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

One Month Away

I'm happy to report that I survived the first of my two summer sessions. Calculus is finally done and out of the way and now I'm chipping away at the chemistry block. Although I'm understanding things much better, I still have a hard time translating my knowledge to a test:(. In any case, it is a busy time of year at Queen E's castle! I'm about to register my son for his first year of middle school. Yeah, I don't know when the heck that happened! He's getting so old and now he's taller than I am... it's just almost too much to handle.
I've been trying to work some over this summer "vacation," but my school schedule hasn't allowed for as much work as I had originally hoped. So, I remain a broke college student. 
Unfortunately, I don't have much to add as far as tips, tricks, etc. for the summer. Nothing has changed much other than the amount of time I have to devote to studying each subject at a time-which is nice! So, that's all for today:/. I'll be back, though!
Until next time,
Queen E

What happened to this semester?

Holy cow! What happened to this semester? It seems like just a few days ago I was posting all kinds of fun tips on studying and note-taking, etc. for a good start to the semester. *sigh* Well, I know I've been MIA, but things have been incredibly busy. It may be the end of this semester, but I'll be starting "summer" courses in just a few short weeks. I have to admit to myself and to the world that I didn't do as well as I would have liked in a couple of classes, so I'm retaking them. I definitely struggled with that when I realized my grades weren't going to be so hot. Admitting to failure was tough but I'm ready to move forward and do what I can to make the most of the summer sessions and pass these darn classes! So, as I dive in to my summer classes, I'm going to try to post some helpful tips for anyone else who may be in the same boat. All these summery puns are getting to be a bit too much... LOL! Until then, stay tuned!

Queen E

Good Start

I'm off to a good start this semester! I got 100% on my first calculus quiz so I'll take that as a sign of things to come:) My organization systems are up and running and my life is so much easier now that I have everything in order. I have my planner color-coded, as previously discussed, I utilize daily to-do lists and studying to-do lists, and my notes are so much easier to read and follow. Something else that I'm implementing is a grade tracker, since my calculus professor doesn't post grades online. I am recording each assignment, quiz, test, etc. with the points I earned, the total points possible, and what grade I currently have in the class based off that information. I'm pleased with that so far. I like to know exactly where I am. If I should start to fall behind, I'll be able to recognize it quicker since it will be brought to my attention immediately. This is the semester where I get the grades I want!

I feel like last semester was a learning experience. It was my first semester at a new school and I took on a LOT. I really thought I could handle it all, and maybe I can, but not my first semester in an unfamiliar environment. Now that I'm acclimated to the university, I know what to expect and can manage my time much more efficiently. There were a lot of things that I told myself I couldn't do last semester, only to find out that I could. So, this time I'm not allowing myself to have any preconceived notions. Having a negative or potentially negative feeling about a course, professor, activity, or whatever is one of the worst things a person can do to themselves. Keeping an open mind has made a big difference in how I approach things. I can feel myself making more of an effort and it's paying off already.

So, with that final thought, I'm off to work on some more chemistry notes. Until next time!
Queen E

New Semester, New Attitude

Well, it's finally here: the start of the new/Spring semester. I must say that I'm excited! So far I've managed to incorporate some new time management or organization tactics that are working quite well. Of course, this is only Wednesday. I want to share things that are working for me and I will update as the semester goes along.

1) Nix the spiral-bound notebook and go with loose leaf paper. Holy cow, this is a big one for me! It has been so incredibly helpful thus far. I either keep the paper in a binder or a folder, depending on the class. For chemistry the textbook is unbound so I had to buy a binder anyway. What I did then was separate the chapters we'll be covering and only included those in the binder. That leaves all kinds of room for my notes. Calculus (pictured above) has it's own binder, but a separate book. The notebook gets graded along with the final at the end of the semester so I keep a 3-hole plastic folder in the middle for worksheets, tests, and quizzes (not shown because I haven't had any homework yet). This way, when it's time to hand in for grading, everything is already all together. I haven't been to my other class yet as today will be my first day, but I  have loose paper in a pocket folder ready to go along with the text book. This saves so much space in my bag!

2) Use tabs for each lab session in a chemistry lab manual. That keeps me from flipping through multiple pages and each tab is numbered so I'm never unsure of which lab we're doing. The numbers correspond with the info from my syllabus-which is just the week-and have also been written in my planner to keep me on track. This is easy to do with regular sticky notes or the special tab kind like I used from Post-It.

3) Use daily to-do lists on a sticky note or white board. Eventually I will be busy with school work and will need sticky notes for each class, but right now I only need one. I sit down at my desk and write a short list of all the things I need to accomplish at that time-whether I have a few minutes or a few hours. I cross things off as I go and that keeps my planner and my brain uncluttered.

4) Use a project folder. I actually started this last semester and it made a HUGE impact! I had to write several papers for various classes so I would gather all of my references, articles, etc. and put them in a folder together, one folder for each paper. I would also include the grading rubric when provided. That way, when it came time to do the writing, all of my information was right in front of me and not scattered. I also use a lined, large sticky note to make a to-do list for the paper. For example, I would include things like: type outline, create reference page, get 3 sources from text, etc. I can't tell you how much more organized this system made me. I also found that I was able to stay on task and turn it in on time. *I didn't think it was necessary for a pic, but if I have a project coming up I'll add one:).

5) Take notes before every going to class! I know, easier said than done for some people, but I love taking notes and I'm good at it;). So, I sat down with my chemistry book (pictured above) and started taking notes for the first chapter we're covering. I only used one side of the paper so I could use a variety of pen types and colors and not be distracted with bleed-though. Before I knew it, I was done with the whole chapter. When I got to class, I understood everything the professor was talking about because I actually read it and absorbed some info. I still take notes in class, but I add them to the notes I already took. That way, when it come times to study for the exam, I'll have more than enough info.

6) Use color-coding in a planner. I actually got this from a board on Pinterest and it's been very helpful thus far. The pic above is just a small sample of a week-only partly complete. The smiley face stickers are my way of tracking my water intake throughout the day as I'm also trying to stay healthy and hydrated while in school.

I hope that helps someone out there! I will continue to share any tidbits that have been useful for me and, as previously stated, I will update with my results:) Happy studying!
Queen E

Pre-Semester Updating

With the dawning of the New Year and the upcoming semester, I've been thinking a lot about reinvention and resolutions. Like most people, I have a lot of resolutions and ideas for how I'm going to conquer the world...I mean, my classes. The first thing everyone will notice is that I am adding pages to the blog so it's like one of those real blogs I've heard about. Hey, I'm an amateur to the max and this is my first attempt so, any slack anyone is willing to give is much appreciated!
I am going to figure out how to show everyone pictures and other cool things as I go throughout the year. I have a lot of cool information on Pinterest so I'm working on links, etc. My goal is to help others while giving a little bit of commentary about my own observations. Any input is hugely appreciated! While this is a work-in-progress, I'll be making little updates like this periodically.
Okay, so that's all for now while I try to fish up some great content for everyone. Please feel free to share my blog and I will work hard to provide meaningful and humorous content.
Until next time,
Queen E

1st Semester Done

Yes, that's right, I made it through my first semester as a Butler University pre-pharmacy student! What a ride! I had 6 classes, consisting of 18 credit hours and I am not at all ashamed to say that I am definitely looking forward to next semester when I'll have only 13 credit hours:) I know I took on a lot for my first semester of university, but I was able to get a lot of classes out of the way that I won't have to worry about later. My focus will be entirely on chemistry and calculus next semester. I'm hoping that focus will improve my grades-not that I have "bad" grades now, but suffice it say that I don't exactly have an A in calculus. This past semester was really a learning experience as I got acclimated to the environment and classroom formats, as well as what the professors expect. Next semester will be even better!
I hope everyone else has had a successful semester or, if readers aren't in school, I hope it's been a good end to the year. We're remodeling bathrooms on top of all of this school stuff and Christmas coming up next week, so it's been hectic. So, I'll keep this short; I plan to update more as the new semester begins. Until then!
Queen E

The End is Near...

So, I realize my posting on here has not been as frequent as I originally hoped and I do hope to remedy that soon. I plan to post much more as the semester dwindles to the last few days and will have a fresh start for the opening of the new semester. I mentioned that I wanted to share useful information, too, like study tips that helped or really worked for me, etc. Well, I've got a few tips to share today.
1) Write all of your notes in blue ink. There was a study somewhere about blue ink being more memorable for your brain than black. (I would provide a citation, but alas, I don't have one. Sorry.) I have started doing this and I don't know if I can really attribute any success to it, but I am doing better in math since I started writing in blue ink. Of course, I still highlight in multiple colors and add important info in different colors, but the bulk of the text is in blue.

2) Binders are your best friend. I have one class in particular that requires a lot of reading and we don't have a text book. So, I have to print the readings and organize them in a binder. I've started doing that with other classes now, too. I have the little Post-it reusable tags that help separate the articles. It's been incredibly helpful in keeping me organized.

3) Don't be afraid to ask your instructors for help! I've been terrible about this in the past, but recently, when I have an issue, I've actually asked for help and it's been incredibly beneficial. It's okay to be a little interdependent sometimes. For more info on interdependence, try a Google search. There's a lot of helpful research about interdependence.

So, that's all that I have for you all today in the realm of study help, but I will be back with more, I promise! I'm currently studying for finals which start on the 15th. But, before I can get to finals, I have to worry about 4 presentations, 3 papers, another quiz or two for math, and a lot of reading. I'm ending this for now, but will be back soon.
Good luck on finals!
Queen E

Time Flies

I can hardly believe my first semester at a legit university is almost over! There are about 4 weeks of actual class and instruction left. Didn't it just start? I've learned a lot, so far, and am really looking forward to getting my spring schedule all ironed out. I'm hoping to lighten my class load slightly by inquiring about online options for classes other than math or chemistry and possibly taking some of the universities required classes over the summer. Although I've been able to deal with the work load thus far, I wouldn't mind having a few less than 18 credit hours next semester. And I don't want anymore 9 a.m. classes if I can avoid it. Just because I have to leave my house around 7:30 to get here on time and that's not always feasible for me.
I'm excited about the direction things are going. I'm looking forward to working more over the Thanksgiving break and, of course, during Christmas break. I've already got a really good start on my Christmas shopping, which never happens. I've got to admit that I'm pretty darn proud of myself. If anyone wants to donate some Starbucks gift cards, I'm open to that;)
Well, since I'm bringing this to you all from my gap before lab, I'll have to end it so I can get back to work. There's no rest for the weary... or the college student!
Until next time,
Queen E

Busy as Usual

I'm coming to you from a classroom today. Don't worry! I'm not ignoring my duties or anything. There's just not much happening in this class today. We had a fire drill. That was interesting... It took almost 15 minutes, large numbers of students were all congregated outside, and my bags were heavy. It was not the most pleasant experience.
Anyway, Fall Break was last week and I worked most of the time. It was still a welcome distraction from the 18 credit hours I currently have on my schedule. I was able to completely forget about classes and homework and tests and let that part of my brain shut off for a while. I suppose that's the point of such a break. It was nice, really.
I've done well returning and have been able to take care of a lot of business. I actually did well on my math test last week and that really set my mind at ease. I'm getting all of this stuff and that's the most important part. I've been adding to my chem notes and really trying to focus on my school work.
Now, if only I had time to finish everything at home! We're supposed to be going to the lake this weekend and my motor home is nowhere close to ready to go! I've got so much cleaning to do. I also have laundry and the normal crap to catch up on, but I'd honestly rather focus on school work and revising notes, etc. Sure would be nice if I could get my family to help out. At some point I would like to also work on writing an article. I'm also thinking about Christmas and decorating and buying gifts. It's not that there's not enough hours in the day, it's that I'm only one person doing the work of 20. Sheesh!
So, before I do start neglecting my duties, I'll end it here for today. Until next time!
Queen E

TGIF

Happy Friday, all! I'm reporting to you from Starbucks again today. I must say that this is a completely different experience from last week. There aren't many people here right now and it's much quieter than last week. The exception might be the occasional pounding of hammers and whir of power drills since the bookstore is being remodeled. Despite the construction, the show must go on and there are people milling about.
Campus is quite busy today, despite the lack of business in the coffee shop. There seem to be a lot of parents here today. I wonder if there's some even taking place? If so, it's nothing I've heard about. Which is not surprising considering I don't live on campus. News crews have been here every day this week except for today. That I noticed. A terror group is threatening the life of a former student and the university has been supporting prayer meetings, etc. Each time the various news stations discuss the story, they have a live reporter here at the school, as if the only thing the poor guy being held captive ever did was attend school here. I think it's weird.
On a completely different note, the school posted our "early term grades" yesterday. I'm doing well, if I do say so myself:) I will not divulge details for the sake of not "jinxing" myself. I feel a bit more motivated this week. I hope my grades continue to reflect such.
Speaking of motivation, we've been talking a lot about that in class and I'm certainly not unmotivated, but I have found that I'm not nearly as focused as I should be. I don't know what is to blame for this, but I hope I figure it out soon. I don't need to get behind. I certainly don't want to feel like I'm wasting my time or anyone else's.
Okay, keeping it short and sweet today, folks. Until next time!
Queen E

The on-campus Starbucks Experience

Hello, hello! It has been one of the most chaotic weeks of university life, thus far. I've had a crazy amount of homework and I've had meetings all week and a sick kid, so there hasn't been much time to do anything. Including the things that I desperately need to do! My poor house is a horrible mess, laundry is piling up, and I'm fairly certain that there are mice having a field day behind my TV. So frustrating.
Anyway, I decided to visit the on-campus Starbucks this afternoon which is connected to the university's bookstore. So, here I sit typing away while taking in the whole experience. It's been rather interesting, to say the least. First, let me preface this tale by commenting on the not-so-great weather. It's cold. Like 59 degrees cold. And rainy. No good! So, I thought, "hey, self, why not visit Starbuck's and get in out of the cold?" Hm.
I'm going to make some observations of everything I am seeing and hearing. Seeing not quite as much as hearing because I am sitting at the most awkwardly placed table in the history of awkwardly placed tables so my ability to really view the room is quite limited. But I am hearing the most interesting and strange conversations. There are a variety of people here right now, students mostly, but some professors, various university staff, the occasional parent, a police office occasionally, our school's mascot (Trip, aka Blue III, the bulldog) and his owners, and people who's association with the university remain unclear. I am very interested to hear that there is great deal of work getting done right now. Many of the professors here are using this time to chat with students or each other. I've heard students talking to one another about "Facebook stalking" other students to get information, in an anonymous manner, of course. Apparently there is a great deal of future dating taking place. It's all quite entertaining. I decided to share my observations as a way to seem preoccupied so these people don't realize that I'm eavesdropping. Is that bad? I don't think so.
Oh yes, I mentioned the bit about the weather to remark on the student's "fashion." People, it's cold, really and some girl walked in wearing cropped yoga pants and a racer-back workout tank and running shoes, her backpack quite full and hugging her back. She was holding a sweatshirt. I find it hard to believe that she was anywhere close to warm in that get-up. The amount of people in shorts and flip-flops is truly crazy.
And this just happened: there's a poster on the wall in front of me and some girl definitely just leaned over me and my computer and my drink to get a better look. Not a word was spoken. No, "excuse me," nothing. I find that odd. These people are odd in general. I don't always feel like an outsider, but when I do...
Switching gears just a bit here, I met with one of my advisors yesterday and we had a great conversation. I was happy to hear that I'm on the right track as far as academics and I just need to be patient with the process, something I'm not accustomed to doing. Patience is a virtue that I often lack. She was happy to meet with me though and even said that it was a nice change talking to someone like me versus talking to students all day long. I clarified that comment with her and she agreed about my idea to impose a legal limit on the word "like." I think that idea could really catch on if I pushed hard enough. Hm. Perhaps I'll suggest it to local legislators.
Okay, this is crazy long and it's time for me to wrap this all up. So, I will attempt to post again in the next few days as my schedule allows. I'm learning some good stuff about time management and studying, so perhaps I'll include some tips in the next post.
Until next time!
Queen E

Adjusting to (University) Life

Hello, all!  Hope the weeks, thus far, have treated everyone kindly. I've managed to keep busy, not surprisingly. I've been working to adjust to life here at the university and I think I'm getting the hang of things. I've met a lot of new people and have made some new friends. I'm excited to say that I have a lunch date next week with a couple of the ladies I met. It's going to be so good to get off campus and get to know them without the constraints of a classroom setting.
I've managed to be on-time to my classes so far, no small fête considering I live 45 minutes away and there's a ton of road construction on the main interstate. I've had to miss a couple  of classes due to unforeseen circumstances-sick kid, personal illness, etc. But class is going well so far. Not only am I working on my 18-credit hours, but I have a class that requires20 hours of "community service." I'm getting ready to attend my first community service session in just a little while. I'm actually excited about it, though I was apprehensive at first. I've managed to find plenty of time in my weekly schedule to squeeze in two visits to the site during the week. I'm really looking forward to helping some people and making some sort of contribution.
On another note, most people don't seem to notice that I am significantly older than them unless it's brought up and I don't mind sharing. I've had some people be really interested in how I came to school and why I'm doing what I'm doing and that's been really cool to experience. It's kind of nice blending in. I feel that I'm at an age where yes, I'm older than the typical college student, but not old enough to stick out. Besides that, I try to be very cognizant of my fashion choices, not wanting to look too old or too young. Thank you, Pinterest for the daily inspiration!
There's a lot that I'll be working on this weekend in terms of school work and writing articles and stories, etc. and that's not a bad thing at all. I plan to remake some notes for a couple of my classes just for my own clarity. That's a technique that I've found useful. I can review my notes, highlight or color-code as needed, and add to them if necessary all at the same time. So far so good! I need to work on calculus a bit, so I think I'll start there.
At home, I still have a lot of cleaning to do and we're supposed to be getting ready to remodel the bathrooms. I've started to decorate for fall and hope to finish this weekend. Needless to say, the busy-ness of life never ends. But, I'm doing a decent job of time management, something I have not been exactly proficient in doing in the past. It helps to keep a schedule and a to-do list ever present. And with that being said, I'm off to do some work.
Until next time~
Queen E

Busy, busy!

So sorry for the delay between posts here.  It's been a little crazy in my life recently.  School has kept me on my toes for sure.  I've had a lot of homework.  In fact, the amount of reading alone is almost astounding.  So far so good, though:)
The last time I posted I shared a few observations about the people around me.  Not much has changed, really.  I've made a few friends, all of whom are younger than me and that's okay.  I'm still the old lady in all of my classes, besides the professors themselves, and none of the women are much older than me.  I must say that I'm very happy with my decision to be at Butler.  It's so small and comfortable and I really like it.
I had time to clean my house some over this weekend.  It was much overdue, but I'm finding ways to balance school life and home life.  I have a class that will require me to dedicate 20 hours of community service, but I should be able to squeeze that in on the days I'm out of class by noon.  I was a bit opposed to it at first, but I'm really warming up to the idea.  I'm almost looking forward to it, actually.
This weekend was so strange.  We, me and my family, attended an "event" where there were a lot of people I hadn't seen in quite some time and catching up a bit was really good.  The night ended with a weird combination of events that served to really solidify my belief that I am better off doing what I am doing to better myself than hanging around those types of people.  There were people who had been my friend, I thought, at one time, but everyone shows their true colors at some point and that was it for some of those folks.  So, I'm done with some people and that's okay with me.  I have to focus on my school work and my family.  I have no time for drama and negativity so I choose to walk away and carry on with my life.
I hope this weekend has been good for everyone out there!  I will catch up more next time.
Queen SparkleE