Time to reflect

I finished my first semester of class finals on Friday; then went to Waupaca and St. Mark's for the weekend. The few days' reprieve has provided me an opportunity to reflrect on the semester.

Wow, it was wonderful. Difficult, challenging and educational on multiple levels, but wonderful.

What did I learn. Well I learned all kind of church history and theology "stuff" that I didn't previously know. I'm anxious to have have that as a base on which to pile more knowledge. And, I learned the very, very, very basics of Biblical Greek. That was the class to which I was most looking forward and the one that presented any multitude of challenges too me. I learned how to learn more and where to find the knowledge I will need to basic Greek translations of the New Testament. What I also learned was how to study. It's been 30 years since I graduated from college. A lot has gone on in my brain and life since then. All of those things affect learning style. I've discovered the most effective study habits for me now are to do it in two hour chunks, not much longer. I start off with two hours in the morning before chapel, two hours in the afternoon and two hours in the evening. And then, there are the squeezed in moments. I struggled with learning Greek vocabulary until very late in the semester when I hit upon taping just a few words to the bathroom mirror each day. I would study them as I brushed my teeth and dried my hair. It worked! Wish I would have discovered that practice early in the semester.

Another tidbit about how I learn, researching and writing papers. I could take a topic we had covered in two classes, but it wasn't until I focused on it in research and sharing knowledge mode that it stuck in my head. It will be helpful in the future.

Of course, the spiritual side of me was developed as well, I was reaffirmed in attending chapel three times a day. It's where my strength is boosted,

And, I learned the power of friendship, love and prayer. The support I received from so many people in sublte ways helped me put aside all fears and apprehensions and tackle school work.Hopefully my successes will improve with more practice.