Tuesday, August 25, 2009

What Have I Done?!

I spent several hours yesterday talking to all the various parties in order to coordinate the whole school thing - my undergrad school (UVM), UMUC (where I took my grad classes last time before I got laid off), the grad school where I'm going to apply for next May, and the community college where I have to take the classes to get into the grad school. It was like being on a transcript merry-go-round.

This morning, I went over to the CC to register. First, the advisor couldn't find my transcript. Then, when she finally did, it hadn't been evaluated as far as what my undergrad classes would qualify as pre-req's for. So, the advisor decided to do it herself, rather than having me go to one of the people who is supposed to do it. Then, to her, my algebra class had had a funny name, and UVM has changed their class names and numbers since then, so the description of what I took versus the name, versus the number, were all different, and thus she proclaimed that it was not acceptable as being algebra. (Now, who on earth can graduate college without taking at least one college-level algebra class? Hello!)

Then she decided that she should ask the professors for permission to take me into the class. No one was answering any phones. Finally, she went down to the trig professor's office, and of course he said it was fine. Then, she flat-out told me that he's a difficult 'asshole', and I'm going to have to email him for help, since I've already missed the orientation class that was on the 20th (the semester doesn't even start until the 28th). There's also the chance he might try to kick me out because of that, she said, but that I can appeal it and it will be fine. ?!?!?!?

Next, I found out that there was a typo in the CC catalogue, and the bio class I'm taking (which at first she couldn't figure out if I had taken enough english classes to qualify for - um, why do I need english for biology, and also, I actually had enough english credits for a minor!) actually has a three-hour lab on a different night, meaning I will be in class from 5:30-8:15 on Thursday, and in lab three more hours on Tuesday, rather having the two combined as the online catalogue showed.

So, to sum up, I'm barely squeaking into a trig class, taught by a reported asshole who may or may not try to kick me out, that I don't even want to take, and the bio class is twice as much time as I thought it was going to be, and I may have to have some teenager as a lab partner for three hours. What have I done?!?!

The kids have karate on M-W nights. I will have class on T-Th nights. I've already dropped out of the MOPS volunteer program, and I think I'm going to have to leave choir, which is my favorite thing ever, for the semester, because it's right after karate on Wed nights, and I already feel guilty enough that I'm going to be away from the kids so much.

This is such a huge change, and so fast. I've been at home for seven years, and now not only am I maybe going to be substituting, I also have to take really hard classes with a large group of strangers who are probably going to think I'm a geriatric pariah. Josie and Patrick are going to be upset that I'm gone so much. Between the nerves and guilt, I've been close to or actually in tears ever since I left the community college this morning.

I have an appointment with the grad advisor next Thursday to go over all my stuff and talk about what I need to do to get into the MA in Teaching program. Here's another scary thought - what if I do all of this and I either a) don't do well enough to have it count or b) do fine but still somehow don't get accepted into the grad program for another reason? *looking for paper bag to breathe into*

I need to drink. A LOT. But, it might kill brain cells that I apparently can't afford to spare.

8 comments:

Not Your Aunt B said...

Deep breaths. You're on step 10 and there's hundreds of more steps to take, don't get ahead or it is overwhelming. Colleges (of any level) are full of people that don't know what the hell they're doing. I'm sure trig prof will be fine and so will biology. There will be a bunch of teenagers in there, but there will also be a lot of 30somethings and moms/dads. The good thing is that this go round you won't be caught up in all that young adult drama and really enjoy it. I did. It will all work out- you just have to work the system and fight for yourself because they usually don't have a clue as to what's going on. Best of luck! I am excited for you!

Anonymous said...

Okay, so I'll do all your drinking for you until the semester is over. Then you give me your liver and you get to drink again!

WOO HOO for you. I know it's fast, but it's probably better this way so you don't overthink it.

Sarah said...

B is right- college is full of people who are totally floundering. No one said you have to have everything together before you start something!

Nowheymama said...

I think the beginning of the semester stuff is always the stressiest. You can do it!

Hotch Potchery said...

My kids watched Mr. P and I struggle through college while we raised them----it is a great thing for them to (1) see that hard work pays off, and (2) to get to be so proud of you choosing a goal and working for it!!!

Sounds like the cc advisor needs a new job, shouldn't talk down the prof, I am sure it will be fine!!!!

Kelsey said...

We know you are a great reader and writer, so seriously? you're already ahead of the game. You can do it!!!

Stimey said...

You will be totally fine. Don't worry. Your family will be fine. Your lab partner will think you're 800 years old. Eh, can't win 'em all.

Also, the last math class I took was in 10th grade. I didn't take a single math class in college.

creative kerfuffle said...

everyone's already given you great advice. all i can say is i know you'll be fine. you are a strong person. and, don't try to think of everything at once or yes you will get overwhelmed.