First round of tests complete

Three weeks into my first term back, I have proven to myself that this is where I belong.  Hours of hard work and diligent study have yielded the following:

Comp Exam 1: 98%
Sociology Exam 1: 100%
Chemistry Exam 1: 110%

I feel invigorated again... the cogs in my brain are beginning to turn again, and I find myself with a new optimism toward life.  If there is an area I'm lacking, it is the same old independence syndrome that I've had my whole life.  I need to be more sociable... I can be serious about school AND socialize with classmates.  I'm not concerned about being popular, I just want to challenge myself to reach out and make connections while I am here.  I have found that one of the most challenging aspects of adulthood is making new friends and long-term connections with people.  It comes so easily as a child.  There are no role expectations, or statuses to live up to, so children are more apt to accept each other and be interested in each other's lives.

This is a difficult thing as an adult... we are much more selective and attempt to consider how people will fit into our social structures.  This leaves an awful lot of diversity out of bounds.  So, my challenge to myself (after kicking ass in class) is to actively invest myself in the people around me.

Anyway, I took the fam out to Red Lobster today to celebrate.  Mary (my 3yr old) shared a pound of crab legs with me.  Well, she ate most of it.  Life is good.

So far so good...

School is great so far.  I'm really enjoying chemistry.  I'm sure the fact that I'm prepared for each class helps.  I find myself hoping that we'll get points for every little thing.  I'm looking forward to homework, tests, and quizzes just so that I can rack up points.  It's strange.  I never viewed school like this before.  It's fun!

Anyway, they just posted the schedule for next quarter.  I'm hoping I can get them to make an exemption for me to take 4 classes.  I'm pretty sure I can take Oral Communications and Comp II without a problem.  Not sure if they'll allow Chem II and Genetics (even though genetics doesn't have a lab).

For those who don't know, my school has 4 quarters per year instead of semesters. However, they all have an online component which allows them us to get a full semester of credit for a quarter class.  It's sweet, but very fast paced.  You cannot afford to fall behind, hence, the 9 cr hr limit per semester.

I also found out today that the school is doing so well that they are going to build a few more buildings on campus this year... pretty impressive in a recession.  My chem prof said bonuses last December were 18% of salary.  Nice.

I love school!

First Impressions

I have been to each of my first three classes now - English Comp., Sociology, and Chemistry.  I am surprised to find that they are all much less intimidating than I had imagined.  I feel like my preparation (reading the first two chapters of each book) has been more than adequate.

I have also noticed that there are markedly more international students.  There were three students from Nepal in my Sociology class!  I think it's great that there is such a diversity of students.  I guess I would have expected it more in a big public university as opposed to a smaller private one.

Chemistry is, hands down, the best.  The instructor is personable, approachable, and is obviously interested in making the class enjoyable.  Having completed his undergrad at a large public university (UNL), he stressed how unique it was to have a class of less than 20 students as opposed to an auditorium of 200+.  I just finished the first online quiz... 100%!!!

Surprisingly, I have the most apprehension about the English class.  I consider myself a better-than-average  writer, but I'm a little self-conscious about sharing my writing with classmates.  I don't know why.

Anyway, so far so good.  I'm on my way!