My thoughts on writing my first college paper in almost 20 years.

Writing my first college paper for almost twenty years was overwhelming. That it is an understatement!

I had to read all the assignments but absorb what was being said in the articles. I found myself going back sometimes and re-reading some of the articles. Since I have been out of the college game for so long now, I have second guessed myself over and over. I know I shouldn’t let my age get involved, but I do, and I feel some of the younger women get it.

I found my self-consumed with this first paper canceling family parties and working on it at work in my down time. I am not sure if it was the subject itself, but I do know I struggle with getting my thoughts down on paper.

My husband was a big help this week and would say the first thing you do when you get home is homework. That’s it do not worry about anything else, he was such a big help.  I know he is proud that I am going back and wants to see me succeed.  I  also bounced ideas off of him, and he also helped with his view on my paper.  My daughters love to watch me doing homework. Also, I had to laugh my daughter said now you know how it feels.  I have nine employees under me, and I had a few come into my office and talk to me about my paper, school work how do I do it. I think I am inspiring a few other women at my office to take some college work now. That’s a great feeling.

I changed my original idea for the paper from The Biggest Loser to the Carl’s Jr. advertising. I  read some feedback, and I am still sticking with that but  focusing more on the general idea of food and pop culture and focusing on one commercial.  I find myself wanting to give too much information and not focusing on the general assignment itself.

I sat. in my office and just starting typing my thoughts. Just putting everything out there on the subject. Once I had that done, I would re-read the assignment sit and think what needs to be changed. I tried to organize it, and I sent my rough draft into Smart thinking at least four times. This was very helpful, and I highly recommend using this even before a rough draft to see if you're headed in the right direction of the essay. What I found doing this essay is that I am very organized in my everyday life but not in my writing.

Each rough draft I did I would ask myself are the needs being met by my professor and classmates. I would change my rough draft around again and again. Once I got my rough draft back from Smart thinking, I would use their suggestion and then change it up a bit and re-submit. I thought to myself is this normal? I used my neighbor and a few friends as feedback as well as my classmates.

It’s now Sunday afternoon, and I thought I may be done but now that my professor extended this to Tuesday night. I will add more to this on Monday then do a once over. I hope I have caught everything my professor is looking for. I want to show my manager a good grade as well as my family and just for myself as well.  I am not sure it will get any easier, but now I know what to expect.

Have faith in yourself, ask questions and more questions.

You can do it!

Kelly Christine