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boda's final semester reflection

Page history last edited by Boda 13 years, 3 months ago

So it's Wednesday night during Finals Week.  I'm all relaxed as I have only one day of school left before the semester is over.  One class left -- Writer's Showcase on Friday.  I'm all set and I have Thursday free...ahhhh.  My paper's written, my display made; I'm a happy camper. 

 

So tonight, I'm at my computer and decide to check out the wiki for $h!ts and giggles.  If I'm honest, I'm checking to see if Jasmyne responded to my last post on her wikiblog (she didn't -- I have no idea if she's even read it.)  What do I see in the "Recently Updated" box?  People updating their final reflections.  It was then when I had my "Oh $h!t moment" (TM) (C) (R) -- it's like Oprah's "Ah ha moment" but with a splash of panic-induced stomach churning.  I completely forgot to write my reflection!  I created the page last week and put the word "reserved" - like anyone was gonna write on my page (that rarely, if ever, happens).

 

So reflecting on the semester ... btw, "reflecting'' seems to be en vogue as I've had to do it in two other classes this semester.  Not that I'm complaining -- it's a cake assignment and there's no wrong answer.  "Sorry, Mister Boda.  You reflected wrong.  You fail."  Anyway ... reflecting ...

 

After this class, I'm definitely stoked about changing my major to English.  I was a mass comm major with leanings towards going into journalism so I can do freelance investigative reporting.  I took one mass comm class and instantly became disillusioned with the industry and those who choose to enter it.  I want to write for a living.  If I want to investigate issues, I figured I don't need a journalism degree to do it.  I need a strong writing background.  English does that.

 

Back to reflecting ... hmm ... well before I talk about my experience, I think I need to vent.  My mind keeps going back to this and to just to clear the decks, I have to put it out there.  What the hell happened with the majority of class?  There were maybe five of us who participated.  Was everyone else in the 'free ride so who gives good g-ddamn' college program?  Hell, my tuition is 100% financed by Uncle Sam and I feel an obligation to do well (because I need these skills to make a living.)  Because I obsess, I was thinking about how much the others short-changed themselves down the line in their college careers.  Using a very conservative estimate, if they just take four classes a semester for the next three years, they have 24 classes left.  And if those classes demand only one paper in the semester (good luck with that) that's 24 papers to write.  Based on what I've seen most of the class write on the wiki, they're not going to do well down the road.  This was their last shot to get tangible, essential skills to write college-level papers.  The class was handed to them on a silver platter with such small demands of them and they complained the entire time like it was a chore -- write about anything you want, any quantity you want, however much you want.  And they wouldn't even do that.  Bottom line: if they had problems with the technology, understanding what's going on, needed ideas to write about, or whatever else they blamed their lack of participation on, they had a PhD in the classroom willing, able, and eager to help.  I attempted to translate PhD to the lowest common denominator.  Nothing.  If I learned only one thing all semester, this class reinforced the old axiom "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink."  Good luck class of 2014 (or whenever or if ever you graduate.)

 

So it's finals week.  Out of four classes, I didn't have one test all semester.  How in the hell did that happen?  That's not to say I wasn't busy.  I had a lot of papers to write.  So gearing up for finals, I made my plan.  Tech Writing is first up on Monday -- had to get my semester portfolio prepped and Student Philanthropy Handbook done.  Tuesday was Food History with a 15 to 20-page research paper about something I really can't stand - food (just kidding -- seriously easy paper about Florida Food Festivals, very fun to write.)  Wednesday and Modern Drama with three papers - ugh.  Nothing too lengthy, but still, they had to be done.  Then Friday is English Comp with the Writer's Showcase. With my plan and priorities in place, I start on my Writer's Showcase project.  It's the last thing due, so obviously I start it first.  Makes sense in my head.  If I can break one bad habit, it's procrastination.  Give me an assignment due in 16 weeks and I'll finish it 30 minutes before it's due.  I'm bad about it and it pisses me off because when I wait, I've passed up a lot of opportunities to make my paper better.  While I'm rushing and writing, I think of a dozen things to make my paper kick ass, but I can't because I've run out of time.  I've done this two semesters in a row.  I gotta kick this habit next semester and stop chasing the procrastination dragon.

 

I'm actually a little giddy to show off my Showcase project.  I kinda feel like I'm back in junior high.  I have a gigantic volcano full of baking soda, a bottle of vinegar, and I'm ready for it to erupt.  My topic is about Don't Ask, Don't Tell.  Something regular readers will know is of great interest to me.  I created a board game that has the player(s) simulate going through an active duty career as a closeted gay servicemember serving under DADT.  They're presented with situations and given consequences depending on their choices.  I tried it out on the campus Gay-Straight Alliance last week and they really responded well.  Hopefully, folks who see my project will stop and give it try.  To elicit participation, I created a tri-fold board backdrop that riffs on carnival games and lingo.  I'm psyched ... but I'm prepping myself for the let down that no one will give two $h!ts.  If DADT repeal fails this year, I'm contacting Milton Bradley to see if they want to buy the game off me :-)

 

In all seriousness, I'm really glad USF didn't accept my English Comp CLEP credits for ENC1102.  I was seriously bummed when I learned I had to take freshman English.  "Really?" I asked my adviser.  But like my momma always tells me, "Everything happens for a reason."  I tested out of most of my general education classes and in many ways, did a disservice to myself.  Especially with English.  I still think I need another solid semester of basic comp to get myself straight (so to speak.)  I reference a grammar guide at least once a day because I seem to gravitate towards creating crazy sentences (keep it simple, stupid.)  But, I got a lot out of the class.  I've been writing for myself, the Air Force, and others for 20 years.  I was pretty sure I knew I could write.  Ultimately, I had forgotten a lot of the "whys" behind composition and what makes a good composition better or even great.  I don't profess to claim I'm a great writer, but I know I improved this semester.  I used what I learned when I wrote papers for other classes this semester.  I constructed stronger arguments knowing I needed to include certain types of appeals.  My History of Food prof wants me to write something for the St Pete Times during the winter break so I must be doing something right.  (BTW -- if you have the opportunity to take Dr Mormino's History of Food seminar, do.  It was great.  A bit of advice: don't go on an empty stomach.  Two hours talking about food, twice a week builds up an appetite.)

 

If I have one regret in the class, it's that I didn't interact with the Advanced Comp students.  They had a lot of creative stuff going on.  I was reading their work, but was leery of providing feedback or joining in the conversation.  That's a confidence thing that I hope to get over eventually.  Sometimes my military brainwashing takes over and I feel my "place."  Rank is ingrained and you don't criticize or confront those "above" you.  I took a backseat for a large part of the semester because I was in a freshman English comp class.  I had no business telling advanced comp folks my opinion.  I've since been told otherwise.  It's a personal hang up/demon I need to conquer.

 

Overall, I got a ton of useful information about rhetoric, conventions, appeals, audience, tone, structure, collaborative writing, feedback, and even the use of wikis.  It's all good.  Like butchering a cow, nothing went to waste. Everything was used.  If I showed this reflection to myself 16-weeks ago during the first week of class, that guy would probably think I was brainwashed, high, or both.  I went into the class fairly negative and almost resentful about having to take the class.  As per usual, I learned I had a lot to learn.  The class put me on a solid path going forward for my other writing courses.  Thanks, Dr C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments (3)

mobius@... said

at 10:38 am on Dec 9, 2010

Most excellent reflectin', Mr. Boda. You are lucky to have a teacher who insists on keeping it real. Good luck with your writing career - this is an excellent start - and keep conquering those demons, one day at a time :)

Boda said

at 10:58 am on Dec 9, 2010

Thanks for your feedback and good wishes, Mobius. It was a pretty good semester. All the best to you. Cheers!

kms said

at 2:18 pm on Dec 9, 2010

Boda - You certainly were welcome to join in the conversation with ENC 4311 Adv Comp combo course w/ ENC 6319. We were reading YOU buddy! Best to you in your endeavors!

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