Week 9 is upon us already....

Wow, I can't believe that in three short weeks, we'll be starting a new quarter. I'll start ordering books as soon as possible so that I'm not falling a week behind, the way it did the first quarter I was registered at Berkeley. All my class selections seem to be registered and accounted for (I had to confirm it via email with the Financial Aid office), and now I just need the professors to post the required text books for that class so that I can get a head start. I don't plan to fall behind anymore. This quarter has not been without its challenges, that's for sure, but I feel that I'm working hard and at least understanding the material assigned by my professors. It's less about grades for me this time around, and more about understanding what role these subjects will play in my life in the future.

This brings me back to the normal distribution chapter in Statistics. I am really having quite a time with this subject, but I won't let it get the best of me. I am going to post questions to the professor and have him help me so that the same mistakes I made on the homework assignment won't be repeated on any future tests.

Speaking of tests, I feel really confident about the one I just took for short-term management. I wasn't sure about an answer or two, but I really feel like I did well on this exam. I can only wait to hear from the professor in this regard.

Statistics is getting more challenging....

So I think I've run into one of the more challenging topics in statistics: normal distribution. Who would've ever thought that one chapter would have required so much of my time and attention? But that's a good thing, discipline and a stick-to-it ethic. I know that my studying and understanding of the material will pay off in the long run.

So I was checking the message boards for the online clubs that I'm associated with, and I haven't really seen any new posts. Maybe this period of inactivity is normal for the summertime; I'm just starting out, so I'm not really sure what to expect. In the meantime, I can still benefit from the older, yet still valuable, information.

In regards to my human resource management class, we're now discussing the challenges associated with women in the workplace. A few of them that were touched on included issues of family obligations and sexual harrassment.

Everything takes some getting used to....

Well, it took some getting used to, but I finally am able to follow the formats for the GHAs in Management249 with little to no problems this time. It really takes a lot of study, a review of the information, and really putting things into one's own words and/or understanding. This is what we seem to do more of at Berkeley than at any other school I've been to. I feel that you get a better understanding of the information that way, when you're encouraged to put it into your own words and understanding. The students who succeed in class aren't necessarily the ones who read the material, but the ones who can explain and apply the material.

We already have our assignment for next week for statistics, and I am going to study it very carefully, as usual. It has to do with the normal distribution, and I'm sure that once I see a few examples of the material, as well as trying out a few of the problems on my own, that I'll be able to almost perfectly master that section, as well.

Berkeley College commercials....

So I've been seeing Berkeley College commercials periodically on the t.v., and I get excited, because these are real testimonials from real students about how they either found out about Berkeley or why they re-enrolled in school, and why Berkeley was the choice for them. And I got to thinking, "Wouldn't it be nice if I were ever asked to do a commercial for Berkeley College?"

But then I thought about it some more, and in a way, I and some of the other student bloggers are a commercial for Berkeley College. Think about it: we talk about what led us to Berkeley College as the college of choice; we talk about our class assignments; we talk about the class trips we've either been on or want to go on; we talk about the various services offered through Blackboard; and we also talk about the various online clubs that one can become a part of. We also talk about the do's and don'ts of college life, as well as the benefits and challenges of going to school online vs. on-campus.

And it makes me feel good to know that I'm a part of a growing phenomenon of students who chose Berkeley College--whether as first-time students, transfer students, or students who, for one reason or another, are choosing to come back to school. And this is the truth; when I compare Berkeley to other schools I've ever been to, I can honestly say that I have never enjoyed a college experience more. (Now if they could just bring back those Blackboard polls....)

I'm all set for fall...

I just got an email confirming all of my classes for the fall quarter. I'm really excited, as each quarter brings me closer to my graduation day. I'm excited because, as some of you already know--I sound like a broken record by now--I've been trying to get back into school for a couple of years. Well, I finally did it, and it seems nothing can break my stride this time. This isn't to say that it's been all roses and daisies, though; anything worth having is worth working toward. And we all know it doesn't always come easy. Many of us who are in school right now have family and work obligations to contend with--not to mention other obligations (religious, etc.) that we may have to put into perspective.

At the same time, however, we haven't let these things sidetrack us from our goal of finally finishing school and getting a job/career in our field of study so that we can adequately care for our families, as well as be an inspiration to any little ones in our families (I remember writing something along those lines in my essay when I did the placement test for Berkeley College--and again in one of my first few blogs here).

So for whatever reason you've been sidetracked and you're now back in school (and at Berkeley College, in particular), keep forging ahead, because it'll all be worth it in the end. The faculty here at Berkeley will make sure you never slip through the cracks. I remember a particularly rough patch I was going through just before one quarter was to start, and the helping hand I got actually brought tears to my eyes. They really do care about the students here.

"The early bird captures the worm"

You know that old saying, "The early bird captures the worm?" Well, that can certainly apply to registering for courses AS SOON AS REGISTRATION STARTS. Because I hesitated a bit, I actually got closed out of one class (which I plan to register for for the winter quarter), MKT220. So instead, I chose a Liberal Arts elective in its place. But it should be fine, and I plan to buy books at least two weeks prior to classes starting.

On another note, I did my homework assignment for Statistics on probability and got a 100. A 100 on a homework assignment in a math class?!? But as I stated before, I really understand the material in statistics, and I really feel like I'm getting a lot out of this course.

I also submitted my discussion board assignment for Human Resource Management, regarding the pros and cons of personality tests when used to weed out job applicants. On the pro side, you don't waste a lot of time and expense with applicants who just aren't suited for the job; or applicants who are suited, but have the wrong attitude and/or idea about what the job is about. On the minus side, personality tests don't take into account the whole picture--culture/background, religious upbringing, etc. So I stated that while personality tests are fine to use in interviews, they should not be the ONLY determining factor in considering applicants for further interviews.

One Quarter Ends as a New One Starts...

So I finally selected the classes that I want to take during the fall, and I'm now awaiting feedback. I hope to be take Fin300 and 305, as well as Mkt220. These are necessary classes for the field of study I've entered, and so I hope they're available at this point (I never usually wait this late to register for classes). That way, I can start to set aside the money I need for books, since my financial is covered for the following quarter and the winter quarter--which helps me out tremendously.

I'm still working vigorously on my statistics homework, in addition to keeping up with the reading assignments and homework assignments for my other classes. I really, really want to get this down pat; as we all know, math is not my strongest suit, so I really have to work at it. But I am at least understanding statistics (better than algebra, I might add). I am having trouble with the standard deviations in binomials, though, so hopefully the professor can point me in the right direction.

I also have submit my answer for Human Resource Management regarding the pros and cons of personality tests when it comes to the interviewing process. This assignment promises to be very interesting, as applicants and others argue that there is no real way to assess a person's true personality from a test. We use the Library database for most of our research, and the articles have been very helpful.

Blackboard is down...

So it seems that Berkeley Blackboard is down at the moment, just when I was about to register for classes and post to my discussion boards for the week (in my classes and for the online clubs I signed up for). For all my urging current and prospective students to "get on the ball and sign up" for classes when registration starts, it seems I haven't take my own advice this time. But I will definitely sign up as soon as Blackboard comes back up.

On the plus side, all of my assignments are due at the end of the week, so that leaves me more reading, studying, and comprehension time--particularly for a subject like statistics. Staying ahead of the curve definitely helps in classes, particularly in online classes. You just never know when something will come up (an emergency, computer breakdown, etc.), and so it helps when you start at the beginning of the week to study that week's material and don't wait until the last minute, when you'll feel rushed and frustrated and not put forth your best effort to complete the assignment; or you submit your assignment, knowing that you didn't do your best.

But I am excited about the new quarter coming, and once I know which classes I want to take, I look forward again to interacting with fellow students and getting their unique perspectives on certain subjects.

An Adjustment of Sorts

I like the format that my statistics professor has set up for us to do our homework; it is multiple choice, just like our math tests. That means no time frustrating oneself and doing the homework manually (although it does help if you write it out and then come across the same answers in your assignment).

As for my Human Resource Management class, I'm not really used to having to do research on my answers and writing them out in essay format for these GHAs. I must say, it is very challenging, yet rewarding. You're really using your brain to sort out the information that you want to use.

Which brings me to this: I have to make an adjustment of sorts to my way of thinking about the level of difficulty of each class. They are all challenging in their own ways and all merit careful time and attention in order to get the best understanding of the material that there is available, and that we should never be afraid to call on our professors if we do not understand something. This is something for all of us, as prospective or current students, to think about when we think in terms of what will be an 'easy class' for us to pass. Approach it with the same studiousness you would approach a slightly more difficult class, in order to do well in all of your classes.

Fall registration begins...

Fall registration is already upon us of the online variety at Berkeley College. I'll admit it, though; I'm excited. One reason is I'm halfway to the finish line. The second reason is that I'm eager to see what classes they have to offer for both the fall and winter quarters. I understand that I'll have to take other computer courses, and I'm eager to start applying some of them at work.

I also got a chance to read the Finance and Accounting message board, and I got a response back from the individual who was wondering how to keep his/her job in a competitive job market, thanking me for the information I provided. I'm always glad when I can be of help to someone else, especially when it's a situation that I'm familiar with. It's hard to find--and keep--one's place in this time of economic downturn. So keeping your skills up-to-date and marketable is a must.

In line with that, we have been asked in our Human Resource Management class to devise a plan of action for relocation, as well as to consider staffing options for those positions where about 30% of our staff chooses not to relocate with us. If managers/human resources hire people who have competitive skills in today's job market, then the transition from one location to another would be a smooth one.

Reading Aleksandra's blog, I guess I'm sort of glad I didn't get to go to Six Flags this July. I'm sorry to all of the staff and student body who experienced what they did, and hopefully this can be chalked up to one bad experience.

And reading Vanessa's blog, I must say that I am BerkAlert ready. I actually got the voicemail first, then I checked my email. It is true; one never knows what can go wrong, and it can go wrong quickly. So fellow students, if you are not ready now, GET READY. You don't want to be left out of the loop concerning important announcements.

"Workplace diversity is a good thing, but explain why it can be a good thing." That's essentially what our Human Resources Management professor asked us to explain, why we felt diversity was a good or a bad thing, and whether or not we agreed with the articles posted. I feel that it is a good thing for businesses to have people of all diverse backgrounds--socioeconomic, religious, ethnic, racial, etc. How else can a business serve its community and thrive and survive if it does not meet the needs and/or tastes of not only its core audience, but its supplementary audience? It's always a comforting feeling to know that you can be helped by an individual who might be in tune with what your tastes or needs are, and diversity in businesses can help to achieve that.

With regard to statistics, I'm still working on the problems (I said this was one of those courses I'd really have to buckle down on), but I feel like I'm getting it, that it's not all in vain; so that's a plus. I don't know why it took me until college to finally figure math out, but I'm glad I am finally figuring it out. If I want to be successful in any sort of financial position, math is EXTREMELY important. It would be nice for the employer to know that I had computer savvy and perfect business grammar; but he or she would also want to know that I can handle the books, so to speak. So this is one area I absolutely must do well in.

Short-term financial management looks like accounting and business math all over again, so I don't figure I'll have much trouble in that regard, what with financial statements, FIFO/LIFO, and accounts receivable and payable.