Lets face it, once you hit your mid twenties and you here "The future" ,
They don't mean you anymore.
Since my days as a kid, I am glad no one wrangles over teaching me, or the money it costs to teach me, or whats wrong with me. The Great Recession has reeked havoc on US schools today, and we are scrambling to make things right.
From The BBC:
China's economic might leaves mark on American psyche
Which gets me thinking, how often do YOU keep up with educational attainment in other countries? Or for other children? These kids will reach their pre-professional years ( college) in the next 5-10 years. After that, they will be off to compete on the job market with their newer skills. How do we keep up?
By watching them!
I have been fascinated with education quality for years now. Think about it, We don't need to be in school all day to learn what they learn. We just need to update our skills.
For Instance, Computer Programming!
The US Military is now seeking recruits with "computer literacy"
Why Johnny Can't Program: A New Medium Requires A New Literacy
Mind you, not experts to do complicated work. Just BASIC computer literacy. There are strong argument on that post against learning programming, because many jobs in the USA are being off shored to Asia. STILL- Much of this is as basic as reading writing and arithmetic.
Now I have to learn "computer"!? What happened to Spanish and French? Can anyone recommend a book!?
Sigh,
Meranda Fallen.
Showing posts with label InPersuitOfAcademicExcellence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label InPersuitOfAcademicExcellence. Show all posts
Monday, January 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
The Purpose of School in 2000 and beyond....
Some advice for students going to school:
1. know your purpose for school- are you here to get rich, just learn, or what?
2.Go hard or Go Home - get A's or get out.
3. Think beyond College - what kind of life are you trying to lead AFTER all this?
Whenever you ignore these things, the good outcome that is suppose to come from college is jeopardized.
1. know your purpose for school- are you here to get rich, just learn, or what?
2.Go hard or Go Home - get A's or get out.
3. Think beyond College - what kind of life are you trying to lead AFTER all this?
Whenever you ignore these things, the good outcome that is suppose to come from college is jeopardized.
Monday, August 16, 2010
IPOAE- Imagination
I like using my challenges to keep me focused, but sometimes I like to day dream and keep my life and future. Here is a glimpse:
I imagine I am a Pharmacy student. I study diligently. I do not worry about the cost of school because I have secured a scholarship, generous grants and am eligible for a small part-time student job. On good terms with my professors, I do specific research under one of them.
My slim, well dressed frame and long black hair shimmer in the sunlight of the Library, where I am seen studying for class and using resources for my pharmacy research grant. Occasionally I can be seen walking on the beautiful Woof University main campus or in the student union, but If I am not in the library then I am in the lab.
I stay in shape by dancing, exercising in my single-bed dorm room, or I take the time to swim in the gym. I have mastered the art of the "student meal plan diet" and have managed to keep weight off despite high stress levels. I have made new friends and spend what time I can with them. I have accomplished a goal of learning how to drive the buses at Woof University, something I have wanted to do on this huge campus since I was a freshman many years ago.
As a member of Rho Chi and SNPha, I excell as a student. I have secured a summer internship at a company I would like to work for, knowing darn well my future job depends on the " Who, what, when, where, why and How" of my internships.
Every day I eat right, study and go to class without fail. My grades show my effort and I keep my anxiety in check. I am an unbelievable success story. Having failed college, I am now a member of the Woof University class of 2020, perusing the joint Pharm.D /MBA program. It wasn't easy, I had to learn the hard way how to be a responsible student. If you aren't among the best, you are wasting your time and money in school.
I feel happy with myself. In my late 20's, I finally have my shit together. I have the college experience I always desired ( scholarships, distinctions and opportunities) and a bright future ahead with as a Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Business Administration . I want to work in industry, a hospital or academia but who know what will happen!?
I imagine I am a Pharmacy student. I study diligently. I do not worry about the cost of school because I have secured a scholarship, generous grants and am eligible for a small part-time student job. On good terms with my professors, I do specific research under one of them.
My slim, well dressed frame and long black hair shimmer in the sunlight of the Library, where I am seen studying for class and using resources for my pharmacy research grant. Occasionally I can be seen walking on the beautiful Woof University main campus or in the student union, but If I am not in the library then I am in the lab.
I stay in shape by dancing, exercising in my single-bed dorm room, or I take the time to swim in the gym. I have mastered the art of the "student meal plan diet" and have managed to keep weight off despite high stress levels. I have made new friends and spend what time I can with them. I have accomplished a goal of learning how to drive the buses at Woof University, something I have wanted to do on this huge campus since I was a freshman many years ago.
As a member of Rho Chi and SNPha, I excell as a student. I have secured a summer internship at a company I would like to work for, knowing darn well my future job depends on the " Who, what, when, where, why and How" of my internships.
Every day I eat right, study and go to class without fail. My grades show my effort and I keep my anxiety in check. I am an unbelievable success story. Having failed college, I am now a member of the Woof University class of 2020, perusing the joint Pharm.D /MBA program. It wasn't easy, I had to learn the hard way how to be a responsible student. If you aren't among the best, you are wasting your time and money in school.
I feel happy with myself. In my late 20's, I finally have my shit together. I have the college experience I always desired ( scholarships, distinctions and opportunities) and a bright future ahead with as a Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Business Administration . I want to work in industry, a hospital or academia but who know what will happen!?
Why Pharmacy School ?
I am debating in my head why I have a fixation on pharmacy school.
Especially since, the demands on me academically are treacherous and I have never shown any particular interest in medicine beyond "well, look at how interesting that is".
I don't read medical journals, I don't think about medicine, I don't frequent blogs or sites about pharmacy.
I worry If I am confusing image with reality.
I want to be the person I imagined I would be many years ago, as a High School graduate. If you asked me at 18 what my 20's would be like, I would have said I would be prosperous, with a job , a car and my own apartment all paid for with my own money. I would be "the miracle", the kid who wasn't suppose to make it but did. I could see myself sitting behind a wooden desk, smiling into the camera as I have my picture taken for a generic article " urban/woman success" or something like that.
If you told me I would be a two time college drop out with a GPA I never know existed, I would have considered you evil.
Freshman year of college I had dreams of getting into the honors program, dean's list, graduating with cum laude designations, and getting into a national honor society. I would spend hours on WoffU's website, digging and emailing people about special programs. I fell for the smiling faces, welcoming pictures of paternalistic teachers.I still do that now actually...
I would make up for the shame I felt at being a good student in HS, but never once going to the First Students breakfast or getting into Nat'l honors Society . I never got a golden cord at my HS graduation. . ( I did make honor roll numerous times however ).
I never knew students could fail classes. I just never understood students could dropout of college . That you could not return because you don't have anymore money. In my world, ppl just went to school, worked hard, and everything else would fall into place. The school looked out for students, who were valuable in that they paid tuition and did work. I never knew any high school drop outs. That shit happened to other people who were just stupid, lazy or had parents who "didn't care enough".
Symptoms of a protected childhood I guess....
So I want a do over!! I want to go to pharmacy school. I think that's it.
Mom warned me how hard pharm school would be, but I want to give myself the chance to see if I COULD make it. Do I have my shit together enough to give it an honest go?
The nice thing about Pharm school is that it's competitive and admission is restricted to students who pass about two years of math and science classes plus a national exam, so you have a strong idea about what its like going into it.
You cannot choose pharmacy school and NOT know what you are getting into. Unlike the mess I brought on myself switching majors so often I failed out of school because I didn't really know what I was getting myself into.
So If I gush about pharmacy school on this blog and then seem suddenly cold, you know why.
=D
I am trying,
M.Fallen
Especially since, the demands on me academically are treacherous and I have never shown any particular interest in medicine beyond "well, look at how interesting that is".
I don't read medical journals, I don't think about medicine, I don't frequent blogs or sites about pharmacy.
I worry If I am confusing image with reality.
I want to be the person I imagined I would be many years ago, as a High School graduate. If you asked me at 18 what my 20's would be like, I would have said I would be prosperous, with a job , a car and my own apartment all paid for with my own money. I would be "the miracle", the kid who wasn't suppose to make it but did. I could see myself sitting behind a wooden desk, smiling into the camera as I have my picture taken for a generic article " urban/woman success" or something like that.
If you told me I would be a two time college drop out with a GPA I never know existed, I would have considered you evil.
Freshman year of college I had dreams of getting into the honors program, dean's list, graduating with cum laude designations, and getting into a national honor society. I would spend hours on WoffU's website, digging and emailing people about special programs. I fell for the smiling faces, welcoming pictures of paternalistic teachers.I still do that now actually...
I would make up for the shame I felt at being a good student in HS, but never once going to the First Students breakfast or getting into Nat'l honors Society . I never got a golden cord at my HS graduation. . ( I did make honor roll numerous times however ).
I never knew students could fail classes. I just never understood students could dropout of college . That you could not return because you don't have anymore money. In my world, ppl just went to school, worked hard, and everything else would fall into place. The school looked out for students, who were valuable in that they paid tuition and did work. I never knew any high school drop outs. That shit happened to other people who were just stupid, lazy or had parents who "didn't care enough".
Symptoms of a protected childhood I guess....
So I want a do over!! I want to go to pharmacy school. I think that's it.
Mom warned me how hard pharm school would be, but I want to give myself the chance to see if I COULD make it. Do I have my shit together enough to give it an honest go?
The nice thing about Pharm school is that it's competitive and admission is restricted to students who pass about two years of math and science classes plus a national exam, so you have a strong idea about what its like going into it.
You cannot choose pharmacy school and NOT know what you are getting into. Unlike the mess I brought on myself switching majors so often I failed out of school because I didn't really know what I was getting myself into.
So If I gush about pharmacy school on this blog and then seem suddenly cold, you know why.
=D
I am trying,
M.Fallen
Envy leads to a Do Over
She was a random friend I met. Foreign Language Class I was taking for self enrichment. Same Dorm . Good buddy. Studied hard.
I always manage to find people who are excellent students. Nerds gravitate towards me. Dunno why.
As I got to know her, I was impressed with her work ethic. She invited me to her dorm room to watch the Victoria's Secret Fashion show. As I entered her room, she was studying. When we would walk from class, she was reciting her speech for Public Speaking 101. She always seemed to score A's on tests. It seemed almost natural, until I saw it up close and personal.
I slowly put the pieces together. She was an honors student. At least two days a week she research that she called a "job", telling me " Its not busy work...more like original research". She was a member of an honor society, I found out as she would complain to me how she hated having to tutor as part of membership. She had a PAID internship- about 30,000 each summer, which I found out at dinner when a stranger decided to join us and flirt up the table. Not only that, but when "Woof" University sends a mass email telling us about tuition increases, she said she could care less, she was going for a scholarship that would cover the increase and then some. She got it.
Her gift is what made the most sense
Weeks before Christmas break, she tells me she has bought a computer for her family. The extra money came from a research grant she had received and if she didn't use all the money they would take it away. So why not buy a computer as a family gift? Did I tell you this girl isn't christian?
I WAS ENVIOUS!!
Not petty envious. Not " I can't stand her guts" envious. Just sad and confused. My family could really use a computer. My mom could really use a break from paying my tuition. I need a new cell phone and some money for my bank account.I am perpetually broke.
She inspired me, look at all I could get if I just studied more. A scholarship, research grants, honor society member ships...perhaps a paid internship if I changed my major to something I actually like and is useful.
Like many college drop outs, I want a "DO OVER". I want the chance to prove I can be among the best students, ever since I graduated High school. You probably do too. You probably know students just like the one I am describing, and they are inspiring. I want you to be more inspired than I am, and to make your own list of improvements to your education. Here is mine:
My list of improvement:
1. Attain a scholarhship - cut down on cost of college
2. Determine research interests - perhaps do original research
3. Secure a paid internship in field of interest - make money, feel like an adult
4. Learn to study well and pass exams - to gain all my goals
5. Join the "3.0 Society"- Raise my Cumulative GPA to a 3.0 and maintain higher for my major.
My friend recently graduated from college (in four years) and has great paying work at a major corporation. All that hard work paid off handsomely and I wish her the best in the future, as I do you!!
I always manage to find people who are excellent students. Nerds gravitate towards me. Dunno why.
As I got to know her, I was impressed with her work ethic. She invited me to her dorm room to watch the Victoria's Secret Fashion show. As I entered her room, she was studying. When we would walk from class, she was reciting her speech for Public Speaking 101. She always seemed to score A's on tests. It seemed almost natural, until I saw it up close and personal.
I slowly put the pieces together. She was an honors student. At least two days a week she research that she called a "job", telling me " Its not busy work...more like original research". She was a member of an honor society, I found out as she would complain to me how she hated having to tutor as part of membership. She had a PAID internship- about 30,000 each summer, which I found out at dinner when a stranger decided to join us and flirt up the table. Not only that, but when "Woof" University sends a mass email telling us about tuition increases, she said she could care less, she was going for a scholarship that would cover the increase and then some. She got it.
Her gift is what made the most sense
Weeks before Christmas break, she tells me she has bought a computer for her family. The extra money came from a research grant she had received and if she didn't use all the money they would take it away. So why not buy a computer as a family gift? Did I tell you this girl isn't christian?
I WAS ENVIOUS!!
Not petty envious. Not " I can't stand her guts" envious. Just sad and confused. My family could really use a computer. My mom could really use a break from paying my tuition. I need a new cell phone and some money for my bank account.I am perpetually broke.
She inspired me, look at all I could get if I just studied more. A scholarship, research grants, honor society member ships...perhaps a paid internship if I changed my major to something I actually like and is useful.
Like many college drop outs, I want a "DO OVER". I want the chance to prove I can be among the best students, ever since I graduated High school. You probably do too. You probably know students just like the one I am describing, and they are inspiring. I want you to be more inspired than I am, and to make your own list of improvements to your education. Here is mine:
My list of improvement:
1. Attain a scholarhship - cut down on cost of college
2. Determine research interests - perhaps do original research
3. Secure a paid internship in field of interest - make money, feel like an adult
4. Learn to study well and pass exams - to gain all my goals
5. Join the "3.0 Society"- Raise my Cumulative GPA to a 3.0 and maintain higher for my major.
My friend recently graduated from college (in four years) and has great paying work at a major corporation. All that hard work paid off handsomely and I wish her the best in the future, as I do you!!
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