Public Relations Writing

Our public relations writing class definately helped me work toward my degree and helped me learn knowledge that will be useful in the real world.  I liked having actual client assignments so I now know whats its like to have to constantly write and then rewrite press releases, media alerts, radio releases, media lists, feature articles, etc.  The class really opened my eyes as to what my job in the future could be like.

Group Project Knowledge

From working in a group project I have learned that it's best to complete projects ahead of time.  My group hit several problems with completeling our assignments because we all had such busy schedules and we ended up missing our deadlines.  I think if we had planned out the specificatinos for each assignment more than a few days ahead of time then things would have run smoother.  It's definately hard to work on group projects at Montclair because so many people are commuters, have jobs, and other class obligations.  My group found it difficult to get the assignments divided up evenly and then meet with each other to bring the assignment together as a whole.

registration!

So today is the first day of registration for classes for Fall '10. I'm getting really nervous about it since I don't schedule until Thursday night and I would really like to take all the classes I need.  Last semester I had my schedule all planned out and then I went to register and only 1 class was still avalible. I had to run down to the communications deptartment and get special permission to take all my classes.  I ended up getting into all the classes I originally wanted with the exception of one but the situation was just so stressful!  I don't understand why all of the communcaition classes are scheduled with like 1 or 2 sections, all at the same time, and on the same days.  IF I actually get into my classes I'm going to be taking 5 classes on mondays which is going to be exhausting!  I guess I'm kind of to blame since I don't want to commute 5 days a week, need to take more of my core courses since I'll be abroad next year, and I picked up a minor starting next semester.  It's definately going to be hectic next semester.  Good luck registering everyone!

Group Work

I'm not sure if its just me but I don't like bring group projects in college.  I feel like everyone has such different schedules, opinions on assignments, and ways of writing that its difficult to achieve a good grade.  Back in high school and at my job now, I enjoyed doing group projects since everyone could get together and things can be accomplished alot quicker, but in college the atmosphere is entirely different and group projects have become a chore more than anything else.  I understand my professors thinking behind assigning group proects but its so hard for everyone to get thier schedules to mesh and since some people dont care about thier grade, others are left to pick up the slack.  After graduation I understand I'll be working in a group environment alot of the time and have group leaders but those people all are getting paid to do a good job and usually are working the same hours so the process is completely different.  Right now my group project for PR writing is going relatively smoothly but its difficult to tell what our grades will be when we are finished.  For now we are going to continue to divide the work up evenly and use eachother as a checks and balances system to catch errors.