Day Four: Graduate School

So, I’ve been taking this class: PH757 Public Health Informatics.  757.  That’s a pretty big number.  It came with big expectations from this girl’s head.  I really need to learn to stop expecting things and start experiencing things.  Maybe that is what the universe is trying to teach me.

The material is rich.  The schedule is manageable.  The assignments are clear.  This week:

A statement.  A question. Reply in no more than 5 sentences (10 lines maximum).

You can’t get clearer than that.  Without the benefit of in-person lectures and interactions, I truly appreciate these directions that let me know exactly what this instructor would like from me.  I read the assignment, I read the slides, I read the articles, I sit down and write.  Homework usually takes less than thirty minutes.  I am thankful.

And when I read the responses of other graduate students, I am horrified.  This week, only two people out of the thirteen who have posted answers met the criteria.  Most have more than ten sentences, more than sixteen lines.

And when I realise I am horrified, I am frustrated with my snobby, judgmental self.  I hear that echo of Jesus from Pastor Jerry’s sermon, “What is it to you?  You follow me.”  Why is my first reaction so cranky?  Why is my first reaction not excitement that these people are reaching out for new knowledge?  I wish I understood that part better.

I wish I understood it better at school, at work, within my extended family…  I’ll just keep referring back to my little cheat sheet.  Maybe soon kindness will be a stronger habit than judgment.  Maybe soon.