Comment Corner: The lessons of student journalism
Though The Boar is becoming a big name in the world of UK student journalism, recently winning an overwhelming number of awards at the Midlands’ SPA Regionals and a nomination for Best Publication at the upcoming Nationals, many of us fell into this newspaper rather unexpectedly. My first experience with the paper was asking, “what kind of a name is The Boar anyway?”, before finding out it was the result of an evening of drinking beer and searching for the perfect pun by its founding members. Having picked up a copy in the Faculty of Arts Building, I quickly became aware of the huge number of contributors and exec members and thought, hey, I could do that.
I had no idea how easy it was to get involved, but mustering the courage to step forward and claim an article pitch is all it takes. Initially, I had no sense of whether my words were of any merit at all, but slowly and steadily, my confidence grew. And from there, many opportunities arose that I never would have expected. After publishing just a couple of articles in the spring of last year, I somehow landed myself an internship with a local arts and culture magazine back home, suddenly, I was plunged into a world of stories and scoops that I have since not wanted to leave. Upon returning to university in September, I dived head-first into The Boar, relishing everything it had to offer.
As I say goodbye to the Opinion section which I have edited so fondly over the past six months, I am excited to share the experiences of some members of our loving Boar family. I hope many of our wonderful readers will be inspired by their stories, and might even consider dipping their toes into this fantastic publication.
– Ruby Deakin, outgoing Opinion editor
My first experience of student journalism here at the University of Warwick occurred during Freshers’ Week of my second year. I was casually browsing the various stalls of all the different societies when I spotted Boaris, The Boar’s mascot, from afar and wondered: what the hell is that? Since then, I have written over 50 articles across all the sections, become a sub-editor, and, more recently, was elected as Editor of the Travel section. I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t spotted Boaris that day, but I think he deserves my gratitude.
Before I even became a regular writer for The Boar, I was especially attracted to how accessible and diverse it was. I would spend ages simply browsing The Boar website, from current events to hot takes and debates; I would find myself lost down a rabbit hole almost every time I opened an article. Reading other students’ reviews, opinions, and perspectives was a great start to my student journalism journey, even before I had contacted anyone about my interest.
Starting out can be tough, especially when you don’t know where to begin, but my advice is simple: just do it. Once you start, you’ll never stop
I can’t lie, seeing everyone else’s inspiring words and articulate way of writing did make me feel slightly intimidated – not feeling like you’re good enough is a common feeling when you start out in journalism for the first time. But with such a variety of pitches from a diverse range of sections, there is definitely something for everyone at The Boar. Being an avid reader, I decided to dip my toe into the Books section first, and from there, I slowly started to branch out into the other sections until I had written something for each one (even sport!). Starting out can be tough, especially when you don’t know where to begin, but my advice is simple: just do it. Once you start, you’ll never stop… it’s kind of addictive really.
What I find most interesting about student journalism here at The Boar is how open and accepting it is. By nature, I think students are in a great position to be the most powerful voices in journalism. We are growing up in a time of rapid change and unrest, and are often the first to feel the shifts of change through social media. From climate change to war to economic crises, our generation feels this innate urgency and personal connection to tell the stories of our future. Our fresh perspectives are great advantages to student journalism, allowing us to bring both passion and reason to our writing. At a time when the world feels like it’s destroying itself, we students feel a certain responsibility to not only document history but shape and influence it too. Writing alongside fellow students truly feels like being part of an organised movement advocating for change; I really feel like this is where I belong.
When I started at Warwick way back in 2022, I never thought my path would lead me to student journalism. In my first year, I jumped head-deep into my course, History, which, quite frankly, is a lot of writing. With essays on the French Revolution, Marxism, and even Ancient China, I felt my knowledge was growing and growing; however, something felt missing. I had trained my brain to think writing equated to academic work, which, in the grand scheme of things, is far from the truth.
After doing a bit of social media stalking of The Boar, I joined at the beginning of my second year to make a fresh start, do something academic but fun, and reject all the behaviour I had habitualised as a typical ‘silly fresher.’ From that moment of ‘maybe I should take a pitch’ back in November 2023, I can confidently say I have now written over 50 articles from 13 different sections (the ‘Whole Hog’ challenge is on hold for the Dissertation at the moment) and just completed my role as Arts Editor. When I say I have a few tricks up my sleeve for getting into the world of student journalism, I feel that would be an understatement. Finding the power to write whatever I like, on my own terms, has transformed me into an individual who is set to cope with all the turbulent emotions that come with being a university student, and I’ve had a hell of a lot of fun doing it.
From writing about the Boyzone reunion … to my favourite astronauts on the International Space Station, my experience at The Boar is a testament to the broad range of things you can write about
You might be sat reading this, thinking: ‘Where do I start with student journalism?’. Well, here is my time to shine. The Boar, thankfully, has 16 different sections for which you can write. Does reporting on the hottest gossip on campus suit your fancy or understanding the broader scope of local stories in your area? Then the news section is for you. It would be a disservice not to quote our outgoing News Editor, Martin Day, who would say: “It is only 300 to 400 words, why not write a news article?”. If the more traditional, BBC-esque reporting does not take your fancy, why not dabble in the world of music, or arts, or lifestyle, or perhaps even opinion (like me…right now). Perhaps you’ve been on a fabulous holiday that your friends are sick of hearing about: why not write a travel diary for the travel section? From writing about the Boyzone reunion to whether Duolingo can teach you a language in a week to my favourite astronauts on the International Space Station, my experience at The Boar is a testament to the broad range of things you can write about. From my personal editorial experience, if you have an idea, the editors will help you find the section that fits, so why not give it a go, it’s not that scary.
There is something so empowering about finding your writing voice, whether it be fun, informative, or serious, and seeing your work published and read by the student cohort at Warwick and beyond. Having spent the summer before my third year keeping up my writer’s portfolio, I found the return to Warwick and essays to be so much easier as my mind was already in the space for writing, and I managed to avoid that ‘coming back to school after Summer’ brain block.
As student journalism faces various challenges, such as funding, AI, and the evolution of the media, I hope that independent newspapers, such as The Boar, survive and continue allowing writers to express their interests in whatever form they wish. From the regular contributors to the one-off writers to even the puzzle page enthusiasts, every engagement with student journalism contributes to the wider picture. Upon graduating from Warwick this July, I am so excited to keep up with the wonderful work at The Boar, and hopefully, I will see some new, incredible writers pop up! The new Clive Myrie, Louis Theroux, or Stacey Dooley is amongst us.
Before coming to Warwick, I had never contemplated using the boar emoji. I didn’t even know of its existence. A year-and-a-half into my time at The Boar, however, the animal has become rooted in my digital and personal footprint, coming to symbolise the Warwick chapter of my life. The emoji has pride of place in my Instagram bio and in many of my News pitches in the WhatsApp community. Our tusky logo is emblazoned on the back of the exec fleece I lived in during my Deputy News Editor tenure. And I have, on occasion, even been seen wearing the giant boar head which sits high up in the SU building: ‘Boaris’, as we affectionately call him, that warden of Office One.
My journey at The Boar began in January of first year, with a few articles for the Film section – my main niche at the time. The feeling of creative ownership that came with my byline debut was the first of many thrilling firsts. In fact, as I type this now, with 39 (and counting) articles published, my writing has expanded across 13 of The Boar’s 16 sections. The Podcasts section – the bane of many who dream of conquering the ‘Whole Hog’ challenge by writing for every section of The Boar – will most likely be my final adversary.
Although I entered student journalism at Warwick seeking to grow my portfolio and climb the ranks (bolstering my lacklustre CV in the process), I never imagined this initial careerism leading me to some of my closest friends
Aside from the friendly competitiveness of this pursuit (a ‘Whole Hog’ tracker on Google Docs does, in fact, exist!), spreading my wings across sections has been a wonderful opportunity to test the waters of different genres and styles. The low-stakes, formative nature of student journalism is a perfect opportunity for experimentation and for bursting onto the scene with the vigour of inexperience.
Although I entered student journalism at Warwick seeking to grow my portfolio and climb the ranks (bolstering my lacklustre CV in the process), I never imagined this initial careerism leading me to some of my closest friends. The Boar is a diverse, worldly community as much as it is a media organisation. And the beauty of it is that everyone can learn from each other, no matter their place in the official ‘hierarchy’. In a quiet moment, I’ll often find myself loading up The Boar’s website to browse the latest light-hearted or hard-hitting content. The cogs of this paper never stop turning, and it’s a privilege to be a part of that machine.
My life as a student journalist has also been extremely dynamic and will only become more so as I develop into the role of co-News Editor. All in the name of good journalism, I’ve channelled my inner sports pundit at a football game, consumed copious amounts of ale, and attended on-campus talks and protests since Christmas.
I remember following a Warwick Stands With Palestine (WSWP) protest in November where nothing drastically newsworthy occurred, but it was a great opportunity for some on-the-ground photojournalism in close proximity to on-campus tensions. Even as student journalists, we get to experience the thrill of being close to the story – primed and ready to report it for you all.
Everything has happened for a reason in my Boar career—something I learned the hard way when two first-year applications fell through. But, in hindsight, it all worked out. In just five months, I’ve climbed from Contributing Writer to News Deputy to News Editor, and, in that time, have interviewed TV personalities, Warwick academics, and SU Full-Time Officers. Working with colleagues, I’ve uploaded breaking stories within hours and have also had the sobering responsibility of transmitting stories of courage at a Holocaust Memorial Day talk.
It’s actually a strange position, being in the News team. In my first weeks as co-News Editor, it’s like a Pandora’s box has been opened – not in a bad way, but a fascinating one. I now have intimate connections to Warwick’s proverbial halls of power. That thought would have unsettled fresher Nikolai. In that regard, my current Boar role is a juvenile prototype of what the national political watchdogs are doing – only just as serious.
You’ll have a blast with the sheer volume of opportunities on offer, all while being able to cover the stories that mean the most to you.
Whether I’m sinking into the timeworn sofas of Curiositea, soaking up the intermittent rays of sunshine on the Piazza steps, or gazing absently out of the office window beside my buddy Boaris, I take a peculiar pleasure in people-watching – one of those typical journalist traits. We student reporters are here to ensure the Warwick community is kept informed of campus goings-on, whether that’s by platforming positive stories like charity events or by holding the University leadership accountable to our utmost ability. Accountable, not least, for the still-fresh wound of the monstrously pink Forum.
You may not see us Boar warriors in the flesh in the weeks between print distribution, but – rest assured – we are always there, at your service, sniffing out the news. I remember one long night waiting on the line to receive comment from a friend of a friend, thinking to myself ‘what the hell am I doing? I’m a uni student’. Since then, I’m thrilled to announce that my LinkedIn has grown and that I’m about to head to Exeter, where I’m nominated at the SPA National Awards.
If you’re a prospective Warwick student who’s stumbled across this (as I was prone to do before my arrival), I’d urge you to dive into our student journalism scene. You’ll have a blast with the sheer volume of opportunities on offer, all while being able to cover the stories that mean the most to you. Student journalism, after all, is no mere ‘juvenile prototype’. It is a powerful mouthpiece for our generation, for our anxieties and hopes, our musings and messages. People really do read your words, heed your pleas, and – in the end – take something valuable away.
For now, though, the cult of Boaris awaits you, not to mention the best time of your life. I’ll get back to my seat beside the office window now, typing out some boar emojis and gazing off into the distance for my next story. Perhaps I’ll check back in next year.
Comments (1)
Such an interesting read!