also wish you could spend the first week doing more research and reporting, but there’s too much procedure to learn.On top of that, you might have just moved to the city, and could still be getting situated.
So, what should you do to ease the pressure off of you?
Well, first of all, it’s important to budget your time wisely. If you’re in broadcast like me, you will have seven videos and two print stories due. Also, the Watchdogs and the other elective class will add to the workload.
So what should you do?
1- Try to come up with a plan to file at least 1 story a week. Use the time allotted to you on Friday to plan and book the following week’s stories. Research takes as much planning as actually working on the story. Be realistic about the goals that you set for yourself.
2- Learn the tricks of the metro trains. If you need a cab, book one ahead of time, and have directions with you. Many DC cab drivers don’t know where they’re going.
3- Have a tough skin. The editors will be very honest with you about your stories, but hey, that’s a good thing. It’s good to make the mistakes while you’re in graduate school so that you can learn from them and move on.
4- Give and take. If you help someone shoot a story, chances are, that person will help you when you need it.
5- Go to the tutorials on Fridays, they come in handy when you’re having technical issues while on deadline.
6- You’re still a graduate student, so be serious, but don’t take yourself too seriously. Everyone is under pressure, and there is no need to be crazy competitive with your classmates. After all, these people might be the ones who hire you one day.
7- Work in the press rooms at the Capitol building. Any Medill alumni there are usually very happy to speak to you.
8- Don’t let your classmates pysch you out. There are always people who freak out too much over jobs and deadlines. Some people will make you feel like you’re behind. Don’t worry about it, just be you.
9- Do some DC exploring on the weekends. All the Smithsonian museums and attractions are free because your tax dollars paid for them. Enjoy your time.
10- Stay positive. It is stressful, but we’re all in this together.