I didn't forget about blogging, I promise. I've been busy studying and trying to keep my head above water with kids and church and family and friends and WOW! I feel like I'm going in a lot of different directions.
So the word of the day (week) is REST. I'm trying to find a way to connect with some. I have an alarm on my phone that tells me to go to bed at 10:30, but I almost always ignore it. Between studying and wanting to just goof off a little before bed, I tend to stay up til after 11 and then getting up at 6 is a DRAG! I've come down with ANOTHER ear infection, and apparently wisteria and I are not friends. So I'm on antibiotic ear drops again, and I'm taking some allergy meds for the stuffiness. This stuff is OUCH. But I'm hoping the pain will calm down so I can think of something other than chopping my right ear off.
I have a pre-calculus test next Monday and a Statistics test next Wednesday. I'm sure my Chemistry professor will hear of it and decide to plan a test the same week. I bet my Spanish teacher will follow suit as well. I'm struggling a little bit just sticking to my study plan and trying to learn all the new information. I usually get in a slump about 2/3 of the way through a semester and I'm really trying to come out of it. Hopefully I'll get my head on straight BEFORE the next exam.
I met with my adviser today to discuss summer and fall semester. He suggested that I only take Chem 2 for the summer along with my study abroad trip to the BAHAMAS in May. Then he gave me some ideas for classes for the fall semester as well. He seems to favor taking it slow and making good grades. Not a bad plan. But I also don't want to be undergrad FOREVER. I have a LONG road ahead, but it doesn't do good to get in too big of a hurry either. I wish I had some way of knowing that it's all going to work out eventually. It will in one way or another, right?
Monday, March 28, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
What I Will (and will not) Do for an A
I like to make good grades. Who doesn't, right? I can't think of any college student in their right mind that would purposefully miss an opportunity for extra credit. Especially at my school. The school that I went to last year (Columbus Tech) gave students the opportunity to view their grade averages online at any point during the quarter. We don't have that here at CSU. I try to keep a good handle on my averages from assignments and tests that are returned to me graded. But my Chemistry class is a mystery because he has a built-in curve that he applies after all points are accumulated. So I really have no idea where I am, except that I know the absolute worst I can make. He also adds on points for class participation and attending tutoring sessions. I try to show up for everything that I can as long as I don't have another class. So I'm hoping that at the end, my good outweighs my bad.
My professor announced this morning in Chemistry that attendance at an upcoming seminar would add 5 points to my total grade in the class. This sounded interesting, right? He put a flyer on the screen about this seminar. Apparently it's about yeast. Oh. Snore. Yeah, I'm gonna go. Will I be awake? Not sure about that.
I've been reading some blogs around the internet, and I've discovered that pre-med students are not all that popular. It might even be said that everyone kinda hates them. Now I certainly don't have a complex about running around and making sure everyone likes me. But I don't go out of my way to be a jerk either. Seems that a lot of pre-meds have a reputation for asking questions in class to brown-nose the instructor, always begging for extra credit points, and harassing the professor to bits about missed answers on exams. I will admit to asking questions about missed answers if I cannot arrive at them on my own during review. But I'm always pleasantly surprised when a teacher offers opportunities for extra credit. I don't go around begging for it. And if I ask a question, it's because I really don't know the answer.
I guess some pre-med students might be more affected by the hate flames sent their way by other students, but since I'm a non-traditional student, I just assume that they all really don't notice that I'm around anyway. I don't really get involved in any of the social goings-on here on campus. I come to class, I do my assignments, and I go home to my real job as wife and mom. I don't really know any other pre-meds here on campus to form an opinion.
But give us a break, grades are a big deal as to whether we get into the school we want or not. So me freaking a bit about a C on a Chemistry test is a big deal to me. I'm sorry you failed chemistry, but it probably didn't have the life-altering potential for you that it does for me. I occasionally do feel the desperation welling up in my stomach when I think about how 150 people are competing for my place in medical school. I just remind myself to take it one day at a time. And yes, there are things that I won't do for extra credit. Apparently a seminar on yeast isn't one of those things.
My professor announced this morning in Chemistry that attendance at an upcoming seminar would add 5 points to my total grade in the class. This sounded interesting, right? He put a flyer on the screen about this seminar. Apparently it's about yeast. Oh. Snore. Yeah, I'm gonna go. Will I be awake? Not sure about that.
I've been reading some blogs around the internet, and I've discovered that pre-med students are not all that popular. It might even be said that everyone kinda hates them. Now I certainly don't have a complex about running around and making sure everyone likes me. But I don't go out of my way to be a jerk either. Seems that a lot of pre-meds have a reputation for asking questions in class to brown-nose the instructor, always begging for extra credit points, and harassing the professor to bits about missed answers on exams. I will admit to asking questions about missed answers if I cannot arrive at them on my own during review. But I'm always pleasantly surprised when a teacher offers opportunities for extra credit. I don't go around begging for it. And if I ask a question, it's because I really don't know the answer.
I guess some pre-med students might be more affected by the hate flames sent their way by other students, but since I'm a non-traditional student, I just assume that they all really don't notice that I'm around anyway. I don't really get involved in any of the social goings-on here on campus. I come to class, I do my assignments, and I go home to my real job as wife and mom. I don't really know any other pre-meds here on campus to form an opinion.
But give us a break, grades are a big deal as to whether we get into the school we want or not. So me freaking a bit about a C on a Chemistry test is a big deal to me. I'm sorry you failed chemistry, but it probably didn't have the life-altering potential for you that it does for me. I occasionally do feel the desperation welling up in my stomach when I think about how 150 people are competing for my place in medical school. I just remind myself to take it one day at a time. And yes, there are things that I won't do for extra credit. Apparently a seminar on yeast isn't one of those things.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Today kinda rocked
Today was the first day back after Spring Break. It was kinda a drag having to get up and be at Chemistry class at 8am right after the clocks moved forward an hour. Especially since I woke up at 4:30am and could not get back to sleep. But I will be going to bed early tonight. *casts an evil look at the HB, who might have other ideas like watching Hulu til all hours*
The week before the break, all of my professors thought it would be really cool to have a test and then not get the grades until we got back. So my Chemistry test went well, I made an 84. MUCH better than the first test. Yes, I've softened a bit, not that I WANT a B in Chemistry, but it's definitely an improvement over what I made the first time. It can only get better. The Pre-calculus test came back with a 95 on it. YES! And Statistics finished it out with a nice round 104, and I was very happy. My Spanish test was today, and I think it went well. We had to record ourselves on the computer, and our teacher asked us to describe a friend or family member, and also to provide directional terms for items in the computer lab. It went smoothly and I think I did OK. We don't have tests in English, we just have to write papers. I get the grade for the last paper back tomorrow hopefully. And I took a midterm in Chemistry lab before the break that I'm hoping I get news on tomorrow as well.
Let's talk about English. Specifically my professor. He is a really nice guy, but I'm really afraid for him sometimes. He came to class the second week with two different shoes on. The next week he forgot to button the top couple of buttons on his jeans and his shirt was off by a button. Then a couple of weeks later he canceled class. He came the next class with a black eye and a bandage on his hand. He said his wife was having a nightmare and kicked him out of bed and he fell and hurt himself. Really? Then a couple of weeks later he comes in and his foot and leg are seriously bruised. And I mean black and blue. He said he fell off a ladder. He found out the next day that he had broken his foot and leg in several places and that his rotator cuff was torn. He had to have surgery on the foot and may need surgery on the shoulder later. Either this man is incredibly unlucky, or someone is beating on him. The last time we were supposed to have class his wife showed up and said he had a stomach virus and handed out our papers and sent us home. Seriously, I have no idea what to expect tomorrow. I can't imagine what he could do next!
***Well I started this post on Monday and forgot to put it up, so I'm posting it today. I can add that my Chemistry lab professor did not have our tests graded from before the break, so I won't know anything until next Tuesday. GRRR! And English class is in an hour and a half, we'll see what kind of drama happens this time.***
The week before the break, all of my professors thought it would be really cool to have a test and then not get the grades until we got back. So my Chemistry test went well, I made an 84. MUCH better than the first test. Yes, I've softened a bit, not that I WANT a B in Chemistry, but it's definitely an improvement over what I made the first time. It can only get better. The Pre-calculus test came back with a 95 on it. YES! And Statistics finished it out with a nice round 104, and I was very happy. My Spanish test was today, and I think it went well. We had to record ourselves on the computer, and our teacher asked us to describe a friend or family member, and also to provide directional terms for items in the computer lab. It went smoothly and I think I did OK. We don't have tests in English, we just have to write papers. I get the grade for the last paper back tomorrow hopefully. And I took a midterm in Chemistry lab before the break that I'm hoping I get news on tomorrow as well.
Let's talk about English. Specifically my professor. He is a really nice guy, but I'm really afraid for him sometimes. He came to class the second week with two different shoes on. The next week he forgot to button the top couple of buttons on his jeans and his shirt was off by a button. Then a couple of weeks later he canceled class. He came the next class with a black eye and a bandage on his hand. He said his wife was having a nightmare and kicked him out of bed and he fell and hurt himself. Really? Then a couple of weeks later he comes in and his foot and leg are seriously bruised. And I mean black and blue. He said he fell off a ladder. He found out the next day that he had broken his foot and leg in several places and that his rotator cuff was torn. He had to have surgery on the foot and may need surgery on the shoulder later. Either this man is incredibly unlucky, or someone is beating on him. The last time we were supposed to have class his wife showed up and said he had a stomach virus and handed out our papers and sent us home. Seriously, I have no idea what to expect tomorrow. I can't imagine what he could do next!
***Well I started this post on Monday and forgot to put it up, so I'm posting it today. I can add that my Chemistry lab professor did not have our tests graded from before the break, so I won't know anything until next Tuesday. GRRR! And English class is in an hour and a half, we'll see what kind of drama happens this time.***
Friday, March 11, 2011
Let me 'splain. No there is too much. Let me sum up.
Buttercup is marry Prince Humperdinck in little less than half a hour...
Oh wait.
That's a different story.
If you're not a Princess Bride fan, you now think I'm a doofus. If you are, you got a little giggle and that's about all you can hope for here.
So I'm Val, and I'm going to try to journal here about my little journey from Just Me to Dr. Me. I have a lot to catch up on, so here goes. I have always wanted to be a doctor. My parents can tell you, they've known it since I was little. I thought at first that I wanted to be a veterinarian, but that stems from a conversation I had with my grandfather when I was very little and he seemed to think that girls shouldn't be doctors and tried to convince me that veterinarian was second best. Sorry, Papa, girls can be doctors after all. Who knew?
I went through high school and even graduated early with the intention of getting it all done faster so I could be DONE. Haha. I was so sick of school when I graduated high school, and I decided to take some time off. During that time, I got married, had six kids, had a fun career as a labor doula and childbirth educator, and got stone cold bored about two years ago. My time off had turned into almost 20 years, and I woke up at 35 wondering where all the time went.
So I thought I'd get a technical degree in Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound (that's medical, right?) from the local tech school and all would be rosy. I flew through my freshman year, and was having a great time. The program was supposed to start in Spring of 2011, but due to switching from quarters to semesters, all of the "big programs" got pushed to the next Fall. I was finished with all of my prerequisites and looking at sitting on my duff for almost an entire year.
On November 3, 2010, I was sitting in the living room with my hubby watching an interview on television with the gentleman that was running for governor of Alabama. He said he was a doctor, and commented that he was involved with bringing a medical school to South Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, AL. Dothan is a little more than an hour from my house. My hubby got all excited and said, "You're going." This school hasn't even been built yet, and he says I'm going. Right. So every morning, my hubby gets up and gets ready for work, kisses me goodbye, and says, "Bye, Dr. Val." Sure, ok, hon, very funny. I kept getting emails from him with information about the school, and any news related to it. Somewhere along the line, I started believing that I could do it.
I applied to Columbus State University, and after a couple of months of paper shuffling, I got in. I started January 5, 2011 as a sophomore. My adviser says if I take Chemistry 2 and Physics 2 in the summer, I can start Fall 2011 as a junior. Um, wait. That is if I can pass Chemistry 1. I have been an A student through my freshman year, and on my first Chemistry test I made a big fat C. I've never made a C in my entire life. And my chemistry professor advises me very strongly that I do not want to take those two courses in the summer. That kinda makes me want to prove him wrong, but I'm not doing any stellar proving in chemistry currently. I guess that's a question I should pose to my adviser.
Anyway, I started this blog to try to keep up with the whole process of getting my Bio degree and applying to medical school. Hopefully it will be interesting. :)
Oh wait.
That's a different story.
If you're not a Princess Bride fan, you now think I'm a doofus. If you are, you got a little giggle and that's about all you can hope for here.
So I'm Val, and I'm going to try to journal here about my little journey from Just Me to Dr. Me. I have a lot to catch up on, so here goes. I have always wanted to be a doctor. My parents can tell you, they've known it since I was little. I thought at first that I wanted to be a veterinarian, but that stems from a conversation I had with my grandfather when I was very little and he seemed to think that girls shouldn't be doctors and tried to convince me that veterinarian was second best. Sorry, Papa, girls can be doctors after all. Who knew?
I went through high school and even graduated early with the intention of getting it all done faster so I could be DONE. Haha. I was so sick of school when I graduated high school, and I decided to take some time off. During that time, I got married, had six kids, had a fun career as a labor doula and childbirth educator, and got stone cold bored about two years ago. My time off had turned into almost 20 years, and I woke up at 35 wondering where all the time went.
So I thought I'd get a technical degree in Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound (that's medical, right?) from the local tech school and all would be rosy. I flew through my freshman year, and was having a great time. The program was supposed to start in Spring of 2011, but due to switching from quarters to semesters, all of the "big programs" got pushed to the next Fall. I was finished with all of my prerequisites and looking at sitting on my duff for almost an entire year.
On November 3, 2010, I was sitting in the living room with my hubby watching an interview on television with the gentleman that was running for governor of Alabama. He said he was a doctor, and commented that he was involved with bringing a medical school to South Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, AL. Dothan is a little more than an hour from my house. My hubby got all excited and said, "You're going." This school hasn't even been built yet, and he says I'm going. Right. So every morning, my hubby gets up and gets ready for work, kisses me goodbye, and says, "Bye, Dr. Val." Sure, ok, hon, very funny. I kept getting emails from him with information about the school, and any news related to it. Somewhere along the line, I started believing that I could do it.
I applied to Columbus State University, and after a couple of months of paper shuffling, I got in. I started January 5, 2011 as a sophomore. My adviser says if I take Chemistry 2 and Physics 2 in the summer, I can start Fall 2011 as a junior. Um, wait. That is if I can pass Chemistry 1. I have been an A student through my freshman year, and on my first Chemistry test I made a big fat C. I've never made a C in my entire life. And my chemistry professor advises me very strongly that I do not want to take those two courses in the summer. That kinda makes me want to prove him wrong, but I'm not doing any stellar proving in chemistry currently. I guess that's a question I should pose to my adviser.
Anyway, I started this blog to try to keep up with the whole process of getting my Bio degree and applying to medical school. Hopefully it will be interesting. :)
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