Student Blog

 Hi there! Something occurred to me last night after a nice talk with one of my professors. If there isn’t one already, that I’m not aware of, there should be a professor appreciation day. Our professors come from all walks of life and lead very interesting lives often times. Many have been many places and have a great deal of experience with all sorts of things so why not take time after or before class to chat with them? You might be surprised how much you have in common or simply feel less intimidated by them. They are not scary, ruler-wielding types usually, haha.

   Try this on for size…you spend years and years going to school studying something you find fascinating and you work your way through the employment gauntlet to land yourself a spiffy job as a professor with the opportunity to mold minds in hopes to inspire that same enthusiasm you felt yourself. Then you construct a great lesson plan that takes hours per lesson, you set up shop, the students flood in and sit down and then you begin. Then this is what you see as look out among the class…people looking into their laps at their smart phones, or texting, some are staring at the clock repeatedly as if they can’t be bothered, others whisper constantly to their neighbors, and some just look completely dazed and confused. “What a day!” you must be thinking, right? This happens every class period though guys! This may be totally rude but, WAKE-UP! Put the “smart” phone away and do some computing of your own, huh? I don’t know how our professors put up with this on a daily basis, seriously. If that were me standing up there I would probably blow a gasket or lose all hope for the future left in the hands of people eternally asleep.

   Our professors go over and over the same material and the one thing that sets everything off is your input and opinions on the matter you know. Otherwise, it’s the same thing day after day. How would you feel about coming to that every day? I’m just saying, just put yourself in their shoes for a moment. You really can make class more interesting by sharing your ideas or views, in fact, that’s what we’re here for! Well, thanks to all the professors here at SCF. Your blood sweat and tears don’t go unnoticed by this student! Have a good one, and hang in there!

If you’d like to reply to this blog please go to studentblog.scf.edu .

 Are you taking Anatomy and Physiology I this semester, as I am? If you are, then you know that A+P is not for the faint hearted, so let me cut straight to the heart of the matter (puns intended)! A hot topic on campus, burning in the minds of concerned students, is who best to take for A+P or discussion on which professors make things easier on the student. Even if you haven’t taken A+P yet, your ears have no doubt heard the passing whispers of warning that “Professor so & so is too hard” or “Professor so & so should teach like this professor instead.”

  Well, as was coined in a Monty Python movie, I say “Always look on the bright side of life.” So, I thought I might share my comparison of Deep Anatomy (the style which is deemed very difficult by most and involves thorough study) and Superficial Anatomy (the style in which everything is mapped out for you to simplify testing and passing). As anyone who is already studying knows, there is something to be said about these words I have chosen; Deep vs. Superficial. This is not to say that the professors who teach the “superficial” sort are superficial, so please do not misunderstand me. What I means is, that the method of study for the student is outlined explicitly for tests by some professors and all you have to do is memorize the answers (from what I have heard). On the contrary, compared to the “deep” kind of study, where the student must study everything covered and anticipate what they may be tested on in a certain section, is much more of a challenge.

   Let’s see what can be the result of each, shall we? Let’s start with the superficial anatomy. The instructor will no doubt cover the exact same material, in likely the same amount of time but will expect much less of your effort. When he/she prepares you for a test, whether or not you have really been following along until this point, you will get an outline of the test material in which you will simply commit to memory. The result: You will only have as good a grasp on Anatomy as what you committed to memory simply to pass the tests. What happens when you arrive in the courses of your concentration, like nursing or radiography? Will you feel confident? Take that a step further and imagine a job interview and what may be asked about your basic knowledge? Will you feel well equipped to take it on?

Let’s examine the deep anatomy. The instructor will cover the required material in the allotted time, and he/she will let you know that the material on the tests and quizzes will come from everything that was covered in class. So, you must study all that information thoroughly because you do not know what questions will appear on the test from which portion of the information covered. Yes, it’s surely a challenge, but let’s see the result. If you have fully applied yourself to study in this way, you will not only know the questions on the test, but when asked you will have a pretty solid grasp on what you’re talking about if asked to explain. So basically, the scenario of additional medical classes or a job interview in the future would not be so scary. In fact, you will probably impress yourself with your ability.

  I’ll leave you with some final thoughts, as you consider the differences between these two methods on your own, and that is this: Are you taking (or going to take) Anatomy and Physiology as a foundation for a future medical career? A strong foundation will ensure that you are properly prepared to care for others. Just think, when you go to the hospital yourself…do you want the nurse or doctor who skimmed A+P or the nurse or doctor who knows A+P inside and out?

I really want some Ben & Jerry’s pistachio ice cream right now, but it’s so cold I think I might shiver myself to pieces if I have some.  I’m sure I’ll break down and have some anyway.  No pain, no gain, or so I’ve heard anyway.

It’s only Tuesday, and I feel like an entire week has already gone by.  I started the day off with Statistics, at 8am.  We got the low-down on what’s going to be on the final.  Only 20 questions! Wow, an entire semesters worth of information compacted into 20 questions.  You know what that means?  The questions are not going to be easy.  And I suppose they shouldn’t be.  I’ll find out one way or the other next Tuesday at 7:30am when I take the final. (Note to self: do not take anymore 8am classes, because 7:30am is just too early for taking a final)!

Tomorrow I have an orientation to attend at USF, then Thursday night is the Poetry Slam, Friday night is the Pop Culture Club Christmas Party, and Saturday, The Veterans Exchange, in conjunction with MOTS (Manasota Operation Troop Support) is holding a Packing Party.  We’ll be packing up all the socks collected during our “Toes For Joes” Sock Drive.  In total, we will be packing 65 boxes for locally deployed troops.   We are starting it at 9am (usually takes about 45mins).  This event is open to the public, and we WOULD LOVE TO HAVE TONS OF PEOPLE THERE!  Here is the address

MOTS Venice Office

7801 Tamiami Trail S., 6A

Venice, FL 34293

If you have any questions, please email scfvets@gmail.com.

Well, I at least have my statistics notebook out of my book bag, so technically I have begun studying, right?

I recently read my first Zombie novel.  It was freakin’ awesome!  If you want to enjoy a great read, pick up S.G. Brown’s “Breathers.” You won’t be disappointed, I promise!  This novel was one the last works I’ve had to read for my Horror, Fantasy, and Science Fiction Literature course.  I can’t say enough about this class.  FYI, if you’re looking for a Gordan Rule class, and you like to read Horror, this is the one for you.  Dr. Ford, whom I seem to write about all the time (but he really deserves it), teaches the class (LIT 2310).  The only bad thing is that he teaches it every other semester.  It won’t be available for the upcoming spring semester.

Zombies aside, I’m moving on, at about 100 plus MPH!  Down to the last official week of classes, and there is absolutely NO way out of not being stressed.  It’s something you kind of just accept—the workload—I mean it IS college, right?

So in between my mini panic attacks, I found the time to drag all the Christmas stuff, to include the world’s heaviest Christmas tree, down from the attic.  I did that last week.  Just a few hours ago I actually took it out of the box, which had been sitting in the corner of the living room (between you and me, I thought about just putting some lights on the box and calling it good) but I decided to stop being such a scrooge.  I am going to try my hardest this year to enjoy the Holiday’s, because I can’t think of any good reason not to.

Well, after I post this, I’ve got some studying to tackle.  Two more weeks—man, I’m going to need a bigger coffee pot.

There’s a mid-term virus going around campus. It’s a nasty bug. I’ve see it in people’s eyes, and I hear it in their voice. Most everybody seems to be walking around campus like robots. Gazing straight ahead, more than likely thinking about the next homework assignment, or paper that’s due. It’s not just students either. Some of my professor’s seem to be suffering a little from the mid-term itch as well. In fact, the other day, while talking with Dr. Ford, I had a feeling that although his eyes appeared to be looking right at me, he was not really seeing me. It was almost as if I had morphed into an ungraded paper, still waiting for him on his office desk. Thank God he didn’t have a pen on him. And FYI, professors HATE it when you ask them: “Did you grade my paper yet?” It probably doesn’t seem like it, but they have just as much work (if not more) than all of us.

Okay, it’s not really a virus. It’s just the middle of the semester, and honestly, things are getting hot and heavy, at least for me anyway. But I’m still above water, and ultimately very happy with the boat I’m sailing in right now. Unfortunately there’s no shot for this bug. If you catch it, suck it up, and keep going. It’s worth it.

It really is worth it, and I’ll tell you why. I just learned a few moments ago I’ve been accepted at USF. And to be honest with you I’m still amazed that I actually survived college algebra, with some of the little hair I have left. I can remember having to take pre-algebra, and wondering if I was ever going to reach the point when I could say: that’s it, only a few classes left! Well, I’m there. It’s incredibly exciting. And I’m currently working on losing the rest of my hair in statistics class. But I’m okay with it, because my graduation cap will hide the bald spot!

Well, I guess I’ll close with a paranormal activity update: sadly, nothing to report. But I know that ghost is in that bathroom. I just hope he washes his hands, its flu season!

I opted against the Archaeology class this semester, but as Murphy’s Law would have it, when I logged on to my SCF Student tab yesterday morning at 9am to drop the class for a refund, the Add/Drop Worksheet wasn’t allowing me any “drop” option. Hmmm. Scratching my head, I checked my “Student Detail Schedule” to find that the last day to have dropped the class for a refund was listed as Friday the 24th, the day BEFORE yesterday, otherwise known as “the first day of class.” Ouch. However, in a rare system glitch (crazy technology), the class was actually listed with a start date of September 20th on my schedule. Could this, in fact, be the problem? Will I, in fact, be able to drop the class for a refund? Let it be known I immediately penned an email to the records office. I even requested a “read receipt.” I feel so high-speed. Again, I’ll keep you posted. You’ll be forced to be posted, as a matter of fact, because if the class won’t drop, I’m staying in it. In which case, I’ll be making constant reference to “can you believe how hot it is in” so-and-so month, and whatnot. Also, I’ll be telling you about my cool archaeological finds.

So here’s the truth: I checked my numbers. I didn’t win the lottery this week, but Alabama’s Crimson Tide sure did. I have a great family, a small house, great friends, a few good dogs and cats, I’m healthy, and I’m getting a great education: It may not be the lottery, but I think I’ve got it made.

If you have questions about student life at SCF, admissions or enrollment, e-mail us at studentblog@scf.edu.

Smack in the middle of week five and I’m still debating the possibility of dropping a class. Don’t worry, though: the class hasn’t actually started yet. I registered for a late-start Archaeology class which is set to start tomorrow, but I’m already in way over my head this semester, with 12 credit hours, one Gordon Rule class, a household to take care of, a lawn to mow,…and I did happen to mention I’m 23 weeks pregnant, right? Yikes, what a semester! Anyway, I need to decide shortly about the Archaeology class. It starts tomorrow and we’re supposed to have read the first three chapters. I haven’t broken the cellophane seal surrounding the book yet.

All this homework, studying, online quizzes and tests, and where is a person supposed to find time for social activities? On the one hand, I’m lucky I don’t also have to hold down a full-time job, considering the fact I am a proud recipient of the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. I do, however, miss having time to hang out this semester without it involving lugging my wheeled backpack behind me. It’s like the little sibling who just won’t leave. I will be making time today to visit the tables for the last day of Club Rush on the Venice Campus, and hopefully I can attend Swamp Scribes’ first Open Mic tonight in the Student Union at 7pm. It’s a toss-up, seeing as my son’s first grade Open House is also tonight. And there’s a pirate theme. This is why first grade is occasionally just a bit cooler than college. Unless you’re in the Pop Culture club. They also dress-up, but the theme isn’t exactly pirates.

On that note, time to turn my Roomba on and head to class. It’s nice to have a machine vacuum for me while I’m off earning a degree. I’m only upset it took me this long to buy one. Thank you Short Story LIT, with your emphasis on science fiction, to give me the push toward robotics I always never knew I needed.

Til next time, to dig or not to dig? That is the question.

Enjoy the rest of the week,

Cherstin

In the past few weeks I have come to realize how important time management is, and I’ve realized I need to learn how to improve my time management skills a little bit.   The semester is dwindling away, as I continue working full time while applying and preparing to transfer to USF.  TIME has become a precious thing for me; not to be taken for granted or wasted.  Several things are helping me stay balanced: prioritizing, making lists, using my planner, organizing, setting personal deadlines and goals, as well as staying aware of deadlines. 

HELPFUL TIP!!  Take advantage of “stolen” time by studying on your lunch break, or anywhere you have waiting time. 

Don’t forget how important it is to fit in a little fun time with family and friends so you don’t become burnt out and out of touch. I think we all struggle with this from time to time (no pun intended) so don’t be too hard on yourself.  Just take a step back to reevaluate things if needed.  

Don’t ever forget why you’re doing what you’re doing, and that all of your hard work will pay off.  Nothing worth having comes easy.

The end of the semester has come upon us again. This past couples of weeks have been crazy and the next couple of weeks will probably be even crazier. At the end of each semester I feel like I have senioritis all over again. I find myself just wanting to coast through towards the end and I just feel burnt out and worn out. I constantly have to remind myself to just hang in there and keep applying myself because it’s almost over! This time of year is when I also find it the hardest to keep my work/play balance in check because sometimes I would rather do anything and everything instead of what I need to do. The other night I conveniently got in a cleaning mood and started cleaning my bathroom from top to bottom… granted the bathroom needed to be cleaned… but I actually enjoyed doing it because it distracted me from doing homework. That’s when I really know I’m in danger because if I’d rather clean the bathroom then of course I would also rather just hang out with friends, etc. I know we all have times like this but again just remember we are almost done with the semester and it is only going to cause us more stress and problems if we slack off in these last couple of weeks.

I am sad to see this semester go. I can honestly say it has been one of the best semesters yet. I have learned and grown more as a person than I ever thought possible in such a short amount of time. I can contribute that mostly to volunteering at a couple of places this semester, deciding to change my major and for once actually being able to do really well in math. All of these things have made me feel better about myself as a person and gain confidence in different areas. I hope others have also had a great semester and I wish you all luck in the last couple of weeks, finishing up assignments and studying for exams. 

I recently had an assignment to do for my Community Health Problems online class. I had to visit five different places in the community and interview someone there about the different services they provide to the community. Honestly at first I was somewhat overwhelmed with the thought of trying to make time to go visit five different places but I got on the phone, made my appointments and was somehow able to fit all of them in to my schedule. I chose to go to Summerfield Retirement Residence, Manatee Glens, The Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of Manatee and Sarasota, YMCA and Jewish Family and Children Services. All of the people I met with were very nice and helpful and it was interesting to learn about all of the different things these places do provide to the community, they provide a lot more than I thought or expected.

This assignment also helped me to realize that even though we might not understand why our instructors have us do different assignments there is always a reason for it. Doing this helped me to realize that it was important and beneficial to actually meet with someone face to face instead of just finding the information online.  It was a good experience to dress up nice, make a good impression and meet with important people that work for these different places in the community. It was also good to learn more about all of the services provided because who knows maybe I will need to take advantage of one of the services someday or I could be a help to someone else who is looking for help in the community.

So I am glad that I was able to do this assignment and make the most out of it. I was able to learn a lot and meet some influential people in the community who might be important contacts for my future. So the next time you have an assignment and you think to yourself why do I need to do this or how is this going to benefit me in the future, go into the assignment with a positive attitude whatever it may be and make the most out of it and you might be surprised about what you learn and how it benefited you.