Major Progress Update

I've finished my first two semesters! It was a challenge!

I took two classes each semester while working full time and am currently taking the summer off to do some traveling! More on that later.

The most important part - the reults:

I got three As and one B! Having not set any standards for grades when starting school, I think this turned out well. I took two introductory psychology courses, first year English and Philosophy.

The B was in English, the most challenging class, and not having written an essay for over ten years, I am quite pleased with this mark! I do write excellent resumes and cover letters, so that may have helped a bit, but it was challenging to properly organize a research essay and especially to express myself in writing so that what ends up on the page is actually what's in my head. What helped most with all of these classes was setting the appropriate time to study the material and to prepare drafts of my papers early enough to revise them.

There are a few tricks I picked up from my classes regarding studying and writing...

From Psychology:

Scan the chapter and it's main points. Try to ask yourself questions about the main points that can be answered when you read the chapter.
Read the chapter and take notes.
Take lots of breaks to keep your mind fresh.
Review the material after to refresh your knowledge.
Try to test yourself to really make the knowledge stick.
Try to explain the material to someone who doesn't know it, a la 'ask me like I'm 5' reddit thread.

Philosophy's and English have straightforward methods of forming an argument/thesis statement:

Know the views that are for or against what you're arguing about. This includes the views you disagree with!

Point out the logical problems with the views you don't agree with.

Summarize the points, then present your argument or statement, not simply that you agree or disagree with the topic, but why you do or why your new argument or statement is valid, again, à la ask me like I'm 5.

Think of potential objections to your argument and point them out along with solutions.

At the end, give the reader an 'aha' moment by summarizing your point and pointing them to a new conclusion that helps them see the argument in a new, more logical way. This is the hardest thing to do! It takes a subject matter expert and lots of time for these to come about.

And lastly, from Google, a guide to the appropriate amount of time to study a particular subject based on its difficulty:

http://www.howtostudy.com/manage-your-time/


This really helped me plan my study time.

I should also note that each semester, I took one on-line class. Just because it's an on-line class doesn't mean it's easier! Always check rate my prof for an idea of what to expect and keep in mind some students are bias.

Just a note about traveling around and seeing others succeed in their lives...  When in a big city, you see all sorts of successful people out and about.

It makes me appreciate why I want to be educated seeing so many smart and talented people. I want to be one of them! I want to converse about something I'm passionate about with someone for hours.

I want to get a good job and be internationaly rebound and have an opportunity to move cities for jobs. To do that, I'll need to have an education. Not only that, but you have to be an expert with connections.

Bunch of things happening at once

So... As described in the previous post, a bunch of things are happening at the same time.  School is starting, I'm moving, starting a new job and going traveling!  I'm successfully managing the 'worry factor' and only worrying about what I need to deal with the soonest rather than meticulously planning and stressing over things that are further away (if only by a couple of days).  This doesn't mean that I am not pre-planning, and I wish I was a bit more organized, but I think things are going smoothly so far.

Moving:
Moving truck is rented.  Isaac (bf) and I are moving things ourselves.  We both have the day off and so far, we know that we have to move our stuff out and clean our place before noon on Sept 1.  Moving sucks, but it's necessary!  The noisy people upstairs (known as t-mar and the dogs) moved out today so at least I will be able to concentrate on things without being interrupted by barking, stomping, yelling, etc...  Grr I hate noisy neighbours!

School:
So excited I got my books and started reading one about how to interpret literature.  It has chapters on queer and feminist literature so that's cool!  I haven't looked at the Psychology e-book yet, but I will do that soon! I haven't studied a textbook in awhile, but am planning to read the chapters slowly or in chunks if they're long, make notes and then re-read my most recent notes during each subsequent study session before moving on to the next bit of information.  Seems like it'll be time consuming but I'm really stoked to be able to expand my mind for once.

Job:
Just another office job.  The least of my worries.  It pays more and is in the same building which has a shower so I can cycle to work! I get a day off every two weeks, so I can focus a bit more on school.  I start on Monday.  I probably need to dress a bit nicer, so I will ask Isaac what I should wear.  I hate wearing business casual stuff!  So annoying.  Now that I think back, maybe I should have gotten a part time job...  Options were limited though, so yeah.  Oops.

Trip:
I'm going with my ex/bff (weird combo, I know).  Just figuring out hotels accommodations and places to see.  Got info on good hotels, train passes and some of the places I want to go from him since he works for an airline and he asked his buddies...  I'm going to Tokyo and have been there once in 2007 for 10 days.  I want to see if any famous Japanese bands are playing!

Oh, when I left my old job, this really awesome lady gave me a book called 'zen mind, beginners mind' about the basics of meditation in relation to buddhism I think... Really interested in that too.  Wheeee

Now time to do some hotel booking.

About my situation and why I'm writing this blog

The purpose of this blog is to chronicle my journey as a "mature" student and the balancing act between school, work and play.  I want to eventually get my doctorate in Psychology.  Not sure what kind of Psychology yet, but that will come with time.  For now I am thinking a clinical psychologist would be a good goal.

Here I am at 28 years old working at a decent paying office job that I don't particularly like.  I am deciding to go back to school in order to remedy this situation.  There will be a bunch of big changes happening all at the same time and within the next couple of weeks.  Namely:

• Starting school:

2 classes.  I'm excited! I only have to go to school once a week! It's been 10 years since I graduated high school, although I've taken a few courses on-line through a technical institution.  Kind of nervous and need to prepare.

• Moving:

I live with my boyfriend.  He is awesome. We are moving because the neighbours upstairs have dogs/stomping/yelling problems and there is no soundproofing.  Also our landlady never fixes anything and it's kind of lame.  I haven't started packing yet.  We are moving in two weeks without the help of movers.

• Changing jobs:

Moving to a job of a similar nature (it's actually in the same building) but with a bit more pay and flexibility.

I am also dealing with some stress from a co-worker at my current job, but it will all be resolved tomorrow (hopefully).  I'm still nervous about it though.

Anyway, time to go order some school supplies!  I will probably cheap out and buy a chromebook lol