So, last night I was in a complete panic. I don't think I really am concerned that I can't do the work for this Master's Degree. I'm not really even sure what it is that I'm worried about. There is nothing here I can't do, but wow I got overwhelmed with the immense amount of work that faces me. And I think that there is too much that is unknown to me, so that's what really scares me to death. Until I get comfortable with the professors and their style of teaching and their expectations, I will probably be a little bit uncomfortable with everything else.
However, as I was reading one of the books today, I had a bit of a breakthrough in my head about this. I spent yesterday with the mindset of a college student. When I worked through my undergraduate degree, there were quite a few classes that I was required to take and really did nothing to further my knowledge base. I need to find a way to apply the learning that I do in a practical sense - move it from esoteric learning to practical tool.
I have to write a paper on a little book called "Bible Study That Works" by Friday. As I read the book today, I realized that this paper is not simply an exercise to create a grade for me. It's so much more. I am building tools that will be placed in a tool box to be pulled out and used in other courses that I'm taking and absolutely to be used in my personal life and as I write and teach. All of a sudden things began to make sense.
Don't fear ... I'm probably going to continue to complain and whine ... a lot, especially when I start panicking again. However, knowing that I'm not just doing the work for a professor to grade, but for my future needs, changes how I look at this process.
I tell you what ... learning how I learn is nearly as difficult as actually learning. That's what happens when a person gets old enough to pay attention to the past, the present and the future!
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