School has begun once again. Here I sit at my desk, textbooks, notebooks and dictionaries all around me. Yes I said dictionaries, plural. If I don't know a word, I look it up. The funny thing is I usually forget what the word meant or how to implement it into my regular vocabulary. So disappointing. Although that's what my thesaurus is for. Another thing I need to do is check the rules for using commas. I have this nasty habit: "Gratuitous Comma Placement". While writing I tend to have a little voice that says, "When in doubt, use a comma." See I did it there too.
OK, so back to school. I've taken on some labor-intensive classes this semester. American National Government is an online only class. This requires a lot of self-discipline and a lack of procrastination. Red flag to anyone who knows me! I am the master procrastinator. We are in week 3 of this class and I'm working on week two material. Well actually I'm writing a blog. But I've kept up with discussion forum postings which are required so I technically have 104.76% in the class thus far. But if I want to do well on the test I must read the material, and NOT during the seven days the test is available. My term paper topics must be submitted by Feb. 6th. and I did submit them already, to avoid being stuck with lame choices like I did in my civilization class. I submitted:
-The role the media plays in influencing elections
-The evolution of the two party system
-Does legal segregation/disenfranchisement still exist?
We shall see which I am allowed to write on. It must be 2000 words! I wonder how many pages that is. I know this will be the longest paper I've ever written.
Civilization. This is second half of the class I managed to pass with a B last semester. I was shocked. And disappointed in myself in my performance. I mean, this was a HISTORY class. Sure a B isn't a bad grade, but I don't feel that I really learned as much as I needed to. Will that give me problems as I get into more in depth classes? Anyway, I took the second half of civilization, with the same intelligent but fairly unorganized and quite conservative professor who has a habit of staring at my chest. Probably not the best move because I struggle when I don't have clear deadlines and strong organization. Someone once suggested that I thrive on structure. Funny, it was in discussing my progress in that same civ. class last semester. Even though I have yet to start reading my textbooks, either one, I'd like to think I'll be OK this semester. My goal is an A. But a goal with out a plan is only a wish. And there is a research paper in this class too. Thankfully it isn't based on a novel like last semester. My topic, however, is a bit lame. It's "Mongolia". Since I wasn't in class when they were chosen and the objectives outlined, I'll have to talk to my professor tomorrow. I think it's based on when they were a colony. This doesn't seem to give me much to write about, based on the research I've already done. Maybe I can change it.
German. Elementary German II. It isn't too hard. Just the weekly assignments and occasional quizzes and tests. My problem has been in remembering the rules I learned last semester. I need to open my notebook and review. But when I think about doing that, visions of other textbooks dance in my head. I earned an A last semester, and hope to do the same this semester.
Math. College Algebra. You'd think I would enjoy math, since it's a definite right or wrong answer. Formulas. Structure. Well I can't stand it. My teacher is nice. But I have slacked on doing the practice assignments since they aren't due to be turned in for credit. And the results of my take-home quiz will surely reflect that. I need to be doing these practice assignments since I will need to take Intuitive Calculus for my bachelors. Oh, and I had to buy a graphing calculator. What a big scam. Those things are ridiculous. I bought a slightly used TI-84+ on eBay for $77.95, which isn't bad since it retails for $129.99.
That's more than enough rambling about my classes. No more complaining about not getting work done since I've spent too much time writing this blog instead of reading my government book that's sitting right next to me.
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3 comments:
Actually, you could stand to use a few more commas. LOL.
2000 words is a nothing. The standard, well written body paragraph, collegiate-level should be about 250 words. So, figure it from there. That's not that long of a college paper. Geeze--what kind of show is that place running? I had to do a 10-page research paper on VICTORIAN HUMOR in my junior year of college at BGSU. 2000 words is like half that, if that. Suck it up. Trust me, the Victorians weren't all that into humor unless it was sick or bawdy. They were kind of twisted.
How the heck did you get "Mongolia" as a topic? That's pretty broad for research. Hey, go with "Magnolia" and do the movie. Tell the prof that you're dyslexic, and that now that you've got so much work done, it'd be a shame to have to start over. Wear something tight and low-cut. Get a little teary-eyed. It might be worth a shot!
Nance- You're right, I am whining. I hear this paper is your "i walked uphill both ways to and from school" story. True? But I agree that that would be just a crappy topic.
I got Mongolia because I missed the class when we picked topics. It isn't such a broad topic when you consider the paper is to be on it's existence as a colony, which as i've noticed so far isn't alot of info.
As far as the prof goes, the tight and low-cut has already worked, but not at all intentionally. Though now I know what to do... sad huh?
LOL!! Yes, that Victorian paper is indeed a musty old chestnut I keep dragging out to impress people with my horrific college career.
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