For most students, YouTube is a source of offers a diversion from homework, but for junior Cortney Fields, YouTube is more than just that: It is a way for her to express herself.

“I started making YouTube videos after I saw other people making videos, and I thought it was a cool idea, so I tried it out and ended up liking it,” said Fields.

Fields made most of her YouTube videos in her freshman year, but has still posted in the past few years. Most of her videos consist of her talking to the camera, with occasional acting involved. So far, Fields has published videos on a variety of topics, ranging from inside jokes with friends to discussions about whatever is on her mind. According to Fields, her first videos didn’t have a purpose beyond pure entertainment, but her later, favorite posts are the videos with strong moral messages. Teen pregnancy, child abuse and suicide are some of the heavier topics that her videos address.

“[These] were the ones I spent the most time on,” said Fields. “Each video usually takes two or three weeks.”

With the controversial topics that Fields discusses in her videos, there are almost always people who disagree with her stand. Fields’s videos sparked a lot of response through comments, yet Fields stayed strong and kept publishing videos.

“It takes courage to post videos on the Internet,” said junior David Anderson. “[Fields] is brave for publishing so many videos.”

Fields did have some disagreeing viewers, but her videos have also attracted some people who enjoy and appreciate her opinion.

“I liked watching [Fields’s] videos,” said junior Mary Edman. “Her insightful views were interesting to listen to.”

To Fields, the joy of publishing videos and spreading important and valuable messages on the Web is more important than the number of subscribers and comments. What Fields enjoys the most about making YouTube videos is having a finished product that she can be proud of.

“From making YouTube videos, I learned about the value in hard work,” said Fields. “If you work on something really hard and it’s done and looks good, it holds more value than if you did it in five seconds.”