As noted in an earlier post I am now working on my Master’s Degree. This has resulted in two three things:
1) I spend a lot of time reading. I mean A LOT. As I had been told on numerous occassions, this ain’t no undergrad, and I think (it’s ironic that I am writing this in the midst of my first reading break) I am just beginning to realize the extent of that statement. Today was about six hours. Tomorrow will be similar, but I do have small summaries to type, which should help bring a little more diversity to my day.
2) I am a student again. This may seem ridiculous to some, but I have to note that it subtely changes one’s perception of self (at least in my case). Last year I woke up each morning, showered, shaved, and dressed in nice slacks and a good button-up shirt. Now, I wake up each morning (earlier I might add), may or may not shower, likely won’t shave, and dress in jeans, t-shirt, and sweater. On a good day I will wear a plaid shirt in lieu of the t-shirt. I no longer feel 26…come to think of it I probably no longer look 26! But hey, when travelling on transit, sitting in lectures, and studying (reading) in the library for hours on end, one might as well be comfortable.
Part of being a student also means that I no longer receive a paycheque. Once again, change in perception of self (note the lack of the term “subtle” in this context). We sold our 2nd vehicle. Enough said.
3) I have once again come to realize how much there is for me to learn, and how little I pursued that when I was out of the school context. I suppose on one hand I could view it as a well-deserved break; but on the other it just seems like apathy to me. I’m struck that even having come through a 4-year degree there is still much I do not know or understand. There are snowdrifts of ideas or thoughts in my head that I have glanced at, but have not been intentional about plunging into.
Having started studies again, I am also coming to a place where I am having to struggle to reconcile previously held beliefs to newly acquired information. I seem to be wrestling with this today more so than usual. Or maybe I am simply coming to the realization that I am doing so. And maybe it’s not even reconciling, maybe it’s re-analyzing, re-questioning…re-imagining? Previous apparent truths are no longer as clear cut, like when you run the blur tool over distinct lines in a photo. That picture, which once depicted a discernable event, setting, or individual, is now open to new interpretation, new understanding, new perspective.
New learning.
