Wouldn’t it be great if we could bottle up some of the excitement of the first week of school and open the bottle on the last week of the semester? At NWTC, I remember a distinct mood change when our marketing instructor would ask “How’s everybody doing?” In September, we were enthused and ready to tackle the world. By the time December rolled around, we’d all groan in response.
The end of the semester brings everything to a head: final exams, projects, group presentations -- plus cold and flu season, winter driving, Christmas shopping, and everything else life throws at you. I don’t have long fingernails to begin with, but by the end of the semester, my fingernails were chewed down to nubs.
For those of us in the marketing program, the end of the semester could be described in two words: Signature Project. We took everything we learned over the semester and stuffed it into a paper, PowerPoint, and group presentation.
When I developed my Signature Projects last December, I didn’t realize the impact they’d make on my life today as an NWTC graduate. My Signature Project from my Marketing Content Management class included a Question and Answer piece with an adult learner—me. This was the foundation for the articles I regularly submit to NWTC. By combining my journalism background with my new marketing skills, I saw doors open to exciting possibilities.
For my Marketing Analytics class I analyzed the Internet presence of a Green Bay metal finishing company and its competitors. Based on the data, I recommended a broader use of keywords and the rejuvenation of its Facebook page. After rereading my 8-page Signature Project, with its screen shots and side-by-side competitor comparisons, I decided to create a similar report for a current client.
With the stress of Dec. 18 (the last day of the semester) rushing at us, NWTC students can take heart knowing the end is near. The effort they put into a strong finish will be worth it, not just for a grade (photo: NWTC students pet Gabreile, the Golden Retriever, at Therapeutic Thursday)
on their transcript but in the real-world applications that will show up after graduation day.
So here’s my advice for the end of the semester: Take a few minutes to make a plan of attack. Set a homework schedule that is workable and realistic, with plenty of breaks so you can relax and recharge. Start with the assignments due first and work your way through your schedule until you can gleefully cross off the last task on the list. Most of all, keep telling yourself “I can do this,” just like you did in September when everything was new and you were ready to conquer the world.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joan Koehne, of Abrams, is a 2017 graduate of NWTC. A former newspaper editor, she co-owns Writer to the Rescue, the content writing division of Packerland Websites.