My instinct told me to hold off on getting ahead on any assignments this semester. My instinct served me well. Turns out, my professor is swamped with grading and decided to negotiate off a couple of major projects. WHEW! I really can breathe easier now. AND....I'm on the downhill slide of the semester!!
I really don't understand why this semester has been so incredibly busy that I can barely keep up with blogging. I mean, is 9 hours of graduate school really twice as hard as 18 hours of undergradate hours? I really don't think that's the case, but the evidence points otherwise, I suppose. I am working more than I have in previous semesters (I think), so maybe that is a major player as well. Regardless, I hope to find some time soon to share my reading list as promised. Until then...happy studies!
Showing posts with label grades. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grades. Show all posts
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Saturday, December 6, 2008
When the Best Laid Plans Go Astray
The plan: spend all weekend in stretchy pants wearing no makeup and looking too scary to leave the house, thus propelling myself to sit in front of the computer for hours and complete the projects for my guided study which are due on Friday.
The reality: I brought my book home, but left my project CD (I'm creating projects from graphics & photos that are on the CD that came with my textbook) & my USB drive at school. School is 60 miles away. Professor is out of town, thus unable to unlock the computer lab where all my goodies are located.
The back-up plan: I don't have one! I'm really stressed out about all this. I spent over an hour working on one project yesterday; they are pretty time intensive. I have somewhere around 12 projects left...you do the math.
On one hand, I feel kind of liberated from the school shackles that I had planned to be wearing. Suddenly, I have a weekend of nothingness to look forward to. That mean I can tackle mountains of laundry or do some online Christmas shopping or work on editing a last batch of photos.
On the other hand, I'm restraining panic right now. I HAVE to complete this project or I won't graduate! If worse comes to worse, I will sacrifice my 4.0 GPA this semester on the alter of "getting it done" and just turn in enough to pass satisfactorily....but it won't make me a very happy girl.
Deep breaths...deep breaths....I think I can handle this.
The reality: I brought my book home, but left my project CD (I'm creating projects from graphics & photos that are on the CD that came with my textbook) & my USB drive at school. School is 60 miles away. Professor is out of town, thus unable to unlock the computer lab where all my goodies are located.
The back-up plan: I don't have one! I'm really stressed out about all this. I spent over an hour working on one project yesterday; they are pretty time intensive. I have somewhere around 12 projects left...you do the math.
On one hand, I feel kind of liberated from the school shackles that I had planned to be wearing. Suddenly, I have a weekend of nothingness to look forward to. That mean I can tackle mountains of laundry or do some online Christmas shopping or work on editing a last batch of photos.
On the other hand, I'm restraining panic right now. I HAVE to complete this project or I won't graduate! If worse comes to worse, I will sacrifice my 4.0 GPA this semester on the alter of "getting it done" and just turn in enough to pass satisfactorily....but it won't make me a very happy girl.
Deep breaths...deep breaths....I think I can handle this.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Group Projects
Group projects: you either love 'em or hate 'em.
If you love 'em it's because...you are a slacker hoping to get a good grade with minimal effort on your part by allowing your group mates to do all the work.
If you hate 'em it's because...you fear being "stuck" with a slacker and having to do all the work on your own lest it jeopardize your grade. You also probably hate the possibility of spending extra time outside of the classroom working on projects and/or the difficulties associated with trying to coordinate a bunch of incompatible schedules to do so.
I have always disliked group projects. Even when I was a "true freshman" I hated them. Back then, I was working crazy hours--sometimes up to forty hours a week. I barely had time for "regular" homework, much less anything extra time consuming. Plus, I felt out of place. All of my group mates didn't have jobs which meant that they had plenty of time on their hands to meet whenever they wanted; I was the only holdup. It was frustrating.
When I started back to school, I still disliked the thought of group projects mostly I because I worried about being paired with kids who could care less about school and don't mind sabotaging my GPA. (I'm clinching my jaws just thinking about it.) I also feared feeling out of place again, but in a different way. Nobody wants the "old folks" to be in their group, right?
I must admit, my back-t0-college experience has been the opposite of what I expected. The traditional-aged students have been welcoming if not downright befriending to me. In one class, my constant partner and I are "PB&J" because we work together so well and totally depend on one another. In another group project, I'm paired with three girls who are probably ten years my junior (I got a reality check when they all admitted to being too young to remember much of the Columbine shootings--I was pregnant with my first child when that happened!), but we have a great time studying together, encouraging one another and laughing...a lot. Plus, I know that I can count on these girls to do their part and they are as concerned about making a good grade as I am.
For me, group projects are no longer a thing to dread because I'm having so much fun doing them! Maybe the key is that my professors let us pick our own groups and that has allowed us to pair up complimentary personalities.
If you love 'em it's because...you are a slacker hoping to get a good grade with minimal effort on your part by allowing your group mates to do all the work.
If you hate 'em it's because...you fear being "stuck" with a slacker and having to do all the work on your own lest it jeopardize your grade. You also probably hate the possibility of spending extra time outside of the classroom working on projects and/or the difficulties associated with trying to coordinate a bunch of incompatible schedules to do so.
I have always disliked group projects. Even when I was a "true freshman" I hated them. Back then, I was working crazy hours--sometimes up to forty hours a week. I barely had time for "regular" homework, much less anything extra time consuming. Plus, I felt out of place. All of my group mates didn't have jobs which meant that they had plenty of time on their hands to meet whenever they wanted; I was the only holdup. It was frustrating.
When I started back to school, I still disliked the thought of group projects mostly I because I worried about being paired with kids who could care less about school and don't mind sabotaging my GPA. (I'm clinching my jaws just thinking about it.) I also feared feeling out of place again, but in a different way. Nobody wants the "old folks" to be in their group, right?
I must admit, my back-t0-college experience has been the opposite of what I expected. The traditional-aged students have been welcoming if not downright befriending to me. In one class, my constant partner and I are "PB&J" because we work together so well and totally depend on one another. In another group project, I'm paired with three girls who are probably ten years my junior (I got a reality check when they all admitted to being too young to remember much of the Columbine shootings--I was pregnant with my first child when that happened!), but we have a great time studying together, encouraging one another and laughing...a lot. Plus, I know that I can count on these girls to do their part and they are as concerned about making a good grade as I am.
For me, group projects are no longer a thing to dread because I'm having so much fun doing them! Maybe the key is that my professors let us pick our own groups and that has allowed us to pair up complimentary personalities.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
There's No Such Thing As Perfect
Ever had a professor who doesn't seem to believe in perfect? I think I have one. Whenever I make an 'A' on a paper, it inevitably comes back as a 98 or 96 or something 90-ish but there are never any markings on the paper indicating the reason behind the grade.
It's quite confusing--if there are no mistakes, shouldn't I get 100%? If there are mistakes, shouldn't the red ink pen politely point them out so that I can learn and grow? Maybe it comes down to the simple fact that my professor believes that no one is capable of perfection...and I guess I would have to agree with her.
(But I'd still take a 100.)
It's quite confusing--if there are no mistakes, shouldn't I get 100%? If there are mistakes, shouldn't the red ink pen politely point them out so that I can learn and grow? Maybe it comes down to the simple fact that my professor believes that no one is capable of perfection...and I guess I would have to agree with her.
(But I'd still take a 100.)
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Twas the Night Before Finals
It is the night before finals and I am staying up late studying. But I'm interrupting my regularly scheduled studying to bring you a poem I found in my filing cabinet that I had saved from my freshman year way-back-when. It's aptly titled "The Night Before Finals" (author unknown).
'Twas the night before finals,
And all through the college,
The students were praying,
For last minute knowledge.
Most were quite sleepy,
But none touched their beds,
While visions of essays
Danced in their heads.
Out of the taverns
A few were still drinking,
And hoping that liquor
Would loosen their thinking.
In my apartment,
I had been pacing,
And dreading exams,
I soon would be facing.
My roommate was speechless
Her nose in the books
And my comments to her
Drew unfriendly looks.
I drained all the coffee
And brewed a new pot,
No longer caring
That my nerves were shot.
I started at my notes,
But my thoughts were muddy,
My eyes were ablur,
I just couldn't study.
"Some pizza might help,"
I said with a shiver.
But each place I called
Refused to deliver.
I'd nearly concluded
That life was too cruel,
With futures depending
On grades had in school.
When all of the sudden,
Our door opened wide,
And Patron Saint Put It Off
Ambled inside.
His spirit was careless,
His manner was mellow,
A grin on his face as
He started to bellow:
"What kind of student
Would make such a fuss,
To toss back at teachers
What they tossed at us?"
"On Cliff Notes! On Crib Notes!
On Last Year's Exams!
On Wingit and Slingit,
And Last Minute Crams!"
His message delivered,
He vanished from sight,
But we heard him laughing
Outside in the night.
"Your teachers have pegged you,
So just do your best.
Happy Finals to all,
And to all, a good test."
'Twas the night before finals,
And all through the college,
The students were praying,
For last minute knowledge.
Most were quite sleepy,
But none touched their beds,
While visions of essays
Danced in their heads.
Out of the taverns
A few were still drinking,
And hoping that liquor
Would loosen their thinking.
In my apartment,
I had been pacing,
And dreading exams,
I soon would be facing.
My roommate was speechless
Her nose in the books
And my comments to her
Drew unfriendly looks.
I drained all the coffee
And brewed a new pot,
No longer caring
That my nerves were shot.
I started at my notes,
But my thoughts were muddy,
My eyes were ablur,
I just couldn't study.
"Some pizza might help,"
I said with a shiver.
But each place I called
Refused to deliver.
I'd nearly concluded
That life was too cruel,
With futures depending
On grades had in school.
When all of the sudden,
Our door opened wide,
And Patron Saint Put It Off
Ambled inside.
His spirit was careless,
His manner was mellow,
A grin on his face as
He started to bellow:
"What kind of student
Would make such a fuss,
To toss back at teachers
What they tossed at us?"
"On Cliff Notes! On Crib Notes!
On Last Year's Exams!
On Wingit and Slingit,
And Last Minute Crams!"
His message delivered,
He vanished from sight,
But we heard him laughing
Outside in the night.
"Your teachers have pegged you,
So just do your best.
Happy Finals to all,
And to all, a good test."
Thursday, April 17, 2008
It's the Little Things
At the beginning of the semester, my History instructor mentioned that we could earn 5 extra points by answering the questions at the back of each chapter in our books.
"Why would I want to do that?" I thought. It was almost as absurd as suggesting we actually READ the book! "All that hassle for 5 measly points? No way, Jose!"
Then came the first test and I discovered she was a teacher that required you to memorize every detail of our lecture notes. I still had made a B, but you know me....a perfectionist never settles for a B. I started thinking that maybe those 5 measly points might be worth the trouble after all.
Know what? They were.
Turns out that 5 little points can turn a B into an A. 5 little points can turn a 95 into a 100. Even if I wasn't so hung up on perfection, it would still be worth the time to get the 5 little points because it takes the stress off of you during a test, knowing that you have some room for error.
And the kicker? The questions at the end of each chapter have the answers listed in the back of the book. So yes, I was just that lazy...but I have since reformed! :)
The moral of the story is to take care of the little things b/c the little things have a greater impact than you think! (Oh man , I could get all philosophical with that one...)
"Why would I want to do that?" I thought. It was almost as absurd as suggesting we actually READ the book! "All that hassle for 5 measly points? No way, Jose!"
Then came the first test and I discovered she was a teacher that required you to memorize every detail of our lecture notes. I still had made a B, but you know me....a perfectionist never settles for a B. I started thinking that maybe those 5 measly points might be worth the trouble after all.
Know what? They were.
Turns out that 5 little points can turn a B into an A. 5 little points can turn a 95 into a 100. Even if I wasn't so hung up on perfection, it would still be worth the time to get the 5 little points because it takes the stress off of you during a test, knowing that you have some room for error.
And the kicker? The questions at the end of each chapter have the answers listed in the back of the book. So yes, I was just that lazy...but I have since reformed! :)
The moral of the story is to take care of the little things b/c the little things have a greater impact than you think! (Oh man , I could get all philosophical with that one...)
Saturday, April 12, 2008
It Still Feels Good
I can't help it: I'm a perfectionist. So, when I get an "A"--particularly a 100 on a paper or test--I'm jubilant! It only lasts a second before I start worrying about what my next grade will be or start averaging out what my final grade will be if only I make an "A" on the rest of my assignments, but for one glorious second, it feels good!!
I just got an A on my theatre review. Here's to hoping I will have more cause for celebration this week when I get my history and communications tests back. (Ugh--they were both on given on the same day only an hour apart. No fun!)
I just got an A on my theatre review. Here's to hoping I will have more cause for celebration this week when I get my history and communications tests back. (Ugh--they were both on given on the same day only an hour apart. No fun!)
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
V-I-C-T-O-R-Y...
...that's the report card battle-cry!
Proud to announce that I am the proud owner of 4 A's & 1 B. Stinkin' Biology shot down my hopes of straight A's, but nevertheless....I'll gladly take it! :)
Proud to announce that I am the proud owner of 4 A's & 1 B. Stinkin' Biology shot down my hopes of straight A's, but nevertheless....I'll gladly take it! :)
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