Going back to school...
Since you're all on Facebook, I guess you all know that I am planning to go back to school. If you have missed that, I am planning to go back to school. My goal is to get a second Bachelors degree. This one will be a BS in Dietetics. That is a pretty stark contrast to my BA in General Studies from Southeast Missouri State.
You see 20 years ago I was a senior in high school, and wanted to become a marine biologist. I have always had this thing where I procrastinate, and then do what I can. Of course it really didn't help that our "guidance counselor" had no fucking idea what he was doing. I'm not lazy, but I never really tried in school. I never had to for the most part. I had trouble in math, because no teachers ever took the time to actually try to help me understand what was going on. The science classes I took I had no problem with, and actually enjoyed. There was not a lot of challenge for me though. Term papers were written the night before they were turned in, and got A's.
I wasn't a star student so the counselor types never seemed to be that interested in what I did. When I told them I wanted to major in marine biology they pointed me at a big pile of college books, told me they have no idea, and that I should just look in those. I ended up applying at SEMO because it was close-ish to home, but far enough away that I wouldn't run into the same people I dealt with in high school.
I decided to major in computer science, and maybe take some music classes. What ended up happening is that I was a music ed major. I wanted to take some theory classes, and learn the double bass.
Back in October I realized that becoming a dietitian would be a great way to use the skills I have been developing over the last almost 6 years in a kitchen. My career as a cook was pretty much at a dead-end since I am somewhat limited as far as some of the things I have to do at work. Where I am now is fine. My co-workers (sort of) understand, and some of them are willing to help by tasting things when I need them to. When I started this I would have told you that my goal was to be a chef and have my own restaurant.
I started researching programs in the area for dietetics, and found that there really are only two. Fontbonne University, and St Louis University. Both are good, Catholic schools. SLU is about $12,000/year more expensive than Fontbonne. I was planning on taking some of the basic science classes that I was basically told I had no reason to take since I was a music major at St Louis Community College. (Obviously I was starting a bit late.)
As it turns out at SLCC I have to take a prereq before I can take the chemistry, anatomy and physiology, organic chem, and microbiology classes I need. One class, and all of the sessions are full. Well, there was one, at 11 am on Tuesday Thursday with labs on Wednesday. Obviously, that is not really going to work for me. Which means that I need to wait until summer before I can even start. Obviously, this is more than one semester's worth of classes since I have to take A&P 1 and 2, chem 1 and 2. Once I pass those I would be able to transfer to Fontbonne, and start as a full time student. I'm not sure how that would work out financially, but I would do something. I'm not saying I expect this to be a cakewalk, but I will do it. The challenge would be what I need, as opposed to drudging away working in a job that has zero future for me.
Personally, I am tired of working with creationists. People who come to work, and do nothing but tell me that I am wrong because I refuse to accept their story of how life came to be on this rock. I don't actually care what you believe in, but keep it to yourself. When there is scientific proof that it took a LOT longer than seven days for us to come into being, and you can't accept that you're an idiot. When I am at work I try to keep my mouth shut, because I don't want to offend my co-workers. People and dinosaurs did NOT co-exist at any point. The earth is older than 6000 years. Anyway, my problem with these people comes from the fact that they come to work, apparently not to work, but to preach. I find this reprehensible, particularly when the rest of the time they treat me and other co-workers with nothing but contempt, and generally sit on their asses. If I felt the need to go to church I would have gone to church. Shut the fuck up, and do your work!
Is getting away from these people my primary reason for going back to school? No. I want to have a better life, and I see this as a perfect way to do it.
What I am trying to figure out is this... should I just skip the community college, and go to the considerably more expensive school so that I am on the path, or should I take the slower, but less expensive path of community college? Part of me knows that I will be more motivated if I have to work a little harder at the better school, and in the end be less likely to give up because I am making more progress. Where at the community college I'll be more inclined to give up, because I am wanting to get on with it? What do you think? Community college or directly to University?
In other news... Today is Amy and my two year anniversary. It's pretty great. When we've had disagreements we have been able to talk things through calmly. Nobody is trying to manipulate. We have a sex life. We do things, together, and apart. Each of us has our own friends. We were joking the other day about how we deal with things like two people who have both been in therapy. We don't pick fights, or create drama. Just treat each other with love and kindness. It's pretty great.
Sorry it's been a while since I posted on here.
You see 20 years ago I was a senior in high school, and wanted to become a marine biologist. I have always had this thing where I procrastinate, and then do what I can. Of course it really didn't help that our "guidance counselor" had no fucking idea what he was doing. I'm not lazy, but I never really tried in school. I never had to for the most part. I had trouble in math, because no teachers ever took the time to actually try to help me understand what was going on. The science classes I took I had no problem with, and actually enjoyed. There was not a lot of challenge for me though. Term papers were written the night before they were turned in, and got A's.
I wasn't a star student so the counselor types never seemed to be that interested in what I did. When I told them I wanted to major in marine biology they pointed me at a big pile of college books, told me they have no idea, and that I should just look in those. I ended up applying at SEMO because it was close-ish to home, but far enough away that I wouldn't run into the same people I dealt with in high school.
I decided to major in computer science, and maybe take some music classes. What ended up happening is that I was a music ed major. I wanted to take some theory classes, and learn the double bass.
Back in October I realized that becoming a dietitian would be a great way to use the skills I have been developing over the last almost 6 years in a kitchen. My career as a cook was pretty much at a dead-end since I am somewhat limited as far as some of the things I have to do at work. Where I am now is fine. My co-workers (sort of) understand, and some of them are willing to help by tasting things when I need them to. When I started this I would have told you that my goal was to be a chef and have my own restaurant.
I started researching programs in the area for dietetics, and found that there really are only two. Fontbonne University, and St Louis University. Both are good, Catholic schools. SLU is about $12,000/year more expensive than Fontbonne. I was planning on taking some of the basic science classes that I was basically told I had no reason to take since I was a music major at St Louis Community College. (Obviously I was starting a bit late.)
As it turns out at SLCC I have to take a prereq before I can take the chemistry, anatomy and physiology, organic chem, and microbiology classes I need. One class, and all of the sessions are full. Well, there was one, at 11 am on Tuesday Thursday with labs on Wednesday. Obviously, that is not really going to work for me. Which means that I need to wait until summer before I can even start. Obviously, this is more than one semester's worth of classes since I have to take A&P 1 and 2, chem 1 and 2. Once I pass those I would be able to transfer to Fontbonne, and start as a full time student. I'm not sure how that would work out financially, but I would do something. I'm not saying I expect this to be a cakewalk, but I will do it. The challenge would be what I need, as opposed to drudging away working in a job that has zero future for me.
Personally, I am tired of working with creationists. People who come to work, and do nothing but tell me that I am wrong because I refuse to accept their story of how life came to be on this rock. I don't actually care what you believe in, but keep it to yourself. When there is scientific proof that it took a LOT longer than seven days for us to come into being, and you can't accept that you're an idiot. When I am at work I try to keep my mouth shut, because I don't want to offend my co-workers. People and dinosaurs did NOT co-exist at any point. The earth is older than 6000 years. Anyway, my problem with these people comes from the fact that they come to work, apparently not to work, but to preach. I find this reprehensible, particularly when the rest of the time they treat me and other co-workers with nothing but contempt, and generally sit on their asses. If I felt the need to go to church I would have gone to church. Shut the fuck up, and do your work!
Is getting away from these people my primary reason for going back to school? No. I want to have a better life, and I see this as a perfect way to do it.
What I am trying to figure out is this... should I just skip the community college, and go to the considerably more expensive school so that I am on the path, or should I take the slower, but less expensive path of community college? Part of me knows that I will be more motivated if I have to work a little harder at the better school, and in the end be less likely to give up because I am making more progress. Where at the community college I'll be more inclined to give up, because I am wanting to get on with it? What do you think? Community college or directly to University?
In other news... Today is Amy and my two year anniversary. It's pretty great. When we've had disagreements we have been able to talk things through calmly. Nobody is trying to manipulate. We have a sex life. We do things, together, and apart. Each of us has our own friends. We were joking the other day about how we deal with things like two people who have both been in therapy. We don't pick fights, or create drama. Just treat each other with love and kindness. It's pretty great.
Sorry it's been a while since I posted on here.