The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: College Classes

I thought it might be fun to do a little review of my last two years of college classes. Here we go!

The Most Challenging Class: Most definitely, 100% College Algebra. Not only was the material hard for me, but it was just so dang time consuming. 

Class You Were Bored the Most in: Composition 2. I honestly felt like there was no point. In Comp 1, I actually learned a lot but Comp 2 was just redundant. Plus my professor was just plain bizarre. 

Class that Embarrassed me Most: Theatre Appreciation. It was an arts class I needed  otherwise I would've never taken it. Part of our grade was to join in on a flash mob. It was mortifying. Public Communications was a close second, though. 

 Class that I wish I would have Tried Harder In: Intro to Biology. I took it this past semester and with 5 classes (one of those being College Algebra) I just didn't have the time to study like I needed to. It was that I didn't try, because I did, it was just that I didn't have the time I needed to devote to the class. 

Class that I learned The Most In: Nutrition. That class helped me so much, especially with my own health. I still carry what I learned in that class with me, whether it's walking through the grocery store or at the gym.

Most Overrated Class: Philosophy. I felt like everyone kept telling me how awesome it was and how it will change your life. Well, no. In fact, most of the time I thought it was just annoying (WHO CARES 'why?'). Mostly because I take pride in the fact that I often don't have an opinion on things. Politics, religion debates, and social issues, I mostly stay out of. It's not that I don't care, because I do, it's just I don't like to start fights. (I'm also a tish of a people pleaser who doesn't like confrontation) Philosophy did get me thinking in a sense, but it did not change my life.

Favorite Class: I loved both Sociology classes I took, especially Marriage and Family. The subject was just so interesting to me and I found myself so intrigued. It was the only class I actually enjoyed reading the textbook.

There it is... the good, the bad, the ugly of my college classes thus far!

This is how I feel...

....after my first day of class:

Cause you know, that'd be really nice. 

Back To Class

Soooooo....

I officially start class today. BOO!

Yeah, I'm so not ready for it, but it's here. 

This happens to be my last semester before I graduate with my associates degree!

I have to say that I am definitely ready to move on, but I am completely and utterly clueless as to what I do beyond that. I know I am going to school to get my bachelors, but I don't know where! There are way too many choices. 

Do you ever feel like you just wish there was a bright flashing neon arrow that tells you exactly where your next step is?

Yeah. I'm lost. 

Anyways, this year I am taking 16 hours (!!!!) which is 5 classes. 

I am excited about three of them. 

( Intro to teaching, Pediatric Growth and Development, Creative Writing)

and deathly afraid of the other two.

(College Algebra, Biology)

I am the worst at math, and I haven't taken a formal math class in 4 years. 

{In fact, I'm so bad at math, I had to use a calculator to add that up!}

^ Pretty much describes everything ^

But, I will get through it. 

and as far as the first day? Well as long as my professors don't make us do this:

then, I'm good. 

*Introvert problems*

Oh, I forgot to mention the worst thing about my schedule this semester. 

I broke the cardinal rule of college students.

I actually signed up for an 8am class, 

which just so happens to be Algebra.

Yeah it sucks.

but it seemed like a good idea at the time....

I have a feeling I am going to regret my choice about three days in. 

But in my defense, it was the only option I had that would fit with my work schedule!

but hey! On the bright side, I get to use all of my new pens and pencils! 

I know I'm a nerd, but that's seriously the best feeling ever (especially on the first day).

I can't be the only one who feels this way!?!?!

In fact, as a kid, the school supplies aisle was always my favorite. 

{which is how I kinda knew I was destined to be a teacher.}

But just the thought of that makes me think of this ecard:

Yeah. Story of my life. 

On Removing Negative Labels

As I was typing this, I began to get more and more passionate about it.  This was a raw expression of what was on my mind tonight and I am in no way, shape or form trying to brag. at all. Like I said, I was just trying to share a piece of my heart. 

__

I don't consider myself an overly smart person.

I made mostly B's in school, and that's always just been okay for me. 

I don't believe in stressing myself out to make straight A's.  

That's not to say I never made A's and that I never try to do better, because I do. I do all my homework and I study. I try my hardest but I am just a B student. It's just who I am.

 Average. 

Fast forward to college. I definitely have to study more and it takes a lot more effort to make the grades that I do.

You should know I was shocked when I found out that I had made the Dean's List. 

Literally, shocked. 

Me? The girl who struggles to get B's? The girl who is just an average student. No way. 

I then told myself that's it's only because I go to community college and that's for dumb people. 

Of course I made the Dean's List, it's only for dumb people, like me. 

Fast forward again, to the beginning of the semester. I was taking an Intro to Philosophy course and I was really nervous. I had heard from others that it was a really tough class. The readings were hard and the teacher was really critical.

I was dreading it, but I needed it to graduate.

So, I hesitantly took it.

and to my surprise, I liked it.

The readings were interesting and I enjoyed sharing my opinion. 

but when our first term paper was due (which was 20% of our overall grade),

 I was seriously stressing out.

what if he thinks my opinion is dumb?

what if he laughs at it and throws it in the garbage?

what if my classmates write better than I do?

what if I can't find anything to talk about?

after all, all I am is average. 

I did it though, all 5 pages.

My hand was shaking as I turned it in.

(yes, I have written college essay's before, but none this challenging)

and a few days later, as he handed my paper back, I didn't even want to flip it over.

I knew it was going to be bad.

 no way.

not me.

not an A-!?!?!?!?!

Surely it was the wrong paper.

Surely he didn't read it all.

Surely, it was incorrect.

 but I was the one who was wrong.

I...me...this girl,

made an A on my very first philosophy paper.

I thought

maybe, just maybe, I am..... smart. 

but then I had a realization.

Why am I holding myself to the standards other's have set for me?

Why am I letting their negative labels affect who I am?

I earned this!

I deserved this A-.

I worked my a** off to write this paper. 

In fact, I am always working my hardest to get the grades I do. 

and even though I do my best, it's still not good enough for some people.

and you know what? I am sick and tired of not giving myself the credit I deserve.

I freaking made the deans list!!

I made an A!!! on my very first philosophical essay.

Thats a big deal. 

Who the hell cares if I go to community college or not.

I'm sick of hearing it's for dumb people.

It's for smart people who don't want to waste their money. 

and it's just as much hard work as any university.

I declare that I am a smart person, despite what others may think. 

Something in my daily devotional from Joel Osteen really hit home for me.

It said:

"As a teenager, Walt Disney was told by his art instructor that he wasn’t creative. He didn’t have any imagination. Disney was smart enough to remove that label. He went on to do pretty well. Lucille Ball was told that she didn’t have any acting skills. She should try a different profession. She removed that label. Winston Churchill failed the sixth grade. He was told he wasn’t smart enough. He went on to become one of the greatest Prime Ministers that ever lived. The common denominator in the success of these people is that they chose to remove the negative labels. It’s the same way today. Don’t focus on what others say; focus on what God says. Remove the negative labels and embrace who God created you to be."

So, from now on, I am not going to let other's negative labels hold me back, and you should too!

I am going be everything that God had created me to be.