If you were to tell me I’d join the Daily Bruin – I’d 100% believe you.

After all, being part of The Bruin was something I had set my mind on shortly after committing to UCLA. I was an English student. Of course I wanted to join the “newspaper club.”

If you were to tell me I’d join a year later than I intended because I missed the application date – I’d 100% believe you.

After all, some part of me thinks – albeit delusionally – I’d get things done. The Copy intern application was no exception. I can’t remember my interview or what I said, but my acceptance felt like the start of participating in something big.

I joined because I loved reading, editing and writing. The Bruin was an out-of-class opportunity to stay connected, to do what I’d always been told I was “good” at.

It was this strange delusion that led me to apply to editorship a quarter after joining. I already knew I wanted to be an editor the following year, so what were a couple extra quarters under my belt?

Apparently, a couple extra quarters felt a whole lot like the opposite of “good.”

Everyone will tell you doing is the best way of learning. I couldn’t agree more. My first two quarters at The Bruin were nothing but doing (and sometimes doing things incorrectly).

But I believe – perhaps delusionally – I wouldn’t be the editor I am today without those experiences.

It’s one thing to be out of the woods and another to be in it. While I’m still learning things today, I’d like to think I’ve (mostly) found my way out. But that’s not to say it didn’t come with its own trials, tribulations and lessons.

During my first two quarters as an editor, I didn’t know senior leadership was a thing. And yes, I got humbled a few times. And yes, I do remember the first time an article I edited got a correction. At that time, I felt like I was better off quitting The Bruin and taking my (self-deemed horrendous) spelling skills away.

In hindsight, I’m glad I stayed. I also apologize if my poor spelling skills have caused any more corrections (they definitely have).

I want to say thank you to Kimmy and Natalie for believing in me when I didn’t know anything. It also wouldn’t feel right to leave out Paco and Nicole, who trusted my growth and brought me back for another year. And thank you to this year’s team for trusting me – even though I had doubts about my abilities – and for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime.

Honestly, I don’t see myself being part of a newsroom any time in the near future, but I’m grateful I was able to be part of one at The Bruin.

To this day, I’m not sure if I feel like a “journalist” – and I mean that with all due respect. For me, The Bruin has always been more of an escape from my classes, a way to use the left side of my brain.

It was in high-pressure, busy moments at The Bruin that I really thought to myself, “I’m having fun, and I love what I’m doing.” It wasn’t about being a journalist or not – it was just about enjoying myself.

A lot of things have changed since I joined the “newspaper club.” I’m not graduating with an English degree, and I now know what a managing editor does. But some things have also not changed. For the past three years, I’ve always known Tuesdays and Thursdays to be dedicated to print nights.

I’ve copy edited more than 600 articles – and I even remember posting my first story, a men’s golf wrap – but this column is my first byline. When I joined The Bruin I wanted to branch out to writing, but that, clearly, didn’t happen.

So, if you were to tell me this would be my first – and final – article, I’d believe you.

After all, despite the delays, I’ve always believed I’d get things done.

Mapaye was the 2025-26 co-Copy chief. Previously, she was a slot editor 2023-2025.