Another course added to my transcript. It definitely feels good. The downside? I have taken all the classes I was excited to take. Now I have to start taking classes I am less excited about. Between course prerequisites and CMU program plans, I need to buckle down and get some of the less desirable classes taken care of. The next several classes will definitely be much more difficult and will require quite a bit more time and motivation to complete.

I've set very high goals for my Master's program personally and I intend to keep them. I know I CAN do it, it is all a matter of making sure the effort is put in to successfully reach my goals.

I've been fortunate to have family members with experience in some of my previous coursework that I could use as references to help me through sticky points. The next few classes, I am on my own. It looks like my textbooks and I will become very close over the next 16 weeks.

Best of luck to everyone starting new courses!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 9:04:41 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  
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Well, I am in the home stretch of classes. One of my favorite aspects of CMU is the short sessions. The 8 week online classes are really a good length. Although sometimes I do feel I don't have enough time to finish some of the work.

8 weeks is enough time to get through an entire textbook and really learn something. I firmly believe that you can only get out of the class what you put into it. You can certainly skate through many of the courses here, but what is the point? Do you just want a piece of paper saying you have a Master's Degree? Or do you want to let everyone know that when they see your degree hanging on your wall, that you are an expert in your field?

I want people to come to me for information and help because I've put the effort forth to really learn material and begin to use it in my career. I have a real passion for my coursework right now, because I am interested in the subject matter.

I wish everyone the best as they finish this term!!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 8:16:18 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  
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It is half way through this term and things are starting to get busy. The class that I am taking now, doesn't require a super long written work, but does require a lot of reading and scholarly thought.

I was working on some discussion group assignments the other day and my son walked in to tell me he was going to bed. It was at that time, that I was extremely thankful I was taking my classes online.

Sometimes life makes you so busy that the little things get skipped. Taking classes online is the best "middleground" between wanting to learn and further my career while still being able to "stop and smell the roses" with my family, if you will.

With that being said, my time management as of late has left something to be desired. I procrastinated on a paper and had to rush in the last several days to get the bulk of the work complete to have it turned in on time. Those things happen.

The one thing about online classes that I struggle with is the time management aspect. Taking classes and having a busy work and family life is possible. It does take work though. Self discipline is something I've been working on since I started online coursework.

So far, it is has worked out OK. I know that there are some tough classes on the horizon and I hope I am able to smell the roses in between APA Citations and References.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 7:01:18 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  
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Hi there, I'm Matt. I know some of you may be wondering why I have an overly intelligent, mischievous monkey and a graduate theory class in the same sentence.

One of my favorite aspects of the distance learning programs at Central Michigan is the fact that I can sit next to my two and a half year old son who thoroughly enjoys watching this monkey on TV and respond to scholarly discussion board topics on the organizational methods and theories of successful companies.

Online learning is something I've really grown to love. When I completed my undergraduate degree, I was absolutely positive that I did not want to continue on a formal learning path. I had a tough time getting through my bachelor's degree and felt that it wasn't worth all the time and effort.

Fast forward a handful of years and I got the "Master's Degree Itch". (Well, that is what I call it anyway). I was in a good position at work and just felt that I needed more knowledge to go along with my experiences. I thought about it and looked into schools and degree programs and decided it still wasn't for me. Another couple of years went by and I decided to look into it again. This time, my research brought me to Central Michigan. I have always lived in Ohio and the word "Michigan" is almost a bad word around here so it was quite the decision to look into CMU. :)

After talking with an advisor online and finding out more about the MSA program, I was absolutely positive I wanted to move forward and start the Master's Degree process. My advisor, Marnie, was almost certainly the single biggest factor in my decision to attend CMU. She was extremely quick at getting me information and followed up with me to make sure I had all the resources I needed to pick a program and apply.

Once accepted, it was all very straight forward. I took classes 100% online and decided that only one class at a time was plenty for me at my current stage in life. So far, I've had plenty of time for family vacations, work, overtime when needed, staying out late with friends, and yes even for Curious George!

Friday, June 05, 2009 6:51:03 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  
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