Hey everyone,
Let me start off by saying I am one overwhelmed college senior. Classes, working and grad school stuff is really bogging me down. I wish that I could just add a few hours to every day. Or have a snow day, but mother nature isn't feeling that one right now.
So what does one do when one is stressed out beyond reason? One MAKES A PLAN! I have outlined my life over the next two weeks. I have when I am going to write my papers, continue studying for the GRE's, memorize my acting final script, mail grad school stuff AND sleep (maybe).
Time management has become a huge part of my life in college. Before college, I was fortunate to be one of those people that didn't have to study to get good grades. I was involved but no where near as involved as I am now. Basically I never had to juggle anything, it all got done and I was always in bed by 11pm (to be fair, I used to wake up at 5am).When I started working in the Honors Office when I was a freshmen, I was required to read these packets on Time Management, Study Skills and Note Taking to become a peer advisor and to hold workshops. When I read the Time Management one, I scoffed and said that I wouldn't need to do that. Basically, finals approached and I learned I was very, very, very wrong. So I re-read the time management packet, photo copied a few the sheets and organized my life a little better. I learned that time management took a lot of work, but it was worth it when I finished work and was in bed by 1am (to be fair, I didn't have to wake up until 9).
I think that if you're one of those people coming out of high school and you coasted through senior year, hold on, because you're in for a bumpy ride. Do yourself a favor, and google time management strategies or go to the Centers for Learning and sit in on a workshop. They really are helpful.
Tonight though, I am treating myself to one last night out before I really crack down. I am going to see Brothers in the movies. Luckily for me, I bought discounted tickets at the Student Information Center ($7 tickets for the Showcase Cinemas). I don't know how I'm going to function when I'm not a UMass Lowell student. I'm definitely going to have to budget my money a little bit better without all these discounts and student prices.
Well I'm off to make a list or six... Thanks for reading!
Sam :)
Hey Everyone,
How are you? I hope that you and your families had a great Thanksgiving! (And a GREAT Black-Friday & Cyber-Monday!)
So the other day I almost did something that I've taught almost every freshman and transfer that came through Orientation NOT to do. I almost dropped a class because I wanted to add a different one in the Spring. So I logged onto ISIS and I had all the numbers ready to go and I clicked the "Drop Classes" link. Then I highlighted the right class.. THEN I realized that I was commiting an ISIS no-no (not really, it will let you do it, it just isn't smart). So then I quickly quicked the "Swap Classes" link and entered in the class number I wanted to add next to the one I wanted to switch it with. THIS is a much smarter idea. If you change classes under the "Swap" function, you won't get dropped from your first class until you get into the second. It is always a safer thing to do. What if you dropped one class and your new class was full?! And then someone took your spot in your first class?!? Now you're doomed (well kind of). So basically, on ISIS, you never want to DROP a class if you have intentions of adding another one. Got it?! Don't forget it! It's handy information.
On another note, I delivered all of my Letters of Recommendation packets to people that agreed to write them. I provided them with tons of information (probably too much) including my resume and personal statement draft. I never understood why people asked for so much, but I realized that they need all of that information to write about you in a more well-rounded way. If my supervisor didn't know that I had a 3.59 GPA, she couldn't write how I balance my academics and my job. Same if my professors know that I do well in class, but don't know how much work I do around campus. It helps them fill in the gaps about what they don't know.
I'm also almost done filling out the applications themselves, which means this process is almost done.
WOOOOHOOOO!
On the note, Thank you for reading...
Sam :)
Hey everyone -
I have a very busy weekend ahead of me.
Tonight, I'm going to see Funny People for FREE in O'Leary. FREE MOVIE!!! If you're on campus, you should go! I didn't see the movie in the theaters, and I've heard very mixed reviews but I have nothing else to do tonight so it's my game plan. (Plus maybe I'll bring my laptop and get work done....... that's a BIG maybe though.)
Tomorrow, I'm going to a conference that will hopefully help me (and motivate me!) to get back on the Grad School ball. I have been ssssllllaaackkkkiiiinngggg! The conference is put on by NEACUHO (Northeast Association of College and University Housing Officers). It's called RD2B. I went last year and I had a blast. It's a great opportunity for me to network, hear about some programs, get my resume looked at and maybe even do a mock interview? I'm looking forward to it. (Even though I have to wake up at 6am.)
Then tomorrow night, I'm going to the hockey game. I haven't been able to go to nearly as many games as I would like this season, but tomorrow night I can go!!! UML is playing Merrimack. I'm hoping that they have some really fun entertainment between the periods. A few weeks ago they had these blow-up animal things that danced called Zooperstars. They were a RIOT! We had to leave early that game, but we stayed late enough to watch them peform twice. I think that the atmosphere of the games are really my favorite part. Seeing everyone chanting and yelling with their face paint and jerseys... you really have to go to a game to understand. (DON'T FORGET: They games are FREE to all UML students with your ID.)
Well I hope you all have a great weekend!!!
Thanks for reading,
- Sam
Hey everyone -
GRAD SCHOOL UPDATE -
I've narrowed my choice down to three schools and they are all in Massachusetts. I know that seems crazy because I was so convinced about going to NC but because of family things and a few serious discussions with my mother, I've decided that for grad school I'm going to stay local, then if I choose to go away, then I should try then.
Also, last week I registered for the GRE's. Basically they are like the SAT's for grad school, but way harder. I'm scheduled to take them in December. I've been prepping here and there since the summer. I recently received a new practice book, DVD and book about the test. I'm hoping they help a little bit. I only want to take the GRE's once.
I've also filled out some of the applications and outlined my personal statement. Basically, a personal statement is an essay about what you want to do and why. I feel really comfortable with where I want to go with it, but I've been putting off writing it. I NEED TO GET THAT DONE. Haha.
I have also confirmed three people to write recommendations for me. Two professors and one of my supervisors. I'm really excited they all agreed and I think that over the past 3 and a half years they have gotten to know me the best.
Okay, so on a less stressful note (meaning this has NOTHING to do with Grad School), I am taking my brother to a comedy show tomorrow night. (If he somehow finds this blog in the next 24 hours, you can bet I'm going to be mad. I've kept this a secret for MONTHS) So if you remember last year, the comedian Mike Birbiglia came to UML. HE WAS A RIOT. He joked about everything from freshmen living at the Radisson to his brother and their relationship. So fast forward to the beginning of the summer when I found out he was on tour (!!!!!!!!). I ordered the tickets on the spot. My brother wants to be a comedian so I knew he would enjoy it, and VOILA easy birthday gift.
Well, I'm super excited to head home for the first time in almost a month and I'm sure my family is too... So I'm going to start packing (and by packing, I mean throwing my laundry into a basket.. and hoping it all fits)
Hey everyone,
If you're a frequent reader of my blog, you know that this is MY FAVORITE time of the semester. It is time to meet with advisors and begin registering for classes.
Basically, right about now, everyone is starting to feel "blah" after the midterm rush and ready to be done with their current classes. The new-ness and exciting-ness is just gone. BUT a wonderful website listed as the "Registrar's Office" posts a very exciting thing... A NEW SCHEDULE!
If you're a first semester freshmen or a 2nd to last semester senior, you should be meeting with your advisor listed on ISIS. They will come in handy with helping plan your future career here or filing your DIG form (see below.).
Otherwise, most departments do "Group Advising" sessions and you get to go when it is most convenient for you and meet different advisors and professors. I always signed up for group advising with a different professor to get to hear their different stories and opinions on classes. That's how I met one of my FAVORITE psychology professors.
Fast forward to last week sometime...
Here I am, looking through the registrar's website and realizing that I've taken A LOT of these classes. Then I had a sad realization. Next semester is my last semester here at UML. This is my last time looking through classes and finding that one perfect slot with my favorite professor. Then I realized it was time to file my DIG form. A DIG form is a "Declaration of Intent to Graduate" and basically you write all of your classes and where they fit into your requirements and electives. It is incredibly scary, but incredibly relieving to see that I'm only 6 classes away from graduating in May 2010.
*shudders* well now that I feel incredibly old... I'm going to wash my dentures... and by that I mean work on some politics reading.
Thanks for reading,
Sam :)
