When I first enrolled into my university, I chose my major to be in English/Secondary Education. I thought I would teach high schoolers because they aren't babies and I could talk to them a bit more directly. Also, young kids make me nervous. I like them and get along with them well, but if you say something wrong to a little one you will be up shit's creek quick! I liked the idea of particular limitations in public schooling, like censoring content and that certain subjects were taboo. No sex, religion, politics, etc. I could live with that. Then I got to observe a classroom through a community college course. Eh. Apart from how unruly the kids were, if not impossible, it made me really sad to hear some of the teachers talk about the students being stupid. I mean, I'm closer to their age, and I while I wasn't in high school, I was still a student at the time.
I saw teachers have to monitor dress codes, handle kids with devastating personal problems, insult students behind their backs, talk about other faculty, put on a movie instead of reading the entire text. It was overwhelming. I thought, maybe once I actually do it I will feel less disenchanted. Maybe once I take more classes I will feel better. Not so much. I think it's an old cliché, but I truly believe you have to be the right type of person to teach Elementary/Secondary education. You have to want it completely, have patience, be thick skinned, and smart.
I dropped Secondary Education from my degree because I didn't think I would be happy doing it, and frankly, I see myself being happier and more fulfilled at the junior college or university level. I've never shadowed a professor, but I've talked enough to my professors to get an idea of what they do all day (in fairness, shadowing or talking about it is probably the more gentle way to see how they do their jobs). I feel that my humor, temperament, passions, and mentality are better suited for the collegiate level. Also, as I've become more passionate about literature, the more I dislike the idea of having to censor political, sexual, religious, themes. I mean, there's a reason why I hated Shakespeare in high school and love him as a college graduate. There are themes deemed too suggestive for the teenage audience. And how can you teach Shakespeare without talking about the dirty innuendos?
Personally, I do not think everyone is cut out to be a teacher, be it a grade school or college teacher. I have had professors who I do not think could handle a high school classroom be it because they are too polite, or too intense. The same goes for my teachers in grade school. I don't know that a few of them could handle teaching at a collegiate level. They both require different demands. I think it's important to be really smart though, regardless of what type of teaching you do. I'm sure everyone who has been through school can remember a teacher or professor that was a disaster and seemingly had no business teaching. Be it because they couldn't handle their classroom, or teach well. There are also the people who teach that seemingly don't care at all about their content, students, or anything at all. We've all been there.
Teaching high school didn't make me feel excited, but rather, I would dread the thought of it. Regardless of what you're trying to do, you should feel excited about it! Anxiety is to be anticipated, but dread shouldn't be a thing. I just don't imagine myself being happy or able to handle a classroom of crazy sixteen year olds.
The thought of being a teacher at a university or community college is exciting and terrifying to me. I understand that I'm not a genius, and getting the job is a bitch on wheels, but I need to try for myself. I could see myself being happy being immersed in literature, giving lectures, or even conducting my own research. I understand there is a risk for bad pay, but seriously, I don't think anyone who wants to teach should expect high pay. However, if things don't work, I'll try something new and start again. I have to try.
I imagine there are downsides to college, just as there are for grade school. You've got to deal with students who don't feel the need to show up, care, and only put in enough effort to pass the class with a mediocre grade so they can graduate. You've also got the uppity students who think they're above and beyond everyone. Yes, getting an A is good, being an honors student, or doing your own research in your leisure is not a bad way to go, but you aren't above anyone. That person you call professor or doctor is in charge. Are they perfect? No. But it's their class. Pretentious students, I reckon, annoy their professors as much as classmates. Not to mention department politics. I'm not naïve enough to think their lives are a bed of roses, and that all of my professors probably like one another. Like any job, there will be bullshit, people who suck, annoying rules and standards, etc. Not to mention the whole professorial tenure process/hierarchy of different level of professor...eek.
Teachers have to deal with faculty and tenure too. Not to mention making the content appropriate for the audience, monitoring the language students use, and their clothing choices. If they blow off class or arrive late then it's a call or an e-mail to mother. If you offend someone, mama may find out and get on your case. Because they are minors, the rules are different and special care must be taken. Honestly, I just don't think I'm right for it. I know people who will be, and I'm surely smart enough to teach high school, but I don't know if I have the personality or temperamental capacity. I'm going with my gut on this one; I'll never know if I don't push and give it a try.
I'd rather look back on my choices and go "yeah, I went for that" than "why didn't I try that? I wish I had done that."
Showing posts with label college. Show all posts
Showing posts with label college. Show all posts
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
I Compare Myself to Other People Too Much.
This is a problem and I need to learn how to stop. There will always be people who are smarter than me and dumber than me. There will always be people who are thinner, fatter, whatever. I need to accept that.
My undergraduate education is done. I wish I could go back and do certain aspects of it over without a doubt. I would've taken my community college courses much more seriously and actually tried hard. Unfortunately, I was demotivated because I had no understanding of how this would all pay off for me or where it would take me, and a lot of my classes where there should have been an A there was a B, and a C rather than a B...and unfortunately farther down the line. I had to repeat a total of four classes (Chemistry, both levels of Math, and a Psychology course with a woman who has zero business teaching). Now, classes like Mathematic or Sciences are not my strongest suit. However, I had a few classes that I really could have gotten an A rather than a B if I had studied and put effort into it.
When I got to Longwood I turned it around. I never had to repeat a course, and the majority of my grades were A's and A-'s. Sometimes I wonder if I would've done better going there for the entire four years, but I don't really know for sure. I'm graduating with honors (measly POINTS from Magna Cum Laude) and I had three A's and two A-'s for my final semester. My first semester went well considering if was my first stint at university, more B's than A's but not bad, my second I only had one B, and unfortunately my third was a rough patch because of personal problems I was having, giving me grades ranging from A to C+. Do I wish I could redo that semester and push harder, or maybe drop classes? Yes. But I cannot do that now.
While my grades at CC weren't great, they weren't completely awful either. When I apply for graduate school (and maybe more) I can stress that I wasn't a motivated or confident student at the time. I struggled to find a direction that made sense, but once I began my literature courses at Longwood my mentality turned around, and I think based on my drastic change in performance that I've found a better sense of motivation, dedication and direction. If I can swing it, I may find a way to take French classes, and if I excel in a language and prove I'm capable then I could make my case better. Plus, if I do well with the GRE then I could really show I'm able. When I was at Longwood I was inducted into Sigma Alpha Pi, and honors society that recognizes leadership potential in students, and faculty members selects the students. I have massive moves of redemption in my favor. I just have keep them in mind, and take the ones for me to reach.
If I rock my MA, I could really give myself an edge.
I actually almost feel better after typing this out. I just have to keep it together. I can't be perfect, and I can redo the stupid things I did as a kid. I've just got to stop being a bastard to myself, and to just push for all that it's worth. I won't wind up in the Ivy League, but I'll get somewhere.
My undergraduate education is done. I wish I could go back and do certain aspects of it over without a doubt. I would've taken my community college courses much more seriously and actually tried hard. Unfortunately, I was demotivated because I had no understanding of how this would all pay off for me or where it would take me, and a lot of my classes where there should have been an A there was a B, and a C rather than a B...and unfortunately farther down the line. I had to repeat a total of four classes (Chemistry, both levels of Math, and a Psychology course with a woman who has zero business teaching). Now, classes like Mathematic or Sciences are not my strongest suit. However, I had a few classes that I really could have gotten an A rather than a B if I had studied and put effort into it.
When I got to Longwood I turned it around. I never had to repeat a course, and the majority of my grades were A's and A-'s. Sometimes I wonder if I would've done better going there for the entire four years, but I don't really know for sure. I'm graduating with honors (measly POINTS from Magna Cum Laude) and I had three A's and two A-'s for my final semester. My first semester went well considering if was my first stint at university, more B's than A's but not bad, my second I only had one B, and unfortunately my third was a rough patch because of personal problems I was having, giving me grades ranging from A to C+. Do I wish I could redo that semester and push harder, or maybe drop classes? Yes. But I cannot do that now.
While my grades at CC weren't great, they weren't completely awful either. When I apply for graduate school (and maybe more) I can stress that I wasn't a motivated or confident student at the time. I struggled to find a direction that made sense, but once I began my literature courses at Longwood my mentality turned around, and I think based on my drastic change in performance that I've found a better sense of motivation, dedication and direction. If I can swing it, I may find a way to take French classes, and if I excel in a language and prove I'm capable then I could make my case better. Plus, if I do well with the GRE then I could really show I'm able. When I was at Longwood I was inducted into Sigma Alpha Pi, and honors society that recognizes leadership potential in students, and faculty members selects the students. I have massive moves of redemption in my favor. I just have keep them in mind, and take the ones for me to reach.
If I rock my MA, I could really give myself an edge.
I actually almost feel better after typing this out. I just have to keep it together. I can't be perfect, and I can redo the stupid things I did as a kid. I've just got to stop being a bastard to myself, and to just push for all that it's worth. I won't wind up in the Ivy League, but I'll get somewhere.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Show Up On Time
I just listened to my sister talk about an employee bailing on work because she didn't feel well due to the fact she had been nightclubbing the prior night. Like any boss, she did not find that to be a valid excuse to call out from work. Everyone has been late at some point be it for work, class, church, etc. It happens, but it shouldn't be consistent. Even if the job is something you find insignificant. I do not aspire to work in retail my entire life, but that is the job I have right now until I hopefully can find another to do with it before going to graduate school. Having said that, showing up on time is hardly an issue. I live in Northern Virginia, where the traffic is ridiculous being so close to D.C. From my house I can get to the mall where I work in about fifteen minutes without traffic, but with traffic it can take an hour. I like to arrive early anyhow, so I try to leave a good forty minutes before my shift depending on what time I'm starting.
During school, I worked out a decent routine with classes. When I commuted to community college being on time was not always an issue, but there was a good phase where I didn't care, and I would show up late/not at all (and my grades those semesters reflected that). For whatever reason, when I got to Longwood my head was screwed back on and I figured it out. If my class started at 4:00PM, I knew to try and leave 10-15 minutes prior to class starting. I'm not going to act like I didn't stroll in a few minutes late sometimes, or right when the professor walks in particularly during morning classes. I'm not a morning person at all, and I think it would be super if waking up early was waking up at eleven, but alas, that is not the case. Some mornings it take the jaws of life, a RedBull, and a cup of coffee to get me out of bed. But I suck it up.
Being on time not always shows you are mature and have some integrity, but it also shows respect for your class or your boss. Just think about it; this person's job is to show up at a particular time to teach YOU about something that will help YOU graduate. YOU (or your parents) are paying for you to be in that class, and god knows you probably spent $100.00 minimum for the course's text(s). Do you really want to lose that money? My university is small, and once you get passed the core curriculum classes, and into specific classes for your major, there are classes that are only offered with one or two professors. How awkward would that be?
To me, not only the fact that my professors consider your attendance apart of your grade at my university, but it's also just a little awkward to be late! I always feel like a huge jerk showing up late for something. Be it work or school, being on time says that you have integrity and care. And if your bosses and professors know you care, then you have one more person in your corner to give you a recommendation or a reference. Also, if you DO have an off day where you're late or can't come in for work, they will more likely to have sympathy and cut you some slack. However, if you're late on a daily basis, your car breaks down all the time, grandma's having her 5th funeral, and you forget to set your alarm everyday...mercy will probably not be had. Stop making excuses and be there!
Naturally, there are exceptions, but generally, just show up on time!
During school, I worked out a decent routine with classes. When I commuted to community college being on time was not always an issue, but there was a good phase where I didn't care, and I would show up late/not at all (and my grades those semesters reflected that). For whatever reason, when I got to Longwood my head was screwed back on and I figured it out. If my class started at 4:00PM, I knew to try and leave 10-15 minutes prior to class starting. I'm not going to act like I didn't stroll in a few minutes late sometimes, or right when the professor walks in particularly during morning classes. I'm not a morning person at all, and I think it would be super if waking up early was waking up at eleven, but alas, that is not the case. Some mornings it take the jaws of life, a RedBull, and a cup of coffee to get me out of bed. But I suck it up.
Being on time not always shows you are mature and have some integrity, but it also shows respect for your class or your boss. Just think about it; this person's job is to show up at a particular time to teach YOU about something that will help YOU graduate. YOU (or your parents) are paying for you to be in that class, and god knows you probably spent $100.00 minimum for the course's text(s). Do you really want to lose that money? My university is small, and once you get passed the core curriculum classes, and into specific classes for your major, there are classes that are only offered with one or two professors. How awkward would that be?
To me, not only the fact that my professors consider your attendance apart of your grade at my university, but it's also just a little awkward to be late! I always feel like a huge jerk showing up late for something. Be it work or school, being on time says that you have integrity and care. And if your bosses and professors know you care, then you have one more person in your corner to give you a recommendation or a reference. Also, if you DO have an off day where you're late or can't come in for work, they will more likely to have sympathy and cut you some slack. However, if you're late on a daily basis, your car breaks down all the time, grandma's having her 5th funeral, and you forget to set your alarm everyday...mercy will probably not be had. Stop making excuses and be there!
Naturally, there are exceptions, but generally, just show up on time!
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
How To Be a Good College Roommate.
Everyone's dealt with it. Some people are dealing with it now, or eventually they will be. Living with people for the first time is a huge transition for any person because your own personal habits have to be checked, and you also have to learn about the ways of other people, and other people are gross. The biggest change: No mommy! Mommy isn't going to come clean up your puke from the frat party and change your sheets every weekend. You're on your own, kid. Now, nobody's perfect, and I'm not going to act like I was the perfect roommate, but just a few tips to make the process better, and to be a good roommate. Seriously, nobody wants to think back on their college experience and have it tarnished because they had Damien for a roommate.
1. Your mess is your mess. If your apartment has a kitchen and you cook your food, guess who is responsible for cleaning up the plates, pots, pans, etc.? That's right, YOU ARE. Don't wait until tomorrow, or wait until next week. Do. It. Now. When you're done, clean it up then and there. Don't wait for your roommate to get so disgusted that they decide to do it (they WILL hold it against you).
2. Your guests, your mess. Yet again, if you have people over they are YOUR responsibility. So, if someone barfs everywhere you better help clean it up. If you have a party, all of the food, drinks, etc. left over is YOURS to clean up. Don't wait a week. Do it the next day. Sleep in, let your hangover work itself out, get some Gatorade and greasy food, and then have at it.
3. Be considerate. The thing about living with other people is you cannot just act like you own the place and inflict your habits on other people. Don't blast your music or TV (unless they don't mind), keep your loud friends at bay during the weeknights. If you know your roommate is asleep, try not to wake them up. There are exceptions to trying not to wake them, like if you have an early class to get ready for. If you have a roommate who sleeps until 2:00PM then I wouldn't really think too hard about being quiet.
4. Don't eat other people's food unless they offer. This is self-explanatory.
5. Don't be gross in the bathroom. Seriously, keep the TP stocked, clean the damn bathroom! Ladies, if you're on your period, it's only fair for YOU to take out the garbage. Don't make your roommates have to take out the trash full of your used maxi-pads and tampon wrappers. Don't make everyone have a period with you (one a month is enough). Clean up after yourself, wipe the toilet seat if you get blood on it, and don't leave bloody fingerprints on the toilet roll.
6. Have a significant other? Cool! He/She is your responsibility like any guest. Also, your roommates don't want to see or hear you having sex. We don't care if you do it, but we don't want to be involved. Keep it in your room and out of places everyone uses (TV room, bathroom). If you do want to have wild and loud sex with somebody, maybe talk to your roommate, and kindly see if they can plan to give you a few hours alone in the apartment. If they say no, you cannot be mad...but if they say yes, you owe them one.
7. Take out the trash. We all live there. It's everyone's responsibility. I shouldn't have to throw out the sodas from your party or your bags of fast food. Not to mention, it smells awful.
8, Talk about issues. If you have an issue with you roommate(s) talk to them about it. If they are mature people, they will take into account what you're saying. However, if you're calling them out for their annoying habits, you better be prepared to be called out on your own.
9. Don't hog the refrigerator/pantries.
10. Don't borrow without permission. If your roommate doesn't care that you use their computer, clothes, shampoo, toothpaste, flat iron, makeup, milk etc...then super. But ask them. Yet again, they are allowed to say no.
11. In general try to be a little clean. If you completely trash your apartment or dorm, the university can fine you for damages, and that is really annoying. You don't have to keep the place looking like the Hilton, but cleaning up after yourself, and practicing basic hygiene is really not that hard to do.
12. Keep your mess in your room/your side of the dorm. Everyone gets busy, and sometimes they don't have time to clean (or they just don't feel like it). Try not to impose on other people and be messy in your own space.
13. Let your roommate study! College is about making friends, joining organizations, and learning about yourself, but none of those activities will matter if you never graduate! If you know your roommate has a lot of work to do, let them work in a peaceful, quiet environment. Yes, they could go to the library, but working in your own home is much more relaxing. And university libraries can be hectic (the last few weeks/finals week are LOUD and crowded). If you had to finish a ten-page essay. or read three hundred pages, wouldn't you want some quiet in your own apartment? Maybe you could benefit from the situation, and do homework with them.
Again, nobody's perfect. I've certainly made some of these mistakes, and I've lived with people who have. Everybody is different in regards to what they find irritating, but here are just some of my suggestions. You don't have to be best friends with your roommates, but you do have to live together, so some patience and cooperation should be taken into consideration. If they are so terrible that you cannot deal with it, have your RA mediate, or find a way to get the hell out.
1. Your mess is your mess. If your apartment has a kitchen and you cook your food, guess who is responsible for cleaning up the plates, pots, pans, etc.? That's right, YOU ARE. Don't wait until tomorrow, or wait until next week. Do. It. Now. When you're done, clean it up then and there. Don't wait for your roommate to get so disgusted that they decide to do it (they WILL hold it against you).
2. Your guests, your mess. Yet again, if you have people over they are YOUR responsibility. So, if someone barfs everywhere you better help clean it up. If you have a party, all of the food, drinks, etc. left over is YOURS to clean up. Don't wait a week. Do it the next day. Sleep in, let your hangover work itself out, get some Gatorade and greasy food, and then have at it.
3. Be considerate. The thing about living with other people is you cannot just act like you own the place and inflict your habits on other people. Don't blast your music or TV (unless they don't mind), keep your loud friends at bay during the weeknights. If you know your roommate is asleep, try not to wake them up. There are exceptions to trying not to wake them, like if you have an early class to get ready for. If you have a roommate who sleeps until 2:00PM then I wouldn't really think too hard about being quiet.
4. Don't eat other people's food unless they offer. This is self-explanatory.
5. Don't be gross in the bathroom. Seriously, keep the TP stocked, clean the damn bathroom! Ladies, if you're on your period, it's only fair for YOU to take out the garbage. Don't make your roommates have to take out the trash full of your used maxi-pads and tampon wrappers. Don't make everyone have a period with you (one a month is enough). Clean up after yourself, wipe the toilet seat if you get blood on it, and don't leave bloody fingerprints on the toilet roll.
6. Have a significant other? Cool! He/She is your responsibility like any guest. Also, your roommates don't want to see or hear you having sex. We don't care if you do it, but we don't want to be involved. Keep it in your room and out of places everyone uses (TV room, bathroom). If you do want to have wild and loud sex with somebody, maybe talk to your roommate, and kindly see if they can plan to give you a few hours alone in the apartment. If they say no, you cannot be mad...but if they say yes, you owe them one.
7. Take out the trash. We all live there. It's everyone's responsibility. I shouldn't have to throw out the sodas from your party or your bags of fast food. Not to mention, it smells awful.
8, Talk about issues. If you have an issue with you roommate(s) talk to them about it. If they are mature people, they will take into account what you're saying. However, if you're calling them out for their annoying habits, you better be prepared to be called out on your own.
9. Don't hog the refrigerator/pantries.
10. Don't borrow without permission. If your roommate doesn't care that you use their computer, clothes, shampoo, toothpaste, flat iron, makeup, milk etc...then super. But ask them. Yet again, they are allowed to say no.
11. In general try to be a little clean. If you completely trash your apartment or dorm, the university can fine you for damages, and that is really annoying. You don't have to keep the place looking like the Hilton, but cleaning up after yourself, and practicing basic hygiene is really not that hard to do.
12. Keep your mess in your room/your side of the dorm. Everyone gets busy, and sometimes they don't have time to clean (or they just don't feel like it). Try not to impose on other people and be messy in your own space.
13. Let your roommate study! College is about making friends, joining organizations, and learning about yourself, but none of those activities will matter if you never graduate! If you know your roommate has a lot of work to do, let them work in a peaceful, quiet environment. Yes, they could go to the library, but working in your own home is much more relaxing. And university libraries can be hectic (the last few weeks/finals week are LOUD and crowded). If you had to finish a ten-page essay. or read three hundred pages, wouldn't you want some quiet in your own apartment? Maybe you could benefit from the situation, and do homework with them.
Again, nobody's perfect. I've certainly made some of these mistakes, and I've lived with people who have. Everybody is different in regards to what they find irritating, but here are just some of my suggestions. You don't have to be best friends with your roommates, but you do have to live together, so some patience and cooperation should be taken into consideration. If they are so terrible that you cannot deal with it, have your RA mediate, or find a way to get the hell out.
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