ARGH!!!!!

In my last post I was stressing over how I wanted to handle my Stats 1 & 2 classes. By the end of the weekend, I had decided to do the weekend college accelerated classes and just get them out of the way. I was waiting to talk to my math instructor. I wanted his opinion on the courses and any feedback he may have had on the instructor.

Unfortunately, this add'l information just threw me back into complete confusion. Stats is going to be harder than I first anticipated. I don't think so much in the applictaion of the math, but in the theory and analysis behind the math. Now I am back to my original dilemna of just taking it in the normal 15 week class, three hours one night a week, or doing it in the four hours on a Saturday in ten weeks. Either way it is going to be alot of work and stress. If I only take one additional class in the Fall for the normal semester, I may actually be able to handle the workload. And I would really like to be able to cross the two courses off my list.

The biggest question, and the one I always stumble over, is "Will I be able to take the courses as I am planning and succeed with the grade I want"? Successful completion of the course, with preferrably an A but no less than a B, is of optimum importance to me. I am giving myself one more week to make a decision. By next weekend I will have my fall schedule decided.

Decisions, decisions, decisions

I can't believe it is time to decide on fall courses. The spring semester is barely over and already registration for the fall is filling up. I need to take my Stats 1 and 2 classes, but I am having trouble deciding if I want to do it in two, ten week, Saturday classes and be finished by mid February or take one each semester for the normal 15 weeks. If I do the Saturday classes, I could then take an add'l course in the fall on Monday or Tuesday night (or possibly take a course each night if they are not to intense) and then two night classes in the spring. The up side is this would complete an add'l course between the two semesters and get me that much closer to my degree. The down side is whether I want to put that much stress on myself, especially as it is my daughters senior year in High School. I know there will be many activities, including college visits, that will require time.

Fortunately, I have a small bit of time before the decision has to be made. And I know, once I make up my mind there will be no holding back.

Wish me luck.

Support and encouragement

For weeks I have been sharing my challenges associated with going back to school. I have tried to offer advice, as I have been faced with various situations, give guidance on where to look for classes and offer ideas and suggestions on how to choose courses.

The one thing that I have failed to mention, and is the most important factor, at least for me, that has kept me going through the challenge of returning to school, is the love and support of "T", my life partner.

Without his support, his understanding (especially when homework needs to be completed and plans have to be cancelled to study for a test) his encouragement, his ear when I am frustrated or worried about a test, his extreme patience when I express my self doubt and inability (quite vocally) to complete something with a good grade, and then wind up pulling out the A, I would not still be continuing on towards my degree.


"T" is my greatest supporter. He encourages me at every turn. He has confidence in my abilities and reminds me at every opportunity that I can accomplish everything I put my mind to.

This post is dedicated to him. My life, my world, my love - Thank you!!

Online versus Classroom

Computer vs Classroom





Well, I have my first experience with an online course. Actually, it is an on-line/classroom hybrid. Classroom attendance is not mandatory but participation online through Blackboard is.

I have to admit, I like the classroom learning experience better. I am finding it difficult to gather the energy to go to class. Maybe because it is on a Friday night and after a full work week and two night classes, I am just beat. The class itself is very interesting and the material is presented with a new insight into food and how different cultures affect the way we eat.

I think I will stick to classroom classes. I am not saying that online is bad, just for me I need that interaction with the instructor and other students.

Good luck in your quest to find what works best for you.