GPA Success!

Whew! It has been a hell of a busy time for me lately. I have been swamped with school work, and I’m only taking 3 classes! Over the last two weeks alone, I had a paper due for English, and the first of several huge tests for both Math and Psychology, to say nothing of my extra curricular activities (I will talk about them in a different post). Let me just say that I am so very glad that I decided to go with entry level classes, in order to ease my way back into school. I forgot about the different mind set that is required for being a student, as opposed to interacting as an adult in the work force.

My first test in Pre-Algebra was last week, but I didn’t get the results until this week. In order to get ready for the test, I needed to make sure that all my homework and extra credit (up to that point) was ready to be turned in. The Professor has very specific rules as to how the work should be presented. All the work must be pre-graded by me, the answers either circled or highlighted, all of the problem solving work must be shown, and all incorrect or skipped answers must be listed. As I do all my work in ink, so it’s pretty easy to tell if my first answer was correct or not. As I have mentioned before, this is a remedial math class, and I don’t get any college credit for it. That having been said, I am re-learning the material and actually find myself enjoying the experience. Who knew? The grade for my test was 92 out of 100. My combined scores for homework, extra credit, quizzes, and the first test leave me with a combined score of 112.2% for the class thus far.

Now to Psychology 101. This class has proven to be the easiest for me. We’ve been covering the origins of the field, how the brain works, and have now moved into nature vs. nurture. For those of you who have taken this type of class, you will remember the following: The neuron moves from the Dendrite, to the Cell Body, along the Axon, and finally through the Terminal branches of the Axon to the Receiving Neuron. All of the material has come rushing back as Professor Nader goes over it. I find myself at ease and a lot more willing to participate in class and group discussions. In my other two classes, I’ve discovered that I am not always as sure of the answer, and because of that, a lot less willing to raise my hand or speak up. I’m sure, as my confidence grows, that will change.

When it came time for me to complete my test, I sat down in the campus library. Upon doing so, I laid out my test in front of me, opened up the course book next to it, my notes above that, and booted up my laptop. After I turned on my i-pod, it took me about three hours to complete the exam. I referenced the chapter review, the Appendix, the Glossary, the References, the Name and the Subject index, as well as utilized Google and Ask.com to help me. The day the test was due to be turned in, I was confident that I had completed the test to well within 100%. As it turns out, I nailed it. I got a score of 100% on the test. I currently have a grade of 105.0% (including extra credit) for the class.

I would be remiss, if I didn’t let you all know how Earl is doing. Earl has gained a sidekick. I don’t know her name, but she is very well educated on the subject of psychology, or she has read ahead in the text book. Most often when she responds to a question, she is correct. So much so, that the teacher will often remark that she has entered into the arena of the Psych 102. From an observational point of view, she looks to be a reject from the high school Goth crowd. The young woman sports bottle dyed black hair (with blonde roots), severe black eye make up, black fingernail polish, not to mention her black wardrobe.

Due to her robust knowledge, Earl feels the need to be her cheerleader. He has also taken to sitting next to her during class, like a swallow to Capistrano. I swear to God, from time to time he actually blurts out a “Yeah!” or “Hell Yeah!” when she answers correctly. He will then laugh. Let me try to describe his laugh. It starts off not unlike that of a person who has just resurfaced from the bottom of a deep body of water, and is gasping for a life saving breath. Then it mimics someone actively suffering from an attack of hyperventilation. On one occasion, he actually belched during his hilarity. I nearly peed my pants, and I’m starting to look forward to my twice weekly exposure to Earl.

My paper for English was an observation piece that garnered me an A grade. However, the A was earned by the skin of my teeth. I received a score of 90 out of 100. I am looking forward to using this class to improve my writing, as I am being re-exposed to all the rules of grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. I’m a little embarrassed to admit how much I have forgotten, although it has been over a decade (and I think I cheated my way through some of it, back in the day). I think back to all the e-mails, memos, and reports I have penned, and wonder why more people didn’t come forward to slap me with them. I have been told, more than once, that I write just like I talk. This is my most difficult hurdle to overcome for my English Comp course. While this style of writing may pass in casual e-mails between friends and colleagues, it does not work in higher education. I like to think that I can compose a fairly informative and sometimes humorous piece of script, but I have discovered that I have left behind several major rules of grammar. I would like to acknowledge that my former VP, Lissa Orr (an English major), has commented (and even made editorial marks in the margins) on more than one of my literary creations. Maybe I should hire her as my tutor!

To wrap up, I am currently sporting an A grade across the board, in all classes. That may have something to do with the fact that I am having the time of my life! I absolutely love everything about being back in school. The environment is energetic and stimulating. I’m having a blast meeting new people, and forming new friendships. One of the aspects I enjoy the most, are the group discussions in my psychology class. It’s always a lively, and usually informed, conversation about theories vs. practice.

Well that’s all for now. I have three chapters of math homework and some reading for English to get through before next week.