How this course changed my life.

I'll come right out and say it. This was the second time I've started CSR309. From the beginning it has been the same feeling, that there isn't enough time. Even though it is a leadership class, I learned something a little more useful to me. The power of time management.

Throughout the semester I have been plagued by poor time decisions. Missing classes to make up work I should have done before, writing papers while at my job, and generally scrabbling for every second I could grab. Not because I had a schedule that demanded it, no, but because I make a poor use of my time. Staying up late, partying when I shouldn't, video games; all massive wastes of time that I could have used for something more productive. Something that would have lessened my stress in the long run instead of merely that day.

Before this class my thoughts had always been: I need more time, there isn't enough time, how does anyone do this on time? It was really only in during the span of this class that I was able to metaphorically and literally get my feet under me. Proper time management, being where I needed to be, and actually knowing what I was doing there. In order to become a better leader to others, I had to be a better leader of myself, and that meant better budgeting of my time. While this may not have been the intended lesson to be learned in this class it is a very powerful lesson to learn. I'm only upset that it took me so long to finally understand it.

Like I said this was the second time that I had started CSR309, I knew what was coming, I knew there would be a time to stand up and take control, but I didn't take that opportunity, I wasted it. On the thought that there wouldn't be enough time for me to be an effective leader, I wasted it because I thought that I wouldn't be able to be available enough, I wasted it because I thought that I couldn't do a good enough job.

I know now that there is always time to be exceptional, as Mr. Feinberg says, "This course can change your life." Being able to take charge of myself, to truly be in charge of my own life, to me, is a much needed and hard fought lesson learned. This course did change my life, and I'm glad I stuck it out.