As you all probably already know, tonight was Halloween and I had to work this evening. As not to miss out on the festivities however I left from work, changed into civilian clothes, drove across town and met my wife at my in-laws' house to watch Room 1408 (a scary movie). As the movie ran on I kept thinking to myself "man I've got 2 discussion questions due tonight and it's already 1AM" and try as I might I couldn't enjoy the movie. As you may have guessed from the timing of this post, I did eventually leave and do my homework like the diligent student that I am but now I'm spent, I didn't enjoy the movie, tomorrow I'll be cranky, etc. I will say however, that trying to squeeze a life in between classes, papers and discussion questions can be quite difficult at times and really I've made a lot of really poor choices along the way and learned the hard way about distractions and mischief.
Some things I have learned the hard way:
- 1.) If you've had a couple of adult beverages DO NOT post on your discussion questions or submit any work of any kind. Better to be late, trust me. I know after a couple of beers you feel like Hemingway's lost love child but believe me, when you read whatever it is that you wrote the night before, the next morning, you will thank me.
- 2.) It is virtually impossible to write or research anything worth reading while sitting in front of the T.V. Some people try this but usually they wind up taking twice as long to do half as good of a job. I strongly recommend you not do this.
- 3.) Kids in the house? Of course you may be the master of speaking to a 3 year old and doing homework but trust me, it's better to find somewhere else to be if necessary.
- 4.) Road trips seem like a good place to study, until you get on the road. Then it's talk, talk, talk, some radio, a little snooze and more talking. It just doesn't work that well when everyone around you is in vacation mode and you are trying to understand Managerial Marketing.
- 5.) Never write and submit anything while angry, sad, etc. You may not know it at the time, but occasionally this will come across.
- 6.) Sarcasm never works on paper unless you really have a good, keen sense of sarcasm and your reader does as well. Occasionally sarcasm will blow up in your face, so avoid it on actual discussion posts.
- 7.) Don't talk about your boss or co-workers if they can read it. It's just bad form.
- 8.) Studying at work can be great and at times can be the pits. Don't count on time at work when scheduling study time. Instead, look at those times as little bonuses.
- 9.) Your reading comprehension level does NOT increase when you are reading and carrying on a conversation at the same time.
- 10.) Anything and everything cool will absolutely happen when finals are due and you should be working. That's right, you'll have a final due on the same night that Eva Mendez thought about slumming it and hanging out with you or some other outrageously cool thing. Likely it's just your friends getting loaded in a bar but the stories the next day really make you feel like you've been left out.
Of course this list is all in fun, but there are serious consequences to falling behind and getting distracted, so try not to. Remember to sometimes school = sacrifice.