Picture Caption: SW Bowne Hall, Drew University, my Academic Building from the undergrad yearsI'm taking a break (okay so I take a lot of them!) from studying for my MA exam, less than two months away. Even though I know I'm going to pass, somehow I still don't certain of how much studying is enough for this.
My boss saw SparkNotes on my desk and was teasing me about taking this approach to studying. I truly believe SparkNotes could save my life at present because all I really need is the broader picture not the nitty gritty that I usually lose anyway from reading. I usually don't go for minute reading comprehension but I can hold my own in a larger discussion.
For example, a few month ago, I was at a symposium during my college reunion on the new MoMA. I had not yet been but managed to jump in and shake up the discussion a little bit. Mind you I was on the lower age end of the group and the people that argued against me for elitest snobs my alma mater is probably notorious for.
Oh but I digress...
I spent half of last weekend throwing away the papers from the last six and a half years of my academic life. I was saving them for an occasion such as teaching or at present my MA exam. However, I found most of my notes to "in the moment" and decided that only two courses I've taken had applicable notes. Last night, the rest of my laborious note-taking (class notes, then later re-writes into what I called "master notes) went to the curbside to get recycled. What in the world with the center think when they see all that?
My senior thesis...draft after draft... the notes on paintings I can't even remember anymore...and at least 3 readings of "Hamlet" good grief I truly loathe that play.
I've been musing half-heartedly about making this brief but increasingly profound experience into a novella. It begins at the curb and ends when I make my final student loan repayment when I'm like 60.
As usual with me...stayed tuned!
Mags
