DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
J. Cricket's Blog
April 20, 2010 - "One more time I leave behind just burning bridges it’s a crime / ... / What`s that sound my destiny is bound for changes lost and found / ... / We`re gonna live forever don`t let this be... whatever"
Well, ladies and gents, this is it. My final blog as a first year student at the University of Windsor. I remember writing my first blog and it was hard to imagine an end to it... Exams went relatively well. It seems the exams I was most prepared for, I did the worst and those that I was least prepared for were my best. I have, however, managed to (so far) bump my average up from last semester by two points. (That’s a big jump. It’s the difference between a B and A-). I have one final essay to hand-in on Thursday, but I have taken the liberty to complete it today so that I have the next three days off =).
The past week or so has been tough for our floor (and everyone in residence). I think it has just begun to hit us all that we’re about to leave and everyone seems closer. (If that’s at all possible!) I didn’t expect to like residence, I only came to meet people and that’s exactly what I did. But it’s not a real world here at the university. It’s like I entered some foreign place that, in eight short months, has become my home. Walking to my neighbours room to talk about nothing but everything at the same time for hours on end; skipping downstairs to pull an all-nighter in the lobby; getting to know everyone in residence while working desk staff; hearing the crazy drunken stories from the night before; going downtown with the girls; studying all night in the lounge or Leddy library; freaking about bad marks with everyone else in my class; complaining about weekly online quizzes; walking to class every morning (I know, I’m surprised I’ll miss that too); 1:30AM walks down by the river; ... campus ... university. I shout down the hall to see if anyone wants to go to the Pub for supper and, sadly, the echos of my own voice disappear into the nothingness of the empty rooms.
My roommate and I are having trouble parting but we’re getting through it. It’s had to believe I won’t be seeing all of my university friends (both in and of residence) for four months. I do have my summer cut-out for me though! I’ll be busy, busy. Volunteering a grade school everyday and on-call as a lifeguard for the first two months, then I’m a lifeguard at a camp for the last two months. Before I know it, I’ll be back in school.
I learned so much this year about myself. I learned how to study efficiently, how to pay attention in class, I learned that cutting yourself off of Facebook for ten days because of exams is the toughest thing anyone can do, I’ve learned how to maintain friendships, I’ve learned never to judge... even if you’ve know the person for years. I’ve learned that university is the place for me–all my life I’ve been out of place. I’ve been a small-town girl involved with high school activities but hating every minute of it. As soon as I stepped foot on the University of Windsor Campus, I felt... found.
Can’t wait until next year! I know what I’m doing now... After I complete my concurrent education program and teach for a few years, I will return for my Masters and eventually my doctorate. My hope is to one day become a professor here at the University of Windsor. I’m home-bound.
- J. Cricket
April 6, 2010 - "Coming out of your mouth with your blah, blah, blah, Zip your lips like a padlock... Stop talk, talk, talking that blah, blah, blah..."
You’d think it would be easier for me to pay attention to my last week of classes: especially since I only have class twice a week! It’s the most important week. Things are wrapping up and professors are reviewing course material. I’ve found it hard to focus for the past couple of weeks, actually. Not that there are a lot of things on my mind, just that I’m tired. Wow! How on earth did I survive high school?! It was two months longer!!
I have to remember that this is the home stretch. I can’t start walking in the middle of the race, I can see the finish line!! I have to give it all I’ve got! I know, who am I trying to convince, right? You or myself? LOL
My to-do-list is long (what else is new) but most of the items are study tasks like cue cards, notes, review, my final dissertation etc.
There isn’t much to update you on... Easter was great! I love Easter. Mostly because it includes chocolate, but the family time isn’t half bad either ;) Plus, the Easter bunny brought me roller blades. I made the mistake of blading to the river instead of walking and putting them on there–I definitely fell on a girl waiting to cross the street. Of course, strangers are nice in Windsor, especially if you look silly while roller blading; they’ll take pity on you :P I find it necessary to do my work little bits at a time. That’s why I like to roller blade or walk by the river, go to the gym, go swimming, or just plug in my headphones and crank the music up loud! =) Speaking of which, my study break is over, back to the books!!
I’ll give you more of an update in a few days... Let you know how finals are going... Bye for now!
Until next time,
March 28, 2010 - "Cause I got money on my mind, Give me every penny every dime, Put it overtime"
I know I’ve already written one blog about money, but let’s be honest: without it, where would we be? Question: Why are we at university? Answer: To educate ourselves to make it to the top and make a decent amount of money. (Although, let’s be honest, as a student in concurrent education, it’s safe to say I’m doing it for the money LOL.) It seems contradictory, doesn’t it? We’re spending all of this money to make money... So I’ve come to the conclusion that university is like my job. I’m paying this money to be able to make money later on; which, if we think about it logically, means that the majority of my time is spent getting good grades, working for the money spent. This is why I have has parked my butt in the middle of the CAW and I refuse to move until my to-do-list is done! Unless of course I have to pee... but only if it’s an emergency! Otherwise, dear bum, you better get comfy cause we’re in for a looooooong day.
On a happier note: I am officially an RA (Resident Assistant for next year.). Not only that, I am now a qualified leader! I had to sit through a leadership conference (as a new RA) and I got a certificate that says "congratulations you have successfully completed the leadership conference 2010". Congratulations to me!!
Well, I had better get back to work! That to-do-list won’t finish itself! Wow! Wouldn’t that be something?!
Until next time,
- J. Cricket
March 14, 2010 - "I got a pocket, got a pocket full of sunshine"
It was 3:30PM: prime sample time. Cosco was beginning to fill up rapidly and the ladies were preparing their booths. Uncle Ben’s rice, caramel scones, energy bars, coffee cake, oven baked pizza... The aroma of mixed samples began to fill the Price Club’s air and if one listened closely, one could hear the children’s stomachs growl. My sister and I were going to be smart about this; if we wanted to hit all the sample tables, we had to make a game plan.
"If we walk straight to the back and pass each isle vertically we can see what we’re up against. Then we’ll make our way to the left of the store and start from there. By the time we get back, mum and dad should be at the checkout. Let’s start with the pizza."
It was a tough one. Maybe we should have tackled something a bit easier like the Healthy Living Bars... but the pizza called to us. The pizza lady guarded her pizza like a mother bird guards her eggs. We weren’t sure if we were going to get a piece. "How old are you?" she snarled. My sister stiffened up. Was 16 years of age old enough to get a sample without mum’s approval? She took the chance: "sixteen" she replied shyly. The woman jammed a piece of three cheese oven-backed pizza toward her. I was next. She looked at me. I’ve met these kinds of sample giver-outers before, and I wasn’t going to let her scare me. It was like a Western showdown. The tumbleweed blew between me and my arch enemy: the pizza lady. My eyebrows lifted slowly as if to say "don’t you dare ask my age. You know I’m nineteen and I ain’t backin’ down." The woman loosened up and shrank before my eyes. She kindly gave me the piece of pizza on a napkin. One down, nine more to go.
The nutrition bars weren’t as difficult, and my sister and I were pleased we didn’t have to fight for our samples. Then... the lady with the coffee cake came out. People started to swarm around the table before she even had her gloves on... (poor woman). I thought, perhaps if I show sympathy she’ll be kind. We lined up and waited our turn patiently. My sister was sure to say "please" and "thank you" which set me up for the better piece: the end piece.
We walked through Cosco eating our coffee cake sample making sure we hit every table, until it occurred to me: Uncle Ben’s Rice.
We had passed by on several occasions and swirled up and down the surrounding isles like hawks circling its prey. Did it really take this long to cook the rice? Or was the lady only giving the VIPs samples? The Rice Lady had stirred the rice four times since we’d passed, surely it was going to be done soon. "Let’s just go," my sister said with regret, "it’s not worth it." But it was the last table. I couldn’t leave without trying everything! Mom and dad were already paying. I had to think quickly. I decided to reason with myself. If it takes an entire grocery trip to cook the rice, I’ll never buy it. I shouldn’t tease myself with its deliciousness! "It’s best we leave," I thought. "I’ll get you next time Uncle Ben."
Why the title? It has nothing to do with our sampling adventure! Today is a good day. Today, I finished half of my French novel, all of my philosophy notes (midterm Tuesday) and part FAW’s PeerReview. It’s gloomy outside but by golly! I’ve got a pocket full of sunshine =)
Until next time,
- J. Cricket
March 8, 2010 - "Work smart, not hard."
Cheating. Cheating. At the University of Windsor, Ontario. Cheating?! Seriously? I’m sure you have all heard... The exam bank for the first year psychology class was compromised and as a result, the entire class must re-write the midterm exam or have their final exam weight at 60%. (Yeah, not happening.) Academic Integrity people!! http://www.uwindsor.ca/aio/ Check it out. It’s not even just about cheating, sometimes we think we’re citing our work properly and low and behold, we haven’t and thus, have plagiarised. It’s intense, really. So it’s back to the books! Essentially, if I studied hard enough the first time, I shouldn’t have a problem. There is an upside... I guess... (Always a silver lining.) My parents informed me the other day that they were happy I did poorly on the midterm (I know; whaaaaat??) [...] because they know I had nothing to do with the cheating. Made me laugh for a moment... until I realized the amount of studying I’d have to do to up the grade.
In other news, the weather is beautiful, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the To-Do list is shrinking–slowly but surely.
Our French class’ midterm average was 55% so our teacher is giving us a chance to re-take it as well.
Oh goodness! I don’t have much to say today because I’ve locked myself away for the past week and a half, but I thought I’d update anyway =). I went out Saturday night with the girls just to get out of residence, but that means that I have to hard-core study all week to make up for a lost night of studying. Then again, the weekend IS for relaxing, is it not?
Well, off the pool I go! I’m about spend an hour and a half relieving stress by swimming as hard as I can, as fast as I can, for as long as I can.
Until next time,
- J. Cricket
Note to readers: Please see blog dated Feb 16th below -just added.
February 28, 2010 - "If you just believe you can move mountains with dreams, The higher you climb the better it gets, 'Cause you will see things you'll never forget if you just believe"
My goal was to get stuff done over Reading Week, and gosh darn it! I got stuff done over Reading Week! As a result, I felt more prepared for my Psychology midterm this semester and my fingers are crossed for a good mark =).
Unfortunately (or fortunately) this will be a very short blog because I do have to get back to studying for Computer Concepts.
For the past two weeks my time has been spent doing a total of five things: Sleeping, eating, (the follow up of eating... which is not included in the five things because it’s a give LOL ;), gym, studying, and watching the Olympics. It was INTENSE! Canada versus the States for gold in men’s hockey... I almost pooped myself when we went into over time!! It was a nail biting game; and I have a lack of nails to prove it! The Olympics were huge this year! It might be because I’m older and appreciate it or possibly because it all happened in my own country; all I know is that if my TV had feelings, it would probably be really upset about the things that were shouted in its general direction...
I want to apologize for the lack of blogs though. Like I said, my time was consumed with studying. I got my midterm mark back from Philosophy: 76%. Not bad... I remember in high school when that was practically a fail for me! I’m just happy it’s above a 70%. I have two midterms in that class though, and the second one better watch out–I’m coming for it! =)
Enough out of me for today! Back to Computer Concepts for End Users. Oh yeah, J. Cricket is in a computer science course, but that’s another story!
As always, if there is any feedback you would like to give concerning my blogs or any questions I have not yet answered, my e-mail is j.cricket.windsor@gmail.com.
I would love to hear from you!
Until next time,
- J. Cricket
February 16, 2010 - "Hasta la vista, I'm gonna say goodbye to you... Promise I won't forget ya, Hasta la vista"
R-E-A-D-I-N-G W-E-E-K!!
Yesterday was Family Day and my family went to Alpine Valley for a Family Day bonding ski trip! I’m happy to report that we are officially ten times better than we were over the Christmas break. Practically pro!! Winter Olympics 2014 here we come!!! (OK, not really, but we’re allowed to dream.) I fell a grand total of *drum role* once–but I tried something I wasn’t ready for yet so that fall really doesn’t count...
Oh! I wrote my philosophy midterm before reading week. I think the short answer half went well, but the multiple choice did not. Who puts multiple choice questions on a philosophy exam?! Clearly my professor does... That’s just crazy business. But I couldn’t concentrate in the class following because I was too hyped up from the midterm (and maybe the chocolate I had earlier? I didn’t nap that day so my sleeping pattern was WAY off LOL! J. Cricket must have her nap you know.) So I was being a bad student in French class and surfing Facebook when someone sent me an inbox message and it made me laugh-out-loud (literally!) Oh wait! It gets better! The teacher thought I was answering her question so she proceeded to ask it a second time and I--in fact--had no answer because (let's be honest) I wasn't paying attention. Haha! But it made my day. I don’t normally go on Facebook in class. (Don’t worry mum and dad, I pay attention in class.) I’ve actually gotten into the habit of turning of my wireless internet so when I do want to go on and the internet doesn’t work, it reminds to f.o.c.u.s.
As far as reading week goes, I plan to use it to do just that. Wondering what the title means? I am sitting in my residence at the current moment in time, and there are a grand total of (MAYBE) ten people in the entire residence. Everyone has either gone home or on a trip to somewhere warm. I, on the other hand, plan to use this time as a distraction-free study session constructed of five days. Each day I will be featuring a new topic. Oh! After my grades last semester, I’m kicking my study habits into high gear and I’m going to tear these exams apart!! =)
Well, that’s all for now! Today I am suppose to study my psych midterm and it’s almost 10:00AM and I have not yet begun! (Tsk, tsk) Let’s see how well this goes...
Until next time,
- J. Cricket
February 9, 2010 - "I love this crazy, tragic, sometimes almost magic, awful, beautiful life"
Descartes said "my senses have deceived me once and they will deceive me again"; Aristotle says that to attain happiness one must seek the highest happiness and the first cause; Aquinas was clever and just put Plato and Aristotle’s theories together; but in my professional, first-year opinion, Plato was the one who knew what he was talking about: the soul is comprised of three parts: reason, spirit, and passions. My passion is to sleep all day and not go to class, my spirit tells me to binge eat and when all else fails, cover it with chocolate, but my reason says that I’ve paid way too much to follow my passions or my spirit. Because I go to every class (despite the fact that people tell me it’s unnecessary, I find it very necessary) and the gym every day, I am, unfortunately, according to Plato, a rational person. Poop. I was hoping to be irrational... maybe then I’d feel less stressed? (Is it totally and completely obvious that I wrote my philosophy midterm today? LOL)
So it’s back to sleepless nights and early mornings. It’s back to healthy eating, making time for relaxation, and the gym. It’s back to studying until I have dreams about my 40" thick text books... It’s back to midterms. I stressed it during finals and I stress it again: the gym is i.m.p.o.r.t.a.n.t. (I find, anyway.) It’s your "you to time" and gosh darn it! When you have insomnia and no time to breathe because of projects, readings, and class schedules, you need "you time."
In general though, things are going well. I can’t believe it’s almost over. I’m in the home stretch! My first year of university is quickly coming to an end. Reading week is next week and I intend to do just that: read. My friends are all going to Florida, Cuba, Hawaii, the States... but I, I will be locked in my room with my textbooks. I’m going to tear up these midterms–just you wait and see =).
Happy snowy Tuesday!!!
February 1, 2010 - You follow what you feel inside, Listen to it ... It comes naturally
Coming from a small town, I have many friends younger than myself and all of them ask the same questions: "Do you like what you’re doing?" "What’s your impression of university?" "Was it what you thought?" "How did you know what program to choose?"
Unfortunately, I can honestly say: I don’t know the answer to any of these questions. It’s different for everyone!!
Of course I’m enjoying what I’m doing; psychology has always called to me. But remember that I went through two different majors and one different program before finding my calling in Concurrent Education majoring in psych.
My only advice is just as the title states: Follow your instinct.
University is nothing like I imagined–it’s ten times better–I didn’t expect to like it this much! I never liked high school. I remember thinking "I can’t wait for university" my first day of grade nine, but I didn’t know what I was getting into LOL! I’ve fallen in love with Windsor all over again. (I was born here–not far from the U–and moved away when I was seven-years-old.) The atmosphere, the university, the people, the diversity, I love every piece of it. I’m not just saying this because I am a University of Windsor student blogger, I’m serious! I have friends transferring next year to U of Windsor (from universities that will remain nameless) because of it’s uniqueness. Now I feel like I’m preaching, but the truth is, throughout my blogs you’ll notice I’ve had very few issues, and if problems were present, they were fixed or dealt with relatively quickly.
The city is beautiful; the residence is amazing; the classes are interesting; the staff are polite, respectful, and helpful; I have a feeling of control in my life; and the atmosphere is warm.
I am proud to say that I am a University of Windsor Lancer!
(Just thought I’d share that tid-bit of information =)
As always, if there is any feedback you would like to give concerning my blogs or any questions I have not yet answered, my e-mail is j.cricket.windsor@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you!
Until next time
- J. Cricket
January 22, 2010 - "Don't you know that freedom, Freedom is a place in your mind"
I guess it’s about high time I chime in! It has been while, don’t you think? Unfortunately, there isn’t much to talk about, but I’ll do my best.
Midterms are coming up faster than we can imagine... But this time, I shall be prepared! Although, I’ll admit, I am falling behind in work, but this weekend I plan on locking myself in my room and I’m finishing EVERYTHING. I won’t come out until it’s done–not even to eat; my friends can drop off cheese and meat platters outside my door.
It’s all starting to sink in now... I’m doing this. This university thing, this thing that marks a time in your life where you’re forced to grow up, make your own decision, live your own life... I’m doing it, and I love every minute of it! I am still loving residence–which is odd, I never saw myself as a person who would like the residence atmosphere. I am applying to be an RA actually!! A Resident Assistant is like a camp counsellor for a floor in the residence. It looks good on a resume, gives you good experience, and I’m told it’s a blast! Of course, you have to be in second year, and know how to balance your studies on top of everything else.
Anyway, short blog for me today!! Nothing exciting happening–everyone on my floor is turning 19 around this time, so I’ll just let your imagination run with how crazy it is around here =).
Until next time,
- J. Cricket
January 16, 2010 - "Hello, hello, baby you called, I can’t hear a thing..."
Of course, the coldest day of the year, I was forced to walk all the way tp the 7-11 (definitely not far from my residence, I’m just complaining) to get a calling card because my cell phone was bombarded with phone calls and text messages about study dates and text books etc. Just like Shinedown sings about in "Second Chance", I’m quite excited about this term. I noticed I was blogging about social things, that I almost forget the academics!! Believe it or not (be it possible) I’m already behind in classes. You see, one thing I should mention: University is not like high school where there’s a pretty section on the chalkboard full of colours that screams out the pages-to-be-read by next class every time you look at it. Nope. You must read the syllabus and figure it out on your own. Foolishly, I focused my time and energy on organizing myself and repeatedly telling myself that I was going to be on top of things that I (unfortunately) forget to get on top of things. (Oopsy.) There’s just so much to do, I don’t know where to start!!!
"Start from the beginning," my Papa would say.
"But Papa, that’s the problem; I’m turning myself in circles, there is no beginning."
Every time I finish anything though, I get a breath of relief. It’s such a great feeling!! I cross it off of my To-Do-List, stand there for a moment, soak in the victory, and return to my work.
I forgot to mention that my GPA (Grade Point Average) was decent last term. I am actually still waiting for one of my marks to show up on SIS (Student Information System), but I know what I got in it so I did the calculations myself. (Which could have been a mistake because, let’s be honest, I’m not a math major for a reason LOL.)
This term’s schedule is quite simple... a little too simple actually. I only have class on Tuesdays and Thursday plus a morning Lab on Wednesday. You read that correctly: J. Cricket has managed to fit 5 classes and a lab into a schedule that accommodate a FOUR day weekend. (I’ll just wait for you to re-read that last part. It’s so beautiful. Soak it in ladies and gentlemen, soak it in =). Could be bad news bears, we’ll see if I can motivate myself to do my homework! Which... I should probably begin.
As always, if there is any feedback you would like to give concerning my blogs or any questions I have not yet answered, my e-mail is j.cricket.windsor@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you!
Until next time,
- J. Cricket
January 10, 2010 - "Money, money, money, must be funny, in the rich man’s world!"
Whoever said that the world revolves around money, was not kidding. I had a big event the other day, before the tuition fees for next semester were due. I found out I was short for next term’s tuition and so I made that phone call to mommy and daddy that every parent dreads. (Actually, I originally mentioned something through MSN, just to give a heads up). The conversation went a little something like this.
J.Cricket - Hi mom! Could you or dad call me this weekend to discuss financial issues? I may / may not be short? OK? Love you!
Appear Offline
Mom - How much?
J. Cricket - Maybe a couple thousand?
Mom - That’s a nice amount.
J. Cricket - Could you deposit the $800 reimbursed check from the university for me too?
Mom - I did.
J. Cricket - Oh. It might be a bit more then...
Mom - Great.
J. Cricket - I love you!!!
No answer
J. Cricket - You love me?
Mom - Always.
Needless to say, a Student Line of Credit was opened and that was quite the lengthy process. First, I had four-hundred billion pages to fill out online, then the information had to be sent to my bank back home where my dad had to co-sign. Eventually, the information had to be sent to the University Mall’s bank so I could sign the pages he signed and eventually the money (that does not belong to me, might I add) could be transferred to my account so I could pay the university! Unfortunately, the bank didn’t know where the papers were the first time I went, and that was the beginning of seven phone calls to three different people and two walks to the bank, in the rain, uphill both ways. I did get the money on time though, that’s the good part of the story =).
I figured it would be important to blog about this at some point because many people enter university differently. Some have their parents pay their whole tuition; whereas others pay for it themselves. Some are on OSAP and others have credit lines with their own banks. I know a few people in my residence that pay nothing for their tuition because of scholarships! Whatever way, just remember, it’ll all work out in the end.
(And mom and dad will still love you, even if you do tell them via MSN that you’re short a few grand.)
Until next time,
- J. Cricket
January 7, 2010 - I'm shine! I'm make it!
Happy New Year!! Back to school! It’s a weird feeling to be back in class (where it just so happens I am writing this.) Don’t worry, class hasn’t started just yet. During the first week of classes, we students try to get there 15 minutes early, at least. I don’t know why... The professor never comes 15 minutes early! Oh well, it gives me time to update you:
Christmas vacation was just wonderful! I am proud to announce that after our family ski trip to New York, we are all still alive. Ten fingers, ten toes, and seven bruises later, we all learned how to ski successfully (that is, as successful as our uncoordinated family can get =). But now it’s back to school! Maybe we’ll make another trip over Reading Week.
Anyway, the teacher is coming soon so I had better start paying attention: I wouldn’t want to be noticed negatively by the professor during my first week of classes!! That’s one thing about Windsor: the classes are small and so the professor gets to know you–which can be both a positive or a negative experience.
I’ll be sure to mention something about financial issues in my next blog. After all, the world does revolve around money and education is not free! (Unless you have super awesome grades and big scholarships – not bragging).
Until next time,
J. Cricket
December 28, 2009 - It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
I’ve have been waiting for a snow fall like this for over a month now! And it’s finally here!!! ... after Christmas. But that’s alright, at least it came =)!
Do remember when I talked about the freshman fifteen? How your marks supposedly go down 15% and your weight supposedly goes up 15lbs? Well, here’s the thing: I watched my marks drop during midterms, but I had yet to watch my weight go up – until now. Christmas ham, Christmas cookies, Christmas dinner here and there and everywhere! But it was SO worth it =). Now that that’s over, it’s back to the gym for me! (Or at least a 20min workout in my basement to a workout DVD... if I happen to feel motivated that day, LOL.)
I plan on dropping a few pounds by skiing in the New Year though! My family hasn’t been on a family vacation in over four years! There are three kids in my family, and two of us are at the University of Windsor. The problem is (because my parents are teachers at elementary and secondary schools) that our vacation time and reading weeks never fall on the same days. So this year, we’ve planned to go to Upper New York State to go skiing!! Do any of us know how to ski? No siry Bob! Are we going anyway? Well yeah!! First vaca. in four years, who would pass that up?! Don’t worry, my bum will be sore, but my fingers will be A-O.K. so I can still write up my blogs =).
Until next time
- J. Cricket
December 16, 2009 - "My heart is racing, my skin is burning up, hands are shaking, but still I can’t get enough"
Goodness! It has been quite some time, hasn’t it? I apologize about that.
I’ve already had three finals and already I can hear Santa’s sleigh bells (literally, my residence brought in a Santa to sit in the lobby dowstairs!) and, can you hear that? That would be my bed at home calling me =).
My first exam, Foundations of Academic Writing (FAW); that dreadful course that is mandatory for all first years in arts or social sciences, didn’t go too badly. I ended with a 74% on my final (which was much better than my midterm) which gave me an A- as a final grade. (Not too shabby if I may say so myself.) Once again, I studied four days straight for that exam and the guy who studied 45 minutes before got 1% higher (go figure). It’s OK though. I’ve learned that I need to be in competition with myself and not others. I don’t think my second final went as well. The course was a 50 / 50 course (midterm is worth 50% and final is worth 50%) and I didn’t do very well on the midterm so the final was quite stressful. My third final was a hand-in essay for English. I have a good feeling about that one!
I have my last two on Friday and then it’s to my brother’s house for the weekend and home for the break!! Most people relax on the break, but I plan on taking as many shifts as possible to make some money so I can pay for next semester.
I figured tips for studying would be boring, so I’ll leave you with one very important rule: BRAIN BREAKS ARE NECESSARY! (The only trouble is distinguishing between a brain break and procrastination.)
My roommate and I will study in the same room (I work better when people are working around me) and that way every hour and a half or so, we can chat a little and then get back to it. We never study the same thing though, because that allows for more conversation time and we wouldn’t want that. I’ve also been going to the St-Denis Centre Pool to relieve stress with a nice swim. I like to swim for a half hour. It’s a good time to forget everything and just swim. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Swimming, swimming, what do you do, you swim, swim. ("Finding Nemo" anyone?) The gym is also a good stress reliever. I guess what I’m trying to say is exercise is the key. Make time for it. It’s not healthy to lock yourself away all day, and even if you are reading your notes, after a certain amount of time, you’re most likely not retaining anything.
Happy studying! Merry Christmas! (Or to be politically correct: HAPPY HOLIDAYS!)
Until next time,
J. Cricket
November 25, 2009 - "If you gotta start somewhere why not here / If you gotta start sometime why not now"
Ain’t that the truth! Half of this book, half of that book, half of a third book; that’s one and a half books! All to be read before fi*als. Oh yeah, it’s a swear word.
We hear the hushes throughout Leddy Library: Finals... Finals... Finals... You sleep at night and that cursed word lurks in your pillows and the speakers of your alarm clock. Silence takes over the campus and the expression on the students’ faces scream for help. It’s crunch time, and boy are we first years crunching!!
OK, so it’s not really that bad. I’m making it worse than it sounds. It’s bad enough I was worried about my midterms and look where that got me; bad marks and less motivation. I’ve decided to approach the Finals with a different attitude: What happens, happens. All I can do is study, do my homework and ask questions. Ohhhhhh have I asked questions! I met up with the Academic Advisor and I am sorry to report that the Exam Bank is, in fact, a myth. (I know, total bummer.) Apparently it used to exists but the Advisor said that he had a sneaky feeling it doesn’t any more. I’ll continue searching though and keep you posted =).
I also talked to my Advisor about how things were going. I explained that my marks were dropping significantly and (not to my surprise) he said that dreaded sentence that has lost all meaning: "That is not uncommon for first year students.
"But I don’t think you understand sir, I’m not your common person."
"Every first year experiences a drop in grades."
"THIS BIG?!"
"That big."
November 14, 2009 - "I’m so sane, it’s driving me crazy [...] feels like I’m falling for the first time..."
I have been at the University of Windsor for a little over two months now and just when I thought I knew what I was doing... I realized I was wrong.
When I first came to university I tried not to anticipate anything; tried not to pre-judge. Of course, I am human, so that notion fell through the floor and I pre-judged and created expectations like there was no tomorrow. Academically I anticipated to succeed. I heard horror stories about GPAs (Grade Point Averages) dropping like a man parachuting out of a helicopter! Of course, I was not about to believe something that someone told me without seeing proof. That was my first mistake. I wanted proof, well by-golly, I got proof! I have never seen such low numbers! I was unaware of the fact that these low grades even existed. The problem is not lack of studying, (I know that for a fact) but rather, I was just not prepared. I feel bad because it’s not easy to explain to you how difficult university life is; balancing social life, academic life, sanity etc. You can be mature, you can have good study habits and you can go to class every day in high school, but that won’t prepare you for university life.
What would I do differently? I honestly don’t know. I’m still trying to figure out where I went wrong. For one thing, I might have listened a little more in the Q & A sessions the University held! (LOL) I still need to bring myself to ask questions. That might be the biggest issue. It still hasn’t occurred to me that "hey, these people are here to help". I see students speaking to the professors after class but there’s something intimidating about a professor.
I’m content with my social life though. Coming from a small town in the middle of nowhere, the social aspect was very important for me. Of course, school work comes first, but living in residence was the best decision I could have ever made. My roommate and I get along very well and I have managed to befriend everyone on my floor and more.
All in all, I’m happy with everything going on here at the university (minus my grades). I’m happy with the facilities, the atmosphere, the size, [size matters you know ;)] and the approachability of the RA’s in residence and TAs in the classrooms.
Now then let me do a follow-up on the last blog. I have yet to find this mystical "exam bank" but oh boy, when I do... Those low GPAs will skyrocket! =) I never spoke to my TA for the first midterm, I was far too upset and saw no point. I wish the professor would just hand back the exams to everyone – they do that in the science programs you know. I’ll probably regret not seeing my TA, but I can’t do anything about it now. As for the student advisor, I have an appointment on Thursday and I’m excited to go! We had to sign up for next semester’s classes and I seem to be missing one... I was wait-listed. Number 62 of 65. I watch like a hawk to see if the numbers ever go down :P
Well, enough out of me! As always, if there is any feedback you would like to give concerning my blogs or any questions I have not yet answered, my e-mail is j.cricket.windsor@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you!
October 31, 2009 - "Day ’n night. I toss and turn, I keep stressin’ my mind, mind."
You highlighted your book, you wrote notes in your book; you read out loud, you read in your head; you studied on your own, you studied with others; you made cue cards; you read your notes, you read other’s notes; you did the online quizzes again and again, and you asked questions during class. Essentially you did everything you possibly could to prepare for this midterm... So explain to me why 61% was the result of all this studying.
Where did I go wrong? What didn’t I do? How did the guy the down the hall get 4% higher when he hadn’t opened his book until four hours before the midterm? If I recall correctly, he used my cue cards, didn’t he? Three words: Welcome to university.
It was my first set of midterms; but that’s no excuse for a high average student. I thought I had it, I really did; then I entered the midterm, sat down, and BAM! it was not what I had expected. One-hundred and twenty multiple choice questions all worded in a style me and my study group had never seen before.
Oh! I forgot to mention I had a study group! It happened accidentally, really. The first day of class this guy I didn’t know sat next to me. The second day we sat together and again on the fourth day. That fourth day he introduced me to the guy he sat next to on the third day and the next thing I knew, our study group was created! (Was it just me, or did that sound like one of those old-school mathematical problems: If Jenny has three apples and she gives two apples to Johnny after Johnny bought seven apples...)
My study group didn’t do well on their midterm either; actually, the class average was a C+. I don’t know about you, but that grade as a class average does not sit well with me. As far as I’m concerned, multiple choice does not test your knowledge, but your ability to take multiple choice exams. (It sounds silly, but that’s a skill!)
Don’t fret though! There is hope! (I know, after that massive vent it seems almost impossible, but there are things to do.)
I have just recently been informed about this thing called "The Exam Bank". It is exactly what it sounds like. You can go to this Exam Bank and ask to see past exams from the course you are taking. Obviously the questions will not be the same, but you can familiarize yourself with the format of the midterm or final. I know! Why was I not informed before?! =)
I plan on going to this Exam Bank, I’ll let you know how it goes. I also plan on making an appointment with my TA to see my exam and which questions were correct or incorrect. Not only that, but this week I am making an appointment with an academic advisor because, come December, I will have to choose my courses for the second Winter Term.
Oh! I shouldn’t leave this blog with a negative vibe; that would not be good. The rest of my midterms went fairly well, but I won’t know the final results until next week.
It’s not worth losing sleep over, really. It’s done and over with and the only thing to do now is set realistic goals, continue the hard work and re-examine what study habits work best for me.
As always, if there is any feedback you would like to give concerning my blogs or any questions I have not yet answered, my e-mail is j.cricket.windsor@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you!
PS. Happy Halloween!!!
October 19, 2009 - "Remember, remember, remember, remember, [...] Give me time, I'll make you forget the rest."
But I don’t want to forget the rest. I want to remember everything, everything. No wait, that’s I lie. I have to remember everything. I can’t have a low GPA, that’s not OK with me. So I study. Well, let’s be honest, I make plans to study. What happens to those plans? Can anyone say "Facebook"? What about "MSN"? Perhaps my excuse this time should be "Skype"? Oh no, I’ve got it! "texting". It’s not like I don’t get my work done! I do! But I’m not happy while I’m doing homework.
Have I mentioned that I have changed my program? When I first entered university, I was told that I would change my mind about my major, or my program, or my classes. I, being a very organized person, chose to ignore these comments.
"No, no," I said "that’s very impossible. I know what I want in life, I’ve set my goals!"
So much for that eh?
I feel better though! I feel relieved, actually. Almost like a weight was lifted off of my shoulders. I went from English / Creative Writing to Psychology. I’m still in the Concurrent program, however, and thrilled to start my placements next year!
Now that UWin week has come and gone (so quickly, might I add) everyone is scurrying to finish projects, finalize (or in my case, start) midterm essays, and write cue cards for studying. If they’re not doing homework, they’re lying in bed, sick. Unfortunately, something is going around and as a student living in residence, it’s bound to spread quickly. The campus nurse has been very helpful, and is keeping a close eye on everyone who has any flu-like symptoms. I have yet to become sick *knock on wood*.
Wash hands.
Practice the Sleeve-Sneeze.
Take vitamins.
Watch for symptoms.
Check, check, check, and check.
Hmm... This blog sounded rather preachy didn’t it? Let me fix that; I’ll summarize the point...
*clears throat*
MIDTERMS!
Yup, that pretty much sums it up =).
As always, if there is any feedback you would like to give concerning my blogs or any questions I have not yet answered, my e-mail is j.cricket.windsor@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you!
October 5, 2009 - “Tonight I gotta cut loose, footloose...”
I’m sorry, I’m really loving the idea of placing songs as my titles. I was listening to this one just a few moments ago and realized, the entire first chorus explains exactly how I feel:
“I been working so hard
Keep punching my card
Eight hours, for what?
Oh, tell me what I got
I get this feeling
That time's just holding me down
I'll hit the ceiling
Or else I'll tear up this town
Tonight I gotta cut
Loose, footloose! [...]”
Can anyone say “mid-terms”?! No, wait, don’t. Simply hearing that word may cause a panic attack which could very possibly lead to a heart attack.
Am I nervous? Sure.
Do I know what I’m doing? Not a clue.
Have I stepped up the homework a notch? (Does 5 hours straight at the library count?)
Should I be studying now instead of writing a blog? Probably.
I can’t take it anymore! If I hear one more thing about ethnocentrism, cultural perspectives, mnemonic devices, consciousness, verbs, adverbs or nouns, I just... might... scream.
I’ve figured out my biggest problem when it comes to studying: I don’t have any study habits. It’s as simple as that. In high school I had no reason to create good study habits; I was the type of person that could write an essay at 1:00AM and receive an A+ (not bragging, just saying). I am, however, completely aware that university is nothing like that. It’s bad enough I can’t remember the last lecture I attended (note: it was only six hours ago) let alone the entire course and its definitions. My RA suggested I visit the Educational Development Centre. Apparently they can teach you good study habits and techniques to answer multiple choice questions through the STEPS program. I will look into how to sign up for these sessions and let you know. I do not have a mid-term until after UWin Week. Five courses and a procrastinating attitude, it’s only best that I start studying now.
I had better keep this blog short, I do have some more studying to do. It helps when you have a study group, or good friends from your residence that sit down with you and take away your cell phone, iPod, and laptop to minimize distractions. I, of course, do not appreciate this in the moment, however, later one when I am able to wind down and watch a movie in the lounge because my homework was finished, I make a point of saying thank you.
As always, if there is any feedback you would like to give concerning my blogs, my e-mail is j.cricket.windsor@gmail.com. (Please note that I have been writing down the wrong e-mail [oops] and did not realize it until I had difficulty signing in because the user name was wrong. Haha, I guess lack of sleep is starting to take effect eh?) I would love to hear from you!
Until next time!
- J. Cricket
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi
September 27, 2009 “We’ve got to work, work, work this out...”
Oh yes, I just quoted High School Musical. But that’s not the point here, people! The point is, I have homework, yes I do! I have homework, how ’bout you?!
Oh goodness! So much homework, and very little motivation. An entire novel by Friday, four chapters of this book, labs on line for this class, re-writing notes form that lecture... Where does the time go? I have a sneaky feeling I know... Allow me to reminisce... *foggy thought bubble*
You woke up this morning with the intention of going to class and coming back to your residence to lock yourself in your room until you have that psychology down-pat. Unfortunately, you forgot to predict the fact that you would get invited to the library for a study session with some people from your class. In the moment it seemed like a good idea, until two hours into the study session you realized you’ve been socializing and as a result, have only read three pages of your book.
Next, you go back to your dorm only to find out that everyone on the floor seems to be hanging out in the lounge. Maybe if you bring your book in the lounge you’ll get some homework done? Think again! Before you know it, you’ve read the same sentence fourteen times and you’ve just agreed to supper with a friend. Homework is going well so far, wouldn’t you say?
Somehow 2:00PM turns into 9:00PM and you’re feeling tired, exhausted, and not really up to homework tonight. Unfortunately, that psychology lab online is due before midnight so you have no choice but to sit your bum down at your desk and not budge until it’s done. Have to pee? Not happening. Hold it in and get down to business.
Fortunately for you, you almost failed the pre-test two days ago and as a (not to brag) 90 average student, you had a major melt down and wrote up the most detailed notes anyone could possibly write, correcting, analysing, and reviewing that pre-test.
*Inhale* Begin the post-test...
*Jeopardy music playing in the background*
Wait for the instant results (Thank goodness for high speed internet!) 100%!
*Exhale* Goodbye online lab, helloooooooo Facebook!
That was a close one. Fortunately for you, it’s not always like this. Usually the homework gets done and the notes are written. But who can blame us? It’s the second or maybe the third week, (I’ve lost count) and we all need a slack day once in a while =).
Until next time!
- J. Cricket
As always, if there is any feedback you would like to give on my blogs, my e-mail is j.cricket.windsor@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you!
September 19, 2009 “I wear my sunglasses at night... ”
I figured it was about time to get down to the nitty gritty of the night crawlers in residence and the university - the true life of students at night. What do they do after they hit the books? Until tonight, ladies and gentlemen, that remained a mystery. I’m talking about the secret life of the nocturnal students in residence, the happenings down at the Pub and the hang-outs in the hallway. (Warning: The following may inform parents that their children don’t actually study 24/7... But we all know they already knew that.)
Let us begin when the sun begins to set over the Energy Conversion Centre. Students slowly make their way out of their dungeons and hiss as the natural light hits their faces. The reading glasses whip off quickly and the night-wear goes on.
The pub hosts weekly parties. (Hey! If the Pub didn’t, someone else would.) Obviously, as the stereotype still lives on, some university students do drink before, after and during these dance parties. But don’t fret! If you you’re not a drinker, you can still have fun! I, personally, do not find entertainment in drinking, but did that stop me from dancing my heart away on the floor? No siry! With a group of friends at your side (ones that you have just met in residence or that you knew before you entered your post-secondary education) you can have the best night of your life! The music, the food, the dancing, the people. Sketchy about those around you? Don’t worry! The Pub always has Security readily available and Walk Safe, a program that allows you to call for someone to walk you home if you feel unsafe in the dark, is but a single phone call away. (Was that just me, or did that sound like an infomercial?)
After the party, there’s always chatting in the hallway! Pick a door, any door, and go sit in front of it. Guaranteed, within five minutes half the floor will be sitting around you and you’ll have a chance to meet your neighbours, and your neighbours’ neighbours! It’s crazy how many people you’ll find just like you. And just as an added bonus, you now have another group of friends to go to the football game with!
Of course, watching a movie in the lounge or, if you really, really, want to study, working in your room is always an option.
Join us next time for: Revenge of the failed pre-test.
I have now enabled an e-mail account if there is any feed back about my blogs you wish to share. I would love to hear from you!
j.cricket.windsor@gmail.com
Until next time!
- J. Cricket
September 15, 2009 “...ain’t no breaks on this lost highway!”
That’s exactly how I feel. I feel like I’m on a highway moving at warp speed and just like Bon Jovi sings: “I finally found my way!” both literally and metaphorically.
Now that I have figured out where to find food (crucial information for someone like me who loves to eat) and where my classes are (or the building at least) I’m beginning to feel more relaxed.
I went home for the weekend, which was completely unnecessary but made my parents and sister happy, and I was able to sleep in and avoid homework. (Ah yes, I’m already developing good study habits.) I was also able to go grocery shopping and print some pictures for my room. Compared to everyone else on my floor, my room looked like I had no family or loved ones. (Suggestion for future first years: pictures are a must.) As for the food, well, that’s a given. It is essential after all. I brought back some stuff for breakfast because - to my understanding - The CAW Student Centre is one of the only places that serves breakfast early and when you’re waking up every morning for an 8:30 or 9:00 class, it just doesn’t seem worth it.
My classes are all going very well (at least I hope they are!) Unless running in and out of Erie Hall four times because you turned right instead of left and couldn’t find your class and began to panic and started to sweat and almost died for fear that everyone would look at you when you entered late is considered late, I have yet to not be on time. *smile*
Overall, today was a good day. My class was a morning class and I had the rest of the day off so I had a chance to do my laundry and leave for lunch only returning to find that my clothes had been done for a while and others needed the dryer, thus explaining why all my clothes were piled on top. Oh yes, it was embarrassing, but I’ll get over it. Humility is part of the experience! At least I wasn’t caught “pantless” during our 7:30am fire drill this morning. *cough* Not mentioning any names. *cough*
Until next time!
- J. Cricket
September 9, 2009 "It's the most wonderful time of the year!"
Over prepared. Is there any such thing as 'over prepared'? I think it's safe to say that in my world, the word 'prepared' is non-existant, let alone OVER prepared! OK, so I'm having a minor freak out, that's nothing new. And that, my friends and fellow blog readers, is just the beginning of my personality.
The name is J. Cricket, and I am, as you have probably already guessed, a first year student at the University of Windsor. My attention span is that of a goldfish. No, wait, a flea. Which one has the shortest attention span, a flea or a goldfish? Now that I think of it, the bigger question should be how do you measure the attention span of a flea and a goldfish? Or rather, who measures that? Hmm . . . that would be an interesting position, would it not? Well, whoever measures it is definitely not part of my program. *Inhale* Concurrent B.Ed. / ECE / B.A. [H] *Exhale* Long program name eh? If you have read the (not so brief) history of me on the main blogger page, you will note that that is a super, fantastically creative way to say: "She's going to be a Primary/Junior teacher."
I have decided (in case it wasn't obvious) to use my first blog as a way of introducing myself and my current feelings toward being in residence and welcome week. Of course, being me, my feelings are forever changing so let’s start from the beginning . . .
I have been planning for these days since as long as I can remember. I’ve always been one of those “I can do on my own and when I need your help, I’ll let you know” type of people. So you can imagine how eager I was to move out! Although my emotions have been up and down like a (pardon the cliché) roller coaster ride, every emotion has been overthrown by excitement. My sister, on the other hand, isn’t handling things so well. *snicker, snicker* As the baby of the family, she doesn’t see the pros in my moving out like I do.
Lucky for each and every one of you, I will run through all the positive things I see in starting University and living in residence:
1) I get to share a roommate with someone I don’t even know! (Whom I am getting along with very well, I might add.) I’m going to make a new friend and no more snoring at night, I just have to shut my door. (Through my sister’s eyes: Who’s going to wake me up in the morning?! I’ll have to wake myself up with a *gasp* alarm clock! *shudder*)
2) I cannot be blamed for leaving stuff on the floor or lying around! (Through my sister’s eyes: Who am I going to blame for leaving stuff on the floor now? I’m not sure dad will believe the dog left those DVDs out of their cases.)
3) I don’t have to walk the halls of that silly, overrated, immature high school. (Through my sister’s eyes: What if I run out of lunch money, who will buy my lunch?)
4) I get to meet all kinds of new people and start over! I get to take classes that are actually interesting! (Through my sister’s eyes: I want to meet new people, I want to take classes that are interesting!)
5) I get to learn how to manage my money (or lack of).
OK, so that wasn’t one of the pros, that was more of a con. Finally . . .
5) I get to live on my own. I get to do stuff for myself. I get to make mistakes and learn from them. I get to have that scary feeling of moving at warp speed, of being a “newb”, once again, at school. I get to be overwhelmed and stressed (in a good way!) I’m going to university! There’s no other way to explain these feelings of excitement and fright. (Through my sister’s eyes: You’re never coming back, are you? You’re going to fall in love with Windsor and with the new lifestyle ahead. I’m never going to see you again, am I? Cool! Can I have your side of the room?)
As funny as that may be, it’s so very, very, true. She had gotten into the habit of turning around and staring at me saying she’ll miss me and the house will feel empty. It was creepy, really. But it serves as a reminder . . . I’m moving away, I’m starting fresh, I’m growing up.
The other blogs won’t be as long, I promise! I’m off to my first class!!
- J. Cricket