Since I graduated university and started working full-time, I've still been taking continuing education courses a bit obsessively. I take 1-2 courses every semester, and I pore over course catalogues dreaming of how to squeeze as many of these exciting courses into my next semester. I live in a big city and I don't think I will stay here for long, so I'm tempted to take advantage of as many unique courses as I possibly can. I'm unofficially working on 3 separate certificate programs at 3 separate schools, and there are a ton of other courses I'd love to take.
Problem is that between depression and shyness/aspie awkwardness, and what may be chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia or just poor eating habits, I have a hard time dealing with the courses I DO take. Usually, I attend between half and 2/3 of the lectures, and end up skipping a lot because there's an assignment due that I can't finish in time, or because I just want to go to bed, or because I find the whole classroom environment to be exhausting and upsetting. This current semester has been particularly difficult because I've had to do a group project with the most moronic group ever (and I say this with a LOT of experience).
It's already time to register for the next semester (courses begin in April and May and run until June or August), and I can't decide what to do. Part of me says that I'm worn out and need to take a break from school, but another part of me says that whether or not I go to school, I'm still going to be lazy, socially phobic, and depressed. At least school gives me a venue to get out of the house and meet other people. Not to mention, it expands my knowledge and potentially helps me develop skills (eg freelance writing, editing, computers) that I could use in my career. The biggest argument I give for not going to school is so I can work on my writing, which has been completely blocked for years. On the other hand, I could take a creative writing course that would force me to get into a habit of writing.
I'd love to hear your input. Which 1 (or 2) of the following options should I go with?
1) Creative writing course - Pros: Forces me to write, gives me weekly writing prompts and may even stimulate ideas to start writing novels again. The instructor this semester comes highly recommended. Cons: I'm taking a writing class now and I get very traumatized by the whole workshop format (although part of that may be having a male teacher, which has always been an issue for me), and (perhaps because I'm taking a second class in addition) I have trouble writing something every week. Bonus: would count toward a certificate.
2) Online creative writing course. Pros: No forced in-class interaction, critiques are easier to handle; could improve my ability to handle criticism to prepare me for future in-class writing workshops. Cons: Less interaction with instructor; would still need to take above writing class to get certificate.
3) Copy Editing. Pros: Can take course by distance education, which means no in-class interaction, but still provides online interaction (isn't that the ideal?); gives me skills I could use to get freelance editing work or get a job in publishing. Cons: pretty dull, not inspiring, perhaps harder to get myself to do the work (or easier, in the sense that I would've have perfectionistic expectations blocking me from even starting). Bonus: counts toward a certificate program (though I'm not sure I'll do that certificate).
4) English Literature (various). Pros: I love writing but sometimes I feel like an idiot when analyzing literature, and I want to take more courses in literature. I could take a basic literature course by distance eduation, or a gothic lit course, or numerous others. Cons: The gothic lit course is condensed and runs 2 nights a week, and lit courses often involve a lot of moronic discussion. Doesn't count for certificate program, and required reading turns my hobby into work.
5) No courses (at least not until July). Pros: Gives me a rest from the stress of the school cycle, more time to go the gym and cook for myself. Cons: Would probably spend half my free time reading continuing education catalogues, wouldn't have any inspiration to write, and would still have to take courses later in order to do certificate; also, TV is in reruns, so perhaps it would be better to wait until the fall to take a break.
My gut tells me to take the in-class writing course PLUS the distance-ed editing course, but my logical mind tells me I should take, at most, one course, and only if I really, really need to. On the other hand, my naturopath is convinced that if I change my diet I'll have more energy and motivation, thus perhaps improving my capacity to handle the stress of school....if only I can give up wheat, sugar, dairy, potatoes, tomatoes, mushrooms, corn, peppers, and eggplant.
27 Mar 2007, 7:04 pm
