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Sunday, June 28, 2009

I haven't posted in a while so I guess it's time for a general update.

From June 1st - 25th I was TA'ing the summer session Human Physiology course. This kept me very busy! Summer session classes are so intense! 1 week of material every day...a midterm every Thursday and 2 lab practicals as well! It was fun...and a lot of physio "stuff" was really solidified for me because answering questions, explaining, trying to come up with examples and analogies, and of course, GRADING EXAMS...really keeps a person on their toes, and requires real understanding of the material. I think it was good for me.

My grades for the spring semester were good...3.914 GPA...that works out to 10 units of A and 4 units of A-. I am happy with this...and I did not freak out when a letter arrived from the Dean of Science and Technology...I already knew what it was, congratulations on making the Dean's list. After the Fall semester, I got the same letter and had some major anxiety before opening it...seems silly now, but it wasn't at the time.

Starting tomorrow, I have a written schedule for the rest of the summer. The counselor at school and I worked on a list f things for the schedule and then I put it together. The idea is that having a schedule will help me to not slide back into bad habits that cause decline in everything. I really don't do well with large amounts of unstructured time. The time is not completely structured, there are lots of spaces of free time...in fact, evenings are completely open from dinner to bed time. I also have a list of things that I can do for fun, to pick from for the open times. What I scheduled were some pretty basic things...times I need to get up, eating, exercise, houshold chores, regular appointments, and bedtime. All but the regular appointments are things that can quickly become an issue for me...so hopefully this helps.

I hope everyone is enjoying summer.

S

8 comments:

Jigsaw Analogy said...

congratulations on the grades, and also on making it through the course you were TA'ing. i agree that teaching helps to make things stick in the mind better.

good luck with that schedule. i find they help me too, when i can get them to work. i need to get one of those for myself...

austin said...

Congratulations on making the Dean's list again. That is awesome. When I looked at my diploma and it said that I graduated with honors I was nearly embarrassed by it. I'm not sure why.

I don't do well with unstructured time either. I end up pacing and even acting out.

I hope the summer semester goes well for you.

Austin - proud and smiling

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the Dean's List! Good job :)

I like the idea of the schedule for summer with choices of things to do with your free time. Sounds like a great plan!

Hope you guys are doing well.

Donna

Lily Strange said...

Those are great grades! I hope your summer is going well.

Mamabeek said...

Whups... missed this! Congratulations on making the Dean's list twice in a row. Fantastic!

On teaching, yes, it really does help solidify that material WELL, doesn't it?

I'm so glad you found a system that will help you stay afloat through the summer. I don't do well with too much unstructuredness either. I am having to make myself assignments with deadlines for my dissertation to ensure I keep moving on it effectively.

Have a great summer!

Dr. Deb said...

I also need to structure my unstructured time too!

I said...

I know this is late but awesome job on your grades! It sounds like TAing went well for you. I will be starting that next week and am hoping that it won't be too dreadful.

I think making a schedule is a great idea. Schedules seem to keep things contained and on track which can be really helpful when things are so busy!

I hope you post soon and let us all know how it is going now!!

Marj aka Thriver said...

Just stopping by to say I'm thinking of you.