Thursday, September 11, 2008

Back to School

What happens when you take a 33 year old mother, who has had the summer to do what ever she wants, and stick her in a classroom for 5-6 hours a day, five days a week?? Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh...that's what...lol!! Seriously though, it has been quite the week. I am used to running around all day long, doing what I like, and now I have to sit still, in a classroom, and listen to my professors, who for the most part, are great. However, my math prof is one of those crazy people who thinks that math should be fun (I am joking...he is not really crazy!), and he has not clearly stated what he expects us to do. Have I mentioned that I have ADD??? Well I do.
Thankfully I am an adult, and I know how to overcome it, but I do not do well with teachers who do not clearly state what it is that they expect from me. I just kind of float around, totally confused, while other people are shaking their heads like they understand what he is saying. What???? We have our first quiz in his class tomorrow, and I am still not sure what will be on it. So....guess what I am doing tomorrow after class? Meeting with Mr. Math Professor, so he can explain to me just what the heck I am supposed to be doing. OK...I am done venting now :) Oh, and guess what??? The weather has been gorgeous around here. I'm talking upper 70"s and low to mid 80's. Do you know what it was doing two weeks ago? It was raining!!! Amber was off today, and I swear that I sat, staring out the window, daydreaming about riding. Thankfully she is off on Sunday too, and we are planning on going for a ride. I can hold onto that thought while I am stuck indoors tomorrow (right about now, those of you who work are ready to give me a kick in the pants...sorry!)
Below is a picture of the Social Work and Psychology building at PLU aka "Mel's Prison!"
The bad thing about school, when compared to a job, is that with most jobs, when you leave work, you are done, and you are free to do whatever you want in the evenings and on the weekends, but when you are in school, once you leave, you have anywhere from 6-14 hours of homework to do in the evenings, and on the weekend. Trust me...I would rather be working than in school any day! Actually, I would rather stay home and ride, but wouldn't we all???
My kids are whining about being stuck in school all day too, so maybe we are just a family of whiners...teeheehee!!! Well...it's late, and I still have a couple of chapters to read, so I will sign off, and hopefully next week will be much better. I mean next week will be much better!!!

15 comments:

cdncowgirl said...

Its probably been said before and my poor brain is just backfiring, but what are you studying?
I can't picture going back to school now. I never did have good study habits, and I still don't. I know this because I'm learning a second language I REALLY should do more homework/practice/studying. lol

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Man, look at the tall stack of books. Egads!

The math class sounds frustrating right now. Not knowing what is expected would riffle my tail feathers. Good luck on the quiz. Hopefully you can wing it! haha

At first I was thinking that building looked rather nice, until you said it was your prison. Now it looks rather ominous and scary!

I've got some ADD tendencies still. I could not handle having to sit still for 5-6 hours stuck inside anymore. I'd have to be locked up with my arms bound and my legs tied. haha

Are you able to take any of your courses online, so you can do the bulk of your work at home, at your own leisure?

Might be something to look into. But either way I'll be thinking of you and wishing calming, relaxing, studious thoughts for you. :)


~Lisa
Laughing Orca Ranch
New Mexico

ps...An I also want to say thank you for what you wrote to me via my comments. I feel so much better finding out it's ok to open up because now I know I'm not alone in what I'm feeling. Hugs :)

Andrea said...

Oh I love school, and crazy me loves test. I love to study for tests! But I went to horse college, so college was so fun for me. I would love to go back. I hope you get what you are supposed to be quized on!! I would rather be riding too!

Melanie said...

Cdn-
I am studying social work and psychology, and good luck with that second language! Which one is it? I think that languages are harder to learn when your "older" than anything else...kudos to you!

Lisa-
Lol!! The building is nice, I am just melodramatic!!!
I took some of my prerequisites online, but now, it is strictly classroom learning. It will get easier for me once I am back in my school mode :)

Andrea-
Horse college??? How fun! Now if I could take Bo with me and ride during my breaks....heeheehee!!!

Anonymous said...

Alright, listen up; you are going to get the old SMR 50 cent lecture: If it was easy - blah, blah, blah... You know the drill. Well, you go ahead and vent in your blog all you want, but when you step into that classroom, you give it all you've got - and do it with a winning attitude. You have a great opportunity in that classroom and when you are done, you will be riding your pony with your head held high. I believe in you.
Why do i get to say this to you? -Cuz "i been there, done that." I've got 7 years of college and lots of times i wanted to quit and go home to the farm. But i stuck with it, and it made all the difference in my life.
What you do now will pay off - no doubt.
And if you want to do a little whining...i'll listen.

cdncowgirl said...

Melanie - I'm taking Greek lessons. My husband is Greek and his mother knows VERY little English so I thought it would be neat to learn some of her language.
It is fun but its a very complicated language.
There is the teacher and one other lady (also married to a Greek) and myself.
We meet Tuesday evenings and I hate to admit it but I usually do my homework and review Tuesday afternoon.
("Teacher" doesn't know that!) :o
I must be doing okay though because the teacher said that I'm 'gifted with language' and she's not the type to pass out token compliments! :)

Social work and psych? Wow, that's pretty intense to add onto being a mom. You are busy!!
But I'm sure you can do it!

Melanie said...

SMR-
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I can always use words of encouragement! I will probably have to call on you again around the end of the semester :)

Just so you know, I do walk in there and give it my all (I have a 3.9 GPA), I am just venting and throwing myself a good, old fashioned, pity party right now.

Going back to school later in life definitely has its challenges, but I know that I can do it...it's just that sometimes I would rather be back at home riding!

So...thanks again SMR! I know who who to whine to :) BTW. what did you go to school for?

Melanie said...

Cdn-
Greek???!!! How interesting, and what a sweet wife you are! Now I understand the trip to Greece that you are planning :)

Meg said...

Sweetie...you will be fine...promise...we all do much better with school as adults...because it costs us money. Our brains have the amazing capacity to remember how to study too...you will rawk this I promise!!!

Hugs!

Chelsi said...

That building is beautiful. It must be hard to go back to school. It would take guts, that is for sure. Hope things work out with the math teacher...I always had the hardest time with math and I think that most math minded people just dont get people that are not.

Melanie said...

Adventures of a horse Crazed Mind-
Thank you! I met with Mr. Math Professor yesterday, and he pretty much told me that he likes the students to teach and help each other...that he is not there to "throw out the life preserver if it is needed." I told him that I am paying over $4000 for his class, so he better damn well help/teach me whatever it is I need to know! We will have to see what happens. I guess I may become really intimate with the Math Help Center...lol!!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for visiting my blog...yes, i will be there when you need to vent and i really mean it. If you need a little encouragement, a little support, whatever. Hey, if you want to brag when you knock down a tough one - i'm here! What you are doing is hard, which is why a lot of people dont do it. 3.9 is awesome! I knew it you had it in you. But do you know what i like? You are going into field where you can help lots of people! That's way cool.
Education - my degree is in English. I am a retired high school teacher. My 50 cent lecture has been a practiced one. My last two years of classes occurred when my kids were small - a tough situation - but it worked.

Anonymous said...

PS. In clarification, i should have said the last 2 years of my own college classes.

Pony Girl said...

I love that PLU building! So quaint.
I am proud of you for going back to school! But I know what you mean about the homework, LOL! Hang in there! I'm back in the classroom too (teaching) and my horse has been neglected during the week, too!

Momma / Cowgirl said...

I envy you, I would love to be back at school. As adults we tend to do better I think, in school.
I am sure proud of you going this extra effort to better yourself. Step up and get r'done
*smiles*