Nigel's Shiny New Life Thread

[Suu]

What's the age demographic for the course? Is it mostly traditional students or adults in a continuing ed program? The reason I ask is the professor could feel that adult students may be able to present lesson plans effectively at the 100 level. I've had to do it at the 300/400 level, but NOT in a freshman level class. That just seems like a good way to put students on the spot that aren't ready for it yet. It takes time to develop and understand how college level courses work, you can't just get up there and BS your way through an hour. I've had to give a couple "student lectures" this semester already. It's very testing.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

What's the age demographic for the course? Is it mostly traditional students or adults in a continuing ed program? The reason I ask is the professor could feel that adult students may be able to present lesson plans effectively at the 100 level. I've had to do it at the 300/400 level, but NOT in a freshman level class. That just seems like a good way to put students on the spot that aren't ready for it yet. It takes time to develop and understand how college level courses work, you can't just get up there and BS your way through an hour. I've had to give a couple "student lectures" this semester already. It's very testing.

I'm the oldest in the class by ten years, and have twenty on most of them, easy. A friend of mine is taking the same class on a different campus with a different instructor and her homework has been much closer to the expectations I had for the class; reading the books, writing essays, and having discussion time. It's not that it's easy, it's just that it's appropriate to their skill level and preparing them for the next courses in the series.

I think the fact that 3/4 of the class dropped is a pretty good illustration of how level-appropriate my teacher's approach is. The thing is, if she could get over herself and teach to the students she has instead of the students she wishes she had, she could be an excellent teacher, and possibly even build the track record to apply for a University position. That's never going to happen the way she's teaching now.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I'm really looking forward to next term already. I did a much better job of scoping out my instructors this time so I shouldn't have any duds.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I took my math final this morning and I think it went well. I got a little hung up on finding the variables for an equation with the variables in fractions on both sides (total piece of cake, I just brain farted), but I should have made up for it with one of the extra credit questions.

I then went and paid for my GED, which I've been putting off. And now I am about to drive out to SE to give my books to my accountant and hopefully get a fat tax refund.

I've been researching grad programs and it looks like the best current option for my interests is the epidemiology MPH at OHSU. I am disappointed in the utter lack of a medical anthropology program anywhere in the Portland area, but things could change in three years. AND, OHSU also has what looks like a pretty killer behavioral neuroscience PhD program. So, for now I am planning on a chemistry (or biochem) major/sociology minor and then applying at OHSU, but I also have to look into how well the epidemiology program dovetails with the neuroscience program because there might be a better route for me.

I have been very productive and am doing exactly what I should be doing, and all that's missing is someone to be proud of me.

[Juana]

Right on, Nigel.

[Anna Mae Bollocks]

Yep, she's rockin' it. 

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Thanks!

[Doktor Howl]

I have been very productive and am doing exactly what I should be doing, and all that's missing is someone to be proud of me.

I'm proud of you.  Most people I know are content to be whatever life tells them they are.  You aren't.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

The neuroscience program has a heavy emphasis on addiction, which is not really my area of interest. Hm.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I have been very productive and am doing exactly what I should be doing, and all that's missing is someone to be proud of me.

I'm proud of you.  Most people I know are content to be whatever life tells them they are.  You aren't.

Thank you!

I really need to hear these things. Thank you so much.

[Don Coyote]

You go Nigel.
You've been inspiring me to not let things slid as I wait for spring quarter to start for me.

[Anna Mae Bollocks]

The neuroscience program has a heavy emphasis on addiction, which is not really my area of interest. Hm.

Would that end in a career working with meth monsters? Ugh.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

You go Nigel.
You've been inspiring me to not let things slid as I wait for spring quarter to start for me.

Yay! What are you taking?

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

The neuroscience program has a heavy emphasis on addiction, which is not really my area of interest. Hm.

Would that end in a career working with meth monsters? Ugh.

No, not directly. That might be kind of interesting though.

I looked into it a bit more and while it's not where the funding is, they also do cognitive neuroscience research, which is what I'm interested in. I have at least another three years and lots of time to familiarize myself with their programs and researchers, so that's a good thing! It's sounding like I will have a ton of support and really good contacts through the LSAMP program at PSU, so connecting with the right people and programs will be greatly facilitated. Basically, once my prerequisites are out of the way I need to focus on chemistry, sociology, and Spanish.

[Don Coyote]

You go Nigel.
You've been inspiring me to not let things slid as I wait for spring quarter to start for me.

Yay! What are you taking?

World History (finally lol)
Media Globalization and Citizenship (Sounds very wanky but it's a prerequisite for a major I might be interested in)
Art and Culture in Japan