Going back to school for older adults

“2 programming courses and Origins of American Society.

It looks like your schedule rules out any trip to the Whites soon. :(”

“Wow - good for you Pepsi!

Yeah, unless its during the week - and even that's iffy considering this course will probably kick my booty and I will need to study nonstop.

:(”

“Quarter or semester units doesn't matter in the formula. The only difference is the number of weeks in the term. The number of units usually reflects the number of hours you will be in lecture. Labs are generally two contact hours for one unit, but don't worry about that.

I applaud people who can take a lot of classes, work 40 hours, and graduate with honors. Were you taking calculus, biochem, and statistics? My study skills methodology is designed to give you time to transcribe notes in certain types of classes and still have a personal life. It is for the long haul.

For every student I have seen graduate in high gear, I have seen 5 crash and burn. At least test the waters first.

pepsi - Can you find out from anyone what this instructor is really like?”

“Phil,

I have heard that she is just like the syllabus sounds.

She is the only instructer that teaches that class so I am just going to assume that if I follow her rules, everything will be fine.

Also, I would like to thank you for your advice. I have printed out some of the study skills and note taking advice that you have given to others but never actually thanked you for it.”

“pepsi - You will be fine.

I think I mentioned this sometime in the past, but the two highest grades I got as an undergraduate (100 and 98...we had a numerical system) were from the two professors with the worst reputations. In one case I was so scared of the guy I was super-prepared and always did OK. In the other case I just followed his lectures and mastered the material. He was actually a good instructor and (as I found out later) his disposition was directly related to his love life at the time. Years later I used him as a reference for graduate school.”

“Phil - I think you may have had one of my client's kids as one of your students! What courses do you teach? I believe he graduated last year. And... is your last name the same that is on your email? (Can you believe we spent a week hiking and I have to ask that question?)”

“ladyhiker - The z on my last name is truncated on my email address.

Click on my trailname and then my homepage link. My name and the courses I teach are on my main web page.

Two of the courses I teach (EGR 402 and EGR 403) are taken by a lot of engineering majors.

Let me know what you find out!

BTW. After that same week I don't even know your last name!”

“I find that some profs. want to keep attendance, check after breaks, etc. While others are like, "It's your money, if you want to waste it no sweat off my arse." I like that type. It encourages the Trustafarian (kids who come to school on Dada/Mama money and screw off, think trust fund plus rastafarian) kids that have ringing cell phones and stories to tell (in the middle of class) about last wkends drinking to not attend. This way I get my full value and don't have to deal w/ their interruptions.”

“Most of my professors give a grade for attendance, so if you skip a lot of classes that grade portion will suffer.

Of course they state that attendance is mandatory for all exams and labs.

We were going to go on a trip in November and I would of missed 2 classes but after the first day of school I changed my mind.”

“I vascilate on the attendance issue. I hate taking attendance, so it would be easier to just let the chips fall where they may. When I quit taking attendance for a while, then I notice problems begin to arise and I tend to go back to it.

I believe that attendance is one of the most important contributors to better grades. In most of my classes attendance is worth 5% to 10% of the final course grade. I call it Class Participation.

I usually take attendance for several reasons:

1. I resent students who cut classes and then show up at my office or email me wanting to get explanations of the material they missed or handouts they missed (the exception is a student who had a work or personal situation who contacts me ahead of time as a courtesy...no problem there).

2. These same students will come up after a quiz or test where they messed up and try to weasel extra points saying, "You never explained that." If I have an attendance sheet I can point out how they missed it because they were absent.

3. Explaining things in class a second time for the benefit of absentees just steals time from those who were there for the first explanation.

4. The overall level of understanding of the class ultimately reflects on the teacher and the institution. If you know the students need the material for the next class, it is your responsibility to maximize understanding.

5. More and more classes involve team projects and group work. It is hard to participate and develop teamwork skills if you are not in class.”

“I signed up for a 1 day class on Greek cooking, and another class the following week for Wine Appreciation and tastings...I hope I fail the wine class again, so I can repeat it next term.”

“LOL stik.

you going to learn how to dehydrate greek food?”

“I can understand that Phil, and there's not much worse than a whiney student, even to fellow students. I have a friend who went to school the same time as me, and she was always complaining - about the professors, the exams, other students, etc. If school was that stressful a thing to me, I never woulda stuck with it.

I rarely missed classes (except for my vacations, lol, which no prof ever had a problem with) and never, ever whined about anything to a professor, even when I probably should have a couple of times. (I didn't want to get a bad rep with them) I certainly never expected them to catch me up on stuff I missed, etc. My philosophy was that I needed the degree, and to get through with a minimum amount of pain (I disliked school but really enjoyed college) and to accomplish that, I figured out what the prof wanted, then did that.

My professors considered me a "good student" (I attended class, appeared to pay attention, be interested, take notes, completed my assignments on time - didn't whine or ask for special treatment) and I believe I got "the benefit of the doubt" dring grading, i.e. points where they might not have given other, more troublesome students points. The amount of effort put forth by the student counted when I went.

However in my OFFICE we do all of those things. We have staff meetings every Tuesday morning at 8am sharp. We wait for latecomers, and if someone shows up 15-20 minutes into it, we go back and review for that person.

We have deadlines which most of us bust our butts to make - except a couple of people in the office who never make it, and, the deadline is exteneded for them.

We get no instruction and our assignments are so vague that we wander from desk to desk whispering "what're we supposed to do?" LOL, which is pretty freakin' funny considering what we do for work.

Anyway, I didn't mean to sound like I was advocating skipping school because I'm not. However, if you put your life on hold because of school it will become a major PITA.”

“I have no plans on missing any more days then i have to. i have cleared my calendar till Dec.
But this is something that has been planned for a very long time.
I would only miss 2 classes each. i do plan on telling the teacher right up front and i will get someone to take notes and i will ask for homework so i can still do it.
not really into upsetting anyone. i want to be a good student!”

“You will do fine, mapleleaf, I can't wait to hear about everyone's classes. I'm looking forward to going back myself!

You could go see your professor before classes start if you want to make sure it's ok. In person is best if you can.”

“yes thats what tree said and i agree. i will try to go before.
I am getting excited. not very nervous just yet but im sure that will kick in next week.

I go to school before my children do.
ITS NOT FAIR I TELL YA!”

“Maple - You will be just fine. Have fun!”

“See Twiggy - all that butt kissing got you nowhere when it comes to your work situation!

Just kidding....please don't break my kneecaps!



Mapleleaf - if you are doing well in the classes before your trip - you should be okay (fingers crossed).

Although, to be honest with you, I think that you should seriously reconsider your vaction plans. Remember, this is your first semester of college. This is a huge goal that you've set for yourself that I have no doubt you will acheive, but missing two classes of each class is a bad idea. Especially the math class.

Is it at all possible to change your plans so that you only miss one class each?”

“no not really,
its a remedial(sp) math
and eng101”

“So CLEP out then. :)”

“Remember to ask your prof if you could attend a class for the ones missed on one of the nights prior to vacation, if the same material is being covered then. It may or may not work, but worth a shot...”

“yup thats another plan!


what is CLEP?”

“CLEP tests are available for people to show they understand a subject based on previous experience without having taken the equivalent college course. Some programs will let you use them to prove proficiency or to test out of a certain amount of coursework. There are several testing options like CLEP.

The more reputable the school the less likely they will accept CLEP exams. That is not a slam on a school, but the marketing appeal is that you can graduate faster and cheaper. Schools with reputations know they can get your money (supply and demand).”

“I have heard of them. but i think for me personaly i want to go all the way and not take short cuts.
id rather sit in class and be bored for a couple of hours then miss something.
JMHO”

“I don't see them as shortcuts.

If you took AP and/or honors classes in high school - why on earth would you want to sit through the same subject at a lower level because it's simply a required course in college? If you have an option to pass a class with knowledge you already have without having to fork over $1,000 and several hours of your life - then there is nothing wrong with that.

JMHO

:p”

“Twinks if I applied the butt kissing techniques I learned at school here at work, I'd be way better off. I just can't keep my stupid mouth shut, LOL!”

“What Phil says makes a lot of sense...it's all true. I hated to miss class, didn't like to rely on other people. It's easier to understand your own style of notes than someone elses. They might miss something you thought was important and vice versa.

It's good idea if you are going to miss any classes, try to get the information ahead of time and try to sit in on that missed class at another time. Only problem there is most classes teach the same thing on a different day/time the same week. Professors try to keep it simple for them too, that way.

LOL at Twig....in your profession, that could be kinda scary.(JK) I can relate to that though....we'd come out of meetings and joke about what was/wasn't said pertaining to each job descriptions. And I hated leaving the meetings feeling like it was a waste of time(I'd give it a 50/50 chance) most of the time.

Don't worry though Mapleleaf you'll be surprised how different it is compared to high school. I found it much easier, probably cause I was much more mature attending as an adult. You'll probably get a good laugh at the younger freshmen, they've got so much to learn. But don't totally discard them, they can also show you some good things too...ie studying habits, homework, work/study groups. Have fun!!!”

“I hate phucking Wayne State. I'm stuck with a $96 bill for registering for a class on line, then dropping it a month ago. They sent me the bill 5 days ago, but it takes a MINIMUM of 5 days to process by mail. I can also pay on line, apparently, but there's an additional fee if I use a credit card. I can pay through my checking account, but I have to sign up for some $30 service to do that. WHat the hell???”

“the killer bud that a friend shipped me from Hawaii

the killer bud that a friend shipped me from Washington state

the killer thai stick that I got from a mob connection

the hashish...

good grief...I could have starred in my own Cheech and Chong movie...

seriously...I commend all of you for your continuing efforts to get that degree. I have often thought about going back to school, but if I did, I would want to go back for philosophy or literature or photography...something for my heart, not my pocketbook. The one thing that college gave to me, other than a 2 edition set of Lord of the Rings and a great 3 year buzz...was the ability to think and learn...I discovered that it wasn't so much about the courses or the grades, (I graduated with 3.7 cum), it was about learning how to learn and absorb information and then learn how to translate that information into meaningful thought. I like to say that I know alot about nothing, or I know nothing about alot of things.

I enjoyed college...I learned much, I played intense frisbee, learned how to roll a joint with one hand...LOL...but, I learned how to learn. Thats what I got...and to this day, I still learn and absorb everything that I see, read and hear. I love history, science, math, literature, food, wine, nature...all this, was developed in college...and I wouldn't trade one moment of college for anything in the world...congrats...and don't forget...its supposed to be fun...enjoy!”

“If you take French and need help, I'd be happy to give you a hand by e-mail. That goes for anyone else, too.

Doug”

“oh la la

thats a nice offer :)”

“Well bonjour Monsieur Gremlin!

Actually I think that I need to learn Spanish, since half the people I meet these days speaks Spanish. It would probably help when I become a nurse.”

“thanks gremlin!

I've half heartedly tried to learn French via e-mail with my brother's girlfriend - she's from France and taught French at UMF. She seems to think I pick it up quickly, however, I lose it quickly as well since I rarely use it, LOL.

I'll keep you in mind if I ever get to take a class!”

“LOL @ Stikmon! Your college days sound alot like my time in Holland, as a crazed 19 yr old. The only thing missing from your story is a topless beach. If you had that, we'd have identical experiences.”

“Phil - My client's son went to the campus at San Luis Obipso... Rats... thought it would be fun if you knew him! (By the way... I enjoyed cruising thru your website...)

About that book - Want me to file you an extension? (oh wait... wrong profession! lol)”

“ladyhiker - I am going to need an extension!! LOL.

Dang, I was hoping we had another connection there.”

“This has less to do with school than work, but it all ties in.

I took the Professional Engineer's test twice already, over a year ago. I had to call the State of Michigan to verify they had all of my paperwork before I could register through the company proctoring the exam. The State said all was well, go ahead and register.

I got a letter in teh mail this weekend - the phucking State of Michigan has lost all of my records! I have to go through the annyong process of re-applying, sending official transcripts, and getting 5 recommendations from co-workers to take the test. Plus, its another $80! Phucking Bastards. I'm so ticked off.”

“File it under "Creative Revenue Enhancement"...”

“Smiley, they are worse than New York, it seems!”

“That is unbelievable. Wish I had some magic recommendation, but I don't”

“SG - hopefully you have a cancelled check cashed by the state. If you do, I'd take it to Lansing and shove it up there a s s.”

“SG - hopefully you have a cancelled check cashed by the state. If you do, I'd take it to Lansing and shove it up there a s s.”

“YYEAH! TWICE!”

“Owww...can you imagine getting a paper cut in there?”

“Q - they know I paid. That's not the issue. I'm just pi$$ed that they have lost all record of me. They're "making an exception" and still allowing me to sit for the test, even though I'm late with my application.

On the other hand, maybe I can try to get them to believe that I've actually already passed the test....

So, another $80 here, on top of the $92 I had to pay Wayne State last week for not even taking a class. Good thing I already had a friend lined up to go out for a beer tonight. I'm gonna need more than one.”

“For some of my classes I have asked my students to complete and analyze a Learning Styles Questionnaire. It helps give insight into what the best strategies would be for studying and learning. Some of you may find it helpful.”

“Tomorrow (I guess today, I just got off work and it is 1:23a) is the big back to school day. Wish me luck! I need a coffee thermos.”

“SG - we TT'ers could go kick the crap out them for ya?!?! That sucks. I'm sorry.

-------------------------------

It's official. Any last minute attempts to wuss out of school are over and done with.

I've shelled out the big bucks and paid for my class and bought my books! First class at the crack of dawn this Saturday!

How's everyone else doing this week with school?”

“They're letting me off the hook with the $80 fee, but I still have to go through all the pain of the paperwork. Sucks!

Did I tell you that I found a press release too that says my calculator is no longer allowed in the test! Cripes! I've used it the last two times, and just now they're catching on that it has infrared capabilities.....I've had the calculator for 7 years. Duh!”

“The first wk. went pretty smoothly for me. Finance is actually going to be cool. Alot of stuff I'd really like to learn, but would never get done on my own. My Spanish professor is a bit . . . zealous, but it's funny at least. Now if they could just solve the parking issue on campus, life would be complete.”