To whoever said college would be the best time of your life, I strongly disagree. My college experience was the worst. I was always depressed and crying every other day. It was bad. I was in a major that I thought I was in love with and grew to hate it more and more with each passing day, I had professors who were literal sociopaths and took joy in making me feel like garbage, and so many classes wasting my days away that were basically the same exact lessons but under different names.
I had to take joy in the little things during that time period: roleplaying Hetalia online with a bunch of good friends, hosting the anime club at my public library once a month, and playing A Link Between Worlds on the commute there and back. There was one class that I even enjoyed as well, that being my screenwriting course.
I had been minoring in English because I knew I screwed up in picking my major and that I was meant to write. Screenwriting was something I’ve always wanted to do and this class was more than helpful to me. I learned so much, but unfortunately, it was cut short. It was a two-semester course and those useless classes I was telling you about were mandatory for my major, so I ended up having to skip it. I took another writing course in its stead, but it wasn’t something I was passionate about and I had quite an overly dramatic professor in that class as well. I did my best to grin and bear it as I only had one more semester to go, but everything changed when I saw it: “We’re looking for volunteers.”
The Zelda Universe team was starting up columns again and needed writers. Could this be my chance? To write about a series that I’ve loved for ages? It seemed absolutely perfect. I was about to click on the link, but then the doubts kicked in.
Was I really good enough to write for a site as big as Zelda Universe? I wasn’t a professional, I only had school experience, my senior thesis, and my own freelance writing as references. There must be hundreds of people applying! Could I really compete? I was making up every excuse in the book not to apply. I felt worthless — but sometimes being at the bottom of the barrel can be just that kick I need. What was the worst thing that could happen if I applied? They say no. Life goes on. In a whole four years of things going wrong, that seemed rather minor in comparison.
I prayed hard about it before working up the nerve to finally submit my application. I really wanted this. I didn’t expect much to happen, though, figuring I’d be overlooked. Since you’re here now, reading this on Zelda Universe, you could probably guess what was about to happen next.
It was my last semester at college and I had just finished one of my classes — couldn’t tell you which one since they were all basically the same, but it was one with computers in it because on a whim I had decided to check my email before catching the train, and I’m so glad I did. I got a response. They were interested! Of course, I jumped on the opportunity and after a few technical difficulties getting my account set up, I was officially a part of the Zelda Universe team. At last, my senior thesis was good for something.
I’m a very shy and introverted person in reality, but the team always made me feel welcome. I was always rather confident in my writing skills, getting mainly A’s from high school to college in all of my writing courses, but I honestly feel like I grew the most as a writer here on the site. The editors were always considerate and explained to me with such detail how to improve my work. Even when I made what I thought were really embarrassing mistakes, such as accidentally hitting the publish button when my article wasn’t due for another week, they kindly handled the situation and told me not to worry. After working with such egomaniacs and insensitive leaders in college, this kindness was so refreshing and allowed me to grow; now to the point where I’ve accomplished a huge milestone of writing my own book. I even had the person who had been mentoring me here ever since I first started as my trusted editor for the book (who is also now a dear friend).
Being in this kind of positive environment really allowed me to open myself up and share some stories that I would have been humiliated about back in my younger days. Our Realm of Memories series is one of my favorite columns that we write and I had plenty of stories to share from the start, but eventually, I worked up the courage to write about my silly little crush on Link as a kid. I wanted to share this because it was a funny story, yes, but also because it got me thinking about where my creativity was really starting to blossom all those years ago and where I am now because of it. All the positive responses from it were overwhelming for me as a new columnist and I hoped to share some more Zelda-themed stories to encourage others, whether it be embracing our inner geek or to have fun and roll with the punches.
Eventually, this lead to me becoming one of the columns teams leaders — and I’m still in shock that I’m even in this position. I was (and still am) grateful for this opportunity and wanted to welcome in new members of the team with grace and understanding just as those who had come before me. One of the best parts about working at Zelda Universe is all the wonderful people you get to meet and speak with. Of course, we could ramble on about Zelda for days, but what I love most about our team is that we can also be real with one another.
As I mentioned, I’m usually not the outgoing type or the one to share too much about my personal issues, but I always felt comfortable talking to my companions if I ever needed to and I always welcomed others to talk about what they needed to. It’s truly amazing seeing all these people from different walks of life be so supportive, considerate, and loving of one another.
Then there’s all the fun we’ve had over the year talking about our favorite series, of course. We’ve had running gags going throughout our little group for years now that never grow old, the most infamous is of my “hatred” for Four Sword Adventures. I’ve also adopted the persona of Error after so many of those silly mistakes I mentioned earlier — helping me embrace those dumb mistakes I’ve made and continue to make. We have fun and get work done.
I’m still finding my footing in this big, crazy world of ours as of right now, but Zelda Universe has given me something so special that I don’t think I could have found anywhere else. It gave me hope, experience, fun, and a community. Zelda Universe is so much more than a fansite — it’s a family. We all work so hard to bring entertainment, news, and just a daily escape from reality that we all need once in a while and I could not be more proud to be working alongside such inspirational people.
Zelda Universe is now celebrating its 20th birthday! Be sure to check out more of our memories from the site’s two-decade history.
