(no subject)
Okay. So, I was going to apply for this online university through which I could have possibly finished my BA in History in about a year. Actually did the application, but I'm ducking them right now because of some paperwork that got messed up and because I don't want to deal with the financial aid people. I did some more research into this particular school, and found a lot of people saying that they'd had a lot of problems with the financial people, some of which looks really fishy to this girl who knows jack about finance and loans and so on. This particular school has been audited for their practices, and even their Congressperson has pushed for them to be investigated.
After that, I'm thinking, this isn't good. Do I really want to step into something that's going to cost me in loans and grants that THEY may fuck up? Not really. I read like 50 reviews, and there were a couple of them that described their depression-linked anxiety that just exploded in these circumstances. Suffice to say, that really knocked something loose in me. So, basically, that is essentially off the table. Plus there's the fact that I'm not sure how an online Uni would be seen in my hopeful future career. But that's almost secondary at this point.
Anyway, I've started researching a couple of local State colleges. (There's also the fact that I was feeling a little wrong using grants and possibly federally-subsidized loans at for-profit schools, and my belief that education should not be a business.) Sonoma and Sacramento mainly, because they're relatively close to home, I know my way around the towns they reside in, and again, they're close to home.
Of course, going the traditional university route will extend all of this 2-3 further into the future, if not more, especially since I wouldn't start until next Fall, and that's only if the overloaded schools could fit me in. Plus there's the pressure of the question of funding, and the fact that it's likely I'd have to move again. Which, yeah, I'm not quite ready for, but this wouldn't be until like next summer, so... Also, working full-time while going to school almost full-time would be something I've never done, and I'm not exactly known as someone who's known for being able to do quite so much for long periods of time. At least not up until this point in my life.
Sonoma is closer, in that it's near where I used to live and my brother does live, and I know the drive between there and the Lake like the back of my hand. Sacramento though? No, it's not that far. About forty miles further than Sonoma, and it's mostly nice wide highway and a whole lot of I-5 (long and straight, even up here). And I like the city. It's kind of quaint in places, and I love all the history there. (I have some AWESOME memories of school trips to the Capitol, one of which had me and friends going somewhere we shouldn't have in the Capitol building, and almost being left behind at Sutter's Fort.)
Of course, I also admit to a bit of a Bay Area/NorCal mindset. Anything east of the Coast Range is practically a different state. The Central Valley may as well be Texas for some of us, which is so completely fucked up, but, well, it's true. (Though, personally, I'd rather live in the Valley than SoCal; that shit hole IS another state.) But I think I'm at the point in my life where I could suck it up and deal. Find a job, a small place to live, and study my ass off. Then go to Old Town and all the touristy places I remember from those school trips.
But tonight? Tonight I got inspired to do some research into Humboldt State. Now, Humboldt is like 200 miles away from here, so there wouldn't be as many trips home, though probably more than most people. And Humboldt is a party school, hippie school. Humboldt county is part of the Emerald Triangle after all, and if you don't know what that means, well, google it; you won't have to click on any of the links because it will be apparent what that means right off the bat.
I've researched all of their History programs and what of my more than 100 units (yeah, MORE than a hundred units, and only MAYBE 9 of those upper division) would be transferable/articulable. I'm good on US History, but Sonoma won't take my Western Civ classes. Sac and Humboldt will, but looking through Sac's catalog, I'm pretty sure I'd need to take another section of at least English 1A if I have ANY hope of being able to handle some of their classes. (As it is, I'm contemplating that for the Spring; fiction writing and journaling may not necessarily be the best way to keep my research paper muscles flexed.)
Anyway, Humboldt at this point is looking like the place I'd have the best chance of getting out of school in the timeliest manner. It seems more of my classes would transfer, they have a good concepts class that would be a good refresher on remembering how to write scholarly work, and, well, then there's the fact of where Humboldt is. It's in Arcata, which is practically part of Eureka, though I wonder if they have people up there that are very, "NO! This is Arcata! Not Eureka!!" Smallish coastal town, it's usually cloudy/foggy/drizzly. But there are giant Coast Redwoods. There are beaches where I can take my truck. THERE'S THE PACIFIC OCEAN. I think the thing I hate the most about living at the Lake is that the freaking coast is like a 100 miles away.
But there's also the fact that it's 200 miles north of here. So I couldn't exactly go home on my days off or whatever. I would be resigned to occasional visits, something I'm not sure I'm ready for. Again, I'm getting ahead of myself. It's nearly a year away, and I have so much to do between then and now. Keep working on my issues, get a job, start learning to be responsible with my money. Short list, but that first one is perhaps obviously not as simple as five words makes it sound.
*sigh* Not to mention the fact that I have until November 30 to apply to whichever or all of the above mentioned schools. I need to talk to my therapist. I'm going to a Sonoma State admissions workshop on Tuesday. Thanksgiving is Thursday, as is my father's 68th birthday. A bunch of studying to do, chili to make tomorrow (IT'S FREEZING UP HERE!!!), laundry to put away, and all of those other interesting little things that make up life.
And I've been staying up way too late the last couple of nights. This school thing just has my going full speed, at least until I finally lie down, so I guess that is good. I just keep lying down entirely too late. Anyway.
So, if you've read this far, congratulations :) And if you didn't, you won't be reading this! I REALLY want to write some dirty, DIRTY McGibbs smut. HELLO!! :)
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