Purgeport II

This spring semester stands out already as a period of growth for me as an adult learner, in many ways. Not only in how I perceive the value of continued learning, but in where that learning comes from. In addition, my own method of learning is being challenged.

The Groups and Teams class is proving to be challenging due to its format and the nature of learning and working in teams. This has been compounded by our ‘snow day’ and thus losing one of our meetings. Thus far, this course seems to have a pronounced ebb and flow of work, with longer periods building up to assignments, and then a flurry of collaborative work. The group assignments, for which my team has five contributors, are difficult to coordinate due to the very varied schedules of our team members and due to the very compressed time frame for completion. Typically two weeks.

I’m typically methodical, predictive, and I tend to get things done early. This semester, that is just not possible and I have had to step back, take a breath and approach my learning differently, with more patience, and attempt to not let these changes cause stress. Some of my most constructive professional criticism over the years has been to learn to let go of control and trust in others. This has always been difficult for me. This semester… so far so good, although I have been letting it stress me out and it has taken a conscious effort to ‘let go’.

I do wish that the films watched, in both classes I’m currently taking, would be assigned as part of our out of class work. This would allow us, especially in the groups and teams course, to use more class time during the ‘flurry’ periods to work together during class when we know we can all make it. After next week, I will have watched 5 films during class time already this term, at approximately 2 hrs per film…food for thought.

Aside from this learning adaptation and growth, I find I’m learning from other sources more than I would typically recognize. Again, having turned 40 last week, perhaps I’m being a little melodramatic or perhaps I’m experiencing a period of reorientation, mid life crisis or a 40 year transition?, all so apropos given that I’m in adult development this term. Regardless, I feel like many of life’s lessons are being gifted to me and I’m hoping I can make the most of them.