Jack of All Trades, But Masters Of None?

I haven't written much fiction (if at all) in recent times. Mostly this is due to my studies which have consumed most of my free time for the past few years. These studies, however, can no longer be used as an excuse for my lack of fiction writing, as I completed my dissertation last month and next week those results will be ratified at the official Board of Examiners.

So I am very pleased to (shortly) possess a Master of Arts in Digital Technologies, Communication and Education (with Distincion).

I commenced this course in saner times, as it tied together my interests and experience in Education and Digital Technology. It was also integral to landing a job in this field, which I commenced early in 2020. Little did I know that the world as we knew it would soon end, and my role and training would soon be very much in demand.

And so with a new job I was trying to learn while working remotely and away from the team, I completed my studies under a lot of pressure and difficulty. But completed they were, and now I'm free. Of study, at least. For the time being.

And before you ask, No, I am not going on to do a PhD. 

Writing Lots...

...but not what I choose to be writing.

I'm only a month or so from completing a University course, and I'm behind in my assignments. I had one due recently that I just wasn't going to get submitted on time, mostly due to the two week study tour of China I undertook a month ago. As such I asked for an extension, which was granted, and so I've spent a lot of time catching up on my reading for my studies.

Now this is an area of studies that I'm interested in, and will definitely help my career. Unfortunately the main text book we use is quite theoretical and heavy going. Also, I'm an old fashioned learner - I like to be in a classroom, face to face with a teacher and other students and learning as much from the discussion as I do from the readings. Forums, online readings and posts don't quite do it for me, and I'm finding this much harder going than I anticipated.

And so much of my weekend has been taken up with some reading and writing my assignments. Still, the pain is only for another month and then I'll (hopefully) be free of this kind of learning and I'll be able to devote my writing time to the kind of writing I like.

Until next time, that is.

An Excellent Week.

It's been raining pretty much all weekend so far.  And it's been great not to feel the need to write an assignment, or do some marking, or get out into the garden. Instead I've been relaxing with my wife and watching DVDs.

And just enjoying myself.

After the waiting, waiting, waiting of last week, this week has been completely different. (or, as I heard an idiot say recently, a complete 360 degree turn)

Not only have I thoroughly enjoyed the buzz of receiving a glowing review from Thoraiya Dyer (Yes, Gitte, still floating),  but I appear to have passed the first two units of my university course. I've also had some minor success at work which I might be able to talk about soon, and I received the latest issue of Dark Matter (#6 - containing four reviews I wrote).

Oh yeah, and I sold another story.

Yes, one of those stories I had hopes for has found a home - and an excellent home it is too. It's amazing what a sale and a good review will do for your spirits, not to mention self confidence.  Doubts, get thee behind me!

On top of all that, I was able to finally sort out the comments on my blog - so they're working again.

Feel free to use them to tell me how things are going for you.

Brainmelt.

My brain is a gooey, melted, non-functioning mass. My final uni assignment for the semester is a week late (Yes, I have the required extension) and all those theories and thoughts have turned my mind to mush.

No writing, no listening to music, no fun, no life. And I'm still waiting to hear back from a bunch of markets. No news is good news, right? (yeah, right...)

Arrgghhh!  Things must be better next week.  Good or bad, the assignments will be done by tonight.

When I Grew Up And Went To School...

Motivation is a curious thing.  We say we want to do things, but make all the excuses as to why we can't. Of course I'm as guilty of this as the next person, but there are some who take it to new levels.

I see it often in my students - young adults who tell me of their hopes and dreams and plans for the future.  They tell me of how much they want to do these things.  Usually these plans require some kind of goal, a particular score on final exams in order to enter an establishment of further study and I always advise these students of how they can reach those goals.

But what I don't see anywhere near as often is the corresponding effort.

As with most things it's easier to talk about it than to actually do the work.

Once again I'd like to point out that this is something I'm guilty of also, although I'm definitely improving and writing more and more often. But unlike these guys I don't have an exam at the end of the year that gives me a result that sees whether I get into university or not. I don't have the sorts of goals that require a pass in English. And I already have a job.

It's easy to see things differently with experience and age, and we can never put old heads on young shoulders.  They are, after all, teenagers.  Also there's only so much I can do. I can't force them to learn and to work if they don't have the motivation.

But I do my job to the best of my ability, teach the course content well and pass on my sage advice and wisdom - along with the occasional kick up the backside when they need it.

And now and again students turn themselves around and actually surprises me.

Now those are the moments.