A column is a place for writers to throw aside the veil of journalism and discuss their opinions on various subjects.

For whatever reason, I don’t like to share my opinions. It’s not that I don’t have opinions, I have very strong opinions on many different issues. Maybe it’s because I’m a shy person. Ok, not maybe, that is definitely a big reason.

One of the things I like to do is play devil’s advocate. I like to look at different sides of the issue and, admittedly, pester people by making a counter-argument.

So back to column writing. Why do I feel so uncomfortable sharing my opinion with 23,000 plus readers? Well for one, that number is daunting. Not only is the paper available to every student via newspaper stands around campus, but alumni, parents and anyone else who is interested can access the Beacon online. So, essentially, everyone in the world can read what I think on a campus, local, state or national issue. This is, obviously, a hyperbole but is the thought that goes through my mind when I think about sharing my views.

In my mind, column writing is the journalism equivalent of public speaking. One of my only shortcomings is that I am absolutely horrified of public speaking. Terrified as in freeze up, sweat and want to curl up into a ball. Even in front of a large group of friends, I am still terrified of speaking. The association of the two is definitely a mental road block that I have yet to overcome.

Another reason goes back to my personality type. As an ESFJ, I am a people person and genuinely care what people think about me. If I write a column about something I feel strongly about, but is not a very popular standpoint, I will have many readers who disagree with me. I don’t like the idea of upsetting a majority of my peers. Those emails of displeasure and disagreement haunt my dreams.

Time constraint is also a big factor. If I write a column, I want to be fully informed on an issue. By taking 16 hours of classes, searching for a job and working at the Beacon, researching and forming an opinion on a certain topic takes me a while. I feel like when I do have an opinion that I am comfortable with, the topic is irrelevant.

I see the absurdity in being afraid to voice my opinion as a college student. In college, many classes make class participation mandatory. In fact, it is part of the learning process. Usually, this entails sharing your thoughts about the reading or topic with your classmates. Thankfully, journalism classes are small and if we do have participation, it’s based off of Blackboard forums.

My last gripe on column writing is the word count. Have you ever felt like you could write a million words about something you felt passionately about? Me too. But when it actually comes down to putting those words on paper, a 600 word requirement seems incredibly daunting. Especially when you get about 300 words in and then realize you have so much more to write. It feels like you are rock climbing and are exhausted after getting halfway up the face. If you turn back, you just feel unaccomplished, but you are exhausted and don’t really want to go on. In all reality, 600 words isn’t that much. Being conditioned to a normal article length spoils how much you can write.

So, it’s not that I want to withhold my opinion from you. It’s that I care so much about what you think about me that I can’t stand the thought of you rejecting what I think.

— Rob Davis is a senior in journalism and electronic media. He can be reached at [email protected].