As I thought about how to describe the experience, I originally wanted to give the analogy of being in the late stages of a marathon. However, the finish line to a marathon signifies a conclusion or a goal attained. Will my education goals be completed in December? No, I still have a long way to go. I still need to pass comps and write a dissertation; both lofty goals themselves. So, what analogy can I use? What can I say to make you aware of the excitement my colleagues and I share in completing this portion of our academic venture? I really do like the thought of completing a marathon...after all the 2 and a half years of continual course work is somewhat comparable to the 26 miles run in a marathon.
Then I realized:
Completing this portion of the doctoral program is like being in the top 10 marathon runners in the Good Will Games. Imagine all the hard work and dedication that goes into becoming an elite runner. A top 10 finish, while not a victory, would earn you the right to run in the Olympic Trials. How exciting, a chance to make the Olympics! How fulfilling; finally a "pay-off" for all the toll on the body?
Much like the runner, the hours of studying and writing papers have earned my colleagues and I the right to sit for the comps. So what does that mean? Well, it simply means that we need to continue studying and preparing for our Trials on May 20th and 21st. Would our runner friend sit back and relax until his opportunity to earn a spot in the Olympics? I wouldn't think so either. Neither can we. Therefore, the celebration of our achievement can not last long. Yes, we should enjoy some festivities, but we must also keep in mind the races to come.
Luckily, I have not seen many "runners" falter in the second leg of the race that is the Ed.D. program. However, I have noticed a great number struggling to finish their dissertation. Why is it that so many do not finish the "race"? To not finish makes all the hard work and sacrifices of conquering the first 52 miles inconsequential. It tarnishes the medals earned along the way. I realize that even the best athletes will suffer a setback that will stop them from finishing; life is cruel that way.
It is my hopes to have enough ambition to complete all three races. I do not need to receive a gold medal, I'd be happy with a hood, a diploma, and possibly a "Laurel and Hardy" handshake.
Nice post Mike. I kind of relate my experience over the past years to a decathalon.
ReplyDeleteThe hundred meter race could be considered preparing the application and completing the GRE. It required low aerobic endurance, but explosive mental strength to get myself motivated.
The long jump would definitely describe my leap of faith by enrolling in the program. I then realized that the next fews years of my life would never be the same.
During the next three years I had to dodge a few shot putts and discuss throws to make it to this stage of the event. Oh, and don't forget that time I had a javelin surgically removed from my neck. That was a tough one as the scar shows.
So now, I feel like I'm about to compete in the pole vault and leave this ground and enroll in the dissertations hours, even though I'm quite uncertain of how high the bar is set.
I could compare the comps to a 400m race which will require a high level of running speed and strength endurance, and I can only image that the dissertation will require a high level of aerobic endurance such as the 1500M. Oh, and the occasional hurdle from time to time.
Like you Mike, I will definitely settle for the same accolades in the end. But am preparing for a Three Stooges smack, eye poke, or head bonk along the way.
Very well put Craig.
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