Well, as of Friday, I am now an official survivor of test madness week. I had tests in English, stats, and human bio. I studied my butt off for the latter two with my friend Amy. Since Amy understands math more than I do, she did the problems on the board step-by-step. Her roommate and our friend Christina joined us Wed. and Thurs. since she had a test Friday (Amy and I are in the same class, but Christina isn't. All the stats classes use the same text). Surprisingly, when I took these tests, I felt like I really knew the material and am hoping I did better on these tests than I did on the previous ones. I don't want to drop the classes if I don't have to because we only have four more weeks left of classes.
Sadly, my bio professor is still frustrating. As ususal, I went to his office twice this week for help, but he was not very helpful. My friend Mallory who is a senior bio major was helping me study for this test. I showed her the power points, and she recognized many of the diagrams from her anatomy class (a 300-level course) two years ago. She thought it was outrageous that my professor was expecting a 100-level class to know as much as a 300-level class. She suggested I talk to the department chair, which I did on Thursday. Unfortunately, the department chair told me there was not anything she could do. Although she was nice and wasn't trying to be full of herself, I left feeling frustrated because I was not 100% convinced that she couldn't do anything.
Now that I'm done, I can take it easy and have fun. This week, we had three visitors. On Tuesday night, Cady's sister and a friend of hers spent the night and had lunch with us the next day. On Friday night, Cady's best friend spent the night. In honor of Africa Week, my friends and I went to see the documentary Invisible Children Friday night. Invisible Children is about the children in Uganda who are forced to be soldiers. :( Afterwards, we wrote letters to our senators asking them to increase foregin aid. Last night, some of my choir friends and I watched Jesus Christ Superstar, which essentially told the story of Jesus with music.
Remember how I told you last week about my English professor telling me he was pleased with my work in his class and admiring me for working so hard? On Monday, I wrote him an email telling him that what he said made my week. I also told him that as someone struggling in two classes, it meant a lot to me to hear that, and that he gives me hope that I can survive these last few weeks just by my knowing that I have a professor who genuinely cares about me as a student and person and sees what I can do. He wrote me back telling me that I don't have to be angry with myself for not being perfect or reaching every single goal, and that regardless of how I do in these classes, I have what it takes to reach my goals. He also gave me a quote that I have on post-its in my room and in purse: "everyone gets muddy from falling down and the thing to do is just get up, brush off the dirt, and keep at it." Whenever I feel stressed, anxious, or sad, I'd just look at the quote and think "I can do this, and I will get through it."
I will be getting both tests back next week, so let's hope that I did well enough so I don't have to drop the class. Think positive thoughts for me! :D
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Tough Week
Unfortunately, I do not have much in the way of interesting blogging material. Classes started Monday, and I have been insanely busy. I have three tests next week, plus a paper due on Monday. I've been extremely stressed that I've been staying up later and waking up early to get work done. I caught up on sleep today, sleeping for 9.5 hours and waking up at 10:20.
Currently, I'm struggling with my stats and bio classes, so I'm studying for those like no other. I now have D+ in stats, thanks to getting an F on my second test. However, I'm hoping, more homework, my project, and recent quiz will pull my grade back up to the C that I maintained for eight weeks. Plus, my math professor is super nice and helpful during office hours.
Human bio has been a struggle, not only because the material is difficult, but that my professor is not very helpful. I've been going to my professor's office hours at least twice a week, but I cannot seem to bring my grade up. Luckily, I did some extra credit which I hope will raise my grade. I've told my professor that science does not come easily to me, and that I need him to explain the material. He's a smart guy and knows that I'm struggling; however, I'm frustrated that he cannot find a way to explain the material clearly and could not recommend a textbook, tutor, or another bio professor who could help. I really don't want to drop the class, but I may have to depending on how I do on my next test. There's only so much I can do, especially when my professor is not meeting me halfway. I don't expect him to be my best friend or even my favorite professor. All I want from him is to be able to explain the material clearly so I can understand it and get a C in the class.
Even though I've been feeling down and stressed out a lot, I had a wonderful experience with my English professor on Wednesday. I had a ton of questions for him about my draft of my poetry paper. Since this week is advising week, he only had five minutes when I came. After we talked about my questions, I said, "I'm sorry I had a lot of questions in such a short amount of time. I didn't think that we would be able to discuss my questions in a short amount of time. I wanted to make sure I got them answered so I can write a good paper." He said, "Don't worry about it. I'm really pleased at how well you're doing in class and how much effort you put into your writing. I admire you for that." I was almost in tears, and just wanted to say, "Do you know how much what you just said made my day? You have no idea how much I needed to hear this." It really meant a lot to me to hear from my professor that he sees how well I do and appreciates my hard work. Just having someone recognize my strengths keeps me going and gives me hope that I will be able to make it through this difficult time.
As my wonderful friend Antonia said, this experience will make me stronger. This is so true, and luckily, I have awesome friends here at UP who I can count on to help me get through this. I believe that I can do anything. I will do anything I can to reach my goal, and am not afraid to get help if I need it. Over these next few weeks, I will try to do as many say: think positive! (:
Currently, I'm struggling with my stats and bio classes, so I'm studying for those like no other. I now have D+ in stats, thanks to getting an F on my second test. However, I'm hoping, more homework, my project, and recent quiz will pull my grade back up to the C that I maintained for eight weeks. Plus, my math professor is super nice and helpful during office hours.
Human bio has been a struggle, not only because the material is difficult, but that my professor is not very helpful. I've been going to my professor's office hours at least twice a week, but I cannot seem to bring my grade up. Luckily, I did some extra credit which I hope will raise my grade. I've told my professor that science does not come easily to me, and that I need him to explain the material. He's a smart guy and knows that I'm struggling; however, I'm frustrated that he cannot find a way to explain the material clearly and could not recommend a textbook, tutor, or another bio professor who could help. I really don't want to drop the class, but I may have to depending on how I do on my next test. There's only so much I can do, especially when my professor is not meeting me halfway. I don't expect him to be my best friend or even my favorite professor. All I want from him is to be able to explain the material clearly so I can understand it and get a C in the class.
Even though I've been feeling down and stressed out a lot, I had a wonderful experience with my English professor on Wednesday. I had a ton of questions for him about my draft of my poetry paper. Since this week is advising week, he only had five minutes when I came. After we talked about my questions, I said, "I'm sorry I had a lot of questions in such a short amount of time. I didn't think that we would be able to discuss my questions in a short amount of time. I wanted to make sure I got them answered so I can write a good paper." He said, "Don't worry about it. I'm really pleased at how well you're doing in class and how much effort you put into your writing. I admire you for that." I was almost in tears, and just wanted to say, "Do you know how much what you just said made my day? You have no idea how much I needed to hear this." It really meant a lot to me to hear from my professor that he sees how well I do and appreciates my hard work. Just having someone recognize my strengths keeps me going and gives me hope that I will be able to make it through this difficult time.
As my wonderful friend Antonia said, this experience will make me stronger. This is so true, and luckily, I have awesome friends here at UP who I can count on to help me get through this. I believe that I can do anything. I will do anything I can to reach my goal, and am not afraid to get help if I need it. Over these next few weeks, I will try to do as many say: think positive! (:
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Back from Break: Can't it be longer?
I am back in Portland after a fabulous but short spring break. My spring break began last Friday afternoon when I spent the night at my friend MacKenzie's place. We ate pizza, watched House, and stayed up late talking. Her family took me to the airport the next day where I flew back to Oakland and spent a few days at home.
Since many schools did not have vacation during the same time I did, I did not get to see all of my friends. However, I did get to see two of my girlfriends over the weekend. Saturday evening Antonia and I got our nails done and had dinner at her house. Sunday evening Arielle and I had a yummy sushi dinner at Sushiya, and walked around Piedmont Ave. I also enjoyed lunches/dinners with family friends (Karen-the lovely mom of my favorite kids, Lynnie-dear family friend/pretend aunty). One of the highlights of my break was on Wednesday afternoon, when I had coffee with Dana Barnett, my awesome high school English teacher. She was one of my favorite teachers, so it was a real treat for me to catch up with her.
After spending a few days in the Bay Area, my mom and I went to Palm Springs to see my grandparents (dad's parents) who live there six months during the year. We hopped on a plane Thursday evening, and were supposed to see a show by Joel Grey that night, but it got canceled due to a "medical emergency." Once we found out that the show was canceled, we were figuring out what to do. Every time we go to Palm Springs, we always have a special tradition: a trip to Dairy Queen. There isn't a Dairy Queen in the Bay Area, and we always stop at one when we go on vacation. Thursday night we did just that, and I enjoyed a yummy vanilla soft serve cone dipped in chocolate. Friday and Saturday we ate at yummy restaurants, went shopping, and swam in the pool. My mom left Saturday evening, so my great aunt and I took her to the airport. My grandparents had a party they had to go to last night, so my great aunt and I went out to dinner and walked around the shopping center. I left Palm Springs early afternoon to return here, and I must say that since I've enjoyed the sun so much, it will take me some time to get used to the rain again!
Classes start tomorrow, which I must say I'm not looking forward to after being on break for a week. However, I think I'll get back into the swing of things. Luckily, I only have seven more weeks left until summer vacation. I'm amazed at how quickly time flies.
Since many schools did not have vacation during the same time I did, I did not get to see all of my friends. However, I did get to see two of my girlfriends over the weekend. Saturday evening Antonia and I got our nails done and had dinner at her house. Sunday evening Arielle and I had a yummy sushi dinner at Sushiya, and walked around Piedmont Ave. I also enjoyed lunches/dinners with family friends (Karen-the lovely mom of my favorite kids, Lynnie-dear family friend/pretend aunty). One of the highlights of my break was on Wednesday afternoon, when I had coffee with Dana Barnett, my awesome high school English teacher. She was one of my favorite teachers, so it was a real treat for me to catch up with her.
After spending a few days in the Bay Area, my mom and I went to Palm Springs to see my grandparents (dad's parents) who live there six months during the year. We hopped on a plane Thursday evening, and were supposed to see a show by Joel Grey that night, but it got canceled due to a "medical emergency." Once we found out that the show was canceled, we were figuring out what to do. Every time we go to Palm Springs, we always have a special tradition: a trip to Dairy Queen. There isn't a Dairy Queen in the Bay Area, and we always stop at one when we go on vacation. Thursday night we did just that, and I enjoyed a yummy vanilla soft serve cone dipped in chocolate. Friday and Saturday we ate at yummy restaurants, went shopping, and swam in the pool. My mom left Saturday evening, so my great aunt and I took her to the airport. My grandparents had a party they had to go to last night, so my great aunt and I went out to dinner and walked around the shopping center. I left Palm Springs early afternoon to return here, and I must say that since I've enjoyed the sun so much, it will take me some time to get used to the rain again!
Classes start tomorrow, which I must say I'm not looking forward to after being on break for a week. However, I think I'll get back into the swing of things. Luckily, I only have seven more weeks left until summer vacation. I'm amazed at how quickly time flies.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Visit with my parents
The highlight of this weekend was my belated birthday celebration and visit with my parents. They came here yesterday afternoon and we went downtown where I got a new purse and phone. I now have a Guess bag from Macy's that's big enough to carry my books yet stylish. My new cell is an LG3 Chocolate in blue. I also got a stylish Dooney and Bourke case (not real, of course).
Last night my parents took me and six of my girlfriends out to dinner to celebrate my birthday. We went to Lucca's, a delicious Italian restaurant about 15 minutes away from school. My parents and I went there with Cady and her parents during orientation weekend. We got some yummy pizzas and appetizers to share. Dessert was the best! I, along with some of my friends got profiteroles with caramel ice cream with chocolate and caramel sauces. There was also chocolate and toffee bark, which was also yummy. The waitress put a candle on my dessert and everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to me.
This morning my parents and I went to breakfast at Helser's, a restaurant about 15-20 mins away from campus in a little developing artsy district (on NE Alberta). I had a black bean chili scramble which was very filling but delicious. My parents dropped me off on their way to the airport. Even though our visit was short, it was nice to see them. They really enjoyed getting to know my friends and I know my friends enjoyed meeting them. Luckily, I get to see them in a week when I come home for spring break
.
All of us at Lucca's: Megan, Kaelyn, MacKenzie, Dana, Cady, Traci, and me
Now that my parents are gone I've catching up on email and uploading pictures. I'm going to try to do catch up on homework. Cady has a concert tonight with her choir which I'm going to go to at 6. Should be fun. (:
Last night my parents took me and six of my girlfriends out to dinner to celebrate my birthday. We went to Lucca's, a delicious Italian restaurant about 15 minutes away from school. My parents and I went there with Cady and her parents during orientation weekend. We got some yummy pizzas and appetizers to share. Dessert was the best! I, along with some of my friends got profiteroles with caramel ice cream with chocolate and caramel sauces. There was also chocolate and toffee bark, which was also yummy. The waitress put a candle on my dessert and everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to me.
This morning my parents and I went to breakfast at Helser's, a restaurant about 15-20 mins away from campus in a little developing artsy district (on NE Alberta). I had a black bean chili scramble which was very filling but delicious. My parents dropped me off on their way to the airport. Even though our visit was short, it was nice to see them. They really enjoyed getting to know my friends and I know my friends enjoyed meeting them. Luckily, I get to see them in a week when I come home for spring break
.
All of us at Lucca's: Megan, Kaelyn, MacKenzie, Dana, Cady, Traci, and me
Now that my parents are gone I've catching up on email and uploading pictures. I'm going to try to do catch up on homework. Cady has a concert tonight with her choir which I'm going to go to at 6. Should be fun. (:
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