still here

still here. plugging through this semester, kinda frustrated with it. arrgh. more later!

break is almost over

Classes start back in a week from tomorrow. Up next on the agenda is Statistics and Leadership. Statistics, though it scares many people, is actually more exciting to me. I love math :) Plus, I like the way the assignments are laid out--no due dates! Just turn it in when you're ready. To me, this means the ability to bang them out quickly. I am perceiving that Leadership will be a harder class, so if I can get Stats out of the way sooner/easier it sounds good to me.

Leadership involves writing four papers, two exams, and a project of some sort that isn't described really well yet. The very first paper, due at teh end of the second week, is 6-9pages long! I already have the topic to the paper, so I'm trying to theorize some ways to apply that. I'm not going to start actually writing it yet, b/c more information about assignments/etc comes on the first day of classes, so I'm not going to get started on teh wrong track.

Since I dont know what the actual assignments are yet, the only work I can get done early is reading. the reading for leadership is a little boring and dry right now, but it can't all be pulitzer prize winning, right??

On I go......

completely done with this term

I am 100% finished with my term. I have actually been done with the work for a week or so, but just today finished my second course evaluation. Course evaluations are required, so although technically my work has been done for a week, today I am officially done with all requirements. woo! My countdown timer now says I have 25 days until next term starts.

What the heck to do for 25 days with no school? Sleep. Watch TV. Clean. Nothing!

I feel accomplished that I did it! One term of grad school down, and I did it while working full time and takign care of several small children :) Only eleven terms left. I know its only going to get harder, so I'm glad I got started well and with an A in both classes.

Next term is statistics and leadership. hopefully not too painful :)

12 days left

Only 12 days left til the end of the term. I have one quiz and 3 case study critiques to do. I do enjoy school, I enjoy learning and practicing. I don't particularly enjoy stressing over grades or studying every free minute, but, I realize the necessity of such.

After this class is over, I will have three weeks off before starting my new classes, statistics and leadership. leadership sounds like a bunch of essay writing to me, honestly. statistics, I am excited for, b/c I love math. Math is so objective. Do the problem the right way and there is one answer. with writing, its so subjective, and when you turn it in, you're not sure how right or wrong you are. With math, you know that if you did it right, you got the right answer.

This term kept me busy. It wasn't really hard as far as the content (though some of it sure was!), but, it is very time consuming. I did it without my work or my kids suffering, but my sleep sure is lacking :) Only 11 more to go after this one......

sunday update (4 days late)

Only 15 days left until my first term is over! Just the sense of accomplishment of finishing two classes in grad school is amazing! Techincally, I haven't passed yet, but at this point, unless i just don't turn in my last assignments, i'm going to pass. I can't believe that I am smart enough for this :)

Communication class-gave a speech to nursing students, oh the anxiety! i can public speak, but don't particularly like it. But I did it, and now I have to write an essay on it. There are specific requirements for the essay that are confusing me, though, and I hope this doesn't trip me up on my quest to get an A. I hate feeling confused and lost, and this particular essay is making me feel that way. Thank goodness we are having a live chat class with the instructor tonight about this essay, so hopefully that will make me feel better. I have to finish that paper, then take one quiz for that class, and i'm done :) :)

Physical assessment- our group just finished a case study presentation together, and now all i have left for this class is to do group member evaluations (b/c we always do that when we have group work) and critiquing a fw other case studies once they are presented.

on the personal front, I am starting my new job in 11 days. Yep, I'm starting a new job on Monday, of the last week of the term!!

Happy thanksgiving! (and a school update)

Happy thanksgiving!! I have so much to be thankful for that I can't list it all here. Family, friends, school, etc etc etc. I am off work today, and my husband is going to be cookign soon. We'll also be taking the kids to the park later, too. Maybe, after everyone is in bed, I might do a little studying--just so I can be thankful for an A :)

Blog update-I think I am going to plan on every Sunday updates, just so I have a regular schedule of it. doesn't mean that it will be only Sundays, but if I commit to that, then I know it will be updated regularly. Blog privacy has been on my mind recently, too. I know of someone who recently had some issues after someone didn't like something her blog said. I don't want to not do this blog, but I also don't want to get into any murky territory either. So, for the time being, if you know who I am in real life, please don't mention it on here. Not that I am saying anything particularly scandalous, but you know.....

School update-only 3 weeks left in this term! wow! I'm on track to get an A in both classes, forbidding any epic failures-which are always possible. I am not going to kid myself into thinking that i am so smart i am guaranteed an A, ya know. I am working on my study guides for physical exam class, since the final is coming up soon. Loving those pictures of diseased penises and vaginas-can't study that in public.... Also have a group case study in that class which i get to put into a powerpoint. I never realized that I like powerpoint until now! it was pretty easy to set it up! In my communications class, i have a speech coming up soon that I am giving to nursing students about becoming an advanced practice nurse....all my public speaking fears are surfacing. ugh.

thats what it is and where I am! Happy thanksgiving!

resubmitted essay...waiting on final grade

As much as that 88 disappointed me on my essay draft, I learned a lot. I learned a lot about APA format, and about being more concise. For that, I am grateful. I feel that every essay I write from here on out will be better-- the instructor for this class is one of three instructors for my leadership class next term, so learning how she grades is important, lol.

I helped a classmate/friend edit her essay, and she said that I butchered it, went for the carotid, etc etc. All in fun and joking, but I feel mixed about that. I feel good about being honest and actually helping instead of just saying "its great" to be nice. Then, on the other hand, the sensitive side of me hates to say anything negative to anyone. I don't want to make anyone feel badly.

Like i said, next term!! I registered for my classes for next term! Leadership and Statistics. I am a total math nerd and excited for a math class. Leadership sounds like a bunch of essays, lol.

tonight, working on a physical exam write up that will probably be like 10 + pags long...... also giving a speech to nursing students in a few weeks, then have an essay and an outline after that, two quizzes tomorrow......

tomorrow starts week 8! 35 days left in this term, then 3 weeks off before winter classes start january 10th!