Browsing Blackboard...

So I was browsing Blackboard this morning, and I saw a variety of interesting events coming up very shortly. The first thing I saw was the advertisement for the show "Stomp" in NYC. If the May 15 date doesn't conflict with anything else that may come up, I'll be there. In fact, I'm going to set aside the $25.00 (plus spending money) just in case. The Hip Hop Griots also looks interesting at NJPAC; however, as I have a dance recital the very next day, that would be cutting it a little too close. Besides, I don't even know when the money has to be in. But it's nice to know that I could possibly be participating in a class trip with real-life Berkeley students--as opposed to "meeting" them online.

Another thing that caught my eye was the Project GreenPath mentioning of shutting down your computer when it's not in use. Now that I have my laptop, I make it my aim to shut it down when it's not in use. Besides, I can unplug it when it's fully charged and use it by itself. I always used to leave the computer turned because it was suggested that to turn off the computer every single day and turn it on the next day took more energy than leaving it on all day and night. I see now that that was erroneous thinking, and conserving energy has to start somewhere; so why not with me? Turning off lights and the t.v. at night also helps; this conserves not only energy, but saves money, as the article suggested. I'm going to see what I can do to help out with Project GreenPath.

One other thing I want to do more of is to take more seriously the suggestions for weight loss and healthy eating at the Healthy Cafe. I've already started to notice some significant changes based on me tweaking a few habits here and there (no more high-fat, high-calorie, fried potato snacks first thing in the morning or every single day; from now on, it'll be only when I crave it), but I could do better. Let's face it, we all could. And I would be willing to share my tips with my fellow club members. After all, we have to help each other, right? This is one way to do it.

The term is over on Sunday....

But it's officially over for me. I have taken my last test for Statistics and got 13 out of 15. I think if I have spent a little more time on the last two problems, I would've gotten them all right. But I'm satisfied with the results. I studied hard and did some practice problems today just before taking the test. I think it helped me to retain most of the information I needed for the test. See what I mean about not deleting/throwing away your notes? They definitely come in handy when it's finals time. Otherwise, most of the links are closed, and you can't go back and print out copies. Remember this vital piece of advice; it will help you tremendously in the long run.

I just really feel like I've accomplished a lot this semester. I got my financial aid done, I registered for my classes for next semester, and I passed statistics this time. This was my trouble class (although I really shouldn't view it like that), and I forged ahead and put the time and work it took to do well in this class. So I'm really happy; and I've learned to prioritize when it comes to which classes need more attention and study and which classes I can study a little later the week and still do well. I'm well on my way to finishing school and pursuing a career in the field of finance.

The official last week of the quarter....

So let's study hard, students. Show your instructors your mettle. Prove to yourself what you've taken in all quarter. I have one more exam tomorrow--statistics--and I'd be kidding myself if I said I wasn't somewhat nervous. But I have every confidence that I will do well if I just remember the formulas and the procedures for doing each formula. Thankfully I have Excel, my class notes, my calculator, and my textbook. So I shouldn't be too bad off. I don't want to miss even one question, though, but it wouldn't kill me if I did.

For those of you who are interested in taking a math class online, please do the following: commit to at least 2-3 hours of study per week, getting the information fresh in your mind. That way, you'll be able to contribute to the class discussions, as well as complete your assignments with accuracy and proficiency. Tests are usually given after two or three chapters have been covered, so READ EVERYTHING!!!! Don't skip any sections or paragraphs; and if you do, backtrack. Do it until you're so familiar with that topic that you get sick of seeing it. The biggest difference in taking statistics and taking algebra is that statistics deals largely with probabilities, while algebra is interested in problem solving. But the two intertwine at some point; you'll see vague recollections of algebra in statistics when--and if--you take it

Next week is the last week of this quarter....

I have been working steadily, and I'm reaping the rewards of all my hard work. I cannot complain about this quarter, because while everything hasn't been smooth sailing, I can say that this quarter, I haven't let it deter me. And I'm going to continue along this same of working toward my goal so that I can accomplish it that much faster. A positive attitude can make all the difference when you're working toward a goal and you feel like you wanna give up (late-night crams, research papers, etc.).

My sister is still saying that she wants to go back to school (she graduated from New Jersey City University in 1998). So again, I'm going to encourage her to look at post-graduate programs that Berkeley offers. There are a few campuses in New York, so she shouldn't have any trouble finding one (in fact, there's a campus in Manhattan, and she lives in Brooklyn). She also wants to do it online, so I'm going to encourage and at the same time, make her aware that she'll really have to schedule her time so that she can give the necessary attention to her work and studies and still be able to put everything else in its proper place. It's not always easy, but it can be done; and it'll be well worth it in the end.

Intercultural communication in action...

So we were asked this week to discuss any past dealings with someone from another culture, and I related an experience that I'd had with a store owner of Indian descent, and how it was less than pleasant. To make a long story short, he basically racially profiled me from the moment I walked into the store and insinuated that I was trying to steal and that he'd asked me before to "leave my bags at the counter". When I told him that I wasn't the culprit, he insisted that it was me, an argument ensued, and I angrily flashed my money at him and stormed out, declaring that he would never see another penny.

So we were asked if we could handle it differently, how we would have handled it instead. The outcome for me would've been the same, but knowing what I know now, I wouldn't have raised my voice and stormed out angrily; I would have said to the store owner that I was sorry he wouldn't believe that I was innocent of what he accused me of, but that I would spare him any further concern by not returning. I felt that he was acting on an old stereotype that all African Americans looked alike and acted alike, and my screaming and storming out probably did nothing to help my case.

Part of bridging the communication gap between cultures is coming to an understanding of why people in certain cultures behave the way they do and hold the beliefs that they do, as well. Then and only then can we start to connect based on our similarities.

It's about that time.....

I filed my application for Financial Aid on the Web, and now I'm waiting for my classes to post to Blackboard so that I can order my books. Next week is the last week in all of my classes, and I'm pretty hopeful about my grades (that is to say, I'm not failing anything). I just got my grade back for my research paper on Mexican culture, and I got a 90 out of 100. Next, we have our final and then our final discussion board and then, it's on to prepping for next quarter.

I just got the software downloaded to my laptop from the website that Berkeley uses, and it has everything I need for classes and then some...which is good, because for next quarter, I have to take CIS 203 and we need Access 2007, which this software provides. Once I learn how to use the database, I'm going to start using it in my everyday life; we have a database at work, but how much easier would everything be if we used a system like Access? Most of our members' names are out of sequence, and we have to scroll through almost thousands of names to find the member we need to contact or to look up account information. So this class will definitely come in handy. And the beauty of it is, I can practice at home and get better and better at it.

Two more weeks until a new term....

I'm already signed up for classes for the next term; I just have to get things settled with Financial Aid and Student Accounts, and I should be okay, having only to pay for books for the classes that I'm taking next quarter. I finally got myself a laptop, which has Office 2007 installed. So that means no more trekking on train to Berkeley College in Newark to do my PowerPoint, Excell, and Word projects; I can do them from the comfort of my own home or the library (sometimes I'll want to carry my laptop with me to the library, and they have outlets for plugging them in and working on whatever it is you want to work on).

I'm really excited, because I don't have much longer to go with regard to my education at Berkeley College. At the same time, though, I'm feeling a little of the apprehension that Vanessa felt at venturing out into the working world with the degree you've secured and not being able to support yourself adequately or finding the career of your choosing. But I'll face it like I face every other challenge: head-on and without flinching. I think of the students in the movie "The Great Debaters" and how they didn't allow injustice or any other hardships to dissuade or discourage them from reaching their goals. Neither must I.

Course evaluations....

So it's that time again, that time just before the current quarter ends and the new quarter is just around the corner. I'm talking about course evaluations, and at first I didn't participate in them, because I didn't think they mattered all that much. But I realize now that just as students like to know how they're doing in their courses, our professors would like to know how they and their course material measures up.

Just as teachers can commend students on what they're doing well, so can we comment on what the teachers do well. And just as the teachers suggest to us where we can improve, so can we provide feedback on what we would like to see more of from the professors with regard to the coursework. I just wished Berkeley College still had those online student polls; those were great for providing feedback and tuning in to what students were interested in.

I hope the next quarter brings me more opportunities to get involved with the clubs that I'm a part of, as well as any outdoor field trips/activities.

Retirement age consdered....

I was just thinking about something we discussed in Finance in the past few weeks: the retirement age. I wasn't aware that there were three different retirement ages and what it typically meant with regard to pension and retirement plans and benefits. There is the normal retirement age, which means that this is the age that an employee can retire and receive a full, unreduced pension benefit. Age 65 is the normal retirement age is most plans, but because of an amendment to the Age Discrimination is Employment Act, employees cannnot be forced to retire at some stated mandatory retirement age.

The Early Retirement Age is the earliest age that workers can retire and receive a retirement benefit, and that a majority of employees currently retire before age 65 (an example given was that a typical plan may permit a worker with 10 years of service to retire at age 55).

The deferred retirement age is any age beyond the normal retirement age, and a relatively small number of older employees continue working beyond the normal retirement age (some due to necessity moreso than enjoyment). This is interesting and important to note, particularly if you're a full-time worker (in addition to being a student) and you're concerned about your financial future (with regard to retirement plans and benefits once you're of retirement age or even past retirement age).