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.