I haven't had much to say in the past month that I felt anyone would really be interested in, but I feel like writing. So be warned, this is probably going to ramble and be boring. I am a week away from the start of another school year, my last. Yes, my friends, I am in the last 10 credits of my college career and what a long road it has been. This semester I will be taking Eng 445 and Eng 621. 445 is titled "The Composing Process" and 621 is a seminar class in "The Early Global Modern". My friend Julie will be in the 445 class with me, and I've had the professor before who is teaching the 621 class. I'm nervous about the 621 class as that seems to me it is going to be an advanced Eng Lit class. We are reading five Shakespeare plays so I guess I'm going to really have to figure it out. I've always had a bit of a well, not fear, of Shakespeare, but I guess an intimidation of him. However, when I took 302, I actually kind of liked what we read of old Bill, but it was still a bit of a struggle to get through.
In looking up what the difference between a "lecture" and a "seminar" is, I read that a seminar class is one in which there is active student participation. That a lecture class is one where the teacher just gives out the information. I think this professor teaches in that seminar fashion because there was much class discussion from what I can remember. He also uses lots of pictures and fun stories to keep the students interested. I don't know how this class will work, but there are only 9 of us so far, so that is going to be interesting. No hiding in the back row or not talking when having a bad day. I will be attending class after a full day of work and I have to admit that I will be happy when I don't have to cram both things in one day anymore. I'm not sure how I will get all the reading done, but I'm guessing that I will be glued to my table on the weekends.
I'm going to try having my textbooks on my tablet this year. After last spring's semester with four textbooks for Eng 439 and a large bound "reader" for Eng 434, my backpack was pretty heavy. If I can get away with a notebook and my tablet for my classes this semester, I will be a happy camper. My elbow is still giving me problems, and adjusting a lighter backpack will help with straining that tendon. Which brings me to how technology has changed the way we go to school. I heard on the news today that the price of educating our children (grades K-12) has risen 18% since the 1980's. I'm guessing that it has to do with computers. They are more expensive than textbooks, need to be replaced more often, and with advances in forms (tablets vs. desk tops), there's going to be an increase in price. I'm not sure how I'm going to like an electronic form, but it certainly is easier to carry around.
I'm still having a hard time believing that I will be done with college in two semesters. I have this little fear in the back of my head that when the powers that be go through my transcript they will declare that something is terribly wrong and I will need to complete another 36 credits before I can graduate. I guess it's just my negativity coming out, but honestly, I really have that fear. Crazy, I know, but that's how things work out for me. I am anxious to be done now. I can remember thinking at one point that 2015 was so far away and that I would never get there. Well, it's not so far away now and I'm glad I stuck with it. I know I was really debating about continuing on, but I'm really glad I did. I would have hated it that I didn't finish. I apply for graduation this fall, and I think that will be a good day. See, I told it was going to be rambling and boring. Thanks for reading anyway...
