What have I done??

Ever stopped and said to yourself, “What have I done?”

I did that yesterday – not once but a number of times. In a complete turn around of events I went and enrolled in full-time study for the next two years.

Yikes – what have I done?

It all happened like this. My dear wife found out from a friend that Tabor College in Adelaide (about 50 minutes drive from home) is offering a full-time one-year study in TESOL, which stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. This will then give her the qualifications to teach ESL (English as a Second Language) which she has been doing for nearly a year now. (Through our church we have been giving ESL lessons to a group of migrant Chinese workers living in our town. They need basic English in order to gain residency.) Many times she asked herself the same question: “What have I done?” as the waves of terror threatened to swamp her. It has been so long since she last did any serious study.

On another visit to the college last week she picked up a booklet outlining another course offered at the same college. She gave it to me to look at. It gave details of their creative writing courses. Within the hour I had almost decided to do the Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing. Our theory was: if she was going to mess up a year studying full-time, I might as well join her and do a proper job of our lifestyle (“What lifestyle?” says the little voice in my head).

So yesterday we went to the College again. The head of the Humanities Department and one of the lecturers interviewed me for two and a half hours! I left with my head spinning. I had enrolled to do a full-time two-year course to do their Master of Arts in Creative Writing. What I didn’t realise before speaking to them was that I would be given credit for all of my previous tertiary studies, plus 35 years of teaching plus consideration given for my vast body of writing already achieved.

Wow!

I didn’t know that I could do it. So for the next two years it will be head down and tail up. Fitting all this in with our many other interests and responsibilities will be a major juggling act. It will mean lifting my game as far as writing is concerned. Add to that a considerable amount of reading plus plenty of extra travel. I hope we are up to it.

Good writing.

 

16 Responses to “What have I done??”

  1. Kinda reminds me of the time back in 1993 when I turned to my wife and said, “I think I want to finish my engineering degree!”

    She calmly looked me in the eye and replied, “Go for it!”

    What a woman!

    Eight years later I had, not only an undergraduate Engineering degree, but a Master’s and a Doctorate as well!

    Godspeed, Trevor – you never know where you’ll end up next!

  2. Trevor says:

    Thanks Robert – never knowing where one will end up both excites and terrifies me at the same time!

  3. Sim' says:

    I know that feeling well – taking on a Masters of Education in Adult Education was a very big step for me … fortunately my wife had done all the hard work of finding out what was required and getting the application forms together – otherwise I would never have done it – and since she is doing the same course, we get to motivate each other. We are both half way through now – another two years to go for us (part time).

    I’m glad you’ve decided to take on something like this – hope it all goes well for you!

  4. By jove, I think you’ve got it! 😀

  5. Trevor says:

    Thanks Sim’ – I thought he only had one year to go.

  6. Kelvin says:

    What a challenge! However, knowing you as I do I am confident of your ability to complete this course. It is exciting to anticipate what the future may have in store for you. God knows, because He has it already planned. I look forward, as you must, to this new era in your life’s journey. God bless, my prayers are with you.

  7. Trevor says:

    Thanks Kelvin. We appreciate that.

    Corinne started today with a study techniques course (I was given an exemption!). Tomorrow we both attend orientation and lectures start next week.

    Will keep you posted.

  8. […] few days ago I wrote about the studies I am doing over the next two years while I complete my Master of Arts in Creative Writing. Yesterday my wife (who is also studying) and I went to the college for Orientation Day. We had our […]

  9. […] back to full time study this year to gain my Master of Arts in Creative Writing. (For more details click here.) I am not sure of the wisdom of studying full time when I’ve just celebrated my 60th […]

  10. Snail says:

    Woo hoo! I reckon college is always more fun as a … ahem … mature-ager. (Although anyone over 25 — or is it 23? — is considered a mature-ager. No, I don’t understand it either.)

  11. Trevor says:

    So what does that make ME???

    At 60 and a little bit over, I’ve definitely had time to mature a little I hope. So mature, in fact, that if I was a vintage Grange red wine I’d be worth squillions.

  12. Snail says:

    So what does that make ME???

    The perfect age to go to college, I reckon!

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