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CPE homework is an interesting experience, thus far. First off, on nice days, I've been tending to stop in the park on my way home and get at least some of my homework done there. That makes it a rather pleasant experience, and cuts down on distractions, besides the loveliness of the park. It also means that when I get home, I have much less to need to remember to do- mostly things that involve writing on the computer, which makes home-time much more relaxing. Having my place to stop and work on the way home makes it easier to carry out, rather than coming home and then needing to make a decision to go somewhere else afterward, which was generally what has gotten me trapped in attempts to do work in the library or beit midrash, in the past.
Secondly, it's very personally focused stuff, and it doesn't pretend to be anything else. A lot of the time in rab school, when I get something that requires personal reflection and insight, it felt like it was asking too much of me, because that wasn't what the course was supposed to be about, or the teacher never acknowledged that the assignment was supposed to involve reflection. Therefore, I'd get resentful, and not do a good job. Here, it's explicit and I signed up for it, which makes a big difference for me. I think that it also helps that here, spending time on reflection is really valued, and doesn't just make you "one of those people rabbis" who aren't any good at Gemara...
I'm in the midst of an assignment right now that I'm having a hard time managing. I'm supposed to pick two phrases from a list, and finish the thought, with the instruction to pick the two that are the most difficult or scary to answer. Well, I've looked at the exercise twice now, and I just don't know where to start. I've done the other exercises in the reading, and although I'd like to think one of them over some more, I've come up with answers. Here, I'm just stuck, and I know that if I can get myself past the "stuck", I'll learn really important things about myself. However, so far, all I can manage is to stare at the book, mystified. It's very frustrating, and I don't know how to get "un-stuck" on this one.
Secondly, it's very personally focused stuff, and it doesn't pretend to be anything else. A lot of the time in rab school, when I get something that requires personal reflection and insight, it felt like it was asking too much of me, because that wasn't what the course was supposed to be about, or the teacher never acknowledged that the assignment was supposed to involve reflection. Therefore, I'd get resentful, and not do a good job. Here, it's explicit and I signed up for it, which makes a big difference for me. I think that it also helps that here, spending time on reflection is really valued, and doesn't just make you "one of those people rabbis" who aren't any good at Gemara...
I'm in the midst of an assignment right now that I'm having a hard time managing. I'm supposed to pick two phrases from a list, and finish the thought, with the instruction to pick the two that are the most difficult or scary to answer. Well, I've looked at the exercise twice now, and I just don't know where to start. I've done the other exercises in the reading, and although I'd like to think one of them over some more, I've come up with answers. Here, I'm just stuck, and I know that if I can get myself past the "stuck", I'll learn really important things about myself. However, so far, all I can manage is to stare at the book, mystified. It's very frustrating, and I don't know how to get "un-stuck" on this one.