A500.9.3.RB_SharpMelissa

When I started MSLD 500 I had a basic idea of what to expect. I knew I would wrestle with critical thinking and that intellectual perseverance would be necessary. Still, I didn’t truly know what to expect because when I took this course in the past, I withdrew around week 3 or 4, while it was still early in the term. Because I had taken the class before I had basic ideas about course-expectations; however, I didn’t know that I would be challenged in a way that caused me to question my place in the Leadership program. My specific area of challenge was research methodology; I felt like a total novice. I enjoy academia and the process of learning, yet I was beginning to feel that it wasn’t for me. I knew those thoughts weren’t true as I considered past positive experiences (including positive experiences in this class); however, as the assignments became more difficult, self-doubt also increased.

The first time(s) I attempted this course, I wasn’t prepared. For example, I didn’t review the assignments early in the week to mentally prepare and I worked on the assignments later in the week when I should have started working on them earlier.  When I tried this course other times, I thought it was going to be much like my first ERAU grad course, MGMT 535. MGMT 535 was challenging but not full-time intensity; in contrast, MSLD 500 is intense the entire time.  When I registered for the class this term, I did things very differently, I reached out to my instructor before the term began and he offered his support and guidance as he sensed my terror. Instead of reviewing assignments later in the week, I reviewed them earlier to mentally prepare for the tasks ahead.

Admittedly, when I started this course I was so focused on making it through successfully (success in my mind was an “A”) that I wasn’t taking time to enjoy my progress. Midpoint of the term my instructor suggested that I take a moment to reflect on my progress; I never thought about doing so until he reminded me. I was so caught up in “success” that I wasn’t enjoying my own accomplishments. I also must admit that when I started this class, assignments were “a body of information” to me, information that I wanted to get through. However, as I took time to enjoy the process, I began to practice critical thinking. While assignments were still challenging, I began to enjoy them because I was learning the how’s and why’s of the coursework. I became better acquainted with task-expectation so that assignments weren’t as intimidating as they had been.  The self-doubt I started with is no longer hanging over my head; I feel like I belong in this program; I even feel equipped enough to help others who may be struggling.

As an adviser, I have many conversations with students about graduate courses, not just from ERAU but from other colleges. Some students from other schools talk about how easy the grad courses are; I think there’s an expectation that grad school should come with ease, after all, schools just want the money (popular myth and unfortunate truth that many students believe). Nevertheless, MSLD 500 challenges that thought as it is far from easy and is purposely demanding as students are prepared for future MSLD courses. I can personally say that I have learned concepts that will positively influence my performance in future courses.