All signed up for next quarter...

I actually beat the deadline; I'm impressed with myself. But yes, fellow students, I did it. I registered for four classes next quarter at Berkeley. Actually, they were all picked out for me for next quarter. When I scrolled through the class catalog listing, I saw "taking" next to certain classes for next quarter for my degree progression report. But that's okay, because it helps me to make sure that I'm taking only the classes that I need in order to graduate. And you know what this means; early registration means ordering books early...AND avoiding that late fee for not registering by the deadline for online students (if you are taking ANY classes online, get registered ASAP; you will incur a $100 late registration fee if you don't).

Changing the subject a bit: as we all know, I'm very happy to be back in school. However, there will always be those who try to crush your dreams and your spirit. I was at the local library where I lived, and a young lady happened to see me on Blackboard, and started saying some not-so-flattering things about Berkeley. But I didn't let her dissuade me. I just simply wondered why she would do something like that. I can't worry about it too much, though, just accept it as one of those speed bumps on the road to success. Not everybody will be rooting for you, but only those who know you and love you will.

When I say Berkeley cares....

Boy, do they EVER!!! I got a call at home, a call on my cell phone, a Berk-Alert text message, and an email letting the students know that there was a delayed opening for the Garret Mountain campus in West Patterson. Even though I'm an online student, I really appreciated the urgency and insistence in letting the students know in any way they could about the delayed openings. Hopefully, none of you missed the call and made the trip down there too early. Also, here's hoping your trip there and return trip are both successful.

It was okay, though; I managed to get more studying done so that I could finish up my assignments earlier than normal and study my notes. It was a quiet day at work for me, so I spent most of it on Blackboard between calls, just checking the Announcements and Course Documents sections for each one of my classes. To those of you who had morning classes that were cancelled, don't think of it as a day off. Use the extra study time to your advantage so that you follow along in class easier the next time that class is in session.

Reading your class notes helps....

So in statistics, we're going over permutations and combinations, as well as counting. For the homework assignment I just posted to Blackboard, I was having a bit of difficulty. I then double-checked my notes, as well as re-read the question I was having a problem with. I was able to apply the same steps that were outlined in the notes, and I arrived at the same solution that was posted at the back of the book (I double-checked for good measure to see if I had done the steps correctly).

So I'm going to apply this technique to all of my classes; I'm doing well, but I can always improve. Also, reading your notes helps for when you're taking quizzes/exams on the Blackboard. It helps the material stay fresher in your mind and helps you to recall it at a later date, not just for purposes of doing well in a class, but for doing well in business or any other area of life.

It's just interesting what a difference in technique and time makes; two quarters ago, I was struggling in statistics. Now I'm very hopeful about my grade. I feel that I really won't earn less than a B, but I'm pushing for an A.

My first Statistics exam....

I got an 86!!! Go, me!!! What a turnaround from the last time I took statistics; I'm really doing well in understanding the information. What's more, I'm applying myself to learning the concepts so that I can understand them and apply them later in life. The only reason it wasn't a total 100 is because of the last two concepts that I didn't quite grasp, but I will definitely go over those again; because I have a feeling that they will be back on the final. In fact, in most math classes, any information you cover during the term is sure to be on the final, so you might wanna hold on to those notes and homework assignments just a little longer. Trust me, you'll be glad you did (speaking from personal experience).

My worry is this week Finance assignment. I wasn't able to submit it through regular means, and I had to submit it through my regular email vs. my Berkeley College email because when I tried to submit the assignment via Blackboard, I kept getting a message that the folder was empty. I hope I don't get a zero for the assignment, and I'll submit my assignments earlier in the future. It wasn't late, by any means (it was due at 6 p.m. this evening), but I mean earlier in the week. But so far, I'm doing well in the class, and I'm going to keep on doing well.

The discussion on what it means to be American is still going pretty strong in my Sociology class. Some students believe that being American only applies to one group; while many of us believe that it encompasses so much more than that, from culture to beliefs to adaptation.

How do YOU define an American?

Yes, Berkeley, I'm posing this question to you: How do you define being American? I ask because that was the question that was posed to us this week in Sociology. And of course, the topic of the presidential inauguration came up, and what it will mean in terms of this society. But what being an American means to me is adapting to, or being born into, the culture of this country, even while retaining your own. However, we found that there are many people who define this differently.

For instance, some in the Americas (Central and South) would consider themselves American, though not being a part of the United States of America. When you think about it, this makes sense; otherwise, what good would it do to call those continents America? But some feel that only those born and bred in this country are truly American, and that anyone else is a foreigner or a visitor. So we can see that we have any number of varying opinions on this topic.

I truly feel, however, that anyone who is a citizen of the United States (whether born into it or applied for it) is an American. The Pledge of Allegiance proclaims "liberty and justice for all"--not just a select few.

Even without a book, I'm keeping up....

I don't want to fall behind in any of my classes because of not having the books, so what I've been doing is reading the notes from the PowerPoint presentations and saving them to Content Collection, so that I can print the notes out on my computer. Through no fault to Berkeley (or me), I ordered one of the books through a particular online website; after two weeks, I was sent the wrong book. So I reordered the book and have to wait for it to come in. But all the while, the notes provide great background information for the chapters we have to study.

I am getting really positive feedback from my algebra professor; my homework was actually done correctly!!! I was a little hesitant, because I wasn't sure I was doing the problems right when I went back and re-read the information. But alas, I was. I'm also doing well with my Finance class; I got a 100 on both my discussion board and my latest homework assignment. I knew I wouldn't let last semester's performances slow me down. I have too much at stake to slow down now. I have something to prove to myself and those who love me. I knew I made the right choice by coming to Berkeley.

My first Sociology GHA...

I am proud to say that I got an 84!!! It wasn't actually that hard, though; most of it was based on information that we should all become familiar with before we're even given our homework assignments. The test was made up of multiple choice and true/false questions based on Course Information, Course Documents, Assignments, and our class syllabus. Truthfully, it would've been hard NOT to pass this GHA. I am glad, though, that I took a few minutes to read over the course information and become familiar with it.

Speaking of which, I am going to be re-reading the chapters in my statistics book just before the first test that deals with gathering information and data. I didn't get a response from the teacher for this discussion board, so I don't know if I did well or did poorly. I do know one thing, though: whatever mistakes the professor brings to my attention, I'll be sure to store it in my mind so that I don't repeat these same mistakes on the test. Homework really is a practice session for any tests that you'll take in class; and ultimately for any tests you may have to take when interviewing for a job (because many temporary agencies and corporations are now requiring employees to take on-the-spot tests). And if you learn from your mistakes so that you don't repeat them on a test or at a job interview, you'll benefit yourself in the long run.

Berkeley cares!!!

So one of the great things I've noticed about Berkeley College is their commitment to excellence; I've also noticed their involvement with things that are for our benefit not only as students, but as functioning citizens of society. From their Project GreenPath to The Healthy Cafe Club, I've come to realize that Berkeley wants us to succeed in every aspect of our lives.

The latest Smoke-Out day yesterday is proof of that. Smoking is not only detrimental to the person doing the smoking, but to others around him or her, not to mention the environment. My mother stopped smoking a few years ago, and she's never felt better. So with this is mind, I'm going to find a way to get the point across to my brother without it sounding like I'm nagging him. I think that the tips found during the Smoke-Out will help me to help him in the right direction.

I also love Berkeley College's commitment to finding a cure for juvenile diabetes. Diabetes is a terrible disease that can take its toll in many different ways, and can ultimately be fatal. So I applaud Berkeley for always giving attention to this matter.

My efforts are really paying off....

Since I know that statistics is one of the subjects that I'm really going to have to buckle down on this quarter, that's exactly what I've been doing--rereading the chapters and going over certain concepts and putting them into practice--step by step. It really helped when I turned in my homework assignment for this week. I think I still have to have a step or two clarified before the big test, but I'm confident that I'll do well.

Speaking of homework assignments, I also got some help from a very unlikely source for my statistics homework: my twelve-year-old niece. She was the one who helped me understand the concept of stem-and-leaf data. Without grousing out loud how I couldn't understand it and without her explanation, I'd still be stuck rereading the information and not understanding it (although from now on, I will email the professor if I'm stuck regarding any statistics concepts; after all, that's what the professors are there for).

I also got an excellent grade on last week's discussion board for Finance 310. I got a 100%; the professor said that I had an excellent grasp of the concepts. I just want to keep moving in that direction with regard to my classes.

Hmmm, about my Finance class....

So I've noticed something a little offputting (but only because of what I've been used to so far at Berkeley) about my Finance class: we don't have a discussion board every single week. In fact, our next discussion board isn't due until February 7, 2009. But I'm not upset about it or anything; it's just not something I'm used to. But change is good (and necessary); besides, that will afford me more time to study the material and keep it fresh in my mind so that when the time comes to do my assignment, I'll be able to rely on what I've read and retained.

I also noticed that Bank of America is coming to Berkeley College for recruitment for job opportunities this Thursday. I would love to be there, but the registration for classes is coming up at my place of employment, as well; and I wouldn't be a team player if I didn't come to work on that day. So what I'm planning to do is contact Career Services via email and seeing if there's any possible way I can apply online--or at the very least, send them my email.

As for statistics, I have higher hopes this time. I finished one part of my homework assignment with relatively no trouble; I think I may have missed a point or two, but for the most part, I really understood the material this time. I have to finish doing the reading to finish the second part of my homework, but I'll get it done by tomorrow. This is shaping up to be a great quarter at Berkeley College this year.

Creating a homepage....

So by now, I'm old hat at this. I have been asked to create a homepage for my sociology class this term. I actually like creating a homepage, because it gives students and professors an opportunity to know a little more about me. We were asked to do the usual (give our names, our backgrounds, our majors, and how long we had been attending Berkeley College--as well as any additional information we wanted people to know). I think this will be an interesting class and that I'll learn a lot from each and every student (I still have to get the book; long story that I won't get into. Let's just say that I really wish I remembered my password for the Berkeley College online bookstore).

As for statistics, it turns out that I have one of the same professors that I had for a class two quarters ago. He recognized me, too, and said that I had done well in answering this week's discussion question. I have a feeling that I'm going to turn things around this quarter; yes, it will still require me to study, study, study, but I'm more optimistic in terms of the studying paying off. I'm going to work like never before and remember that statistics isn't algebra.

Risk management is an interesting area of Finance, in that it deals primarily with the types of risks incurred in any situation and the methods of managing risk (or handling risk with the least amount of damage or loss occurring). This information is valuable, particularly for those of us going out into the workforce when we graduate, look to purchase cars for the first time, or look to purchase homes and start families. I'm looking forward to this quarter, and I'm hoping all of my fellow students do well.

A new session....

So I'm keeping my promise to myself (and setting a good example for my niece at the same time), and I'm keeping up with the weekly notes that are posted on Blackboard for the three different courses that I'm currently taking. Already, I feel that this approach is helping me. I don't feel like I'm rushed to get everything done. I'm going to read the chapters and post to the discussion boards as normal, but having it fresh in my mind by the time the tests and GHAs come will really benefit me, as I'll be able to apply everything I've learned later on down the road.

I'm also noticing some of the same names in many of my online courses. Perhaps they have the same major I have? At any rate, it's nice to have familiar names and students whose work and postings that you're familiar with (faces would be nice to go with the names, but in due time).

Speaking of faces, it's nice to know that Berkeley uses actual students in their commercials and on their billboards. It makes it more personal and real to those of us who attend Berkeley College. We can say with pride, "I know this person; he or she is an excellent student."