BLOG 06/19/11
Another semester gone by!
This was a hectic semester. I have a mathematic weakness that basically stems from my childhood. I’m great with theoretical concepts even very complex ones, however throw some numbers in the mix and I’m like Huuuuur?!
Anyway, I still did very well over the chem and molec bio classes I completed this semester. I learned a lot from the hands on laboratory experience and definitely feel more like a “scientist.”
I was convinced by my friends to go to Hawaii based on the utilization of an inexpensive time share and by the sheer luck that I got a plane ticket at almost half price. Simply an amazing experience, and I now understand why VACATIONING is SOOO important to so many people. I will definitely plan to vacation again in the future. I’ll probably blog about that experience soon.
I’ve kind of become a little unmotivatated recently simply based on the magnitude of what I am attempting to accomplish academically with limited resources and a pressing time line. I definitely wish I had taken these courses when I finished a BA, but of course the allure of just “getting a degree” without any insight into a real career or making money got to me in my younger days. I don’t loathe my previous education; I just wish it held more value than it currently does.
Basically I have a lot to accomplish this summer as well.
I’m taking an accelerated pre-cal right now to prep to re-take the GRE, and to take physics in the fall. However since this class is an incomplete form of pre-cal, I actually have to test out of the subject before I can continue to calc or physics. If I don’t pass, I literally add another YEAR to my academic time line, and at the age of 25, doing any more prereqs will literally drive me insane.
On top of that, in August I need to re-take the GRE –REVISED, which changes the format of the test which I had previously studied for. On this test I basically need an incredible score as well as I am seeking financial support to do doctoral work.
In the fall I’m going to be taking an organic chem course, physics and calc at the same time. Sometimes I get a bit envious of fellow students that hail from old-money sources that simply just go to school as their job. I guess I shouldn’t hate too much, at least I’m capable of taking these courses and the fact that I earn my own way through it is gratifying in a cosmical sense.
Also in august I need to go through my list of potential schools that I want to apply to for admittance. The four states where I would be willing to move to I’ve decided are Cali (of course), Florida, Hawaii, or Massachusetts. It’s actually very time consuming. In the process of just simply researching the many schools to which I apply, you have to look up what research projects are in the works and who is working on them. Then you kind of have to be an e-stalker and look up a short biography of the principal investigator (scientist) you’re looking to work with. All of this research goes into a customized letter of intent to each program you apply to.
In addition it costs ~ $80 per application eeegh.
Oh well, when you want something difficult out of life, it’s the hard work that makes it worth it right?
A nursery story I read about recently has become a source of inspiration.
Tortoise and the Hair.
Slow and steady wins the race!
-Joey
