April 2012

 

Hey everyone!!

Haven’t heard much from you guys sure hope all is well! This past month has been filled with nonstop homework, let me tell you! Teachers are doing their best to keep us busy with papers, assignments, reading, tests and projects it’s very draining. Only one week left though!! This week is full of papers, while next week will be all tests. My last final will actually be next Thursday; its bitter sweet though, I’m ready for summer but it won’t be like past summers because I’m taking classes at Normandale community college so I’m on track to graduate next spring!

My classes started off really enjoyable but as the semester has progressed I started to struggle more and more. I’m still working with my professors on some different ways to take tests because that seems to be the real issue regarding my grades. I’ve even started to meet with a tutor for my psychology class because there is no way that class is a 100 class (the easiest class available in psychology).  He teaches extremely hard and grades even harder. All I have left in psychology is one chapter test and a final that is over the entire semester. I’m extremely nervous for this test because I’ve never had to take a final for the entire semesters course work. I’ve even had to take several days off for work so that I can study and give extra time for my grades.

In my intro to criminal justice class as well as my MN codes and statutes I have 4 papers due this week and a final in each class next week. It’s pretty frustrating when teachers assign huge papers the week before finals, but I’m taking a break from it all as we speak to blog! I’m actually not as worried about my biblical heritage class because it’s not near as demanding as my other classes and the final is a paper so it’s nice to know I have one less thing to study for come this weekend. My last class that I’m also extremely nervous about is my English class, I have a 12 page paper due this Friday this is our final so doing well is a must. The paper is a research paper but I’ve never had to do such an in-depth paper before I’m having a hard time finding enough information to fulfill the 12 page minimum.

It’s been very exciting this past month because I was asked to become a bar-tender at my job and I’ve always wanted to become one. Finally after a year of waiting it happened! It was a pleasant surprise but also was tough to manage because of the horrible hours it requires, the nights that I work I go in at 11 at night and I don’t leave until 4 or 5 in the morning. So I can’t have more than one job this summer because when I work late nights I sleep in to catch up on sleep.

Like I said in previous blogs its official I am taking summer classes. I’m not sure if I told you what classes but they are biology, Drug use &abuse and philosophy. I’m pretty nervous about my Biology class because I’ve struggled in years past so I decided to take it alone whereas the other two classes I’ll be taking together when biology is over with.

Well I hope all is well with the Concord family and I’ll be seeing you soon this summer when we all meet!

Emma

March 2012

 

Hi all!! I sure do hope all is well with you guys! Like past months this month has been very stressful. The beginning of this month was Concordia’s spring break that was very relaxing. I was able to spend the time with my two girlfriends but I would have much rather gone with my family. Just more enjoyable and what I am use to.

                When I headed back to school it was almost as though we never left, teachers didn’t hesitate to get right into things. I had two welcome back tests as well as a new paper assigned and due the next week. All my classes are enjoyable and more so my professors are great!

                English is always hard, but my professor does a great job at explaining everything slowing and making sure that everyone in the class at least has an idea of how things such as an annotated bibliography, a correct works cited quotations and other “basic” critical things when it comes to a paper and writing. She actually works with everyone individually it by applying the exercise to the reading that we do on a weekly basis. But like most kids in the class it’s always easier when the teacher is there and looking at an example rather than applying it to a paper at home alone.

                Psychology is my most challenging class it’s a combination between the class just being a challenging subject and the way the professor teaches. He has a professors PowerPoint and then a class version. While the professors version is full of information the participants in class are racing to “fill in the blank” rather than listening and really learning. So it requires that much more at home time for studying.

                My intro to Criminal Justice class as well as my MN codes is taught by the same professor, both are very enjoyable, but I think this is true because of my teacher. She really knows and enjoys the criminal justice field and even has experience within the field. This teacher is also my academic adviser and man she has helped me figure out my entire graduation process, and I’m very appreciative of her. After many meetings we finally finalized that if I take three classes (10 credits) this summer at Normandale I’ll be able to graduate come spring of 2013.

                I’ve already signed up for my classes come summer and fall. This summer at Normandale I’ll be taking a biology class, Intro to Philosophy on-line and Drug abuse. As for the fall ill be taking communications, Intro to literature, evil meets good, art and CPR. It’s unfortunate that I have met all of my major requirements (besides my internship) and most of my generals, but because I don’t have the magic number of 128 credits to graduate I have to take elective credits. As for the spring I’ll be taking one class and my 12 credit internship that I am still working to fill out applications for.

I sure do hope that all is well with the Concord family and all of your individual families, much love and happy holidays this upcoming weekend!

Emma

february 2012

Hey all!!!

I am so sorry for the late post I ended up going on a spring break and got back yesterday late at night. I had completely forgot about blogging until I was already on the cruise. Two of my girlfriends and myself went on a cruise in the Bahamas and we spent a few days after in Miami. It was a very nice vacation and much-needed but I’m ready to get back to my life and back to school.

Before spring break school was unbelievably hectic. It seemed as though every teacher packs projects, tests and papers in the last second making the week of midterms terrible. But I pushed though I’m proud to say.

All of my classes are going very well, I think I might end up getting a tutor for my psychology class just because he doesn’t teach much in the classroom and I’ve been struggling on the tests. I love learning about the brain and behaviorism but the way the teacher teaches doesn’t work well with my learning style. We actually have a test tomorrow so I’ll be up majority of the night studying.

My favorite class would be my Criminal Justice class just because my professor is amazing! We really don’t learn much in class but she knows so much and is always trying new ways to teach rather than just lecturing the class. She also is my academic advisor. I have a meeting with her next week regarding graduating on time and my internship that I need to start applying for. When I last talked to her she said depending on the classes I take this summer (if they are 3 or 4 credits) I’ll be able to graduate next spring! I’m so unbelievably excited! The other good news is that I’ll be done with classes in the upcoming fall, next spring with just be decided to my internship! I’ve very excited! I’ll keep you updated on the internships that I apply for!

Also though that meeting I had I found out that instead of having a senior project the criminal justice program requires that all its graduates have to pass a test to graduate rather than a project. I just found this out so I am going to sign up to take it in the fall just in case I don’t pass so I’ll be able to take it in the spring just as a precaution.

Another class that I don’t enjoy but I love the professor would be my English class. She is very accommodation as far as your writing skills and as long as you work with her outside of class she will work with you as far as grading. She is very strict but expects a lot out of you. I really am enjoying all of my teachers this semester!

I’m still busy as ever but just today I had to quit a job because I didn’t want my grades to suffer because of work. It was not a hard decision at all I was only working one day a week there and felt as though they were using me. I originally got hired as a bartender but all I was doing was serving (because I’ve been in the industry so long I ended up being their top server). For me school needs to come first and because I was not doing what I was hired to do I thought it was best that I put my 2 week notice in. he understood so im happy he was alright with my decision.

Thank you for everything, sorry again for the late post!!

Emma

January 2012

January 2012

Hey everyone!!

Well it’s beginning of another semester for me, and I love it! I’m taking 5 classes Biblical Heritage, college Writing, Intro to criminal justice, Intro to psychology and Minnesota’s codes. All are very challenging but interesting. My Biblical Heritage class I thought I would hate, but I like my professor as well as how he teaches and what he teaches. He does a good job and applies to us as college students; it’s really well thought out. My college writing class I thought would be a very hard class but instead the teacher really breaks everything down and grades based on what she has taught us. She really understands the students and their needs and works with us to make the class easier. My intro to criminal justice class would be my least favorite class just because I feel like she doesn’t talk much about criminal justice but more real life things such as what’s going on, and that does nothing for what the tests are on and the learning process of her class. The Minnesota codes class is very interesting because it’s a textbook of MN’s 2011 rules and regulations for everything we as citizens are supposed to abide by. It’s a tough read, but we discuss everything so it makes it a lot easier. My last class is psychology, I’ve really enjoyed this class and I think it’s my favorite one. I don’t like the way the teacher teaches the class because he reads a PowerPoint to us and we have to fill in the blanks in our PowerPoint so you spend more time trying to fill in the blanks rather than listening; all of my teachers a great and very personal, I’m truly enjoying my time at Concordia.

Soccer has started back up and is just as demanding as it was in the fall and all I can do is practice once again. I must say practicing does get old, but I love my teammates so it makes up for it in the end. We have workouts 4 times a week and have an indoor woman’s league (not with NCAA) every Sunday and I’m able to participate in that.

This past month I ended up getting another job, I want to become a bartender and I’m not sure the Library Bar will move me up to be one so I applied for a job at the Ugly Mud downtown and I got it! I’ve only been working there for 2 weeks, I am struggling with the adjustment but I know I will make it work!

The past week I had to miss school because I got bitten by a spider near my eye and it swelled up so much that I could not see out of either eye. The swelling is starting to go down but it still is painful (and quite the sight) but as of tomorrow I’ll be back in class and practice. I sure do home that all is well for everyone at Concord!

Thank you for everything!!!

Emma

December 2011

Sorry for the late blog ended up working a crazy amount of hours this past week and since today is my first day off I remembered to blog. I hope everyone’s holidays were great, mine sure was. It was so nice to see all of my family as well as have no school/homework to worry about.

Well last month was a little stressful; Finals week was long but so very short at the same time. I had a final in every class but not a test. In my art class I had a paper, class and community class I had two projects with a paper, my government class we had a PowerPoint and a project and my last class was my macroeconomic class and that was a test. Before going into this semester I would have said I’d take a project over a test any day, but now I’m not so sure just because they are both so time-consuming, not a one is easier than the other.

After school was over I started working about 30-40 hours at one job and 10 at my grandpa’s bar, needless to say it’s not much of a break. But my parents and I think it’s time I find a new job because the Library hasn’t been consistent enough for how much I work there, I’m also applying to some internship for spring semester of 2013. For now I’m applying to the FBI internship, CIA, a Minnesota internship with their crime lab in St Paul, secret service and the investigative side of a sheriff’s department. The last time I sat down with an academic advisor I was told that if I take three summer classes ill be on track to graduate in 4 years. So depending on how well soccer goes this upcoming season I might be done on track. This was a very pleasant surprise!

This upcoming semester starts January 18^th, I believe I am signed up for 18 credits all but two are credits going towards my major rather than generals. I’ll be taking English, intro to criminal justice, intro to psychology, Minnesota criminal codes and statutes and biblical Heritage of Christianity. I’m excited but nervous for all of my classes        !!

I hope all is well with everyone; it was so good to see some of you at the office the other day!

Thank you,

Emma

November 2011

Another month down, it is craazzyy with how fast this semester has gone!! I’ve been extremely busy the past week or so. Only two more weeks and then it’s another semester under my belt. This past week and upcoming two weeks are full of papers, projects and studying for tests. I think I am going to only have one true final, as far as having a test, and that is in my Macroeconomics class. As for the others I either have a paper, project or both. It’s just a lot of planning and a lot of busy work.

This past month has been great!! Not too much homework had a major term paper on the “American Dream” for my Class and Community class. This was the first paper that I have had to write at Concordia and man did I struggle. I’m not quite sure if it was the topic or if I completely over thought the question but either way I did not enjoy writing that paper it was way to frustrating.

The teacher asked us if the American dream is alive and well, and if it’s maintainable in one’s lifetime as well as is everyone able to have the American dream. I just didn’t like the question to be honest for several reasons; 1.  We had to use a book that we read in class to support our answer but majority of the book was on social class and how it limits people to their dreams. It talked much about how you can’t move up the social ladder (i.e. Lower class to middle, middle to upper class). How there is only horizontal mobility (i.e. better benefits, better hours..etc.) It said that social class is everywhere from how you act, to how you dress and even sports the more contact the lower the class. To me I don’t agree with any of that. The second reason why was because the American dream can’t be defined because it varies the person to person, and your social class doesn’t decipher if it’s obtainable or not.  Although it took quite a while, I did finish the paper. I haven’t heard how I did but I took a risk on it by disagreeing with everything we learned in class.

Other than school soccer is still over with. I haven’t worked out and its bitter-sweet, I can tell it’s going to be a struggle to get back in shape but its nice having more time to hang out and work. This month I was able to see my brother for the first time since August when he went to Missouri for school! My dad and I drove out to Chicago to see him swim at a meet! It was a long 24 hour trip but it was great to get away and see him!

This winter break I plan on applying for internships for spring of 2013. I’m not sure if I told you all but the main reason I went to Concordia is because to graduate I need to have a 12 credit internship. My goal is to apply to the FBI her in Minneapolis.  The chances are very slim that it will work out but I’m keeping my fingers crossed, if indeed I can’t work there I’m going to apply for a few positions at some jails here in Minnesota. Unfortunately I know I have no desire to become a cop or a social worker so the issue I will run into is that majority of the people in my major go into those two fields and most of the internships/ connections that the school has to offer won’t be of my interest. So I have to find a place where I would like to intern at. I have my work cut out for me!

I hope all is going great at the office happy Holidays to everyone!!!

Emma

September 2011

Sorry for the late post I have been extremely busy with work,
school and soccer. This year I am at Concordia University in St Paul, yes another
change but the last at that. I’m currently studying criminal justice here and I
love the school! This year I made the decision to give soccer another try and I
am very happy that I did. Because I have to sit a year due to the NCAA rules of
an in conference transfer I decided to take more credits and more challenging
classes. I think I am at 17 credits the courses that I am taking are biology,
government, macroeconomics, art and class and community. I would have to say
biology and my macro class are by far the most challenging.

I have yet to decide what my favorite class is but I would have to
say it’s between my macroeconomics class and my class and community. I say this
because macroeconomics doesn’t exactly interest me but my professor does. I didn’t
know that someone could be so educated in the economy and know how to work the
system. My class and community class reminds me of the ethics class I took last
year.  But instead of morals its more
about social class and the mobility you have as well as what we can control. I
use to think that with hard work and determination you could become as rich as
you could be but this textbook claim otherwise. Stating that the elite consist
of old money, and the mobility you have is horizontal within your “class”. I
still think it’s possible to do what you want but it has defiantly questioned
some things that I thought was true.

Soccer is going really good!! I’m enjoying the team and coaches, I
am very happy with my decision to play this season. Like my freshman year of
school all I do is practice, I don’t travel or anything. This hasn’t been a
problem with me because it has allowed me to work more. It does get hard
watching the home games but I’ve dealt with worse J

I applied for a work study job with the conference and event
center- the first position was just a worker so I would sign up for events on
campus to help out with, to set up or help manage through the event. The second
job was an assistant to all the event workers in the office ( a little higher position
requiring 15-20 hrs. a week) here I would manage the people of the first
position as well as be at all the events and do projects for the coordinators. I’m
hoping to get the internship but I don’t think it’s realistic given my availability.
It’s between myself and another girl- I should know in a week with what job I get.

I hope all is well at the office!!!

Thank you for everything!!

Emma

October 2011

HEY!! Happy Late Halloween!!
This month has gone by so fast!! So far my classes are going just fine; I would have to say that my favorite class would be my Class and Community class for my major. This class actually is an online class but we meet once a week online to discuss the reading. At first this was really hard for me to contribute in the online chat discussion as well as remembering the homework. But now I do enjoy it- the class talks about social class and what defines us, if it’s possible to move from class to class and much more.
Last week I had my scheduling for next semester- I found out that I am able to graduate next spring! This was shocking to me just because of the transfers I have made. But because more credits transferred to Concordia then SMSU I’m in good academic standing!! Next fall will be the decision maker for if I play that upcoming 5th season. But to be able to graduate next spring I am going to be taking 3 classes this summer at Normandale- speech, biology and a writing class. To graduate I need a 12 credit internship, when talking about the possible internship opportunities I asked if people have ever worked with the F.B.I. she said they have tried. My plan is to try as well but to apply now so that it would have more of a possibility to be accepted.
This past weekend soccer came to an end, we ended up seating 9th in the conference this was 1 spot away from continuing the season for the conference championship (top 8 make it). It was a good season! No complaints from me I enjoyed the girls and learned to just enjoy my last few years at soccer. Although we do have a spring season but it is nothing serious and doesn’t start until January. Yesterday all the athletes had to put up the dome for the indoor stadium it was a task and a half. So time consuming and quite boring but our help was needed.
I’m still working a lot Adrian’s in the mornings, Library at night and occasional sifts for my on campus work-study job. It’s keeping me busy and quite tired but it does require me to work on my time management, which I am still improving on. Haha. Now that soccer is over I might be looking for another job. Because soccer practice was every day I was limited to shifts that I could work also being that it is a set schedule it’s hard to pick up shifts unless people ask for it off.
I hope all is well at the office!!! Thank you!
Emma