Almost There

It’s almost over. Three more weeks, one term paper and one final exam left to complete and it will be summer break. Last night I wrote the last paper required for Recreation and Leisure Studies (RLS) 122. It is a course that has received more attention than it deserves in my blog. I have waffled between detesting it and accepting it for what it is; ridiculing it and granting that it has some worth; agonizing through every second and having the sort of fun in which time flies. Although it has been an exceptionally easy upper-division class for me, it has also required a great deal of time to complete what can best be described as “busy” work.

This class fulfills my “writing intensive” requirement. To be so designated, a total of 5,000 words must be written throughout the semester. I’m not sure how much of the rest of the course curriculum is dictated by this requirement, but I’d say there are probably other mandates as well. For some students, it’s much more writing than they’re used to. However, I rarely write fewer than 1,000 words in a single sitting and I have been known to write more - much more. I am not unique in this respect… I’m certainly not bragging. I suspect most journalism majors, English majors, government majors, psychology majors… and many others are used to “intensive” writing.

The paper due today was assigned three weeks ago. Entitled “Prescription for Happiness,” it was yet another introspective essay. The required minimum length for this final assignment is an unprecedented 1,200 words. I didn’t want to write it, but in a little under two hours, I completed a pretty good essay. I am sure it is, like the others, worthy of an “A.” Moreover, it shed some light on how my vision of life has changed over the years. It’s the sort of writing that comes easily for me and I really don’t mind writing about it - unless, of course, it’s an assignment.

It is important to remember that whatever the quality or manner of motivation, the writing that emerges contains all that I have come to expect from my frequent and thorough glances inward. This most recent work is no exception. I have drawn from within an analogy revealing my perspective on life that makes a great deal of sense. It came as a surprise as the words trickled out and I am left with the realization that I was compelled not by some greater purpose, not some profound experience and not some brilliant flash of the obvious. It was a stupid assignment from this stupid class that I am compelled to complete for my degree. From all that stupidity emerged a vision that is anything but. Go figure.

*Clarification*
I didn't mean to imply that I am "almost there" in terms of being done with my degree. I only meant that this semester is almost over. Although it is true in terms of my degree as well, I still have two courses yet to complete in the fall. I went into all the gory details here.