For a long time I have regarded a degree as "just a piece of paper". In fact, coming into this semester, I still carried that belief. Although I saw the practical reasons for it, to me, it was nothing more than a piece of paper.

Just halfway through this semester, I have to say I see it quite differently. My semester has been crammed with courses on management, marketing, programming, business communication, and the oh so dreaded accounting (in which, after seeing my midterm grades, I found I was not doing as poorly as I previously thought). I'm starting to see a lot of what I've missed through the years.

Because all of my courses are junior and senior level courses, skating through them is not an option. Hard work is expected, and excuses aren't allowed. This has caused me to drastically redefine a lot of my priorities. Time management, for so long an afterthought (or, frankly, nonexistent) has now become absolutely essential to survival. And a lot of choices have to be made regarding outside activities (meaning a lot of them no longer exist, at least for the time being).

It is possible that I may finish my Bachelor's Degree next spring, but more likely that it'll be another semester beyond that, as I've been working part time this semester so that I have time for my family. This means I'm going to need to work full time over the summer, which means no courses for those months. I have my application in on a couple of business internships, and have a couple of options that I'm hoping play out.

I've been gradually reducing the length of my hair. I like it long, but honestly, if it's a barrier that keeps me from getting a better job, it's a stupid thing to hang onto. I have received a few contract jobs, and if I wanted to get called back on those types of jobs, it doesn't help to have hair down past your shoulders.

When I finish my degree, it's something I will cherish. This semester is doing a lot to shape who I am as a man, a father, and a husband. Things that you don't learn in a textbook.