I took my second online quiz this week for Mgt 220, and I got an 85 out of 100. Initially, I had trouble with the link, but my professor contacted the Help Desk and I and another student were allowed an extension. It was a relief, for I could've gotten a zero for the assignment. I know I mentioned before that I shouldn't be grade-obsessed, but a zero is an absolute no-no for me. It says, "You didn't even try." (At least, that's what it says for me.)

So this week in Finance, we're discussing my favorite subject: STOCKS!!! I could talk about stocks and the market all day (which is why it's weird that I haven't yet joined the Finance Club). Speaking of clubs, I got a package in the mail from Berkeley College today, complete with a beach ball and a letter of encouragement from Sharon Goldstein. Was that a pleasant surprise!!! There was also mentioned of an online Health Club, which I'm going to investigate tomorrow. I'd still also be interesting in joining both the Online Book Club and Finance Club. It would be interesting to put some of my knowledge into action.

But back to the subject of stocks, we were asked if we would encourage senior citizens to invest in stocks, and I pointed out that I would only encourage it if they had a thorough knowledge of the market and felt comfortable enough to take the risk. You can really lose everything if you don't do your homework (literally and figuratively). Take notes, ask questions, get the information. It's your money, after all.

Well, like I mentioned in my last post, I'm understanding algebra a lot better this time around, although I'm still having a little bit of difficulty with the graphing of equations. I don't know why, but the graphs never come out the way they outline them in the book when I do them. But study, study, study and practice, practice, practice make almost perfect--at least enough for a good grade. I shouldn't be so grade-obsessed, though; my main focus should be on understanding the material. I'm still a work in progress, though, so I'm working on that.

The discussion in this past week's Finance class was an interesting one. It had to do with whether or not you could consider bonds a safe investment. My answer was yes, because you could pretty much guarantee a return on most of--if not all of--your investment; whereas with stocks, there are no guarantees. You could have it all one minute--not even a day--and lose it all the next. So even if bonds earn a lower interest rate, they incur less of a risk than stocks. But then another student brought up an interesting counterpoint that I hadn't considered, and it just made me realize that there's no such thing as a "sure thing". So the operative word here is "research"; make sure you do your homework before making any type of investment and make sure you can afford to take the loss.

So our next test for Mgt220 is tomorrow between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. I'm studying and refreshing my memory like crazy, in addition to keeping up with the readings for my finance class and the homework assignments for my algebra class. Although I must say that this time around, I'm understanding algebra a LOT better. I want to absolutely kick butt this semester; last semester I passed all my courses, but i could've--and should've--done better. This semester, "should" will be "did".

In keeping with my Finance class readings, I may have mentioned before that I am currently investing in the stock market. Well, I'll let you in on a little something. I actually started out by investing in TR (Tootsie Roll) after doing a homework problem in Business Math (Bus110); the person in the problem was investing in Tootsie Roll stock, and I thought I'd try my hand at it. And to be sure, the market has its ups and downs, as we're learning in finance when it comes to what to invest one's money in. But I'm careful not to get in so deep that I end up breaking the bank. I know how much I can comfortably afford to invest each month without feeling the pinch. So this class will really help me to make the most of my investments, as well as discover new opportunities for investing and earning the maximum return on your hard-earned dollars.

My poor algebra professor was in the hospital this week, which is why he couldn't give us the feedback we needed on some of our homework problems. He did, however, leave a comment on the homework assignment that I did this past week; I got a 5 out of 5, which is basically an A for that homework assignment. He told me that the answers to some of the problems that I didn't get right were posted in the HW solution document that he had posted. I also got my grade back for my first algebra test; it was a C. I was hoping to do better, but at least I passed. But next time, A all the way.

I'm also really enjoying the discussions we've been having in our Finance class. Most of the discussions have had to do with investing, whether it be in the banks, in retirement funds, in stock markets, or in bonds. But what it all ties into, essentially, is how the Fed controls the monetary policy in this and other countries, and how a shift to the left or the right can have a major impact on the monetary policies we now operate under.

So in my management course, we're learning about planning in coporations. A good plan is necessary for a better chance at success in business, for as the old adage goes: Failing to plan is planning to fail. And having that knowledge available, still a surprising number of new businesses do not survive because of failing to plan. For one reason or another, they do not have a solid business plan or organizational direction or goal as far as the company or corporation is concerned. And then in some corporations, there is direct competition between units, which can also lead to the low morale of the employees and ultimately the failure of the business.

Also, the discussion board dealt with the question: if a company provides a quality product but doesn't really distinguish itself from its competitors, can it still provide a competitive edge? I answered both yes and no. I answered yes if the pricing is competitive and reasonable, which would give the company a slight edge over the competitors. At the same time, a customer--depending on their age and demographic--wants a product based on his or her particular needs and wants, so he or she might be willing to pay a higher price for the more distinctive, need/want-based product.

Well, it looks like I have a couple of help aids (in addition to the professors) to help me with algebra; turns out that they were at my disposal the whole time and I didn't even realize it. One of them is an interactive CD that comes with the book itself that you can use to focus on particular areas of study (for instance, equations and how to solve them). In addition, there are also PowerPoint slides that are available, as well as notes on how to solve the problems. So I will be making great use of these, in addition to reading and re-reading the chapters.

I also realized that there are two discussion boards: one for posting questions and/0r comments about the week's assignments, as well as another to post the solutions to any problems of our choosing as listed on the Adobe forms posted on Blackboard. I'm not sure how I did on this graded homework assignment this week, but I do hope that my professor will provide feedback to show me where I went wrong, if necessary.

I also have to sign up for the coming summer term. I don't want to take a break even for a minute, for fear I'll end up not finishing school, as it has happened before. This explains my drive to succeed in every single course I take. I'm sure the course will more than likely be accelerated, but it's nothing I can't handle, especially online. Also, I still have to obtain a Berkeley College brochure for my mom. She just asked me again about a brochure, and I don't want to keep promising and never doing (even though it's a mistake of the mind and not the heart). Education is very important in our family.

As I already knew, algebra is the one class I'm going to have to really, really, REALLY bog down on. I had started some of the problems this week, but I'm still having some difficulty. So I posted a question on the Discussion Board, and one of the students gave me a setup, so I'm going to apply it and see if it works. Boy, I'd forgotten how much work it is to keep up with readings, assignments, and discussion boards--but it'll definitely be worth it in the end, when I get that diploma before all of my family and friends and a huge smile on my face that reads, "I did it! I finally did it!!!"

In my finance class, we're covering familiar territory, as well as venturing into new territory with the material. Also, I must say that I find the readings easier to keep up with and understand, particularly with regards to holding shares of stock and interest rates and subjects of that nature (being a first-time stockholder for the past few months, that is). I'm also becoming more familiar with the ways financial institutions raise money so that they can keep their interest rates competitive and attractive to potential investors.

In our Management class, we learned about ethics and profits with regard to companies, and how we have to take into consideration such things as cultural norms and customs, long-term effects, and social responsibility. The book posed a question that we do well to consider: Should we always take the ethical approach, even if it initially hurts us financially? Or do we take the unethical approach and lose a few dollars here and there, while retaining the bulk of our profits? Can a company be both ethical and socially responsible? These are just some of the questions we do well to ask ourselves as these will ultimately affect us at some point in our lives.

So, we have our first test in MGT 220 this week, and I feel like I'm prepared for it. I read the required chapters the first two weeks of the quarter, and now I feel like I can handle any questions that come my way. Of course, I won't just rest on my laurels as far as reading the material is concerned. I know that I'll have to understand the material, as well; that's the only way you'll really learn what the course is all about and be able to apply it in everyday life. I've learned a long time ago about not just reading the material; the professors have to know that you know what it is you're reading and/or talking about when presenting material.

As for Finance, we've been discussing financial institutions and how to help customers make the right choice when it comes to investing (in the banks, stock markets, etc.), particularly in today's fluctuating market. This looks to be a pretty interesting course, and I will do all that I can to get a better understanding of financial systems, as this will ultimately be where I make my living. So it behooves me to get not only a good grade, but a true understanding of the material. Also, in my college algebra class, a better grasp of the concepts would help me in the world of finance. Once you have a good, solid foundation, no matter what the situation is, you can apply the basic principles that you've learned in various subjects. Of course, this requires expended effort, but it is well worth it.