Grad School (again!)

Ok, current thoughts running through my head about the future that is looming (this is mostly for my own benefit so I can sort it all out)

Scenario 1:

• Go full time in summer and fall quarters (15 credit hours in one quarter, 20 in the other) and graduate in December.
• Pros: I would take out less loans/owe less money because I would graduate early.
• Cons:
  
  • My apartment lease goes til September 2010.
  • I would have to get another job (in this job market market) to pay for my rent (etc) since I won't be in school and getting loan/scholarship money to pay for things.
  • I have a low GPA so applying to grad school and actually getting in might be tough.
  • I will be extremely busy trying to balance school and studying/taking the GRE while also working.

Scenario 2:

• Go full time this summer and fall (15 and 15), but stay for winter quarter and take education/student affairs classes.
• Pros:
  
  • Could further raise my GPA
  • Taking education/student affairs classes could show potential universities that I really am interested in the program/have experience.
  • Wouldn't have to worry about getting a job outside of school (at least for another 2.5 months while in school)
  • Would give me more time to get experience and references.
• Cons:
  
  • Taking out that extra money isn't the best idea. I already have student loans up to my ears and adding to it sucks.
  • Would still be forced to sublease or pay out of pocket for my apartment if I got into a summer graduate program, or still required to get a job for the remaining months til Fall semester would start (assuming I get into a program)

This seems so simple, right? I have tons of pro's for scenario 2 and tons of con's for scenario 1..so really, I should pick scenario 2. I think a lot is going to depend on my financial situation next year as well.

Next..

How do I go about choosing what school I want to go to/apply to?

It sucks because I know I will not get into OSU's program, unfortunately.
Reasons: OSU is a giant research institution and has specifically pointed out that they prefer non OSU undergrads for their graduate programs. They want to take students from other schools (who are the cream of the crop) and bring them in, and they want us to go out and do the same at other places. My GPA sucks..plain and simple. I am paying for mistakes I made freshman year (first quarter freshman year, to be specific). Also, OSU's education program is one of the top ranked grad programs in the country..so even with a better GPA it would be iffy.

The other day I was driving in my car and I realized that I cannot imagine ever leaving OSU. I realize I will eventually grow out of this whole college scene..but right at this moment I can't imagine moving away. I feel like my entire life..I have gotten comfortable somewhere and then gotten up and left right as I settled. Now, this has been my decision and I don't regret it at all. Usually, I would say I love doing it. I love going new places and seeing new things..I probably was a navy brat in another life. BUT, I LOVE Ohio State. I cannot even write out how deep my love runs for this university. Everything about it..from the campus to the classes, to the student life and just general opportunities I have gotten here. For me, it fits. I was talking to my advisor last quarter and she asked me if I liked OSU and I got a little teary explaining how much I admire this place. I know that sounds completely ridiculous, but I have put a lot into OSU and I have gotten even more out of it.

So at the moment, I am looking at different schools such as UWF back home, University of Toledo, etc. There are plenty of schools with Student Affairs programs..but none of them are OSU. And sure, I would absolutely go to any school I get accepted to with open arms..but I dread the moment I move away from Columbus. Going back to school's i'm looking at..UWF. There would be definite pro's to moving back home..first would be that my parents will be living back there again so IF I wanted to live at home, I could for free. I also have ties back home too, of course..and its convenient and familiar overall. But..it is such a giant change from the environment here. It is literally completely different in every facet..from the university to the city..to the weather..the people..the attitudes. Can I handle moving back to that? I know I can..but thinking about it now kind of shocks me. I have gotten so accustomed to life here. I know this all sounds so ridiculous..yes I will do what I have to do and I am emotionally and mentally strong enough to handle all of this..but this is more of me spitting out the incoherent and sometimes completely irrational thoughts in my head.

I know this will all work itself out..and maybe I should concentrate on the whole getting into graduate school thing before I even think of this..but my brain unfortunately doesn't work that way. I have the constant thoughts of 'what if's' in my head..Its like a giant tree and each branch sprouts another branch and another. There are endless thoughts and possibilities.

The University of the American Dream

Things you should do and experience before graduation The Ohio State University.

This list certainly isn't finished and it may never be..and it isn't a bible or guide to OSU..but instead, it is just a few suggestions on what to do if you want to make the most of your experience at 'The University of the American Dream'. These are in no particular order.

1. Go to a Buckeye home football game - simple enough. I'd even go as far as to say you should never sell your season tickets and go to every game you possibly can because you will later yearn for those Saturdays in Ohio Stadium and wish you hadn't ever missed a game at all. It is just that special.
2. Attend an Ohio State-Michigan game, in Ohio Stadium - Very similar to number one, but if you can only make one game in your entire tenure at OSU, make it one of these games.
3. Go to a skull session.
4. Jump in mirror lake on the Thursday before the Michigan game.
5. Join Block 'O' and try to go to as many sporting events as you possibly can to cheer on the Buckeyes.
6. In the spring, lay out on the oval and enjoy the weather.
7. Enjoy a nice piece of fly-pie or a few chicken fingers from Canes when drunk.
8. Climb on the big numbers in the numbers garden, maybe even take a few photos.
9. Learn the Alma Mater and other important buckeye songs.
10. Pose for a picture with Brutus Buckeye.
11. Get some late night Burritos Noches
12. Listen and laugh at the crazy preacher in the oval
13. Go to at least one Beat Michigan Week event and support your fellow students as well as Buckeyes.
14. Live in the dorms at least one year.
15. Witness the Dotting of the I (and dream that it is you out there)
16. Take a class that you weren't aware was even offered (examples: skydiving, scuba, etc?)
17. Scream O-H! as loud as you can and wait expectantly for an I-O!!
18. Go to a movie on the Oval (sponsored by OUAB)
19. Watch the Ohio State-Michigan documentary by HBO
20. Take a deep breath and realize that you have an innumerable amount of opportunities and resources at your fingertips while at this great university.
21. Partake in the senior Bar Crawl
22. Check out the Greek community and be open to the possibility of wanting to join.
23. Eat at #1 Chinese. It may look shady, but how can you pass up mounds of good chinese for under 6 bucks?
24. Use your student discount and go to a Columbus Blue Jackets game
25. Use the RPAC!
26. Learn and utilize CABS, and maybe even COTA..they are free!!
27. Try some Jeni's Ice Cream. Many of the flavors are a bit 'out there' at first glance, but don't be afraid to sample as many kinds as you want and be amazed at the combo of flavors.
28. Go to a Gallery Hop
29. Take 'The Long Walk' through the oval.
30. Tailgate..kegs and eggs..Hineygate!
31. Go to the Big Free Concert
32. Eat at Buckeye Donuts, and don't forget that its open 24 hours!
33. Enjoy the halftime shows and the Script Ohio that is put on by TBDBITL
34. Study Abroad

More to come..as well as helpful links to utilize while you are at OSU.

Spring!

And spring quarter has started.

I am currently scheduled for 20 credit hours..but i'm going to drop one of the classes, I just don't know which one yet.

Schedule:
Comm 642 - Mass Communication and Society
Comm 320 - Interpersonal Communication
ASL 103 - American Sign Language 3
Theatre 597 - Censorship and performance

I'm pretty sure I will drop one of the first two comm classes. I am going to 320 in the morning and while it should be easier than 642, you never know. I had 642 today and it didn't seem very scary, except for the fact that I only understood about every 5th word my very Chinese teacher said. Even worse, our TA is Indian with a very thick accent as well.

Looking back at some older posts, I said I hoped for at least a 3.2 last quarter and I actually ended up with 3.36. Not much higher, but considering how AWFUL last quarter was (because of being constantly sick), I will absolutely take it. I got two A-'s and one B-.

I am hoping for a minimum of a 3.36 for spring quarter, but I am sure I can do much better. Spring quarter is by far the best because of the weather and overall activities around the university. I can't wait!

Back to the grind

Classes this quarter:

Communication 501 - Children and the Media
Communication 613 - Media Entertainment
ASL 102 - Sign Language 2

So far, I am pretty nervous about ASL 2 and Comm 501. ASL 2 is with a deaf teacher and the learning curve from ASL 1 seems steep. Comm. 501 has two tests and two homework's and..that's it. Not much breathing room.

Here is to starting the year off well and getting at least a 3.2 for the quarter.

This..

..Is amazing!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Mug_Brownie/

gooey chocolate-y goodness in less than 5 minutes.

Anything that is that good and is so easy to make (and created in a microwave) is a college student's dream.

Grad School (is giving me a headache)

Grad school research has given me a headache.

Personal Statements..essays? Letters of rec? Can I even write a proper personal statement or admissions essay worth reading? As far as letters of rec go, it is such a pain because at OSU, you rarely have a teacher more than once or twice. My goal for next quarter is to go out of my way to make some connections.

Whats even more scary: The fact that I am doubting my essay/personal statement writing ability and yet I somehow think i'll survive graduate school..hmm.

I haven't even tackled the thought of the GRE yet and frankly, I am afraid to.

Tweet Tweet

First..I have a twitter!

Twitter.com/yeahitscase

check it out.

Other news:

- I will end the quarter with two A's and a B. I'm still not happy about that B!
- I am so glad I am taking ASL and not French or Spanish (or Swahili, or Yiddish..or any other interesting languages that OSU offers)
- It is officially a winter wonderland in Columbus. A few inches have come down today and it is still snowing..a lot.
- All of my exams were a week early so i'm sitting around till I go home and i'm not quite sure what to do with myself. I'm not used to not having something to study for or write about.
- Bullet lists are fabulous.
- I am re-listening to the twilight saga on audiobook. I read them last year sometime and I forgot a lot of the story. Audiobooks are fantastic.