Butterflies and Exams

Do you get butterflies when you think of taking exams? I still do. It's been a month since I wrote here, but much has happened. Classes at Olivet started, I wrote the last course for the Library master's program, and I just completed my comprehensive exams for my doctoral degree.

Even though I've taken tests for years, each test is different and I find they do create a little anxiety - not paralyzing - just enough to keep me focused. This last exam was different than any I've taken. In seven days, I had to write 8-10 pages for each of the five questions I received.

Now the waiting begins. Do you find it challenging to wait? It will be 2 to 4 weeks before I find out if I passed my exam. The good news is that all I have left to do is to write my dissertation. I love writing and research.

Have you had your first exams this year? Are they all traditional or are some unique? Preparation and prayer help the butterflies of exams!

Plan B

Like you, I'm getting ready for the beginning of school and I've been working this summer to rewrite my syllabi and order new textbooks. I created the one for Children's Literature and I really like the text. Then I've been watching my mail for my teacher's copy of the Language Arts text - but it never came. Yesterday I called the company and there has been a delay on its publication. Thus begins Plan B - writing a syllabus for the class without using a textbook as a base.

Do you ever have to implement Plan B? Sometimes in my life I think I have everything all planned and God has a different plan for my life. That's the way it was with my job. I was very happy as a library information specialist at Dwight Common School, but then this professorship at Olivet opened up. I knew God was in the midst of the change because EVERY detail worked out smoothly and perfectly! God had a Plan B for my life that I didn't even know about. Questions for thought! What is God's plan for your life? Is the plan yours or God's?

Summer's End! New Beginning!

This past summer has been a busy one - I took five doctoral classes at Argosy University in Schaumburg but my husband and I just returned Friday, August 15, from Maui, Hawaii. It was very relaxing, but as we returned we said we are returning to the "real world!" Friday I completed one paper, wrote another, and created a powerpoint presentation which was due on Saturday in my last class.

Tomorrow I'll spend in my office at Olivet preparing the final syllabi for my courses this fall. As I begin my second year in the department, I feel a little like a child, excited for the first day of school. We begin meetings on Wednesday, but it will be great to see all of my colleagues and hear a little about their summer experiences. This week the campus will still be rather quiet, but this weekend the students will return - such a difference - the whole campus comes alive!