It's official: I'm graduating from Kent State with an MA!

Entrance to the Kent State School of Journalism.

   It's official. My Master's Project has been approved. I posted the final paper and the course syllabus in separate pages on the top of this blog.
   I will discuss in more detail about the approval process soon.
   I am Kent State.

Starting my lead sentence with a date: December 15

   December 15.

   That lead sentence breaks a long-held journalism rule of not starting a lead sentence with a date unless that date is important. So today I’m breaking that rule because I’m writing about a milestone in my life.

   December 15 is the day I hope to be set free from the toils of academia. There are so many things I will be able to do again. Let me count thy ways:

The announcement.

1.     My family will regain my attention;

2.     I can start working out again. I need to harden the softening muscles that went flab during five years of sitting on a chair with my nose glued to a computer or book;

3.     Housework will get the attention to detail it so desperately needs;

4.     My own students will get their grades returned in a more timely fashion;

5.    Did I already mention my family would regain my attention they so desperately crave?

   There are two concrete things that help make this impending day more real: the cap and gown that’s still in the Kent State University Bookstore plastic bag and hanging on a dresser knob in my bedroom, and the graduation announcements that are still in the box on my desk. They are in my possession, and I can hold them, wear them, put addresses and stamps on them, but they don’t matter until my Master’s project is officially approved.

   I defend the project at KSU Nov. 29, and if my committee chairs approve the course proposal, then I will celebrate by trying on my cap and gown, and mailing out the announcements.

   It's been more than a month since my last blog post. I just didn’t have the energy or wit to explain one more time how difficult learning APA was for me. But now that I’m familiar with APA, working on the project is easier and more enjoyable.

   Let me take this opportunity to impart one very important piece of advice to anyone working on a Master’s project or thesis some day: Buy a good book on APA guidelines, and study it before you write that first word. It will save you lots of time, and your instructors will love you for it!