Friday, June 28, 2013

College at 41...

Wow!  Every time I post I determine to post more regularly.  I'd like to post weekly.  I'm always surprised when I get back around to it and it's been a month or more!  I have a good excuse this time.  I'm taking summer classes.  I don't remember them being this time-consuming 20 years ago.  Of course, the general course load for an Associates degree is much lighter than that of a Bachelor's degree.  I chose to take Intro to Marketing and Business Law.  I needed 2 classes to be able to utilize my student loan.  I couldn't have taken classes without the student loan.  Not taking at least one class this summer would have meant that I would have to take 5 classes one other semester or take 1 class my final semester.  Neither option was acceptable to me as I didn't deem either option efficient.  So here I sit during summer session.  

Marketing was a 4 week class.  That meant we had to get 4 months worth of work done in 4 weeks.  It worked out to 4-5 chapter per week.  I had 2 assignments and 1 test due every week.  I determined that it would be better to actually study the way I was taught 20 years ago.  That is to browse over the chapter, outline the chapter, define all vocabulary and then go back and read the chapter.  The idea being that you would expose yourself to the information at least 3 times which would further your success at retention. I found that after browsing, outlining and defining I had no time left to read the chapter.  I actually read every word of 2 out of 18 chapters.  I was actually able to participate in online class discussion and make As and Bs on all assignments and test except one.  I have yet to receive my final grade but according to my calculations it should be an A.  Yay for me!

My business law teacher posted his syllabus back in May.  I thought I should start early but decided not to.  I just stressed over the fact that the class would be self-led; my only responsibility is to meet the deadlines set out by the professor.  This is an 8 week course; which means 2-3 chapters per week in order to meet my deadlines.  Back in May I worried about that.  Now, it seems a light load after completing all my marketing work as well as my business law work.  The sad thing is I took this class 20 years ago.  Even though t was a 100 level class the instructor was so great that my 300 level course this semester is more like a review.

So no wonder I haven't been able to get back to my blog every week!