+1 SPI Class

I've enrolled myself in a Self-Paced Instruction class to meet the requirements of my degree that I learn about the U.S. Constitution. The class is only worth one credit and by default I'm given 20 weeks to complete a SPI class. I intend to finish the class in 3 weeks, starting next Monday. I'm already doing my reading and on Monday I hope to take and ace my first test.

There are only three tests and no final exam. I think that this is definitely something I can do fairly quickly.

Taking this class brings my current credit hours up to 14. Assuming I pass all my classes (preferably with A's,) I will have successfully completed 23 of the required 60 hrs for my degree. I'm soo excited about that. I'm going to continue to work hard so that I can work toward my goal of completing an A.A. degree in just one year. (I hope to graduate at The End of Summer 2010 Session B.)

On another optimistic note, I've found the 7 classes that I wish to take during the Spring (17 credit hrs) and the times and teachers are all looking pretty good. I want to take: Child Development, General Psychology, College Algebra**, World Religions, Spanish II, Judo I* and Judo II* So hopefully when they open Spring Registration, I'll be ready because I have the exact course numbers for all these classes. YAY ME!!!

If I make it through the Spring then I will have accumulated a total of 40 of 60 credit hours. I'll fill my summer with as many Session A and Session B classes as possible and maybe even take a couple of SPI classes to make up the difference. I took 9 hrs in Session B of this past summer, so if I were to take atleast 9 hrs in Session A and B of Summer '10 and top it off with a SPI course then I will be set to Graduate! Yay me! I'm soo excited!


*This is a "Session" course and only lasts half a semester.
** I have to continue studying math so I can retake my placement test and be declared ready for college level math courses. If I dont do well the second time, I'll have to take atleast 1 remediation algebra class.

Additional Learning Projects

Besides just my college classes there are a  few things I'm hoping to accomplish before the SPRING semester comes around.

I want to master basic arithmetic, and algebra so  that I can retake the CPT and place into college level classes.

I want to learn:

Dvorak typing

Lefthandedness

Mental Math
To ride a Unicycle

Lucid Dreaming

Polyphasic Sleeping

Anyway, just putting that out there. I'll write more in detail as they become more active in my life.

Schedule Issues

Currently my typical weekday looks something like this:

M, W, F,

05 am. Wake up
07 am. Bus

08am. Arrive at school

09am. SPN class.

10am. ENC class.

11am - 2pm. BREAK Studying, reading, daydreaming, etc...

2.5pm. AMH Class

3.5.pm BREAK

04pm BUS

05pm Home again.

T, TH

05am-8am Wake up, dress, RANDOM.

08am BUS

09am SPN lab class.

10am - 1 BREAK

01pm Intro. to Game Prog.

2.3pm BREAK.

03pm BUS

04pm HOME again

Now what I do during those breaks is so random its pathetic. I pay attention in class and afterward I'm focused for about 15 minutes while I sort through my notes but mostly I am sitting around always planning but never really acting on those plans. Its a vicious trait, one common in chronic procrastinators and one I want desperately to break.

I arrive at school an hr. early because attendance is vital for my morning class and the 8'o clock bus is always late due to heavy traffic, so I have to take the 7'o clock bus if I'm going to be on time to Spanish. But I dont see too much reason for me to stay beyond 1 or 2 o clock most days that I'm at school. My goal with setting that schedule was to synch my schedule with my 3 friends and to give myself ample study/review time while enjoying the added luxury of good teachers this semester.

By 6:30 I've totally lost focus for the day, I just sort of kill time. I'd like to take this time, to do chores, exercise, play and refocus my energies.

The worst thing about this semester thus far is history class, or more specifically its time. I have been thinking about it even though the class is only 50 minutes long, I'm essentially spending 3.5 hrs on that class because of all the waiting around I do because of it.

From now on, I'm going to do my SPN and ENC work right away--I usually do this anyway, read for History and go home unless something important will be happening in that class that demands my attention. I've already cleared this with my history instructor so I feel no real shame. I'll go to history on the days of Test reviews and tests only. Plus the last week of class because there will be bonus content presented that is vital to my final exam.

I am hoping that by the end of Week 4. My schedule will look more like this:

7am Bus.

9 - 2 Classes and Study time

3pm home.

4pm chores.

5pm exercise

6pm relax

7pm read

9pm bed.

3am get up.

Labor Day Updates

Okay, nothing drastic has changed but I dont want the blog to get too out of date and since this is Labor Day and there is no school, I'm writing to inform anyone who cares of my current status.

Lets see, Friday my Certification as a Web Designer FINALLY came in the mail!!! YAY!!!

Friday was a long day, but it looks like we are finally getting in to the meat of the semester!

I got my first serious writing assingment in English II, I did my first mandatory stint in SPN Lab and boy was it boring! and I went to my US History class, but man, that was boring. I'm thinking of not going anymore. I'm not sure its the most productive use of my time. Also, I'm going to sign up for a SPI (Self-Paced Instruction) class to meet my degree requirement about learning the US Constitution, I set up an appointment with a counsilor for this week to start the class.

I've decided to do Lang. Lab 3 times a week, for about 20 mintues to meet my requirement and not get in trouble for falling asleep during the lab. I enjoy the time I spend with the SPN Tutors waaay more! They're alot more fun than listening to the recordings on the PC. Lab was just so boring!!!

We've completed week 2 of 15 this semester and I'm starting to have trouble forcing myself through the slow paced, academic drudgery. I liked my summer courses alot better, though I do enjoy my teachers. I'm quite proud of myself for picking them all so carefully.

I've got to pick up in my history studies but I'm thinking of leaving off the class. Attendance isn't mandatory at all and going is actually quite bothersome because its so late in the day, but I wanted the same teacher. In fact, because I have a large family, our home is being renovated, my time is valuable and I take the bus, etc, etc, I'm considering not going to class anymore except when a test or review is concerned. I'll let you all know what I decided at the end of next week.

I keep good notes for all my classes. I'm thinking of scanning them at the end of the semester and then burning them but I dont know...

I didn't do any studying at all this weekend and thats REALLY bad. I have an assignment due tomorrow in Game Programming that I'm going to go ahead and force myself to do today at 11am whether my house is clean or not.

I've got to hammer out my time management. I have 13 credit hrs. but I'm going to get one more once I start that SPI class. My aim is to be completely done with everything by December 6th since finals start on the 7th. I want to be done with the SPI Class even before then and I dont want to make anything less than a 90% on any tests and nothing less than an 80% on any quizes.

I also need to begin working on my Game Programming Final Project. I have the main idea worked out but I need to start working ont he graphics etc. so that I wont have too much to worry about in the end. By the end of this 3rd week I want to be running a more efficient schedule.