Before we continue... Okay, so this Blogspot blog I created has been ignored for almost two years. I think I'm going to use this blog as my no-holes-barred blog; where I won't have to hold back on my thoughts, feelings and opinions. I don't have to be Mr. Nice Guy-- I can say what I mean to say, and not have to customize it to whatever audience which may happen to be reading it.
In other words, if you're reading this, you're in my "inner circle" and I trust you enough to let you read these thoughts. I'd appreciate if you'd keep your knowledge of this blog to yourself.
Reality Has Another Thing In Mind For MeReality has thrown me another curve-ball. Currently, I'm in the second year of working towards an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science and Management at the
University of Rhode Island. It's come to my attention that mathematics and quantitative reasoning is not something which my mind can do without a great amount of effort. Over the past year-and-a-half since returning to college, I have flunked out of a chemistry course and am in danger of flunking my second attempt at the same chemistry course and now a pre-calculus course as well. Something's not right here.
When I applied to attend URI in 2008, one of the things I had to do was to complete an online math assessment test. When I was completing this online assessment, I winged it. I saw enough Greek letters on that quiz, that I believe that to an untrained eye, would've looked like a Greek language comprehension assessment, rather than a mathematics test. But, I completed it in the time allotted and submitted it online as instructed. I never received any notification as to which math level I would be placed into, but understood that this would be a very important thing to find out, as I was working on a career that is very much dependent on quantitative reasoning skills.
After I flubbed my first attempt at an entry-level chemistry course, the question arose: What level had my mathematics assessment placed me into? After having to go through the bureaucratic gambit, the Dean at the mathematics school told me that I did rather poorly on the assessment and that I should have started out my collegiate career with the 099 level, which is just below the 100 level entry-level math course. I was annoyed that nobody ever got back to me with this very important information. I met with my major advisor and we made the decision that I would take the 099 level class over the summer semester and then ramp-up into the MTH111 pre-calculus course in order to begin chipping away at my MQ prerequisite for my degree. Unfortunately, the 099 level course was canceled with less than a day's notice and there were no other 099 level courses scheduled before the fall semester was to begin. It was also too late to make any corrections to my fall semester, because everyone was pretty much locked into their schedules at this point.
At this point, I realized that I didn't have any choice but to batten down the hatches and make the best of a bad situation. When my new work schedule at work began (40 hours, M-F), I dropped two courses I signed up for, but kept the 2nd chemistry class (2nd attempt) and my pre-calculus course. I figured I was going to have to eventually take the classes anyway and now is as good as ever. Boy, was that a big mistake.
After becoming sick twice during the first two months of the semester, I became behind in all of my classes, but wasn't able to catch up in the chemistry or the pre-calculus classes. I was able to get caught up in the other two courses I was taking (the ones that weren't math-intensive, naturally). I was facing a rather stark reality check and it was one that I hope wasn't in vain, seeing as I had just placed $20K in new student loan debt back onto my shoulders.
This threw me into a significant funk late this past week as I was grappling with the reality of my situation. I had to make a tough choice and it is one that will have implications on my collegiate experience: I need to change my major and make a course correction (no pun intended).
I will be meeting my current advisor on Wednesday morning to discuss this decision. I will also be reaching out to the Communications department at URI, as this is the direction I want to go. I realize that to some this may seem like a sudden decision but I assure you it is not. It took a few weeks of trying to grapple with the gravity of my situation for me to be able to take action on it.
My decision to go into the Communications school will hopefully lead me into a career where I will be working in an environmentally-related field, either in the not-for-profit world or in a for-profit company whose mission is compatible with my career aspirations and personal beliefs.
After I flubbed my first attempt at an entry-level chemistry course, the question arose: What level had my mathematics assessment placed me into? After having to go through the bureaucratic gambit, the Dean at the mathematics school told me that I did rather poorly on the assessment and that I should have started out my collegiate career with the 099 level, which is just below the 100 level entry-level math course. I was annoyed that nobody ever got back to me with this very important information. I met with my major advisor and we made the decision that I would take the 099 level class over the summer semester and then ramp-up into the MTH111 pre-calculus course in order to begin chipping away at my MQ prerequisite for my degree. Unfortunately, the 099 level course was canceled with less than a day's notice and there were no other 099 level courses scheduled before the fall semester was to begin. It was also too late to make any corrections to my fall semester, because everyone was pretty much locked into their schedules at this point.
