The spring semester is the one semester where you really feel that halfway point, the peak of the mountain before everything starts to roll "downhill" so to speak. That halfway point is the much needed "Spring Break." Today, while waiting for my Technologies class to start, I realized we only have two more meetings until spring break. Whoa! Once we get back from spring break, the papers and the end-of-the-semester scramble begin. Oh geez. However, I have been keeping up with my planner (miracle right there), and I generally understand what is going on. (With a few exceptions...) This could be the semester I am in control! Ha. My biggest thing is the big Huckleberry Finn unit. Definitely a challenge. I find that I am really starting to appreciate all educators; they have a big job in planning activities for every class period. Man, I will definitely have to rethink all of the complaining I did in high school! But seriously things are getting crazy so it's just time to really start honing my time management skills and getting down to business! We'll see how I am doing next week...

Labels: "end of semester", "halfway point", "Huckleberry Finn", "Spring Break", "time management", activities, educators, papers, semester, spring, Technologies

This past Friday was our first senior day for the spring semester, and I was impressed with the attendance. Campus visits are very important to the selection process for any student's desire for higher learning. Take it from someone with experience, or inexperience you could say. I never took a campus visit. Bad idea. These visits allow you to compare every school you are looking at; this is the time when each university is allowed to "strut their stuff." Instead, I found out where all of my friends were planning to go and said, "Okay, that sounds good enough for me!" For my freshman year, I attended Wichita State University. Wichita State is an excellent school with plenty of opportunities for any student. However, if I would have done my research, I would have discovered that while WSU is a great school, it wasn't the school for me.

My graduating class (from high school) was made up of about 138 students. I grew up with 3/4 of those students, attending grades K-12 together. My college experience would need to be a little more personal because that is the kind of person I am. Upon arriving at Newman, I knew it was the right "fit" for me. The class sizes vary depending how far into your degree you are, and the professors have the ability (and the desire) to get to know their students. If I had used my campus visits wisely, I may have discovered this from the beginning. So my advice to high school seniors (and juniors) is do your research. Finding the right college is an important part of your learning experience. Some need a bigger school with crazy class listings while others are more interested in a smaller, more personal experience. Whatever your preference be, I encourage you to take the time to find which suits you best!

Labels: "class sizes", "high school", "Senior Day", campus, personal, semester, spring, visits

It really is hard to believe that we are already in our third week of school! (And I'm still motivated!) I have to be honest, by this point in the semester I usually have to force myself to attend class. It really is a shameful thing. However, this semester has been really refreshing, and I find that I am even more motivated. My reasoning is that I am actually in the Teacher Education Program. This means that a large majority of my classes are Education classes. Don't get me wrong, I love English/Literature, but Education is what I feel like I am really here for. The classes are great; the professors are all-new to me. While the program requires a lot of work, it is work I feel is really going to apply to my future career. One thing I am really looking forward to is my "Unit" I am planning. I am planning a Unit on Huckleberry Finn. These are the kinds of things I will be able to save and use for the future. Even one of my English classes is helping apply assignments now to the future. My "final" project for World Literature consists of teaching a novel to the class.

Mainly it is just nice to know that people aren't kidding you when they say, "Just wait until you get into your major. Then you'll really enjoy your classes." This is really what it is all about. So seriously, just wait until you get into what you really are passionate about... It makes a difference in coming to class. Granted, I wouldn't mind sleeping in a few extra hours, but I don't think that has anything to do with not wanting to go to class! Good luck and enjoy your semester! Until next time!

Labels: "Huckleberry Finn", "Teacher Education Program", career, education, English, literature, motivated, refreashing, semester