Monday, April 28, 2008

Midterms??! Already?


The weather has been getting really nice outside. The flowers are all blooming and everyone with a convertible is driving with their tops down. You know what that means? Midterms! Usually, I'm cool as a cucumber when it came down to midterms. My classes were relatively simple so the tests would be okay. This time around, I'm driving pounds of coffee to stay up and study. The class material is all brand new to me so I won't be able to get by with mere memorization. I'm actually getting down to understanding and utilizing the material in real world situations. (Pretty much what you're suppose to do with that you learn in college.)


This new and improve motivation to study came from a seminar I attended two weeks ago that was held in the Student Center. It was a self-improvement type of thing. The focus was on breaking the bad cycle that procrastination gets you in. I realized the only thing holding me back from doing any of my work is myself. I learned to put aside distractions and get to what needs to be done. The seminar really did help. At the end of it, everyone had to sign a little contract to themselves. It was a promise to take control of our own lives. I taped it next to my mirror so I would have to look at it every day and remember that.

I was so inpired by the lecture that I decided to try to take an online course. I've heard a lot about how difficult it is with all the reading and self-motivation thats involved in trying to be your own teacher. I'm up for the challenge. Since registration has already begun for summer students, I figured now is as good a time as any to try out an online course. Right now, I'm in the testing phase to see if I'm even qualified for the course. I'm one essay away from submitting the test. I'm just doing a couple of revisions here and there. Hopefully, I'll do well. Less time on campus will mean more time for work and family. Also, I'll save a bunch on transportation costs. With this hike in gasoline prices and repair work on the NJ rails. public transportation has been a nightmare!


Well, I'm gonna stop complaining. At least the rail is still working, right? I'm off for some mooore studying now that Gossip Girl is over. (If its one thing that can disrupt a study session, its the TV show, Gossip Girl.)

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Lack of Clubs? / Getting Rickroll'd

I would have taken photos yesterday if I had remebered to charge the batteries on my digital camera. Not so smart.


I noticed that there was a significant decrease in desks this time around for the club convention. I wonder why. Anyway, I joined the accounting/finance club. My professor is one of the advisors so it should be kinda cool. (Yeah, I used cool and professor in one sentence!)


Something that I did manage to take a picture of yesterday via my cell phone.

This is the photo of a massive "Rickroll" my entertainment studies professor pulled on the entire class. It was pretty hilarious. The rest of the day, I was humming "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley. If you're not too sure on what a Rickroll is, read the Wikipedia article here and find out. Its pointless but totally funny.
We did go on with the lecture but I thought it was a great way to bring back the attention during a split period. Activity period cuts the class time right down the middle so student usually come back tired or completely off off the classroom mindset.


Tuesday, April 8, 2008

17 Credits in One Quarter

I thought I was going to have a hard time juggling 5 classes in a week. It turns out that its not that bad! Sure, there's tons of studying involved but most of the work is done inside the classroom. That's something I appreciate about going to school here. The lecture classes have a back and forth format where a professor explains a concept and the students can ask for help on it right after class rather than waiting for an appointment. I've been asking tons of questions in my financial class. (Word to the wise: You might want to take Principles of Finance and Statistics together. They have a lot of the same concepts and financial formulas.) I haven't fallen behind in any of my classes either. 4 out of 5 have assignments that are done online. This is a HUGE convenience for me. My time on campus is more limited than ever thanks to my new job. Any time I have on campus is dedicated for gathering tons of notes and grabbing something to eat before crunching in a 4pm to close job. I'm not complaining about that though. Its helping me develop time management skills.

As for tomorrow, its the first activity day of the Spring Quarter! The weather is supposed to be great so I'm guessing that the Club Convention will be an outside event. These are always fun. The tables are set up outside and everyone on campus gets to see each other and see what's new on the club roster in campus. One club I'm really interesting in is the Finance/Accounting club. Call me a "geek" but I like the sound of it. Also, I might rejoin Music Club. Hopefully, I'll be able to make it to more meetings (and get my guitar fixed on time.) I'll try to take a camera with me and snap a few photos here and there.

Can't wait to see everybody there!

By the way, if you see Professor Fabes anywhere, give him a pat on the back. He had a major surgery last week and somehow managed to come to school and teach his class one week later. That's major. Props, Professor Fabes.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Berkeley's Facelift

My first class was on the third floor. I had no idea the entire floor was revamped. When I opened the door from the stairwell, I thought I was in the wrong building! It's so bright and shiny and new! I almost got lost a second time when I was looking for room 013. Since when did we can 0 rooms? I went asking around and it turned out the that D rooms are now 012 and 013. (FYI for anyone who hasn't had a class there yet.)

Also, the new student bulletin board in front of the library. It full of flyers for upcoming events! This week is an "Activity Period-less" week. From what I saw on the calender, this quarter's activity periods are gonna be nuts. There's tie-dying, siete de mayo, and my personal favorite, more KARAOKE! I'll have the dates up soon. (Trust me, you'll want to take a study break and hit up the student center for these events.)

This quarter kicked off pretty amazingly. My first class was like a big high school reunion! After class was dismissed, 2 people yelled out my name. I turned around and its two friends I haven't seen for years! Then I step outside and another friend I haven't seen in years emerged! It turns out that a lot of people from the Paramus campus are now attending Garret Mountain. I went to high school in 3 different schools in Hudson and Bergen county so it was about time I saw a familiar face or two.

Also, the classes are great! I have a feeling that I'm gonna rock this quarter. I didn't make it to my 3.8GPA goal last quarter, but this time I'm definitely gonna reach my goal. I'll be kicking my butt every day to keep my grades up AND hold my new job.

Hope everyone's first week is just are amazing. By the way, Happy April Fools Day!