First Master's Midterm

Okay, you noticed I didn't post last week. I'm sorry to have placed this task as a low priority, but the truth is I was being a little selfish last week. I wanted to watch television one night, another night I had soccer, and I had to review 11 chapters for the midterm that came tonight.

The good news is that the time preparing for the test paid off. I know that an open-book test is simple by nature, but having highlighted the major items gave me a leg up, because I spent little time searching for answers. I didn't feel unnecessary pressure as a result. This was very beneficial, in my opinion.

Last week was a solid week in classes, but I don't recall anything major. I was excited that I received comments such as Great on my first marketing grades. The grading was very sensitive on some areas, so to see the word great really gave me a fresh "'atta boy" that was necessary. I remember being excited on Tuesday to show Whit the scores. I still feel the need to impress my wife, which I think is a good thing, because it shows how her opinion of me really matters. She has been very valuable when the load was tough two weeks ago. She wasn't feeling well, but she still offered some great comments after reading a few of my papers.

This week in class, we were given more of our graded assignments back, which I am glad to report everything has been a high A. Also, as I mentioned there was a test this evening. It was an average to low difficulty test considering this is a master's program. That said, it was the right message to the class. The message I took was, don't freak over these tests, it isn't the point of the program, the faculty is focused on getting the information into our minds and let us truly learn. The point of the tests is mainly to pace us, and make sure we are still hanging on. I know that I got tricked on one question, but since I know there may be cohort students from the North Lamar campus reading this, I don't want to give anything away. If they are reading this, they should know not to panic, because the test is exactly as he stated it would be.

After the test, which I most likely got an A on (fingers crossed), we discussed Super Bowl ads. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I studied for my marketing test so much on Sunday, that I forgot the game was on and missed the first 25 minutes of coverage. I probably missed the best commercials, darn. We talked about the Eminem Chrysler commercial which was very awkward in my opinion. That commercial was almost 2 minutes long, and considering the price of 30 seconds ads, that was probably worth 15 to 20 million dollars. What a waste, in my opinion? I did like the idea of rising up, and it had an underdog's theme, so maybe that was the right time for the message. But I don't think Eminem and luxury cars at the same time.

Tonight, I felt especially close to my cohort mates. I think that we, as a class, are really getting a great understanding of our personalities. I liked talking with students like Travis about the ads. Also, I think this is one of the most comfortable settings I have been in during my educational and work career. It is true that I speak freely and often in the course, but I think I am insightful and spur good conversation. It's ironic that I say that too, considering what happened in Econ class.

Before class, I spoke with Dr. Estrada briefly to get a little more comfort about next weeks test. He eased my nerves, and told me that we would go over it in class. In speaking to the class, it was evident that the Dr. Estrada believed as a class we may be really nervous, and he was trying to make concessions in order to ease the pain of this first test. He would offer a little helpful thing on the test, and more questions would arise, so he continued to concede every little tool he could think. I personally felt the need to speak out, even though I may have rubbed some folks the wrong way. I mentioned that I didn't find it necessary for him to give us much except for maybe the equations, as he has stated all along he would do so, because this is a master's program, and I don't think we should be living in a state of safe. Yes, we all want good grades, but I prefer the chance to be challenged. If I didn't want an honest challenge I could have bought a textbook, and took online quizzes. Instead, I really feel a strong call to leadership, but also it is very important to me that this degree is not a handout or a gimme to whoever pays for it. I want to impress my teacher enough that he feels comfortable saying that I deserve to be called a Master's graduate at the end of the program. I hoped others would feel the same, and I saw enough head nods that made me feel like other's feel the same way. I was afraid of ridicule originally, but I think I showed natural leadership because I didn't let that dissuade me from doing what was right.

Econ class continued with Estrada highlighting the main concepts that we have covered. We then jumped into indifference curves and budget constraints. it all made so much sense, because this is what we do when we go shopping every week. We are trying to maximize our utility and we have a limited budget, we want to get as much as we can, and there are some items that we are indifferent in buying. Again, I think that Dr. Estrada bends time somehow, because that class just flies by every time. Marketing not so much, maybe because there are so many items that are quickly jumped to. In econ, it is typically a single point that we drive home, maybe two or three facets to the equations, but generally it all ties together with a single theme. I know that I am weird because I enjoy Econ more than Marketing. Although, I am feeling better about Marketing each class.

I think I might post again this week after the study sessions to report how I feel before the first econ midterm. I wish I would have captured my feelings before the marketing test. I would summarize them as a little nervous but nothing major. We had the book as a crutch or a just in case. I wouldn't say I was cocky, I would instead say I was prepared.

Final thought, I was thinking today about my decision to get this MBA and the stresses that it entails, and I heard a song by Francesca Battistelli that rang true to me. In a song named "This is the stuff", she mentions a whole list of bothersome things that happen in life such as misplacing your keys or phone, or getting a speeding ticket and your already running late. Its cute, but there is a line that reminds me of something really important that I haven't been embracing much lately. The line is "In the middle of my little mess, I forget how big I'm blessed". That meant so much to me because not only am I blessed with this chance to go to school (which I could have easily not done, and avoided the stress), but really I am loved by a fantastic wife and daughter, additionally by such a great family that has always shown me such respect. Most importantly, I'm saved, by the best lover in history, and that is a big blessing.