Sunday, March 25, 2007

On term papers

I'm supposed to be writing my term paper right now, but I need a break. Being a writer has been on my list of career possibilities since high school, but with every term paper I write, I find that it slips farther down that list.

With assigned papers I find that I have to squeeze out every line. It's an effort to compose each thought, relate it to the topic and find appropriate citation to self-validify. Its a laborious process.

Writing is a commitment of time. Investments are to pay dividends, but often the only other person to read my term paper is my professor. Most times, I don't even receive a marked-up copy. Just a final grade and some credits to add to my slowly-growing collection. I don't feel much satisfaction about what I write, just relief that it is over and a vague hope that all of my studies will "pay off in the end."

One more term paper, a thesis, and it's all over.


2 comments:

Johnsons said...

I think you are a very talented writer and I bet your professors enjoy reading your papers. I once had a teacher tell me he always set my paper aside to read when he couldn't handle grading anymore. He said it was like a treat. I'm not trying to brag - I just bet the same thing is true for you.

Thank you so much for all the work you do at work, school, church and home. It boggles my mind how you do it and stay sane! I know you are doing it all unselfishly. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

We're almost there! Three more months and our decade of going to school will be over! Of course there always is a PhD...

Carrie said...

Hey Nate, welcome to the blogging world! I keep trying to convince Brian to get one (he reads mine) but he says he has nothing to write about. Maybe having a guy he knows have a blog (instead of all my sisters and girlie friends) will get him to do it.