Week 16: The Final Blog

Wow! It seems crazy to think that this is going to my last blog post for honors marketing. I can honestly say that I have learned more in this class than any other class I have been a part of. Besides the marketing terms, I have learned a few more definitions that I think are important for others to recognize.

Stress: a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances

Exhaustion: a state of extreme physical or mental fatigue

These are two definitions I have become extremely aware of this semester, especially this class. However, I believe that I put a lot of that stress on myself. I put extra hours into my mind maps, my blogs, and every assignment that Professor Spotts gave us. But you know what? That made me learn.
I am currently exhausted. I was so stressed for our smart project, and it was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders when the expo was over with. My hands have had way too many blisters from drawing mind maps. My brain has been overworked. My eyes have been open far too long some nights.. but I would not change the experience I had in this class.

Although I was mainly stressed and exhausted, I learned about work ethic. I have always been known as a hard worker. I put 110% effort into everything I do. This class made it worth it. Learning has always been one of my favorite things, but I've realized that the more you put into something, the more you get out of it. That is something very important to understand, and I learned that from this class.

Marketing is great, but it is hard as hell. Seriously. I do not understand how you people do it. I did not understand how much planning and preparation goes into building a business and marketing it, and for a semester, that was great. For an occupation? No thank you. I loved every second of this class. Even with the tears, and nervous breakdowns.. but I feel that marketing is an endless topic. Every way I look, there is another factor that needs to be taken into consideration with marketing. There is so much that goes into it, and I give marketing A LOT of credit.

With that being said, I am thankful for every opportunity this class granted me. I wasn't going to make my last blog about marketing. (SORRY) I've done that enough. But I will leave with a couple words of wisdom...

1) Get your crap done.

2) If you aren't doing something, and you feel like you should be; then there is most likely work to be done.

3) Don't expect group projects to be done by a group of people. If you want a good grade, take control.

4) Go to bed at a decent hour. All-nighters SUCK.

5) Take pride in your work. If it is not something you would want on your parents' refrigerator, then don't hand it in.

6) Embrace work. It will pay off in the end if you work hard. SO WORK YOUR BUTT OFF.

7) Tears & nervous breakdowns are temporary, GPA is forever.

I hope that some control freak, driven, perfectionist nerd will read this bog one day. Truthfully, this helped me reflect on the marketing terms I learned about and let me connect theories to experience in the course. However, I was not afraid to use this blog as a venting mechanism. I was honest, and sarcastic a majority of the time. But, it helped me manage my stress and allowed me to blow off some steam throughout the semester. I did not hold back whatsoever. Honestly, I wish all my professors made me write a blog that was mandatory. I am going to miss doing this, and I am going to miss my negative 5 readers and followers of my posts.

Thanks for reading! It's been a blast.

-Mallory Donelan