As I may have stated in an earlier post, I have a lot of reading. Tonight I read over 7 different chapters. Some of the books are interesting, some of the books are not interesting at all, but I don't mind too much. Usually I will listen to classical music when I read/study as it prevents my mind from wondering and helps me to maintain my focus (not that I don't have to redirect myself at times.)
I have thought a lot about the reading though. This is a two year program and obviously I am a first year student, there are 125 of us. I don't know how many second year students there are, but many of the first year students have asked the second year students if it is truly important to do all the reading. After all, it is somewhat excessive. And nearly all of the second year students have told all the first year students that the reading is not important, just look over your notes, go to class, pay attention and you'll be fine.
This doesn't do much for my motivation department. Why should I spend all evening reading after I have spent all day at school? The second year students say it doesn't matter anyway.
Why would an individual train for a marathon and then walk the whole race? I spent an entire year going to night classes after working all day, spent a month interviewing for my replacement and then an additional five weeks training her, went from full-time to very part-time and all so I could begin a journey. A journey that for all intense purposes has hardly started. It is much too early in this race to walk. Do I have other things I could be doing? of course. Do I have other things I'd rather be doing? yes! But I made big sacrafices to pursue a dream and I owe it to myself to do my best.
I suppose that after two weeks of hearing the first year students quote the second year students that the reading wasn't that important I just needed to rant and rave and justify that I wasn't wasting every free evening I had. Sorry for the soapbox.
4 comments:
One solution: don't listen to the second year students! lol
I agree, don't listen to 2nd year students. And knowing you as I "think" I do, you'd do the reading no matter what.
Take care.
TK
Tara,
You're such a good student. I wish I had your discipline.
I have yet to do any reading for one of my classes, and have already skipped one of my Photo Crit classes.
Good thing I'm not in the business of saving people's lives.
Tara,
I log on every now and then to see how you're doing. I am 28 months into a 36 month program and I can honestly say I have done "all the reading." I figured out the other day that I have read at least 18 books so far for my doctorate and several of those were textbooks, not to mention massive amounts of journal articles. My dissertation alone has over 55 references (and those are the ones I used). I am also trying to work at NHC 3 days a week, teach a course at MTSU and take care of church and family responsibilities as well.
There are 26 students in my doctoral cohort (ages 25 to 69) and I know some of them don't do all the reading, but a lot of them do...and I do!
I feel so honored and blessed to have this opportunity and I'm sure you do as well...so feel good about "DOING THE READING." I keep reminding myself that I have the rest of my life (which is shorter than yours) to read for pleasure, watch tv (although I still watch some of my reality tv), hang out with friends, hobbies, etc. This is my passion and I think you are following yours as well, so it is great that you are so into it.
I know this sounds crazy, but I KNOW that I am going to miss school when it is over. It is so hard and I get so stressed, but I still love it! God will continue to bless your efforts and you will be a blessing to all those that you take care of in the future! Sorry this is so long, but I'm procrastinating on doing some reading ;-) Patty Poe
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