I wish I had more time to blog, but just finding the time to write something decent is a struggle. But, I am blogging, so that means things are calming down. I have noticed these update blogs come along during breaks and the holidays.

So, update one. School. I have been in school for some time, trying to find my niche. But, I have found I don’t quite have one, so I am going to get a degree that says so. I have applied to be a part of the College of Extended Learning, Bachelors of Individualized Studies program. The program simply allows me to construct my own degree, as most will find will contain concentrations in computer science, web, writing, graphic design, multi-media, mass media and even business.

The Bachelor of Individualized Studies (BIS) program is ideal for students with academic and career aspirations that require inter- or multi-disciplinary study. The program attracts motivated and self-directed students who feel constrained by the specialized nature of traditional degree programs and want to design their own, personalized plan of study. Other students, particularly those returning to the university after years away, or those with full-time jobs, choose the BIS degree because they have specific personal or job-related academic needs that can be met most efficiently through the BIS.

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Universities across the nation are discovering that traditional degree programs sometimes do not address society’s interdisciplinary educational needs. NMSU has responded by creating a more flexible program in the form of the individualized studies degree. The Program allows students to pursue their educational goals in areas not available within an existing departmental curriculum or traditional major. The BIS offers new opportunities for current and prospective students, and welcomes those who are:

• Employed fulltime
• Completing their degree at a distance
• Veterans, active duty military personnel or active duty family
• Transferring from other institutions
• Returning to college after time away
• Completing their baccalaureate degree for the purpose of attending graduate school

NMSU, Bachelor of Individualized Studies

This program also helps turn six semesters left of a computer science degree to three semesters. As far as I have researched, there isn’t a degree here on campus I can fit into; and this has been the problem all along. I’m sort of a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to technology and the web, and really there isn’t anything like that here. I also need to get out into the real world, I would like to start working and helping out where I can. So, this is a bit of news; it’s been a real relief actually. Light at the end of what has been a long tunnel.

Finishing up school for this semester has been a tough one. This has been the busiest semester to date. I’m not sure if I am built for two jobs, 14 credit hours and freelance work to top it off. I just think I am a little too laid back for all of that. Plus, most of the classes I took this semester do not apply towards the new degree I am getting, so there’s a bit of lack in motivation right there. But, a good grade will help my GPA. So, looking forward, I wonder just how I am going to push through the next year and a half. I have learned lots about time management and reducing stress so I can get things done. But I still will forget something here and there, and there always seems to be some kind of drama floating around. So, I guess I will need help from friends and even family to help in both those areas. I’m pretty thankful to have them too.

Religion, God & Life

One thing I do feel really good about is where I am spiritually. Now, I don’t mean that cloud inside my stomach, I just mean my perspective on life has become clearer and I have a focus. You can actually start reading about it at Trees and Bread, where I am starting to write about it.  The best thing about my focus, my connection with the world is that it has brought me back full circle to where I always started. I had abandoned my previous thoughts, beliefs, and approaches to try and find something else. But, my new perspective sounds new, but really it’s just how I have always felt about life, God, etc – just with new ways to focus on them. So, this is definitely a new chapter in my life, something much different than all the others; I’ve finally (I think) am starting to find what I was looking for. Not God, but answers. I finally have some answers, and a better way to express them.