Fall semester kicked off last Monday for me. I’m once again taking four classes, another 12 credits. One of my classes, is a retake. Algebra, ugh. I’m hoping I do better this time, since surely some of what I learned last time through should help this time.
The rest are all rather writing intensive. So for the record, here is the what and why of Fall Semester 2012.
Pets in Society (Animal Science 215)
What: Introduction to the various roles that companion animals play in society, and their impact on human activity and well being.
Why?: I plan to move into a BA in Psychology after I finish this AA in Letters, Arts, and Sciences. Specifically, I aim to work in some capacity with servicemen and women, and their families dealing with PTSD. As the military is beginning to embrace pets, in that you now see soldiers with service dogs that are specifically trained and assigned to assist with PTSD. In a broader scope, I think knowing more about the connection between pets and mental health is a great stepping stone in my chosen field. I have anxiety issues, and I know my pets have helped me when I get to anxious. Yes it sounds like a fluff class, but the workload says otherwise. Plenty of reading, and writing due every week along with class discussions.
Religion in American Life and Thought (AM ST140Y)
What: Exploring some of the interesting questions and ideas of the way religion and culture have interacted in American history.
Why: Much like the earlier class, religion and faith play an integral part in our society, and our mental health. No matter the beliefs, each of us depends on our faith in hard times. This also contributes to my future studies. I also needed a “Writing Across the Semester” class (the “Y” designation) to fulfill my current degree requirements.
Biology, well that’s pretty self explanatory, I needed a science, and Biology is a basic requirement for any health field really. Might as well lay that groundwork too. Again, writing intensive. So basically my semester is Math, Science, lots of writing. I hope I can keep up. The first week went well enough. Usually that week is all introductions, and syllabus reading/quiz. But this time every class jumped right into assignments.
I finished Friday night, just in time to have the weekend off. Which is my goal most weeks. Finish early, and then enjoy my free time.
I’m also keeping with my self made rules. As you have to with online learning. Not only does it take discipline to DO all your work, it takes just as much to know when to STOP. My children attend school from 8-4, and my husband usually gets home sometime later. I make myself work within the kids school hours and STOP when they arrive home.
When you are balancing life and classes, you have to have limits. When 4pm hits, It is time for me to shift from Student, back to Wife and Mom for the evening. The kids assist with the housework, so that isn’t a huge issue, but I need that time to wind down, and relax as well. I also need time for ME. So once we all finish dinner, and the associated cleanup, we split up and do our own things.
I also like to help out with his unit, so I will be making time for volunteer activities as well there. On top of that, I’ll be looking for opportunities to volunteer on post, to build my resume and make needed connections. I’m adding things a little at a time, but hopefully I’ll end up eventually working, AND going to school. Then all my well scheduled time will need rescheduled.
But it’s working for me now.