One Hell of a week

[sarettah]

Words of advice from someone who's been there, done that.......

(went back to school and got my two degrees after 8 years in the military, so was an older student with 2 kids on my own trying to pull down a full time schedule)

1. NEVER DECLARE A MAJOR BEFORE YOUR JUNIOR YEAR.

As soon as you declare a major (even saying something like "Well, I thought I might like to get into computers" to a counselor is wrong) The counselors, administrators, et all will try to push what they envision as the proper courses to get you there.

2. NEVER LISTEN TO A COUNSELOR AS TO WHICH COURSES TO TAKE.

Grab copies of the degree requirements for yourself and work your own plan that way you can plan stuff out that you want (such as me pulling down the 2 degrees in the usual time of one). I looked at the various courses required for the several areas I was interested in and started taking courses that worked for all of them. I used my art courses as electives for my computer degree and vice versa. There were certain core requirements that counselors told me I had to take before everything else but when I checked, they weren't actually prerequisites for anything else, so many of them I delayed until the very end.

3. PLAN YOUR SCHEDULE AROUND WHAT INTERESTS YOU.

Ok, there are going to always be certain courses that are required but bore you to death. Schedule (at the max) one boring class per semester (and if it is available over the summer, take it then). This will allow you to keep your interest going.

4. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO DROP A CLASS, FURTHER, IF THE PROF STARTS THE FIRST DAY WITH "IF YOU DO REALLY GOOD, YOU MIGHT EVEN GET A B" DROP IT THAT VERY MOMENT.

If you don't like a prof, or like I say, you get a Prof who doesn't believe that there is such a thing as an "A" grade. Drop the course, walk away clean.

Also, since you are an adult, if you get a prof who insists on treating you like one of the 18 year olds, drop the course and tell the Prof to go screw himself as you walk out the door.

These rules served me well and I pass them on without any obligation of any sort.............

[weirdharold]

Originally Posted by sarettah

Words of advice from someone who's been there, done that.......

(went back to school and got my two degrees after 8 years in the military, so was an older student with 2 kids on my own trying to pull down a full time schedule)

1. NEVER DECLARE A MAJOR BEFORE YOUR JUNIOR YEAR.

As soon as you declare a major (even saying something like "Well, I thought I might like to get into computers" to a counselor is wrong) The counselors, administrators, et all will try to push what they envision as the proper courses to get you there.

2. NEVER LISTEN TO A COUNSELOR AS TO WHICH COURSES TO TAKE.

Grab copies of the degree requirements for yourself and work your own plan that way you can plan stuff out that you want (such as me pulling down the 2 degrees in the usual time of one). I looked at the various courses required for the several areas I was interested in and started taking courses that worked for all of them. I used my art courses as electives for my computer degree and vice versa. There were certain core requirements that counselors told me I had to take before everything else but when I checked, they weren't actually prerequisites for anything else, so many of them I delayed until the very end.

3. PLAN YOUR SCHEDULE AROUND WHAT INTERESTS YOU.

Ok, there are going to always be certain courses that are required but bore you to death. Schedule (at the max) one boring class per semester (and if it is available over the summer, take it then). This will allow you to keep your interest going.

4. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO DROP A CLASS, FURTHER, IF THE PROF STARTS THE FIRST DAY WITH "IF YOU DO REALLY GOOD, YOU MIGHT EVEN GET A B" DROP IT THAT VERY MOMENT.

If you don't like a prof, or like I say, you get a Prof who doesn't believe that there is such a thing as an "A" grade. Drop the course, walk away clean.

Also, since you are an adult, if you get a prof who insists on treating you like one of the 18 year olds, drop the course and tell the Prof to go screw himself as you walk out the door.

These rules served me well and I pass them on without any obligation of any sort.............

sarettah, those guidelines aren't to bad, if I do say so myself. There are a couple I no longer have a chance to follow... like not declaring a major.... I walked in doing that, so I guess I have to live with it.

Although I kinda of bitch about the classes.. I have been able to schedule mostly to my interests considering all the crap that is required.... I have been eyeing a double major and working the required classes with that in mind...

Counselors advice has really been about as rare as hen's teeth, but I have been pretty lucky with the Proffessors... I have, so far, recieved nothing but the respect I feel I should be given.... and I wouldn't bet against me telling one to kiss my ass as I walked out the door if I didn't get the respect I feel I deserve. My Grades aren't too bad... I missed a 4.0 by 2 points on a biology finial... So I just have to live with my 3.857 for now, with the understanding I can never have that 4.0.... and that has really taken some of the pressure -- I was putting on myself -- Off.

Thanks for putting your point of view up for me, I really appreciate you taking the time... And I am still open for farther advise.