ANOTHER [SHORT] ONE — SPRING 2025 SEMESTER

 BY WALLACE CALEB BATES

I started back to work on Jan. 6 following the two-week holiday break. As a master's student, I opted not to take a holiday break from my graduate courses, completing an organizational communication course over four weeks. I submitted my last assignment for that course yesterday evening. 

Now, on Jan. 13, my three graduate courses for the Spring 2025 semester commence. In May, I will cross the graduation stage and earn my master's degree!  

This semester, I will study crisis communication, conduct my own research after years of proposals, and intern with a faculty member. I will assist her with a couple of online undergraduate courses and learn about teaching approaches that I might use as I anticipate becoming an adjunct faculty member. 

At 22 years old, I recognize that, Good Lord willing, I have a lot of life left to live. In my short time on Earth, I have learned so much, interacted so much, written so much, and shared so much. Life has been a blur so far. 

As I sit here this morning anticipating the semester ahead, I think back to my youngest years of schooling. I was never particularly gifted in any subject. However, I found my passion during the first years of my high school experience: helping people. 

I have always enjoyed a good conversation, so my mom encouraged me to pursue communication as my major. We joked during my sophomore year of high school that if becoming a doctor was not possible due to my struggle with advanced biology, then I could just major in communication. 

Lo' and behold, I majored in communication, and I have made a career out of what I love. Now, I am one semester away from my master's degree in communication, and I'm applying to doctoral programs in educational leadership. So, not only did I find my passion, but if everything went according to plan, I would also become a doctor! 

As I reflect on my academic journey to this point, I cannot help but feel that I should share some advice with those who are younger than me: Continue learning and studying. Do your best to engage with course content, but also enjoy life while you study. 

I live an active life. Last year, I traveled by car or plane across the Midwest and South — to Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Canada. My MacBook was a frequent flyer, and I completed many assignments at Waffle House. 

As we begin another semester, my love and prayers are with you! Remember Jeremiah 29:11: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

 

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