Wednesday, August 25, 2010

First Impressions.

Since I've been to each of my classes, and we have experienced both sort of mornings with the kids, I guess it is time for an official report. Also, I have a small block of formless time and have no idea when this might happen again, so here goes!

Organic Chemistry
I like my professor. She is lively and seems to love the material. She stops frequently to make sure nobody has missed a concept, and offers to explain it in a different manner. I already understand a few general chemistry concepts that eluded me last semester. I'd count week one as a success. However, my grade will be 100% exam grades...no homework, extra credit, or lab grades to help out with that. Although there will be homework and reading assignments outside of class. JOY.

US History

I was dreading this one, not in and OMG-this-is-going-to-be-so-difficult way, but more in a OMG-this-is-going-to-be-so-boring way. I haven't taken a history course in a decade and there is a reason for that...it is called zero interest! The good news is that the professor is pretty engaging and very into the subject matter and I wasn't bored or distracted at all during the first lecture. This bodes well, I think. On the other hand, we're going to be tested on both book readings and lectures (different material). There will be graded homework assignments and quizzes.

Music Appreciation

Again, the professor seemed to totally love the subject matter. It was wonderful just listening to her talk about it, because she was so enthusiastic about the material. She played a few selections for us and I enjoyed watching her as she listened, because she was so clearly moved by it after the thousandth or so time she'd heard it. We get to/have to (depending on your point of view) go to an opera and a symphony during the semester and write a report on each. We have a textbook and there will also be reading and homework assignments, quizzes, and exams.

Biopsychology
This one is online. I have to read a chapter weekly, take a quiz, and participate in the online discussions for each chapter. There is also a major paper and a final exam. I've finished my first chapter and it is very engaging. The professor is having a baby in September and she plans to be unreachable for only a couple of days and then be right back on top of things. We shall see about that, but I like her optimism. First time moms are so cute.

Organic Lab

My lab professor is my only male teacher and it is also the only class I haven't enjoyed. It took MORE THAN our 2:45 of lab time to go over the syllabus and check into lab. He is super long-winded and just went on and on about things that were clearly outlined in the syllabus. Lab is much more intensive compared to previous science labs I have been in, and we do not work with partners. I hope that Dr. Long-Winded will not be eating up all of our lab time with explanations from here on out!

In other news, I'm adjusting quite well to the 5:30am wake up and the warp speed things seem to move at until I pick up the kids. I'm a little tired and have been very careful not to sit in a reclined position until the kids are in bed and I've showered and done a decent amount of prep for the next day, so I don't slip into an unexpected coma, but I kind of like this pace. I can't imagine how I would have dealt with both kids being in full time school if I wasn't busy with my own pursuits. The commute is kind of a suck, 1.5 hours to school in the morning, about 45 minutes to get home in the afternoon. It is workable, though. I enjoy the kids' pick up time...I read for FUN while I'm in line. I'm reading Routine Miracles currently and I am thoroughly enjoying it thus far.

KayTar and BubTar both had excellent first (and second) days of school. KayTar reported that "My teacher has taken a liking to me. She called me 'lovebug'. That means she is INTERESTED in me." She is sitting next to a cute little buddy (the child of BubTar's teacher from last year) who told his mama that he thinks KayTar is cute. KayTar said that she scooted her chair closer to him during movie time but that the teacher didn't know! Cute little Kinders. BubTar is excited about GT and has been excited about school every morning. Last year was so rough for him, he cried a lot of mornings at the beginning of the year, so we're thrilled that he is happy. He's been very big brotherly to KayTar as she learns the Big Kid ropes at school. PreK was very insular, but now she gets to do all the things he does, so he really likes to teach her about all of it.

Anyway, that's all for now. Josh will be home soon, then we'll have dinner and I'm off to the hospital for my volunteer shift.

Seriously, how cute is she in these knee socks?!

7 comments:

AJU5's Mom said...

I am a regular lurker of your blog and a CC professor who teaches online. Your pregnant prof may be able to pull it off - I did with my second. He was born Thanksgiving Day, and I was back "at work" online on Monday. Thankfully I had lots of help in the form of family.

Gizabeth Shyder said...

Sounds like the good outweighs the bad. Good luck!

Becca said...

Phew, I'm exhausted for you!! But if you enjoy what you're doing and are as motivated as you are, the fall will fly by! Keep up the great work.

I plan on being back in the classroom 2-3 weeks after Taco is born and he'll be my third! A couple of days is quite optimistic, though, I agree.

flutter said...

I am really really proud of you

~aj~ said...

Those Twinkle Toes do me in every time. Why didn't we have shoes so cute when we were little?!

I'm glad your classes are going so well, Kyla! I also had no interest in US History, but the professor I had was just flat-out amazing. He turned it into one of the most captivating classes I ever had.

I'm thinking of you with that Organic Lab. That lab is the one requirement that kept me from being pre-med. I just couldn't do it. I have faith in YOU, however!

Lastly, I love the stories from BubTar & KayTar's first days of school. Woot woot for good starts!

Julie said...

LOVE the knee socks, especially with the Twinkle Toes. Kaytar rocks it!

RazzberryMomma said...

Pretty darn cute! And I love those shoes! Good luck with your school year hun! Sounds like you are gonna be one busy momma! (Nothing new, I know, but still!) Have a wonderful year!