Not even two full weeks into the Winter semester and I already feel bogged down and behind on my schoolwork. It's quite a depressing feeling, once you expect to start fresh for the new year, all determined to keep on task and be prepared for every class.
The plan has quickly become a fleeting image, a mission so impossible that I have (for a brief moment) considered deserting my dream/goal of becoming a teacher and just relying on some dead-end job just so I can reclaim my life. Not that I'd expect to have a life with a dead-end job -- having to work countless hours to make ends meet...
But technically that is what I'll be doing for the next twelve weeks, working countless hours to make ends meet. This involves reading until my eyes roll to the back of my head, avoiding catastrophic fights with group-mates, cringing while my instructor emails me saying she "missed [me] in class today", when I was in fact there and she actually thanked me for coming to class and called me by name as I handed her my name card on my way out the door.
Have I reached the end of my rope? I should be able to handle the course load, we're each expected to do the same five courses and pull through it... But it's just SO much! I've had a semester a couple of years ago, full course load, expected to read a combined 17 novels, plus text books for two additional courses. I managed to get through 13 of the novels, reading every spare minute. But all of that seems more tolerable, after all, who doesn't love a good read?
The real stick in the mud about this semester is that at least four of my five courses expect us to have read at least one chapter of the text, possibly two, plus extra articles, write journal reflections, blog posts (which I may share once we get into it), and other written assignments FOR EVERY CLASS.It just seems so impossible, especially if you're a slow reader as I am. And what about a life? I don't even do much... I don't party like a rockstar, I go to bed early(ish), I watch movies, read books, and hang out with Tim. That's my normal life, and it has been re-written with readings by Nancy Maynes & Jennifer Straub, some Palmer dude, and a Clark guy... (that's just one course).
I'm sure these folks are fine writers, but golly, we're not even two weeks in yet! How will I survive twelve more?
You'll be great! I'm heading into my last semester with 18 credits too. It's hard but not impossible! I've been doing it for 4 semesters now :) GOOD LUCK. Don't burn yourself out! Chapter summaries are there for a reason.. :)