Hello, all! So much has happened since my post about the first day of school and offering first-year students advice. The biggest thing to happen is really the BIGGEST thing: I changed my major. I know what you're thinking, some people change their majors all the time so why is this different? Well, I started this journey 5 years ago with the sole intent to earn a doctor of pharmacy degree. That was the only reason I was here. I've put my life on hold while I pursue this degree and my family is biding their time while I try to make a better way of life for us. It's a huge deal. So, why did I switch and how did my family react? I'm going to be honest and say that I was struggling in school. I wasn't failing, but it was a constant struggle to keep my head above water and I found myself fighting for a C. That's not the type of work I'm used to doing. I happened to take a healthcare administration class that was an elective and my professor was an administrator in long-term care. After listening to him for several weeks, I started to question what I was really wanted to do with my life. So, I emailed him and started asking questions. This took place between November and December. After communicating for quite some time, I realized that pharmacy just isn't for me, but I think I know now what is! I'm passionate about end-of-life care and a degree in pharmacy wasn't going to give me the type of position I want. So, my new major (prepare yourselves for this) is officially Human Communications and Organizational Leadership with a minor in Healthcare. Yes, it's more than a mouthful, but it's going to get me where I really want to be and that's as a hospice administrator. It also means that I'll be done next spring, rather than in 4 more years.
My family. Well, when I first brought it up, my husband was less than excited. I know he was thinking that we had wasted a lot of time and he was worried. I mean, let's be real, part of the reason I'm in school is to be able to have a career that pays me very well. If I wanted a job, I'd stick with the $12/hour jobs I've had for the last 15 years. I want more out of life and so does my family. It took a little time to convince him that I was doing the right thing and not to worry. Not only will I still be bringing home a good salary, but I'm going to be done with school so much quicker!
I can't express to you all how relieved I am since making the change. Now, it didn't happen until a week before the semester started after Christmas break, but better late than never. And I'm happy to find out that I haven't wasted a lot of time. There's really only a few classes that I didn't need after all. I already met the requirements for the minor and I only have 5 or 6 to meet the requirements for my major. That is so exciting to me! There's a light at the end of the tunnel that I'm actually moving closer to rather than being stuck halfway.
I tell you all of that to say this: if you're miserable in school, maybe your chosen major really isn't right for you. Sometimes you have to talk to your professors, your family, whoever, to help you see where your passions really lie and how to make it happen. Not only am I happier now, I have so much less stress that's it's unbelievable! I also have the grades to show that I'm in a better place. I still work hard, but I don't struggle like I used to and it is a great feeling.
Go out there and make your dreams happen, people! And feel free to contact me for questions:)

Advice for First-Year Students

Aw, the first day of a new school year! Yes, we start on a Wednesday, though I'm not sure why. In any case, it has been an interesting day and, as a student in their fifth year of college, I think I'm able to say that some of the new folks could really use a little help. I don't mean that they aren't good students or anything like that, but these poor first-year students are walking around with dazed expressions. There's so much that faculty and orientation groups, etc. just can't/don't tell first-year students! So, that's where I come in (maybe it's the mom in me?). I have read various and numerous posts about what a student should take to class and what they should or shouldn't carry in their bags, but they leave out quite a bit. Here’s a list of items that may have been left off of the lists from other people, in no particular order.

1)    Tissues. For Pete’s sake people, nothing is more annoying that listening to people sniffling in class and, if you’re the one sniffling, then you know it’s not fun to be the one causing the disruptions. And I know that you can’t always get up and leave the classroom to get a tissue. Go to the dollar store, like Dollar Tree in this area, and spend a buck on a travel pack of tissues to take to class with you. Or, snatch a handful before you leave for class and stuff them in your pocket, you bra, whatever works best for you. But please, for all that is good and holy, take some dang tissues!

2)    Hand sanitizer. Well, for obvious reasons. But, let’s say you have a cold and have been using the tissues we just discussed. Don’t be gross about it. Use hand sanitizer when you’re done. Also, a lot of door knobs and railings are covered in bacteria and, unless your immune system is that of Superman, you’re likely to pick up some nasty stuff and take it with you. You also might be meeting a lot of new people, including faculty, and you don’t want to be the person who just touched a dirty tissue and proceeded to shake someone’s hand.

3)    Lotion. Maybe it’s a girl thing, and that’s okay, but the water at my school is very drying and I can’t flip through a book or hold a writing utensil properly with overly dry hands. I get that a lot of guys don’t want to carry around lotion and that’s fine, but if you need it, use it! I take it with me everywhere. Besides that, it can be used to tame flyaway hair, too. It’s just useful.

4)    Pens AND Pencils. Because we all have that one (or more) class that likes to use Scantron sheets for every test or quiz. And, if you’re familiar with these things, you know that they require a #2 pencil, just like elementary school. It never fails that someone in each of my classes will fail to bring a pencil and be asking everyone, including the professor, to borrow one. Don’t be that person.

5)    Extra pencil lead or a sharpener. This is self-explanatory. Many classrooms these days don’t have pencil sharpeners anymore and I’m not a fan of mechanical pencils as I write too hard.

6)    Stapler. Professors don’t have them in the classrooms. I have full-size stapler at home and mini-size that I take in my bag with me. See? Cute and tiny.

7)    Calculator. I don’t even have a math class this semester, nor do I have a science class that’s math-intensive, but I always have my trusty TI30X scientific calculator in my bag. You just never know when math is going to sneak up on you.

8)    Snacks. Even if you have a meal plan, it’s easy to get hungry throughout the day and no one wants to sit through a lecture with a growling stomach.

9)    Water. Or whatever you prefer to drink. You’re going to be thirsty throughout the day. It’s true.

10) Chargers. For your phone, iPad, computer, whatever. That should go without saying.

11) Umbrella. Yes, rain happens. Don’t be caught without it, especially if you’re having a good hair day or if you have classes in different buildings. Do you really want to sit through a lecture dripping wet??

12) Emergency Bag. This is an extra I’m throwing in because I’m a needy person. Not really, it’s just that I like to be prepared since I don’t live on campus (see my post about commuting for more on that). In this bag I have various items such as some of those mentioned above, my glasses, extra contact solution and a case, allergy medicine, headache medicine, bandages, hair ties, a comb, safety pins, and feminine hygiene products. I change the items in the bag to meet my needs, so I might have a travel-size hairspray or makeup. Even if I lived on campus, and we have a small campus, running back to the dorm or apartment would be very inconvenient and not practical on days when I have multiple classes back-to-back. You can see the size of the bag in relation to my hand. It’s not a large bag and it holds a lot, so the items I listed here really don’t take up much room.

 

Now, keep in mind that this post isn’t covering the normal items everyone should be taking to class, like notebooks and text books.

Okay, a few other things I think are important for first-year students, or any students really, are as follows:

-Don’t leave the house with wet hair. Come on, people. We’re all adults now. Get up early enough to dry your hair and make yourself presentable, please.

-Take some time before your first day to find your classes. I did this in high school religiously and continue to do so now. I’m fairly familiar with each building where my classes are located and I know where I’m going long before I ever start class. This will help you so much and ensure that you’re not late.

-You don’t have to introduce yourself to everyone. It’s okay to be a little quiet and keep to yourself sometimes. Not everyone is super extroverted and that’s okay. You’ll still make friends and you’ll still get along fine in classes. And, let’s be honest, everyone has days when they just don’t feel like talking, especially to strangers. You have the whole semester to meet your classmates, so don’t feel like you have to stand up in front of the class and greet everyone as they enter.

I hope this helps someone out there at least a tiny little bit. I’ve been there and done that so I’m more than happy to pass on a little wisdom to others. Of course, if anyone has questions please contact me!

Here’s to a great semester!

Reasons to go to college

I realize it has been quite some time since I updated this blog and, for that, I apologize. But, I couldn’t remain silent upon reading an article I found on Pinterest written by a blogger that I followed for quite some time. It was all about why the author has decided to no longer attend “university.” It is my understanding that “university” in the UK is quite a bit different than it is here in the States and I don’t entirely think this person is wrong for their choice. HOWEVER, yes it needs all caps, I think it is so important to impart some wisdom to those who are currently in high school and attempting to choose a college, nontraditional students-like myself-who are trying to make it through college, or anyone else who might be on the fence about whether or not college is “worth it.” **Please read my disclaimer at the bottom.**

              In the article, the author mentions several points, one of which being that a degree isn’t necessary for a lot of jobs. I’m not going to say that they are wrong, but I want to offer some perspective. Now, keep in mind that I am from a small town (less than 17,000 people) in the Midwest. What kind of jobs are available in my town without a degree? Well, there’s factory work, retail, fast food or other food service, a few highly sought after and difficult to obtain administrative positions, and that’s about all. Please don’t misunderstand me here. There is absolutely nothing wrong with any of those jobs. But, around here, base pay is either minimum wage or roughly $10/hour. Although, when doing factory work, someone might get lucky and start out at $12-$14/hour. There is a large steel plant here and workers there can bring home anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000+ annually. Sounds good, right? I will tell you from personal experience that those jobs are not easy, fun jobs. The people working there, outside of administration, are working in all types of weather conditions, often 12+ hours a day (after all, overtime is where the money’s at), and it’s a very dirty, dangerous place to work. People die there. I can’t say that there’s been a death every year for sure, but in the last 5 years there have been at least 2. One man, who survived, suffered third-degree burns after being accidently exposed to steam, another broke his neck falling from a high platform. Not to mention all of the chemicals and just literal dirt each person is inhaling while on the job. Those jobs are extremely physically demanding and workers in their 40’s are suffering from health problems previously not had until a person’s 60’s. They offer health insurance at roughly $100/week per insured person and they might offer a 401K option or other type of retirement compensation. So the money might be good, but at what cost?

Then, there’s the food service jobs. Anyone feel like standing over a fryer all day or waiting tables until their feet are so sore they can’t stand? I understand that is not always the case with either job, but the fact remains that those are not glamorous jobs, either. And, how much do those jobs earn? Minimum wage plus tips? $10-12/hour? They also take a toll on a person’s body and emotional well-being. Are there benefits there? Perhaps, with large chains or franchises.

What about the retail jobs? Well, there’s plenty to go around because of the high turn-over rate. People are working for large corporations or little mom-and-pop shops and are at the whim of their employers (in this state, at least). They might make minimum wage or maybe a little bit higher, especially if they can work their way up into management for the large chain stores. If someone is working for the smaller, locally-owned businesses, what happens when the owner dies or chooses to retire? And most of those places don’t or can’t offer insurance so the employees are paying for it out-of-pocket through a third party. What about a retirement package or 401K? Not in a mom-and-pop shop.

Lastly, there’s the administrative jobs at the court house or a doctor’s office or at one of the schools. The problem there is that once these positions are filled, they rarely become available again for many, many years. People working at the court house in the various offices are government employees so they make a decent wage and have benefits. The doctor’s offices often offer some type of health plans, too. But finding those jobs is like finding a needle in a haystack. The number of people who apply is often overwhelming to the people doing the hiring and many qualified people go unnoticed.

 

Another issue brought up in the article was the possibility of not finding a job despite having a degree. I can say with certainty that I know people who have degrees, some of them have several degrees, that are working for the nation’s largest retailer stocking shelves or, maybe, working in middle management. So, this argument isn’t invalid by any stretch. But, the problem I see is that the degrees these people hold are somewhat obscure, especially for our area. I know a guy who has a degree in Spanish, art history, and something else. Okay, what is one supposed to do with either of those in this town? Unless he’s planning to be hired at the local college as a professor of either of those subjects, or maybe one of the area high schools, his degrees are useless. In this case, his years of hard work and thousands of dollars were completely wasted. And I think I know why/how this happened. There is a generation of parents slightly older than myself, but younger than my parents, who all pushed college on their kids. But rather than encouraging them to find something that would actually benefit them, they told their kids to do whatever they wanted, that college was about having fun and “discovering yourself” instead of learning real skills to earn a degree that makes money. My stepdaughter and I recently had this conversation when she was deciding whether or not to pursue higher education. She said, “I thought college was supposed to be about doing stuff you want to do.” I told her that she wasn’t wrong and she should find something that was interesting to her, BUT she needed to walk a fine line between a major that sounded like fun and one that would also pay the bills. I said to her, “Let’s pretend that you want a degree in art history. Do you plan to still live in this town? If so, what the heck are you going to do with that degree here?” I think that hit home for her. She couldn’t come up with an answer. So, I said, “I’ll tell you what you’ll do with it; you’ll hang it up on your wall and bring it up at parties but you’ll be working in a factory or in retail.” Okay, so let me interject here and say this: I don’t think that particular degree is useless. It is only useless if the person getting that degree doesn’t live in or plan to move to an area where they could get a job using that degree. The degree could be in something like criminal justice. Seems like everywhere could use that, right? What about a town with less than 5,000 people and a full police force and crime rate that might as well be in the negative numbers? I’m just picking on art history, for which I apologize. But I also told her this, “If you’re passionate about art history and you really want to build a career on that, then you need to be prepared to relocate to a place where that degree makes sense and people who have that degree are sought after.” Make sense? Parents have got to start telling children the truth about college! These kids need to know that real life is so much different from what they think in their heads. It’s easy for someone who has never worked a full-time job and paid real bills to say that they can find a job that doesn’t require a degree. They’re right, but what kind of job will they get? There are so many more factors that need to go in to making the decision to go to college that parents just aren’t telling their children and it’s a disservice to them.

 

Okay, so these were only a couple of issues brought up by the article’s author. All of that being said, I do know several small business owners that do not have college degrees and they are very successful in our area. And that’s great and wonderful and I wish them all the best. But that is not the norm for around here. I know countless numbers of people who are working in various factories around town, a couple even have degrees so they’re in a higher pay scale, that are completely happy with their job and that is great. Obviously, we need people to work in factories, haul freight, cook food, et cetera and, as previously stated, I am not trying to minimize the hard work that those folks do at all. But, for me-personally-that is not enough.

I don’t want to simply “get by” and be content with only having enough income to pay the mortgage and buy groceries. I want more out of life than the bare minimum. Coming from an impoverished community and a family that lived at the poverty line for my childhood, I can tell all of my readers that I understand that money can’t buy everything but I have larger goals. I want to be able to take my family on a nice vacation whenever I see fit or buy my son those brand new shoes he’s been watching for a while that I can’t currently afford, even if they’re on sale. I want to be able to buy a new car, if I so choose. I want a bigger house and new furniture that isn’t all hand-me-downs and yard sale finds. I want to buy new clothes for myself that don’t come from a second-hand store, EBay, or the clearance wracks of my favorite stores. But, beyond all of that, I want to impact the life of another person. It’s no secret that I’m a pharmacy student and I plan to be a clinical pharmacist, working in geriatrics in palliative care, specializing in end-of-life. I want to be someone that has a positive impact on each of my patients. I want to be someone that others can rely on in tough times. And to do all of that, I need a degree. I know an awful lot about what’s it like to work in retail for a small business and feel trapped and desperate. I know what it’s like to not know where my next meal is coming from or how I’m going to buy my kid’s school books. And those are only a few of the reasons why my family and I have decided that I’m going to back to school to pursue my doctorate. I’m going to change our lives for the better and I hope that I can help others to do the same.

 

**As stated, I do not feel that any degree is worthless and I only chose one to “pick on” one that made sense to get my point across. Any figures I stated are based off of my personal knowledge of what different places around my town actually pay. I know those figures will be different in other areas. Most importantly I want to state that I do not look down on or minimize those jobs that don’t require a degree. It is my personal opinion that anyone working deserves respect and a livable wage regardless of what job they actually perform. In other words, I don’t care if someone scrubs toilets or serves as a CEO, they each deserve the same respect for their work and the right to be able to provide for themselves and/or their family. It should go without saying that this all my personal opinion and I don’t expect everyone to agree with me. I’m not trying to force my opinions on anyone. I only want to help others see that there are other perspectives.

Commuting-Real, Practical Advice

Hello, all! Lately I have been seeing a lot of blog posts about commuting and I've read several. All of them offer tips on how to make it work, etc. But, there are things those posts are leaving out. So, the goal of this post is to offer real, practical advice for students of any age that might be commuting.

1) Pack for the classes you have. This is probably the most obvious, but it needs to be said. I see unprepared students on campus all the time, and they live on campus! Be sure your bag(s) is packed the night before or first thing in the morning. That means you have any and all books you need, notebooks, folders, planners, etc. Make sure your pens and pencils are in working order, too. Also, be sure you're not carrying around extra weight by cleaning out your bag often. Why take a text book you won't be using in class that day?

2) Pack necessary items.  What does that mean? For me that means packing hand sanitizer, lotion, band-aids, tissues (so important during cold season!), medicines like ibuprofen/Tylenol, touch-up makeup, travel-size deodorant, wet wipes, brush/comb, travel-size hairspray, bobby pins, extra hair ties, and safety pins. I like to be prepared for any situation. I keep a special little bag filled with all of these items in my bag daily. Since I don't have the option of going home to get something (my commute is an hour one-way), I make sure to have everything I need on hand. If you have specific health conditions, like asthma, don't forget those meds/items needed. Sunglasses are also important, especially if you have a long walk across campus. An umbrella is another item you might need at any given time. Not rainy in the morning? It could be by the afternoon.

3) Pack food. It is significantly cheaper than purchasing a meal plan of any kind. Whether you just need some snacks or you need a whole meal, plan ahead and pack what you need. Find lounges, etc. on campus where there are microwaves available and you won't have to limit yourself to what food you can take. And it will help a lot in the winter when a nice warm cup of soup is better than a cold bologna sandwich. The food you pack doesn't have to be crappy: just use a little forethought and take items you will actually eat. It helps to have food that provides sustainable energy to get you through the day. And don't forget a drink. Take a water bottle that you can continually fill during the day.

4) Prepare your vehicle. Seriously. Things you should keep in your vehicle at all times: jumper cables, tire pressure gauge, spare tire and jack, a blanket, bottle of water, miscellaneous fluids (oil, brake fluid, etc.) that you know your vehicle tends to use, napkins, pens/pencils, flashlight. In winter, consider adding granola bars, tow straps, candles and matches, an extra change of clothes or shoes. Think about what items may come in handy in the event that you're stranded for a period of time. Burning candles, obviously in a safe area in your vehicle, can prevent the temperature from dropping too low in the winter, and be sure to take your phone charger. And, for Pete's sake, don't always leave your flashers on if you have to abandon your vehicle! Your battery will be dead upon your return. Remember those jumper cables I mentioned? They only work if you get someone to stop and help you and that can be dangerous. If you don't know how to use jumper cables, please take some time to educate yourself and learn! It's not hard and it's not scary, I promise. Also, know how to check your fluids and use a lug wrench to change your tire, if need be. I promise that these are very important life skills you will need at some point. There isn't always someone who can come to the rescue 24-hours a day or immediately. You'll probably have to wait some amount of time for help to arrive. Planning now can save a lot of frustration and prevent potentially dangerous situations later.

5) Know your time limits. I've been commuting for nearly 2 years and I have my drive down to a timed science. I know exactly how long it takes to get from town-to-town or whatever landmarks to be sure I am on time every day. My commute is longer than most students, so I leave even earlier. I take into account the time I'm leaving. If school is starting at 8 and I'm on the road at that time, I plan the possibility of being behind a school bus or encountering school traffic. Little things like that are hugely important. I take the highway for a certain distance and then get on the interstate, so I make sure to always allow for crazy traffic. I watch the local news before I leave to see if there are any major accidents that might be blocking traffic so I can take a different route. I like to be 10 minutes early to my first class, so I plan my drive to be sure that I am never late, unless something really crazy happens. I haven't been late to a class in over a year! Obviously, depending on where you live, the weather might play a big role in your commute. If it's too dangerous, it might be necessary to miss class. That doesn't happen to me often, but I know my driving limitations and what my vehicle can handle. It's never a good idea to risk your life in the roads are that bad.

6) Leave early enough to be on time. This was already stated, but it needs to be said. I have a child to get on a school bus before I leave and I'm still able to make it on time. I also allow time to watch the news, eat breakfast, and grab some coffee. Why? I get up at an appropriate time. Listen, we're all adults here and it's okay to have a bed time for yourself on school nights. I'm in bed between 10:30 and 11 every school night, with my husband. We get up at 6:30, or earlier if I have an early class, and everyone is on time. It's all about planning and prioritizing. I used to think that I got up early enough as it was and I wasn't going to leave extra time in my commute, but I quickly learned from that mistake. Don't be a butt head about it, just get up early enough and plan your time.

7) Don't fall asleep.  As I mentioned, I commute roughly an hour plus one way every day t
o school. I know that trip is long and it's often in the wee hours of the morning. Drink coffee, take Vitamin B, whatever you have to do to ensure you won't be drowsy. Listen to music or something to help keep you alert and awake. Don't make the commute any more dangerous than necessary. Think of possible alternate routes if you have a particularly boring drive. A change of scenery can help big time.

8) Know the parking situation.  My university recently built a much-needed parking garage-hallelujah!- but before we had that, parking was awful! I knew I would have to park, literally, a mile away and would have to factor that in to my commute time. Know how long it will take you to get from your parking place to your first class. You must include that time into your commute time. I leave a 10-minute window to get to the right building and be outside of the classroom door, still 10 minutes early. If you have something you need to do before class, figure that in. We have a Starbucks on campus and sometimes, if I'm a little sleepy from my drive, I'll stop in and grab a coffee. I plan that ahead of time so I'm not late.

I hope these suggestions/tips can help someone. Please let me know if there's anything I should add. Thanks a million!
Until next time,
Queen E

Second Chances

Hello, all! I am happy to report that the new semester is up and going and things are going quite well. I had to make some hard decisions over the winter break, but they're all for the better and I can honestly say that school is going very well. I've changed the way I study and I am actually doing it: studying! It's a good feeling:) So, if there is one take away from this, it is this: don't be afraid to fail and don't lie to yourself about how you're doing. Be honest, confront the problem(s) head-on, and make an action plan. Feel free to contact me if you need inspiration or have questions about how to focus and make changes.
Good luck!
~Queen E

If at first you don't succeed...

  Well, it's obvious that I have let this fall behind and have put it on the back burner for quite some time now. The reason(s) for this happening: I have let my home life overshadow my school life and haven't been focusing on my school work quite like I should and it has shown. My GPA has taken a serious hit. I have noticed a pattern where I start a semester with all of the hope in the world, thinking it's going to be great and I'm going to remain focused and get an A. But that mindset quickly changes as the challenges of taking care of the home and my family begin to take over.
  So, what's a girl to do? I'll tell you: take the bull by the horns and make some serious changes! I've realized that I'm never going to make it into my desired program with lackluster grades and poor study habits. I have to admit that I have let other things take priority in my life and it is time to end that vicious cycle here and now. With my future hanging in the balance, I realize that it's time to get down and dirty, roll up my sleeves, and really get to work. I find myself talking about studying and reading about studying without actually studying. Sheesh!
  I have a confession. In the last year and a half I have failed two classes. Yes, straight-up failed. It was shocking, jarring, and felt like a punch in the stomach. But I'm learning from the mistakes I made and I am retaking the classes in question. Minor setback, I keep telling myself. After much soul-searching and a few tears, I know that failures really are just minor setbacks. The reality is, I can always retake the class, even if I have to get permission. However, when I retake those classes, I have to do well. I am embarrassed, of course, but lying to myself and everyone else is not getting me anywhere. It is hard to be a nontraditional student. But I can do it and so can anyone else out there.
  With that said, happy studying and I'll be sure to check back in a little more frequently.
Queen E

Back in the Swing of Things

Wow, so I didn't realize how long it has been since I last posted something! The new semester is off and running, albeit a bit slowly. I'm currently enjoying a semester with no math classes of any kind. This is the first time in 4 years that I can say that. I'm looking forward to an easier semester and I'm not at all sorry about that!
So, I think I mentioned previously that I'm working toward a degree this upcoming December. That is still happening but, since the university says that I'm "graduating," I have to reapply to the school for the spring semester. That seems a bit odd, given that I'm here right now and not really GRADUATING until I get through the professional program and receive my doctorate:).
On another note, I must say that this semester is much different from this time last year. Even the first-year students are behaving differently. Also, the university just earned a nod from Time magazine as the #2 school. Woot woot!
Anyway, more to come in the following days, including tips and pics!
Until next time,
Queen E