I must admit, it was a lot easier to finish strongly during the Fall Scholarship program here at Progressive U than this Spring contest. I'm sure several of us feel the same way, as I am beginning to, once again, see blogs with complaints about the quality of writing.
Several times over the past couple of weeks I have found myself staring at a blank "Submit Blog Entry" page to no avail. I would take a break, go check the news, read through other blogs, even look at the new News Feed Features posted on this site only to find myself, once again, staring at the blank page.
I feel worn out, to tell you the truth. So much has happened this semester, both in school and out of school. Some of these events have been posted here to this site, others never found their way to these pages. In addition to the events of my own life, so much has happened here at Progressive U; some good, others tragic.
Dozens of blogs were posted following the shootings at Virginia Tech, most with unique perspectives and each with questions. Following the events at Darfur, continuing debates regarding religion, several states beginning to lift the ban on same-sex marriages while other states are implementing more fierce restrictions on abortion.
So worn out.
I don't feel as though the quality of the blog has gone down, nor do I feel as though there is simply not enough to write about anymore. But I think there are several users out there right now who feel the same as I do: So worn out. Perhaps this contest is simply too long to hold our enthusiasm. Five months offers everyone a better chance of staying in the game, sort of speak, and offers late-comers a chance to catch up while others who are here from the beginning get sucked into the many other aspects of our lives.
But then again, it's hard to keep a momentum going for 5 months during such a program that requires daily participation and dedication with slim chances of reward.
And some of my own frustration and lack of motivation stems from how many times I've heard the same arguments. I mean, I could easily whip out 4 or 5 new blogs on abortion right now, and each would probably get an average of 50 reads before the close of this contest next week. But do we really need 4 or 5 more blogs on abortion? Are there any news ways to spin abortion or any new perspectives that I could add to all 4 or 5 blogs? And as an audience, would you want to read through and comment on 4 or 5 more blogs on abortion? I know there are some of you who simply cannot turn down the opportunity to yell "Pro-Life" or "Pro-Choice" on any blog that is posted. But the question is geared towards the more discerning audience.
I just feel as though I have talked about so many things and different perspectives on these many things, I have covered so much news and political happenings, and shared so much of my life that I am worn out. Perhaps it will help if this contest were the same length as the Fall contest (3 months) rather than nearly double the length. Or perhaps that will hinder our users more than help.
Or perhaps I should just take a deep breath, pick up another newspaper, and try again.
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
While I am not in the contest, I can definitely sympathize with you on being worn out. I just don't have the mental energy to blog lately. Life and school have drained my resources. I need to rest and regenerate before going at it again. I think you'll find that many others feel the same, especially this time of year with graduations, vacations, finals, jobs, and everything else that May/June brings out to demand our attention. Keeping the momentum going for 5 months at a time is hard. Keeping it up during this time of year is more work than many have the energy to give.
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." Dr. Seuss
I completely agree with you! The acticity on this site a sharply declined in comparison to the fall contest. And you are right we have beaten some topics to death. . .But I also think there is nothing to wirte about right now that grabs many peoples' attention. Maybe we all need a break!
Spring is a much more stark transition time than fall, I think.
After finals, which were intense enough in and of themselves, I moved out of state for a summer job that has kept me working intensely ever since I got here just over a month ago.
I've just been so overwhelmed, that the prospect of spending any more time on a computer than the 10 hours I already spend at work each day is just too daunting.
The only thing that keeps me going is just how desperately I need scholarship money.