Showing posts with label Grad School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grad School. Show all posts

Monday, August 25, 2008

Graduate School Checklist

Just a brief 'To Do' list I created for my first day back at school:
  1. Be late to your first class (check)
  2. Get lost at least 3 times (check)
  3. Spend an egregious amount of money on textbooks (check)
  4. Get easily winded while walking across campus (check)
  5. Forget your umbrella on a rainy day (check)
  6. Haggle over $4 parking fee with minimum wage garage attendant (check)
Apparently every student at UNCC had an 11am class.  I knew parking would be bad, but I wasn't expecting it taking 30 minutes to find a spot (sorry Dr. Professor for being late).  I'm reviewing my public transportation options.  I can take the light rail and one bus to get to campus.  It's only an hour commute (which can be used reading a book and listening to my iPod while trying not to get mugged).

This morning I had Modern Latin America with a professor who reminds me somewhat of my dear friend Kammer (just not nearly as smart or funny as Kammer; but Dave and I both agree no one is).  I'm already doomed in this class; 5% of our grade comes from a geography quiz next Wednesday.  The professor warned us our spelling will be graded (there is a mutual disagreement between spelling and me).

My next class was Secondary School Experience.  The professor has some nervous tick where he snorts repeatedly.  It's a quiet snort but done in a rapid series of 3 - 4 at a time.  I mentally chastised myself for fixating on this (then promptly forgave self when he picked on a teacher who used to pause and say 'uh' repeatedly)

In fertility news, we meet with our doctor on Thursday.  We'll ask him any remaining questions we have about our specific IVF treatment plan and sign all the consent forms.  Still don't know how much it will cost us.  Haven't received the mailed quote yet.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Back to School Junkie

Monday I start my first semester of grad school (okay, second semester).  I took a class this summer (but in my mind that doesn't officially count, since it wasn't technically on campus).  I'm taking 12 hours this semester; and yes, I've geeked out.  I went 'Back to School' shopping this weekend and bought myself some new jeans (I'm already planning my outfit for Monday)!

On a more serious note, I'm not sure how IVF treatment will interfere with school (there are a few days during the process I will be out of commission).  One thing I do know (wait, I know two things).  First, I'd rather be a full-time student than a full-time employee while going
 through IVF, being it's an intense 4 - 6 weeks.  Second, I'm more than lucky to have a husband who understands and supports my decision to go back to school full-time to become a teacher (thanks Dave!).

Here's a list of the classes I'm taking this semester:

SECD 5140  Secondary School Experience
READ 5255  Reading & Writing in Content Area (sounds dubious)
HIST 2207  Modern Latin America
ECON 1101 Economics for Non-Majors (most certainly will be oldest student in class)

Also, here's a list of some of my favorite school accessories I've been acquiring since I made the decision to go back to school (more proof I've totally geeked out).  I've assured Dave all these items are essential to my educational pursuits:


Little Debbie fudge rounds


Quo Vadis academic planner


GAP Essential jeans


Rocket Dog shoes


Pigma Micron pens


Moleskine notebooks


MacBook


KEEN laptop bag
Built NY laptop sleeve


SIGG water bottle
Shiraleah bag