Choices

Ha. Posting. Finally.

Thoughts:

Last time I said I'd try to fill in whoever still reads this blog with information from two weeks ago.

I lied.

You see, the thing is. I tried to write that post at least four times. At least. I have drafts saved everywhere of my thoughts on the matter. And none of them came out like I wanted them to. Most were angry. Some were accusing. None were flattering.

So I've just decided to let sleeping dogs lie. There's no point in my dredging up unflattering thoughts about the past. All in all, my college education is not at stake, and there were just simple misunderstandings. I've moved on, and there are other things to worry about.

Like the fact that course requests starting this week. And I have no idea what to take. Sure, I've already listed the courses that I need to take, but the rest of my courses are supposed to be electives. And I'm struggling with figuring out what to take. There are so many options.

The best idea would be to take classes that add to my growing understanding of different ways to craft the English language (read: more writing classes) It would probably help me in the long run no matter what I decide to do. There's also the option of getting some practical experience by signing up for an immersive learning project centering on writing and design. And it just so happens that I like both writing AND design. Then there's the option to take a bunch of 100 level courses to boost my final GPA and make me look all shiny and smart.

Option One leaves me with more work for my last semester, but probably a greater level of happiness and grumpiness as I struggle my way through news/feature writing. It also gives me a greater understanding of features writing in general, one of the branches in Journalism that I'm actually interested in.

Option Two gives me more options in general. I'd actually have practical experience in my field (something I'm severely lacking in). I'd also probably get a larger understanding of design principles, and thereby something else to add to my satchel of tricks. I'd also probably be a little happier 'cause I wouldn't be bogged down entirely by the overwhelming process of writing. I'd have a little design to break the monotony of pulling my hair out as I stared at blank word documents.

Option Three, again, offers a chance at a higher GPA. Fodder classes that offer a fairly easy A and thereby a greater overall GPA. Which, due to faults entirely my own, isn't as high as it could be.

Option three probably isn't going to be picked. I'd be bored to death taking 5 week classes that I've already taken in some form or another, and the extra GPA points really aren't worth it. I don't particularly give a shit about my GPA. I never have. Yeah, getting about a 3.0 would be nice, but that'll probably happen after this semester anyway. And my major GPA will probably take away most doubts in the first place. Either way, I've never really thought grades mattered much. Sure, having good ones will help get your foot in the door, but if you don't know your shit, no matter what your GPA says you're not going to do well. And if there is one thing that I've taken from these past 4 years, it's how to tell the flow of the English language, and when it's fucked up.

Which leaves me with options one and two. Option two is really really tempting. But not for the reasons it should be. Practical experience is nice and all, but I think I want it for all the wrong reasons. I want it for marketability. Not for the class and experience itself. Which will probably give me issues in the long run (as far as the class is concerned). And if I go with option one, I can take the final fiction writing course. Which, conveniently, is about flash fiction next semester.

I love short writing. Short stories, magazines, columns, feature writing. It is innately interesting to me. Something about having such pure mastery over the written word that you can get an entire story out in just a few words. There's no room for the superfluous. Everything has to be succinct and mean precisely what you mean it too. Every word counts, and every definition counts. In my head, it's the ultimate form of English writing. It's probably why I'm torn between English and Journalism.

Journalism gives me the shorter writing I crave. English gives me the storytelling. Combine the two and it works out perfectly. You know, negating the whole nonexistent income thing. I suppose I should just be happy I'm not a poet.

I think I'll go with option one. It'll be harder, most definitely, but that's never really stopped me from doing anything.

Now... to take care of that hold on my account so I can actually sign up for my damn classes...

Quote of the Day:

"When your work speaks for yourself, don't interrupt."
- Henry J. Kaiser