Essays Suck

J-man · March 5th, 2008, 12:06 AM

I just spent the better part of a day (and night) trying my hardest to avoid doing an essay, till I finally got it finished a few minutes ago - it's now 6:04am here, and I have to hand it in before 11am - so no real chance of sleep (if I sleep now I'll never get up to hand it in!).

In case anyone is wondering, the essay is "Discuss the history and development of sound recording technology within the context of the problem of fidelity. Is it possible to be true to a performance?"

Ugh...

It got to the point where i went for a two hour walk, just because I wanted to avoid doing this thing.

getbent · March 5th, 2008, 12:30 AM

Well, it is procrastination week! If it is any consolation at all... I always got the best grades on papers I waited to do at the last minute...

As for the question.... UGH!

Good job on getting it done!

J-man · March 5th, 2008, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbent

Well, it is procrastination week! If it is any consolation at all... I always got the best grades on papers I waited to do at the last minute...

As for the question.... UGH!

Good job on getting it done!

I'm with you on the last minute = best work thing!

I've always been someone who does their best work when time is against them.

I've always liked exams for that very reason. I always aced exams in school.

Trust me to choose a degree that's purely based on coursework. (No exams!)

The question was actually the best of the three I had a choice between (to me).

The other two were to discuss the principles of Digital audio, and to discuss the history of general MIDI.

garytelecastor · March 5th, 2008, 12:35 AM

If you are planning on grad school it doesn't get better. I had one semester where I wrote 4 papers between 15-20pages each, plus article critiques, reaction papers, and self-analysis papers.
You get used to it after a while.

Telehackster · March 5th, 2008, 12:38 AM

And it doesn't get any better if you have to read and mark all of those papers either, let alone write your own stuff!

Nick JD · March 5th, 2008, 02:29 AM

Ahhhhh, University. A place where you finish with a piece of paper, a bad liver, and the ability to "write" an essay that is nine tenths reworded plagiarism.

...then you never use the knowledge ever again.

Ask anyone whether they value that piece of paper with fancy seals and their name on it, or the memories - and they'll tell you it was the best time of their life but no one's ever asked to see their degree, and they could have lied the whole time and gone fishing.

Stop whining!

Life will never be this good!

Caper · March 5th, 2008, 05:59 AM

Well you got it done and that's the main thing, I feel for ya, I really do.

Stevie 202 · March 5th, 2008, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-man

In case anyone is wondering, the essay is "Discuss the history and development of sound recording technology within the context of the problem of fidelity. Is it possible to be true to a performance?"

Ugh...

==========================================

Ummm...Well actually that sounds kinda interesting (but I'm sort of 'nerdy' that way)
Maybe you'll let us read it later?

Tony474 · March 5th, 2008, 06:55 AM

Believe me, James, I know exactly how you feel. It's a very long time since I had essays to write, but I've recently started a formal course in Spanish to reinforce 48 years of informal knowledge of the language and I always seem to leave the homework until about half-an-hour after I was meant to be in class... Same thing with accounts and VAT for my business. The authorities haven't done me yet, but it's got close!

Waaaay back in my student days I had a sign on the wall that said, "Procrastinate NOW!"

winny pooh · March 5th, 2008, 07:06 AM

It may just be me but I would really love to write an essay like that, great topic.
Say afew things bout my current job

Grin'n'pick · March 5th, 2008, 07:17 AM

I did the same thing yesterday with a research paper and left it to the last minute. You don't do yourself any favours by leaving it late (despite what you may think) but for some of us it is pretty inevitable. I've actually got better at starting on time, and doing the work when I should, but I think deep down you're always the type who REALLY procrastinates if that's how you're wired.

Funny how other people's school work is always more interesting than your own, I wouldn't have minded a crack at your essay title. Mine was split, one part was on the validity of foreign customary marriages and evidence; and the other was on Inheritance Tax exemptions for ex-services people injured on duty where the injury was a factor in their death. Boring as hell.

Cassady · March 5th, 2008, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garytelecastor

If you are planning on grad school it doesn't get better. I had one semester where I wrote 4 papers between 15-20pages each, plus article critiques, reaction papers, and self-analysis papers.
You get used to it after a while.

Oh yeah? When I was in graduate school I had to walk 10 miles to school uphill both ways through the snow. Not to mention the semester where I had two 10 page papers due every week (and was severely sleep deprived).

On the bright side, writing papers, or newspaper articles, heck writing in general, gets easier the more you do it. I got to the point where I could whip out a 10 pager in five or six hours.

Sadly, those skill have atrophied and it seems like it takes 20 minutes just to churn out a few paragraphs on an Internet BBS...

Hey J-man, I'm surprised that your question didn't include the instructions to "be specific and use numerous examples" (A saying that one of my professors was famous for--he used to give assignments like "describe the history of technology from slime to the present, be specific and use numerous examples". Nobody seemed to like him and I can't imagine why.)

Cassady

SixStringSlinger · March 5th, 2008, 07:19 AM

I was gonna say that I'll trade you for a paper on Kantianism due at 3 this afternoon, but after reading your question, I'll pass

Dan German · March 5th, 2008, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbent

Well, it is procrastination week! If it is any consolation at all... I always got the best grades on papers I waited to do at the last minute...

Me too! But then my wife pointed out to me that I had no basis for comparison; I never did any papers except at the last minute. Maybe I should try that whole "organized, planned-ahead" thing. Naaaahhhhh!!!!

Anyway, congrats! And when you're my age (47) remember to ask yourself if you want to be writing an essay. 'Cuz I am here to say, it's better to do that stuff while yer young. I have two essays due next week, and a 60 page draft of a one-act play due April Fools' Day. Am I working on them? No. I'm posting nonsense on TDPRI.

1293 · March 5th, 2008, 08:55 AM

I absolutely HATED writing when I was in school. These days, I have to write a lot of technical documents as part of my job. Some have been as long as 5000 pages

Mid Life Crisis · March 5th, 2008, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony474

... Same thing with accounts and VAT for my business. The authorities haven't done me yet, but it's got close!

Same here...I'd swap all this for having to write an essay on a cool subject any day!

g-Paul · March 5th, 2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan German

Me too! But then my wife pointed out to me that I had no basis for comparison; I never did any papers except at the last minute. Maybe I should try that whole "organized, planned-ahead" thing. Naaaahhhhh!!!!

That's hilarious! I was going to say the same thing until I realized that I, too, had no basis for comparison!

Good luck, J-Man. Going to school is a great time in your life, except for the learning part.

Tony474 · March 5th, 2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassady

When I was in graduate school I had to walk 10 miles to school uphill both ways through the snow.

Sounds like a unique topographical configuration to me...

jimd · March 5th, 2008, 11:39 AM

I chose a career, engineering, so I wouldn't have to write. Now my promotions depend on how many papers and journal articles I have written. You can't avoid it.

J-man · March 5th, 2008, 11:44 AM

Well I handed it in at 9:30 this morning, then got back to my room and passed out for a few hours till dinner.

I'll upload it if anyone wants to read it, but I warn you, it's incredibly rushed, and I was slightly tripping from lack of sleep towards the end.

Tony474 · March 5th, 2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-man

I'll upload it if anyone wants to read it...

Actually, I for one find the topic of interest, so I wouldn't mind a quick shufti if it's no trouble.

Joe-Bob · March 5th, 2008, 12:20 PM

I'd like to read it.

Did you cover the incredible contributions made by Frank Zappa?

fuzzferatu · March 5th, 2008, 01:14 PM

Um... I wrote a 400 page book in three months. So, I guess a 15 page paper doesn't intimidate me so much.

Writing is fun!

Charlie Bernstein · March 5th, 2008, 01:29 PM

It's like safe sex. You don't have to like it. You just have to do it.

And you did. Good job!

And by the way - what was your answer? IS it possible to be true to a performance?

March 5th, 2008, 12:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
J-man Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Wales/Scarborough Age: 19 Posts: 6,104 9 Photos	Essays Suck I just spent the better part of a day (and night) trying my hardest to avoid doing an essay, till I finally got it finished a few minutes ago - it's now 6:04am here, and I have to hand it in before 11am - so no real chance of sleep (if I sleep now I'll never get up to hand it in!). In case anyone is wondering, the essay is "Discuss the history and development of sound recording technology within the context of the problem of fidelity. Is it possible to be true to a performance?" Ugh... It got to the point where i went for a two hour walk, just because I wanted to avoid doing this thing. __________________ Write a wise saying and your name will live forever. - Unknown When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. - Hunter S Thompson

March 5th, 2008, 12:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Age: 48 Posts: 9,152 37 Photos	Well, it is procrastination week! If it is any consolation at all... I always got the best grades on papers I waited to do at the last minute... As for the question.... UGH! Good job on getting it done! __________________ Happiness makes up in height what it lacks in length.

March 5th, 2008, 12:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
garytelecastor Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,303 18 Photos	If you are planning on grad school it doesn't get better. I had one semester where I wrote 4 papers between 15-20pages each, plus article critiques, reaction papers, and self-analysis papers. You get used to it after a while. __________________ éí 'aaníígÓÓ 'áhoot'é Redd Volkaert is a Jedi Knight at one with the Force!!!

March 5th, 2008, 02:29 AM	#6 (permalink)
Nick JD Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2007 Location: North NSW, Australia Age: 36 Posts: 2,187	Ahhhhh, University. A place where you finish with a piece of paper, a bad liver, and the ability to "write" an essay that is nine tenths reworded plagiarism. ...then you never use the knowledge ever again. Ask anyone whether they value that piece of paper with fancy seals and their name on it, or the memories - and they'll tell you it was the best time of their life but no one's ever asked to see their degree, and they could have lied the whole time and gone fishing. Stop whining! Life will never be this good! __________________

March 5th, 2008, 06:55 AM	#9 (permalink)
Tony474 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North Bushey, near London, England Age: 61 Posts: 1,973	Believe me, James, I know exactly how you feel. It's a very long time since I had essays to write, but I've recently started a formal course in Spanish to reinforce 48 years of informal knowledge of the language and I always seem to leave the homework until about half-an-hour after I was meant to be in class... Same thing with accounts and VAT for my business. The authorities haven't done me yet, but it's got close! Waaaay back in my student days I had a sign on the wall that said, "Procrastinate NOW!" __________________ Proud to be The Man From Uncool.

March 5th, 2008, 12:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
Telehackster Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas, USA Age: 42 Posts: 936	And it doesn't get any better if you have to read and mark all of those papers either, let alone write your own stuff!

March 5th, 2008, 05:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
Caper Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,151 6 Photos	Well you got it done and that's the main thing, I feel for ya, I really do.

March 5th, 2008, 07:06 AM	#10 (permalink)
winny pooh Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South London Posts: 1,443 1 Photos	It may just be me but I would really love to write an essay like that, great topic. Say afew things bout my current job __________________ my afro ambient side project: http://www.myspace.com/theswyambusessions

March 5th, 2008, 07:17 AM	#11 (permalink)
Grin'n'pick Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sarf Eas' Laandon Posts: 1,923 38 Photos	I did the same thing yesterday with a research paper and left it to the last minute. You don't do yourself any favours by leaving it late (despite what you may think) but for some of us it is pretty inevitable. I've actually got better at starting on time, and doing the work when I should, but I think deep down you're always the type who REALLY procrastinates if that's how you're wired. Funny how other people's school work is always more interesting than your own, I wouldn't have minded a crack at your essay title. Mine was split, one part was on the validity of foreign customary marriages and evidence; and the other was on Inheritance Tax exemptions for ex-services people injured on duty where the injury was a factor in their death. Boring as hell.

March 5th, 2008, 07:19 AM	#13 (permalink)
SixStringSlinger Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2006 Location: Miami, FL Age: 20 Posts: 1,205	I was gonna say that I'll trade you for a paper on Kantianism due at 3 this afternoon, but after reading your question, I'll pass __________________ "Is a hippopotamus a hippopotamus, or just a really cool opotamus?" -Mitch Hedberg

March 5th, 2008, 08:55 AM	#15 (permalink)
1293 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,480	I absolutely HATED writing when I was in school. These days, I have to write a lot of technical documents as part of my job. Some have been as long as 5000 pages

March 5th, 2008, 11:39 AM	#19 (permalink)
jimd Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Age: 41 Posts: 509	I chose a career, engineering, so I wouldn't have to write. Now my promotions depend on how many papers and journal articles I have written. You can't avoid it.

March 5th, 2008, 11:44 AM	#20 (permalink)
J-man Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Wales/Scarborough Age: 19 Posts: 6,104 9 Photos	Well I handed it in at 9:30 this morning, then got back to my room and passed out for a few hours till dinner. I'll upload it if anyone wants to read it, but I warn you, it's incredibly rushed, and I was slightly tripping from lack of sleep towards the end. __________________ Write a wise saying and your name will live forever. - Unknown When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. - Hunter S Thompson

March 5th, 2008, 12:20 PM	#22 (permalink)
Joe-Bob Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 3,694	I'd like to read it. Did you cover the incredible contributions made by Frank Zappa? __________________ "Smart like Fox, Strong like Bull!"

March 5th, 2008, 01:14 PM	#23 (permalink)
fuzzferatu Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Portland, OR Age: 39 Posts: 550	Um... I wrote a 400 page book in three months. So, I guess a 15 page paper doesn't intimidate me so much. Writing is fun! __________________ New Book: The Bloodbaths Music: www.TheGoldenGreats.com, www.TheScree.com Writing: www.SecretWorldChronicle.com, www.SubatomicBooks.com Ego: www.SteveLibbey.com

March 5th, 2008, 01:29 PM	#24 (permalink)
Charlie Bernstein Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Augusta, Maine Posts: 2,392	It's like safe sex. You don't have to like it. You just have to do it. And you did. Good job! And by the way - what was your answer? IS it possible to be true to a performance?