This is ridiculous!

I just got another duplicate book from the school! Who ever is in charge of keeping track of which students received which books needs to be fired or retrained or something! I don’t know of any other word, besides ridiculous, to describe these book shipping problems I’m having. It makes me wonder if I’m the only one...

Since starting the program in January 2010, I’ve gotten 7 duplicate books. That may not seem like a lot as many of the books are used for more than 1 class, but coupled with the fact that on at least 4 occasions I’ve gotten a book for a class well after it’s started, this isn’t good.

Last week I called my student advisor to ask what to do (I actually left a message and she hasn’t returned my call!) and today I got not only a duplicate book (#7) but a prepaid postage sticker to return duplicate book #6 back. I’ll be returning all duplicate books I have (up to 5 lbs and any that haven’t sold online) in the same box. whatever I can’t fit in the box, I’m going to email my advisor, again, and request another postage paid sticker to return them. I’m running out of space on my bookshelf for the books I need so duplicates have to go!

*iz floored*

So Monday I finished that lame (10 day) Critical Thinking class and was whatever about it. I’d be happy with a C. Well as it stands, I have an 81.70% - that’s a B! This is by no means bragging. This is me geninuely shocked that I pulled such a good grade from not trying and being pissed that no one - student advisor or teacher - would return my calls or emails until 3 days before the class was over!

There were 2 written assignments due - a 2 page paper and then a 4 page paper expanded from the 2 page paper. I did those in 1 ½ days! I got 100% on the 2 page paper and 98% on the 4 page paper. Then there were 4 discussion question/homework questions. I did 3 of the 4 but (so far) only graded on 2 and one of those 2 I didn’t do!

This online school experience started out so great, but gradually, it’s been pissing me off, royally. Good luck trying to get a prompt reply from my student advisor when it’s important. he only time she’s prompt about getting in touch with me is if I haven’t logged into Blackboard in a few days.

Anyways, right now I’m at day 3 of Psychology class and I don’t have a book. I was supposed to hear back from the SA 2 days ago about it. Fortunately there’s photocopied pages as pdfs for the reading. It feels like I’m missing stuff tho, but I have been able to answer the discussion questions based on the reading we’ve been provided, so that’s good i guess. I really don’t want to play phone tag about this book. My SA is just pissing me off to no end. I wonder if they even pay attention to the course evaluation they have us do at the end of class...

an update on my Critical Thinking class

In regards to this entry, I spoke with my student advisor. While I didn’t mention wanting to be removed from the class, I did tell her that I was VERY uncomfortable with the discussion topics. She said that was understandable, and that I wasn’t the only one (in the class?) who felt that way. She said in cases like this, another topic was given and that’s what I would work with. She also said that the 2 writing written papers didn’t have to be on ghosts/ufo’s or 9/11 conspiracy theories - that I could pick any topic. Umm great. I wouldn’t know a topic to pick (I didn’t tell her that).

Still have a high level of IDGAF.

As the conversation came to an end, she said she’d e-mail the instructor and see what further could be done and that the instructor would be in contact with me via email (best to have everything in writing so there’s no confusion) and my SA would be CC’d on the matter as well.

I hope some kind of solution is decided upon. The 2 page written paper is due tomorrow and I have 2 days of discussion questions to work on (the ones I need replacement topics for).

I like weird things but this is pushing it

Monday I started a new class - Critical Thinking. Yet another class I’ve taken in person that I’ve had to take online. I’m getting tired of this BS. Anyways. The book for the class is titled How to Think About Weird Things Critical Thinking for a New Age. I didn’t bother to look through the book when it came because I was wrapped up in working on my research paper for the class I just finished (English/Writing Composition).

Monday I looked at the lecture, homework and discussion assignment for the day. Nothing weird there. Just lightly touching on ghosts and hauntings...and how to critically think about them (aka debunking the bumps in the night and shadow play). We were also given an assignment that would be due on Friday. A 2 page paper on either ghosts, UFO’s or 9/11 conspiracy theories. Which ever topic we pick for the 2 page paper, we’d be expanding for the 4 page paper due at the end of the course. Pick something that can hold our attention.

Tuesday I looked at the lecture, homework and discussion assignment for the day. Death. We were learning about death. More specifically near death experiences and the existence of a soul. Not...not too bad. The assignment was to basically debunk, “logically think about”, a near death experience we, or someone we know, has had. We have to try to logically explain what happened in that experience. I’m sorry, I’m not going to poo poo something someone has said they felt deep inside them. I think that’s wrong.

This is looking like a class I’m not going to do too well in.

Today we are to start working on that 2 page paper assigned on Monday. Only problem is, after all this reading, I don’t want to write about any of the topics. I 100% do not believe in 9/11 conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories on other topics, I haven’t dealt with and for the purposes of this class, probably won’t be dealing with. That leaves UFO’s and Ghosts. If I write about UFO’s, the lecture in Unit 6 talks all about them. There are 3 chapters in the book talking about it and 6 websites to visit. For ghosts, that’s discussed in Unit 2 (2 chapters and 3 websites) AND Unit 4 (3 chapters and 1 website).

Not going to lie, I’m totally going to BS the 2 papers. That is how high my level of IDGAF is.

After today, there are still 7 more days of this class and I’ll be done with it. I can last, right? I really just don’t GAF.

why don't you try reading the instructions!

I have an instructor I had before. He was cool for the first few courses he taught, but then he was getting real nitpicky with things until I pointed out that I followed the directions of the assignment and he fixed the grade on my assignment.

Well he’s done it again! We were given an assignment to use a particular form to create a particular document. I did that and turned the assignment in.

His comments: Thanks for submitting this Lizet. It looks like you’ve found a form will somewhere online. This is a good starting point. However, the assignment asks that you craft the will specifically for Mary. To that end, you need to draft a will which names Mary’s best friend as executor, gives her stamp collection to her grandson, etc.

If you’d like to resubmit this assignment, I’m certainly happy to regrade it for you.

3/10

Umm I did that! Because you know, the assignment directions say Use Unit 1 Handout 1 and the below facts to draft a will for your client Mary.

Did he NOT read the assignment directions in the lecture notes!

Luckily he caught this mistake without me having to say anything and gave me the correct comment/grade: You’ve done a very good job here, Lizet. You’ve taken the form will and completed it appropriately based upon the facts of the hypothetical. Nicely done!

9.5/10

I’m sure I won’t do as well on the assignment I just turned in. I’ve never waited until the exact deadline to turn in an assignment. I’ve also never waited until 20 minutes before it was due to look over the unit and the assignment instructions to do it. Needless to say I was VERY confused, but did it and I’m sure if I have to redo the assignment, I’ll be given the chance.

Milestones

2:12 am
Despite getting frustrated (as of late) with my classes and the many glitches the online classroom setting has, I'm glad I'm doing this.

On September 30th I will have completed the Fundamental Level courses for my Paralegal Degree! October 1st I will more than likely start on Advanced Level courses.

oOoOoOoOoO

2:12 pm

This morning I got a call from financial aid to finish up the process so I’d have funding for my 2nd yr. Well he said there was some mistakes but they were minor things like changing that I live with my parents to living off campus, changing my dad’s unknown education status to high school graduate and something else I can’t remember. Then I had to do the loan process thing again...followed by a 10 question exam. I missed 2 so it’s all good. The next big hurdle is getting them a valid copy of my ID. Enter what would have been a nearly 2 hour wait at the DMV. Pass! Why such a long wait? Another office was closed so people had to go to the one I went to. And get this...they’re going to be closed again tomorrow due to the furlough crap the Governor instated. Now I have to wait until Monday, which is better as I will have been paid and won’t have to borrow the money from my mom.

We were coming back from the DMV (nearly 2 hr wait because another office was closed so I have to go back on Monday) and stopped at the cleaners when my mom asked if I wanted to drive in the parking lot because there weren't many cars. I said whatever and hoped it was too packed, but when we got there it wasn't.

I drove for about 10 or 15 minutes, parked a couple of times in open spots and practiced backing into parking spots. fun and not as nerve racking as I thought. Yes! I did it! I drove!

On the way home (we were literally across the street from the apartment) when the car stopped. my mom said the car probably overheated (its an old crappy car with a couple of bullet holes!!! in it that my dad INSISTS works like a gem) so we waited and I motioned for cars to go around. Then my dad calls and I tell him what happened and he got mad. way to make it feel like MY fault! Eventually a lady in some big truck gave my mom a push so she could park by the apartment...and now I'm home.

Another class...another lesson learned? Lets see...where do I start?

Lets see...where do I start? Since starting ICDC back in January, I've taken 14 classes (Wednesday I start my 15th class). My grades are 11 As, 1 B and 1 C...and later today I'll know for the class I just finished.

These classes haven't exactly been drama free either. Latest bit of drama revolves around a grade for an assignment that wasn't updated. Long story short, I called the instructor on his mistake and he fixed it. That's how I have the 1 B. Good. I didn't want to have 2 Cs! Also, I achieved my first 100% for the course! That was for Immigration & Constitutional Law (with the trouble instructor).

Now I'm on to a new instructor. Administrative Law started last Wednesday and ends today (when I take the final). This instructor seems much more involved. At first it was annoying, but now I like it. It takes a bit to warm up to the new teacher. LOL I'm not sure how many classes I'll have her for, though. Second class with her starts tomorrow.

Tomorrow's class is called Employment Preparation. Its 5 days long with pretty much an assignment every day. Oh great. I've lost count with how many employment preparation classes I've taken. They all say the same things and while I do learn something new from each class, none of them seem to tell me why, with as much experience as I have, do I seem to not find a job...or at least get a second interview?! People around me with much less experience seem to find jobs every time they turn around (or in the case of some people I know change jobs to frequently they have resumes that are multiple pages long and they're a good 5 yrs younger than me and have no college degree)! Anyways, I am still going to keep an open mind to this Employment Preparation class and maybe learn something that will finally get me a second interview...and *gasp* a full time job!

quick question

but first some background info.

In my civil litigation class, the discussion question for today is to list 5 sources paralegals would/could use to locate a witness. which would be the most useful, which would be the least useful and why.

One of my sources I said was the post office as you know...people might want to get mail and you know...not fall behind in paying bills and whatnot and someone commented saying that most people don't do that.

my question to you is, do you think when people move, they think to do a change of address with the post office?

Seems I got the school thing all wrong!

Today I finished Word II though I took my final on Friday (if I remember correctly). Like I thought, I got a perfect on the “essay” final keeping me at an A in the class. 96.8% is the highest A I have to date. Go me!

I thought that tomorrow I’d be starting Word Processing for the Law Office, but I was wrong. Tomorrow I start Civil Litigation. Oh boy! I can already feel my brain about to explode…and I haven’t even done the first reading. Ha! This class is 2 weeks – it ends February 23 and there’s “no school” on the 15th. Oh! And the first assignment is due Friday before 11:55 pm. It’s not too bad – a page double spaced. I’ve done that tons and tons of times! I need to keep this Grade A momentum going. I’d hate to do poorly in this class.

This is me being busy

I’ve finally gotten a schedule that I hope won’t be in a constant state of flux.

Monday –Friday is school for me
Monday & Tuesday are tutor days (possibly other days during the week, but without pay, I’m sticking to those 2 days)
Wednesday – Sunday are saved for church events.

Come summer, Mondays & Tuesdays will probably be me days. That’s pretty much everyday, but I’d like to have days where I can go back to riding the bus & train for fun…just to get out of the apartment or something.

Also looks like I didn’t get the Everest College job. I interviewed on the 13th and was told to take a test and call on the 14th. I did that and didn’t get a return call. My friend who set me up on the interview said to call back on 18th so I did. Again, no return call. After that I decided that I wasn’t going to worry about it. Yeah it kind of irks me that the Director I interviewed with made it seem like I’d have some kind of job there and hasn’t returned either of my calls. Right now I’m like whatever and will concentrate on school.

• Introduction to Computers ended today. I got a 94.5% in the class. That’s an A baby!
• Tuesday my next class starts. It’s called Word I. It ends on February 1st. I’m sure it’s another class I’ll pass with an A.
• February 2nd I start Word II and that goes until February 8th.
• February 9th is when I get into a territory that I’m probably not that familiar with – Word Processing for the Law Office. That class is also a week long.
• In March, I have 2 classes that are each 10 days long
• In April I have a class that’s 15 days – pretty much the whole month.
• Then there’s another 5 day class followed by 6 classes that are 10 days each.
• Then 2 classes that are 5 days, a class that’s 10 days, a class that’s 15 days, a class that’s 10 days and a class that’s 5 days.

If my counting is correct, by the end of September, I will have finished ALL my fundamental level courses and will get to move to the advanced level courses at the beginning of October!

During all this school time, I will hopefully get a laptop between February 15th and February 26th. Also, during the summer, I will be in AZ for a few days (possibly a week) for a conference (maybe) and probably some other trips. Hopefully I’ll be able to have internet access and the time to devote at least an hour a day to doing school work so I don’t fall behind.

Just thinking about all this school stuff has me excited yet I feel like going “OMG! What have I gotten myself into?!”

and the school bus rolls on...

I found the outline of courses I'd be taking for my Paralegal Degree. It's roughly 91 weeks long. Including the class I'll be finishing on Monday, 4 of the "Fundamental Level Courses" will be doing things I already know how to do - Introduction to Computers, MS Word and Internet. I suspect Word Processing for the Law Office might be something I know how to do, but I won't know for about a month (when the class starts)

my next course is roughly 2 weeks of MS Word. Another course I'm going to have to force myself to take my time with. But this time, I will really take my time. No jumping ahead or (hopefully) no lagging behind. I don't want any mistakes on my part.

Time to get ready for work. Its rainy out and it'll probably take longer to get there...or something like that.

not what I expected

Against my better judgment I went on with the test for my first course. It was scheduled for Monday but I thought I'd be too partied out from this weekend to even think about a test on Monday!

Well I'm taking the test and typing up some stuff for an answer and I guess in my speed I clicked some keys and the computer crashed or shut down or something! All I know is when the computer came back on and I went to Blackboard my test was submitted!

I frantically called and e-mailed my student adviser and no response. e-mail the instructor and he was able to reset it for me.

Awesome!

It took me twice as long the 2nd time because I was making sure I didn't accidentally press something to make the same thing happen because it wouldn't be deleted a 2nd time. Gotta remember that for future tests!

I took the test and was able to see my preliminary results. I missed 5. no big deal.

well no if my breakdown in the points is correct.

this test was worth 80 points.

80-64=A
63-48=B
47-32=C
31-16=D
15-0=F

If I just miss the 5, I still get an A. In fact, I can miss up 16 and still get an A! But I don't think I missed that many!

anyways...stuff to do before my dad gets home and I leave for a few hrs tonight.

this Blackboard thing may be good after all

So my online classes are done through Blackboard. At first I was meh about it. I don't really like discussion board type places, but I guess for online classes it works out well.

In my easy Intro to Computer class, going to the discussion board, posting and replying to 2 classmates counts for 40% of your grade. eek! You can go from an A to a D in the class by not going to the discussion board!

Also, homework assignments are submitted through Blackboard in the Drop Box. Tuesday I turned in an assignment. It was supposed to be 250 words. I turned in 236 words (or there abouts). I got a 95%. It's still an A but omg!

Well today I was checking the drop box and saw that the assignment was graded/commented on and reposted. awesome! Now I have it for my records.

I guess Blackboard isn't going to be too bad. I just wish spell check was used by the posters in the discussion board. I think it's the same 2 or 3 people who have spelling errors...and with the same words too.

my online classes start tomorrow...

and the first class is Introduction to Computers.

OI!

This is going to be a loooong week! I'm going to have to force myself to take it a day at a time because going to the discussion board, posting an answer to the question and replying to 2 classmates counts for 40% of my grade!

I'd really hate to get anything below an A in a class this simple...