Routines & Rules

I always struggle with the first writing assignment and even the first test in each class. Does anyone else struggle, too? I could blame it on being dyslexic and the anxiety school caused for me as a child. It has always got easier with each assignment. Every teacher expects something different and I always feel I am writing for the specific teacher. Some more than others. I have to admit I struggle with anxiety and panic attacks, even while writing assignments.

In my mass com 268 class we are required to write a summery of each chapter, along with several questions. I handed in the summery for chapter one last week. I didn't try very hard with it, because I wasn't sure what the instructor expected. He handed them back today and I am happy to say, I have a better idea of what to write for chapter three. I had worked on chapter two, but hadn't handed it in, so I will tweak it a bit and see if I get it somewhat right.

I often do my reading assignments on the bus to and from school. That will be a challenge for 286. The summery has to be one typed page. I think it will be easier to write and read at the same time. However, I found this quote as I was reading on the bus ride home today. It fit perfectly with my thoughts in this BLOG:

"For most of us, the first time we were assigned to write a term paper or research paper was a scary experience. What's a suitable topic? How long should it be? Where can I get information? How much do I need? How do I organize it? How much detail should I go into? How much of it should be my opinion and how much should be "just the facts"? When do I need to use a footnote? The teacher could answer some questions fairly specifically. Other answers were open-ended. Whereas writing that first term paper was hard, writing the second was somewhat easier, and the third a bit easier than that. That is so because we not only write the term paper but begin to learn the rules for researching, organizing and writing them." (Media Making, Grossberg, Wartella, Whitney and Wise, p. 76)

So, I am not alone? I like knowing that.

Today's picture is of the Communication & Journalism building on the UNM campus. It was raining on Thursday when I took my camera with me to school.