Immerse Yourself

Under Attack

The past few weeks have been spent attacking our Immersion project from all sides. Now we are approaching week 10 (am I really almost halfway done with grad school?), and it's time to really get cracking on the project now that we've implemented our Team website using ModX. I've never used a CMS like this before, and it's been a really helpful, useful tool. I've even installed it on my own domain, http://www.allicza.com because it is so organized and I can update my website and the MSHA team website from several machines and not have to worry about uploading or downloading separate files.

Immersion is also further enhancing my time management skills. I'm one of the most organized people I know, and I often make and live by to-do lists. At first, it was a bit tough getting used to the amount of hours I spend in class (especially on Mondays and Tuesdays), at school, or driving to and from school. That has taught me if I've got a spare pocket of time somewhere, I need to use it wisely, because I'm not getting it back. I wake up every day between 5:45 and 5:55 to swim - exercise is an important constant in my life that keeps me sane, healthy, energetic, and smiling. (And all of my teammates like a sane healthy energetic smiling Allison, right?) Because I do this, it means making sacrifices like going to bed early so I'm not yawning in class the next day, and beginning my work as soon as I get home, because once 9:30 rolls around, instant tiredness sets in and it's really difficult to efficiently get work done. And yesterday Dr. D. echoed something that should be at the forefront of all of our minds: "Immersion needs to be your top priority." Exactly right - we get one year, one shot at earning a master's degree and completing this instructional design project. I believe I have been, and desire to continue, making the most out of this opportunity and giving it my all. To be successful, and to exceed expectations (both mine and MSHA's), this is what needs to happen.

So in conclusion for today: besides mining, instructional design, Immersion is teaching me important life management skills which I know will take me far into the world of academia which I hope to pursue after graduation.

posted by Allison @ 12:40 PM