Test

Key Word: Test

Test is the first Key Word I will build a blog post around. I am new to the blogosphere and am checking out this blogging experience before I return to my homework. Test is the key word for this post for two purposes. The first is the reason I just mentioned: I am testing this system by posting because this is my first blog post, and secondly because this idea of being more technically capable has been a test- a test of my will, a test of my intelligence, and a test of my self-confidence.

At near forty years old, I have returned to school in pursuit of my PhD in Technical Communication at IIT. Having been out of the technical conversation for several years, I returned to the classroom to pursue my degree, mostly to keep my mind occupied. This tests my will. While at times I feel like have the willpower to succeed, there are days when I question the sanity of my decision. What makes it easier for me than most people, I imagine, is that I do not have kids. Also, my partner travels for work so I have uninterrupted stretches of time to concentrate on my studies.

The program also tests my intelligence. New subject matter, new technology, and new ways of learning has me wrapping my brain around what it means to be a technical communicator. I am back in the educational world of analysis and synthesis of information. I am making connections as I progress through this degree program and engage myself in the learning environment, both the physical and mental learning environments, and the material is at times very challenging.

Lastly, my self-confidence is tested often being my age in the classroom. Having some life experiences behind me, I have a certain level of self-assurance that I have developed. My self-confidence is challenged at times by the imbalance of not knowing how to write code for a website. At the same time, my experience provides me with the maturity to understand that the upset to my confidence is temporary as I use my will and intelligence to push through it.