Like much of America, I got drawn in to watching tv's "The Biggest Loser." 
I began watching one of those marathon sessions running (conveniently) on New Year's Day, and for the first few minutes I was intrigued by watching the contestants struggle through their rigorous diet and exercise regime, spurred on by the hope of a different future. Once I began to see evidence of their progress, in the form of lost pounds and found confidence, I was hooked. I am a bit embarrassed to say that my whole family (ok, not the 4-year-old) allowed this program to chew up the better part of our day, as I sat making food lists with new resolve. We watched together and cheered on these folks who were moving past the beginning struggle of change, toward the goal, and vicariously shared in their victories.
As I am buckling down to complete the assignments due in my next class, it strikes me that the process of furthering my education is a bit like that diet & exercise struggle. The goal is important---finishing my degree, and expanding my knowledge. Although the day to day steps of studying and stretching myself are most often enjoyable, I sometimes go through a cycle of self-doubt --"can I really do this?". But even in the midst of that process--the struggle leaves me energized.
The first class I took at Granite State College was one of the Concord NH classes "Critical Thinking." I didn't know what to expect---it had been several years since I had been in school---and actually, I got something I didn't expect ---energy! I had anticipated being tired, drained, and overwhelmed after class; after all I was sitting down to class from 6 - 9:30 in the evening. Not exactly my most productive times! The process of settling into a classroom with no other distractions (no one needed a sippy cup, help with laundry, or input on fundraisers for any committee) but the flow of new ideas, combined with the input from a group of fresh faces was absolutely exhilirating. I came away feeling charged up and eager to talk. I sat down with my husband for a couple of hours and chatted with him, had philosophical debates, and just enjoyed the very non-mundane conversations.
I'd love to say that I came away from that first experience a constantly confident, calm person. Not quite. There have been a few classes where I still reach a point of doubt, and a couple of times when I have thrown my papers on the floor, marched out into the living room and announced "I am not going to do this anymore!" When this happens my husband grins to himself, looks at his watch, and waits for my little "rain dance" to be over. He knows that within 5 minutes, I will have calmed down, and have gotten back to work. Funny thing is, after these breakdowns I usually manage to produce a project that turns out very well, and the victory following that initial frustration can't be beat.
Similar to the discovery that through exercise you actually gain energy; the journey through education and career advancement through Granite State College has brought with it an energizing source of new ideas, as step by step I'm achieving my goal.
I began watching one of those marathon sessions running (conveniently) on New Year's Day, and for the first few minutes I was intrigued by watching the contestants struggle through their rigorous diet and exercise regime, spurred on by the hope of a different future. Once I began to see evidence of their progress, in the form of lost pounds and found confidence, I was hooked. I am a bit embarrassed to say that my whole family (ok, not the 4-year-old) allowed this program to chew up the better part of our day, as I sat making food lists with new resolve. We watched together and cheered on these folks who were moving past the beginning struggle of change, toward the goal, and vicariously shared in their victories.As I am buckling down to complete the assignments due in my next class, it strikes me that the process of furthering my education is a bit like that diet & exercise struggle. The goal is important---finishing my degree, and expanding my knowledge. Although the day to day steps of studying and stretching myself are most often enjoyable, I sometimes go through a cycle of self-doubt --"can I really do this?". But even in the midst of that process--the struggle leaves me energized.
The first class I took at Granite State College was one of the Concord NH classes "Critical Thinking." I didn't know what to expect---it had been several years since I had been in school---and actually, I got something I didn't expect ---energy! I had anticipated being tired, drained, and overwhelmed after class; after all I was sitting down to class from 6 - 9:30 in the evening. Not exactly my most productive times! The process of settling into a classroom with no other distractions (no one needed a sippy cup, help with laundry, or input on fundraisers for any committee) but the flow of new ideas, combined with the input from a group of fresh faces was absolutely exhilirating. I came away feeling charged up and eager to talk. I sat down with my husband for a couple of hours and chatted with him, had philosophical debates, and just enjoyed the very non-mundane conversations.
I'd love to say that I came away from that first experience a constantly confident, calm person. Not quite. There have been a few classes where I still reach a point of doubt, and a couple of times when I have thrown my papers on the floor, marched out into the living room and announced "I am not going to do this anymore!" When this happens my husband grins to himself, looks at his watch, and waits for my little "rain dance" to be over. He knows that within 5 minutes, I will have calmed down, and have gotten back to work. Funny thing is, after these breakdowns I usually manage to produce a project that turns out very well, and the victory following that initial frustration can't be beat.
Similar to the discovery that through exercise you actually gain energy; the journey through education and career advancement through Granite State College has brought with it an energizing source of new ideas, as step by step I'm achieving my goal.
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