Landscaping

At the outset of this first PhD course and the process for learning, it’s good to scope the landscape. As I’ve worked on organizing the readings, writing, assignments, and requirements for this first course, the Doctoral Seminar 1, I’m aware of the overwhelming feeling of being overwhelmed by the tasks ahead. But, just as with my garden in the spring, or a new landscaping project, I need to map out the steps and logistics to get from beginning to end.

As I’m setting out the reading list, highlighting sections of the syllabus, jotting notes, making connections and preparing for the course, I’m tilling the soil for the upcoming season. Before I begin, I need to have a clear sense of what needs to be done. It’s making sure I’m not putting all the tall plants at the front of the garden – or doing only the easy readings first. It’s getting the ‘bird’s-eye-view’ of the location to make sure there’s space for everything. In this course, I’ve drafted a plan of action, making revisions based on the time it’s taking to do some of the readings, as well as sketching out some initial thoughts and directions for the major paper that is required.

I have begun to plant a few annuals in this course garden – those bright spots of colour that will fade unless tended. These are the course readings that I’ve tackled so far and the four sentence summaries that go with them. I’ll review and revisit them before the course begins since these will become part of the research journal submission and the daily reading responses.

The scope of this landscape is immense and intense but with one step at a time, and a shovelful after another, I’ll manage to sculpt something interesting from this landscaped garden. The season has just begun, more work is on the horizon. I’ll try to remember, when the heart rate increases and the breathing becomes rapid, to STOP, breath deeply, enjoy the aromas within the moment, and see the beauty of the garden coming into being!