If I haven’t said so before: I’m a Ph.D. student. One of the things I study is playwriting (writing for the theatre). My instructor recently gave a wonderful final assignment. Our final paper was a guided self-assessment of our work in the field of playwriting over the past 4 months. While I’ve been accustomed to lengthy well documented and researched papers in graduate school I found this one of the most difficult, enjoyable, and learning filled papers I’ve ever written.
Do you ever stop for long enough to actually assess what you’ve accomplished in a given set of time? Many people do this right before making their next failed new years resolutions. Self reflection is a valuable tool for students, and one that is definitely ignored amidst the piles of books, papers, and activities students face today. I know I certainly haven’t actually, honestly, looked back at my accomplishments recently and reflected about their meaning in the grand scope of my life. This reflection was, surprisingly, a motivator for me in my work at the end of this semester.
Playwriting is one of the most public of private things. It is somewhat like posting the pages of your personal journal in your peers’ favorite hangout spot. Playwrights compose a bit of their souls in what they write and then it is put into the hands of actors who read your words, audiences who hear and comment on them, and directors, designers, and producers who further shape those words for public presentation. One has to have thick skin and value criticism. Perhaps I was particularly suited for personal critique but I certainly found value in it.
I learned that I do more than I think I do. Actually having to focus on what I had accomplished I was kind of surprised by the number of successes in the past 4 months. I was also honest about my shortcomings, doubts, and future hopes. I was built up and given a bullet point list of failures to work on in a very brief time. So students: at the end of the semester, before the celebrations begin, get a piece of paper and a pen and write down your successes, your failures, strengths, and weaknesses. You’ll be all set for the next semester’s trials. I’m certain that you’ll be surprised by your progress.