College Classes Teach Each Other

Right now, I'm taking 3 college classes: Intro to Java Programming, Precalculus, and Intro to MS Office. One of my biggest obstacles I've had to tackle is "How can I use this?" Let's go back to high school. Or rather, let's think back to the classes in high school. Not many people actually want to go back. Anyway...

In high school, we came across a number of things that we didn't quite see how it applied to real life. Unless you were going on Jeopardy, why did it matter when the Magna Carta was signed? What did balancing a chemical equation have to do with the price of tea in China? And would someone please tell me when you would ever use the Pythagorean Theorem? All of these were just stuff we were taught in school, and we were rarely given real world examples.

This stuff bored the crap out of me and now I'm facing the same kind of boredom in my current classes. Sure, I'm happy to be learning all this, but it's aggravating. So I found ways to put my knowledge to use. Specifically, I've been using my classes to work with each other.

All my precalc homework is being done in MS Office and exported as PDF, e-mailed to the teacher. I've also been playing with Java and doing some of the calculations with Java programs instead of just a calculator. This actually gives me a connection with each of my classes on how to solve issues, even if it's just to do my homework.

If you find yourself struggling with the "boring" classes, see how you can relate each class to one another. It might just give you a little bit of an edge and make that information stick. Have fun!

Microsoft Office 2010 PC Home And Student Edition

Good morning and then some!

It's strange how a change can impact you. I ended being burned out from my first day of classes yesterday, but it was a refreshing kind of burn out. The kind of burn out you get for playing at an amusement park all day with nothing but sugar drinks and cheap processed meat for fuel. As soon as I hit that pillow last night, even though I was energetic the whole evening, I was almost out like a light. If I was a kid, Daddy would have been carrying me in to bed while I dozed on his shoulder.

This morning, I woke up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Well, as much as you could get without being a furry anyway. Usually I have to down a couple Monsters to get that kind of pep. It's nice to be able to get up and go.

Pre-calc is turning out easier than I thought. It's just a case of memorizing the formulas so far. Once I have them down, applying them should be simple enough. Intro to Java should be fun. The teacher seems like he has a case of "Duuuuude, check this out."

Lately, I've felt myself in a slump. Maybe what I needed was something to give me some direction again. This could be just what I need to make a life. I owe most of the credit to my girlfriend. If she hadn't talked me in to it, I would just be bumming around the apartment still. Have fun!

Monster Energy Drink - 24/16 oz. - Energy (Google Affiliate Ad)

First class simple...

I've finished my first class, Pre-Calculus. The class itself was not a problem. Matter of fact, it was easy. Well, as easy as it could be. I find myself more anxious around others. That's what had me so nervous, it was other people.

I had problems in school, due in part to being the "new kid". Never fit in. It was in part responsible for my violent and hostile behavior. Here, it's a new page for pretty much everyone. I can taste the fear in some them and I find it quite enjoyable. For once, I have an advantage socially.

I'm not going to be a bully. I just feel like I don't have to size up everyone for a fight. It's nice to relax and enjoy my classes for a change. Have fun!

Tick tock

Ten minutes to go until I leave for class. Nervous isn't a proper description. Hopefully I can make these classes mine. Also I'm finding I don't like the Blogger app as much as sitting at my desk.

Stay Away From the Cubicle!

Let's face it. I'm no expert on prisons. My only visit to a prison was to find out if the eGranary Digital Library was working for the inmates. Cubicle jobs, however, those I know plenty about.

I used to think I could be content to work in a cubicle. Cut off from others. Just me and a computer. How naive of a graduate student. You'd think that after my first year of working in my cubicle (open to three other cubicles) I'd have learned to adjust my mindset to survive and possibly thrive. Almost two years in and I still haven't been able to do it. Why? Because I refuse to be institutionalized.

Over the years I have, perhaps, read too many dystopian future books or watched too many mind control movies to ever be comfortable working a cubicle job. I see the building from afar and instantly my fight or flight reflex kicks in. My job is killing me with stress, paranoia, and a lack of exercise. It is also killing my brain with an overgrowth of the mundane and a shortage of mental workouts. My IQ used to be in the 150's. It's down at least 10 points.

But, of course, it's all my fault. No excuse I provide will ever be good enough for those jackasses who believe that everyone is able to do everything for themselves and those who don't are pansies. Fuck you. After a day at work, trying to survive amongst other people and the threat of unemployment I'd prefer to go back to my cell (apartment) and give my traumatized mind and body a chance to rest up so I can survive tomorrow. There is no more energy to be given to further studies to keep my brain active. The closest I have to that are the books I get from the library. I used to watch the Discovery Channel and whatnot, but can no longer afford cable TV.

I've seen it happen to many times. A person starts out a cubicle job thinking "it'll just be for a year or so until I find another job that is more suited to what I want out of a career." Fat chance sucker. The economy is so deep in the toilet that the only other jobs available are for plumbing. Let's face it, no matter how bad the economy gets, plumbers will always be needed. And now you're wishing you would have taken up a blue collar specialty because, hey, there's a lot of shit, but at least you get to see sunshine every now and then.

So, what do you do? Well, if you've got a cubicle job, chances are VERY good that you've already completed your Bachelor's Degree. Let's hope it was a good one because it's the only one you'll ever get. Why? Because you're already so many thousands of dollars in debt no bank would ever give you another loan to go back and get another degree. And even if they did, you'll never be able to pay off the debt accrued by getting two degrees. I know, I have a BA and and MA. Shoot me now.

As a result of not being able to go anywhere else because you can't afford any more college and your skills are now passe for everything except your cubicle job, you have two choices: go bat-shit crazy and have an incredibly early mid-life crisis or adopt the company persona. I've seen them; the personas. They scare me. They believe they are part of the company, an important part, despite the fact they could be replaced by the next day. The company accomplishes something they were advised not to do but did so anyways because it "looks progressive" and the personas cheer. They believe in the company. They do not see what they have lost to the company: individuality, personality, respect, a fair wage. They see only the company's "progress".

I work for one of the main educational database companies. Which one, I will not say. But there has been no major shift in popularity, income, titles, etc. to favor one company or another. They claim they are in competition with each other, but in truth they are more akin to monopolies. They only complain about the other databases for appearances. In truth, all the corporate databases have universities and libraries wrapped around their fingers. If there is truly a competition, why must the companies charge prices that are easily 50% of the library's budget? I was trained to be a librarian. Now I work for the enemy and I cannot face myself in the mirror.

It is difficult, but I have not surrendered my identity. It has nearly crushed my soul, but the company will not take me. I will find a better job...or win the lottery. Because right now, both have the same chance of happening.

"If you are not a thinking man, to what purpose are you a man at all?" - Samuel Taylor Coleridge

College Nervousness 101

In a little less than one week's time, I'll be starting classes geared towards an Associate Degree in Applied Science specializing in Java Programming (and possibly another in C++). Usually when someone's about to head to college, they're excited at the new environment. Usually, they're focused on the fun they could have. Usually they're thinking of frat parties or their future thesis or even their career once they finish and get that degree.

Usually, they're half my age.

I've been out of school for a while. My mind is still rather sharp. The college entrance exam I took showed me placing in top levels in Reading and Writing. My math skills are pretty good too. This first semester, I'll be taking Pre-calculus to brush up on some of the stuff I forgot. The other courses shouldn't be too difficult. They consist of an introductory course for Java and a course for using Windows programs. Easy stuff.

What has me worried is going back to school. I've been out of Academia for some time and I'm not sure if I can just waltz back in. Can I re-learn the mathematics I've forgotten? Can I complete the computer course work satisfactorily? Can I learn a new computer language?

I realized why I'm not freaking out. When I went to orientation, most of the people there were definitely past the "just graduated" mark. I'm not fresh as a daisy, but neither are these people. That gives me some confidence. It may not be much, but it is enough to keep me from hiding.

To everyone going to college this fall, enjoy yourself and here's to hoping you graduate with distinction. Have fun!