For my first foray into college...again...it went much smoother than I expected. Along with English and History, I took 4 online classes(12 units total), which was a completely new experience, but got the hang of it quite quickly. I like the online classes. It was easy to manage my time and get the work done and do my mid-terms and finals in my jammies-talk about a dream! Those of you who are close to me know that I thought my History professor was totally hot, so listening to his lectures was quite enjoyable (not to mention that I love ancient Chinese history). FYI: I did NOTmake passes at my professors-absolutely NOT a good idea!
I learned alot about writing in my English class and am very proud to say I didn't get less than a B on any of my essays and got A's on all my quizzes and in-class essays. My online Theatre classes were a different experience. I had to see a play at school and do a 3 page critique on it. It was not an easy task to tactfully say in 3 pages that the play sucked. The play, in itself, is a good play, but the acting was well...it sucked. My prof had some pretty nasty comments on my paper, but I still got an A! I'll take it.
Then I got my first report card: Theatre: A (and I was excused from the final becausse I already had an A in the class), Theatre forum: A, English: A, History: B and I got "Pass" in my 2 computer skills classes. I was quite thrilled! I know I'm just starting out and right now...well...the work isn't really hard. It's just that it's alot of work, but I know that will change. I know (especially with math) it will become difficult, but I'm off to a good start!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Life Change
Enjoying my first winter/Christmas break in over 20 years. It is a little strange not working during the crazy holidays. I was in retail management for over 15 years and half-dreaded and half-enjoyed the hustle and bustle of working in a department store, or mall store, or book store during the holidays. As someone who was on the other side of the register dealing with customers, it can be a daunting task to keep a smile on my face and help those who are so stressed out they can't help but lash out on those around them. At the end of a day I could be pretty exhausted, but feel good if my smile and wish of "Merry Christmas" made someone's day brighter. I think I've decided I don't miss it.
My first semester of college was a completely different experience. First off, not only are my classmates so much younger than me that I graduated from that same school before they were born, but most of my former employees were that age group-and I don't have to tell them what to do! When I first began classes this fall, I pretty much kept to myself, staying quiet, doing my work. In both of my on-campus classes (History of China and College English) I was maybe 1 of 2 "mature" (does that sound better than "older"?) students, and I discovered after about 3 weeks that if any of the students had any questions, they would ask me! I thought it was pretty funny! I finally realized that I was more intimdated about being older than them than they were of me.
My first semester of college was a completely different experience. First off, not only are my classmates so much younger than me that I graduated from that same school before they were born, but most of my former employees were that age group-and I don't have to tell them what to do! When I first began classes this fall, I pretty much kept to myself, staying quiet, doing my work. In both of my on-campus classes (History of China and College English) I was maybe 1 of 2 "mature" (does that sound better than "older"?) students, and I discovered after about 3 weeks that if any of the students had any questions, they would ask me! I thought it was pretty funny! I finally realized that I was more intimdated about being older than them than they were of me.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Welcome!
Ok...here I go...blogging away. I had thought about starting a blog when I began the fall semester, but put it off. Now I've finished my first semester of college-in 22 years-and beginning my first winter/Christmas break-in 22 years-and decided to give it a try. If you're reading this, you'll be keeping tabs on how this mid-40's single mom of 3 grown children endures through pursuing a dream of going back to school to get a Bachelor's degree in English to become an English teacher for high school and esl/illiterate adults.
"Why," you ask, "does Paula want to be an English teacher?"
Well, I'm not exactly sure of the exact story, but I know it began with two people: my best friend and my son's Honors English Teacher. I've narrowed it down to two scenarios:
Scenario 1: More than 5 years ago Tracy and I used to walk the neighborhood at least 5 nights a week. The neighborhood was ours when we walked. We had our favorite streets, houses, noises...and the fountains in the hospital parking lot. We would talk about everything: raising sons, dating-again, and our love for reading. My end of the conversation was usually 1) her teasing me because I wouldn't date someone who couldn't spell and reminding me that my dad (who can spell, but...well..isn't the greatest speller) is a wonderful man/husband/father (he really is) and 2)how much I LOVED the current book I was reading and why. I LOVE to read. and 3) how I wanted to find a career that made a difference, that gave back, that had a purpose. One night a light went on and Tracy said, "Hey, you would make a great English teacher!" The seed was planted.
Scenario 2: During a conference with my oldest son's honors English teacher, he expressed surprise (and relief) in learning that I read along with my son the books he was required to read for school. Reading with and to my children has always been an important and fun activity for me. The teacher said that plays a big part in giving children tools to learn how to read and write. I think I said something about admiring his job and how I'd love to be in his shoes. Unfortunately, it is disheartening to see the percentage of students that don't know proper grammar, or have grade level reading skills and how much remedial education is necessary. So I said something about what a wonderful job it would be to give these students those skills. Yeah, it would be hard, because not only does it entail starting from the beginning, but students at this age need a reason why this should be important to them. Then he says, "You should become an English Teacher!" with my son agreeing...The seed was planted.
Both scenarios did happen, just don't remember which one happened first.
Fast forward 4-5 years. Still talking about it...still praying about it...then I lose my job. I call my dear friends who have been listening to me go on and on for 5 years about going back to school and the first thing they all say, "It's time to go back to school." So, I did. I went back last fall. I received an A.A. degree in Speech Communication in 1987, but I need transferable units before going to a university as a junior. The good news is, as of now I only need 5 more classes. The bad news is 3 of those classes are math. Hopefully, with hard work and committment, I'll transfer to a university in Spring 2011.
"Why," you ask, "does Paula want to be an English teacher?"
Well, I'm not exactly sure of the exact story, but I know it began with two people: my best friend and my son's Honors English Teacher. I've narrowed it down to two scenarios:
Scenario 1: More than 5 years ago Tracy and I used to walk the neighborhood at least 5 nights a week. The neighborhood was ours when we walked. We had our favorite streets, houses, noises...and the fountains in the hospital parking lot. We would talk about everything: raising sons, dating-again, and our love for reading. My end of the conversation was usually 1) her teasing me because I wouldn't date someone who couldn't spell and reminding me that my dad (who can spell, but...well..isn't the greatest speller) is a wonderful man/husband/father (he really is) and 2)how much I LOVED the current book I was reading and why. I LOVE to read. and 3) how I wanted to find a career that made a difference, that gave back, that had a purpose. One night a light went on and Tracy said, "Hey, you would make a great English teacher!" The seed was planted.
Scenario 2: During a conference with my oldest son's honors English teacher, he expressed surprise (and relief) in learning that I read along with my son the books he was required to read for school. Reading with and to my children has always been an important and fun activity for me. The teacher said that plays a big part in giving children tools to learn how to read and write. I think I said something about admiring his job and how I'd love to be in his shoes. Unfortunately, it is disheartening to see the percentage of students that don't know proper grammar, or have grade level reading skills and how much remedial education is necessary. So I said something about what a wonderful job it would be to give these students those skills. Yeah, it would be hard, because not only does it entail starting from the beginning, but students at this age need a reason why this should be important to them. Then he says, "You should become an English Teacher!" with my son agreeing...The seed was planted.
Both scenarios did happen, just don't remember which one happened first.
Fast forward 4-5 years. Still talking about it...still praying about it...then I lose my job. I call my dear friends who have been listening to me go on and on for 5 years about going back to school and the first thing they all say, "It's time to go back to school." So, I did. I went back last fall. I received an A.A. degree in Speech Communication in 1987, but I need transferable units before going to a university as a junior. The good news is, as of now I only need 5 more classes. The bad news is 3 of those classes are math. Hopefully, with hard work and committment, I'll transfer to a university in Spring 2011.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)