Enjoying a break

Well, fall semester is over and done with.  I came out with A's in both of my courses.  I'm all registered for spring semester.  Classes start on the 9th of January, so I still have another week until I have to dig in.  I'm still feeling a bit apprehensive and anxious about the next semester, but I'm also eager to get started. I'll be taking Current Issues in Family Life Studies, Family Culture and Diversity, Teenage Development, and Families and Social Policy.  It's going to be a heavy semester, but it also promises to be really interesting and engaging.
 For now, I'm trying to focus on relaxing during the break and taking some time to get things done around the house and also to spend time with my family. 

This poor blog I created has  been quite neglected lately.  It is now almost the end of fall semester.  My two classes have been uncharacteristically easy for me, which has been nice.  I just hope it doesn't translate into total overload once my much heavier spring semester comes along.  Due to some changes in the semesters that certain classes are being offered, I've had to change my graduation plans.  I was planning on graduating in December of next year, 2012 and only taking 2 or 3 classes per semester in an effort to achieve that ever elusive "balance" in life.  But now if I did that, I wouldn't be able to graduate until spring semester 2013.  So I've decided to buckle down and get this degree finished in August of 2012. 
In order to do that, I'll be taking four classes spring semester and three classes summer semester.  It's going to be a whole lot of work.  I've taken three classes before, but I've never made the jump to full time with that fourth class.  I'm a bit nervous about how I'll do.  I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my school work and I hate to get anything less than an 'A'.  It's definitely going to be a stressful and busy nine months. 

Fall Semester

Well, my fall classes are now in full swing.  So far, so good.  I love that I'm not feeling completely overwhelmed.  I definitely did the right thing by downsizing to 2 classes.  My family finance class is interesting and promises to be something I can definitely use in my everyday life.  I like my persuasive writing class as well.  It's a blend of debate, research, and writing skills. 
The kids are back in school now too.  So I try to get my school work done in the morning or early afternoon so that I'm free to make sure they get their homework and reading done.  I do still have one child at home, but luckily she's great at entertaining herself for a little while so that I can get things done. 
It's looking like it's going to be a nice, calm semester.  Just what I need. 

Goodbye Summer Semester!

Summer semester is officially over!  I can't tell you how thrilled I am about that.  I finished up all my exams and assignments last Saturday at 4:30am.  Then we left late that night for a family camping trip to Oregon.  It was so nice to have all my school work finished before we left so that I could just relax and enjoy. 
I feel like I did pretty well in my classes.  Final grades aren't posted yet, but I'm pretty sure I'll have two A's and a B.  The B will likely be in statistics.  As much as I loathed environmental chemistry, I think I got an A, maybe an A-.  
So I'm finally taking my own advice and slowing things down a bit.  I know I said that at the end of spring semester, but this time I mean it.  Since January, I have been taking 3 classes each semester.  I have been stressed out, tired, a bit moody, and insanely busy ever since.  So I am only taking 2 classes this fall, Family Finance and Research Writing with a Persuasive Emphasis.  Scaling back by one class per semester will only delay my graduation by one semester.  So I figured I'd rather graduate with my sanity intact and my family taken care of. 
Fall semester starts August 29th.  I'm really looking forward to having the next 2 weeks to breathe. 

I see the light at the end of the summer semester tunnel!

I realize that I haven't really made good use of this blog.  I don't update it as often as I had initially intended to.  But I do like having a place specifically for all my education related musings, rants, questions, etc. 
The summer semester is finally winding down.  By that I mean that it's almost over.  The workload has done nothing but increase.  We're going on a family vacation during finals week, so I'm scrambling and cramming to get everything finished and turned in and all my tests taken by next Friday.  I didn't think that this would be too difficult because finals week usually just consists of one exam per class.  But for some reason, two of my three professors have deemed it appropriate to have several assignments during that week in addition to our exams. 
So, more for my benefit than yours, here is the breakdown of everything I have to get done in the next 9 days:

• For Psych Statistics----luckily my professor is very straightforward and sensible.  I've already completed all of the assignments, including the one that's not due until next week.  She's posting our take home test this Friday and then the proctored portion of the exam is available next Friday, just in time.  The take home will be the most time consuming and requires a few hours at the distance education center in Salt Lake to complete.  I plan to have it finished by next Tuesday or Wednesday so I have time to study for the proctored portion.
• For Environmental Chemisty---This one really kind of irritates me.  We usually have one set of chapter problems per week, but for some reason my professor decided to have two sets of chapter problems due during finals week as well as our final exam. So I have three sets of chapter problems to complete and I have two exams to finish by next Friday.  He just posted Exam #2 yesterday and said that when I email him that I'm ready, he'll post the final for me.  His exams consist of 2 very extensive essays as well as an analysis and report on an article from a popular news source.  Here's an example of one of my essay questions:      

 Starting with a brief description of the ‘spheres’ on earth (e.g.,
atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, etc.) describe the chemical cycle of
one of the nutrient or micronutrient elements. Be sure to answer the following in your
description
 How does how the molecular identity of the element changes in space and/or time? Be sure to make the distinction between organic and mineral forms of the element.
How does sunlight influence the chemistry?
 What influence does oxygen have on the oxidation state?
 What are typical species found on the surface? How does speciation change with environment?
 Describe at least two mechanisms for interaction between the ‘spheres.’
Incorporate equations, e.g., Henry’s Law, where possible, pointing out what each term in the equation means, and how the equation is used to model the environment. What are the main transportation mechanisms in the air, soils and in water?
 How, if anyway, is man influencing the role of this element?
 Speculate how understanding the natural cycle may help understand pollution chemistry.
Yes, that is all one question.   I find that each question takes about 4 to 5 pages to answer thoroughly and if you don't answer it all thoroughly, you don't get the points for it. 

• For Middle Childhood Development---We have weekly discussions we have to read and contribute to.  During finals week, the professor wants us to watch a movie depicting middle childhood, something like 'The Sandlot' or 'Stand By Me' and write up an analysis of examples of different theories of middle childhood development that we saw in the movie as well as any textbook cases of various developmental stages that were shown.  In addition to this, I have one more observation paper to write.  This requires me to carry out one of her listed activities with a set of school-aged children and analyze the results in a 5+ page paper.  

I'm still not sure how I'm going to get it all done.  But, on the bright side, in 10 days it will all be over and I'll be enjoying my 3 week break before fall semester.  I'll just take a deep breath, order some pizza for dinner, pour myself a tall, icy glass of diet Coke and get to it!

Is it just me, or does having 3 psych stats exams within 30 days sound like a bit much to anyone else?  I'm just saying. 

Seriously, Chemistry is Frying my Brain!

So this week is my first exam in my environmental chemistry class.  The good news is that it is an at home, non-proctored exam and is open book, open anything.  The bad news is that it consists of doing research and writing 4 separate essays.  I emailed the professor today to ask how long he wants these essays to be, because the questions that he poses could easily be 3-5 page research papers and I'm not sure how to condense it all down into an "essay".  I haven't heard back yet. 
I started the first one today and it's just exhausting.  I think it's because I have absolutely no interest in the subject matter.  The test is due next Tuesday, which wouldn't be a problem except that we've decided to take an impromptu camping trip this weekend.  Nate has a rare three days off in a row, so we thought we'd take advantage of it.  We're leaving early tomorrow and will get back on Sunday.  So I guess my Monday and Tuesday will be fabulous cramming days finishing up this test.  Hooray! 
I can't wait for this semester to be over.  I'm usually such a stickler for getting A's, but with this class there will be rejoicing in the land if I can at least pass it.  Eight weeks.   Eight weeks.