Monday, October 4, 2010

A Case of the Monday's

I wasn't going to post about this until after I talked with financial aid on Wednesday and then combine a post about them together but I really have nothing to talk about today so I'll tell you about my campus tour.

I left the house for the 45 minute drive to campus and realized once I arrived that I'd forgotten my watch.  I wasn't sure what time it was (the clock in my car is waaaaaaay off and I've just never bothered to fix it for some reason.) so I had no idea if I was on time or not. 

Went to the Admissions area and only had to wait for a few minutes before we left.  I was given a packet of information when I checked in which I still haven't looked at it.  I'm not sure why I haven't, it isn't like I don't have the time or anything.  I should probably at least glance at it.

I was the only person on the tour so it was personalized for me.  We started off in the gym.  The gym is frickin' HUGE!!!  Most of it's free for full-time students to use (and it was certainly being taken advantage of while we were there!) and includes a basketball court, a pool, three  racquetball courts, a rock climbing wall, a track to run on and of course, various types of exercise machines.  I'm pretty sure we didn't see all of it, just the main attractions.

We left the gym and headed towards the career center.  We were crossing the street and I don't know what happened.  I was fine up until that point but I took a step and it literally felt like someone jabbed a knife into my hip and twisted it around several times.  I looked down to see if I stepped on a crack in the sidewalk or something and I hadn't so I don't know what was up.  It was very painful to walk the rest of the way and continued to bother me for most of the week. 

Anyway, the lady at the career center was soooooooo nice!  I really liked her a lot.  Unfortunately, she said she couldn't do anything to help me right now as I'm not enrolled in any classes yet (I'll register in November) but she gave me some advice along with some pamphlets she said might help me in the mean time.  I can't access their job board until I'm enrolled for classes so I don't know what kinds of jobs they have listed.  I've been told by a friend who attends there that most of the jobs only pay minimum wage.  Well, if I can get a job paying minimum wage and live off loans, I might be able to make a go of it.  Hopefully!  The lady at the career center said the competition for jobs is FIERCE but that Christmas and summer breaks are the best times to look.

I don't remember where we went from there, we went all over and saw a bunch of different places.  The school is scattered over 113 acres on the main campus so we didn't get to see everything.  The things that stand out is that there's an art exhibit that changes the featured artist every month.  It's set up kind of like a museum, only smaller and there wasn't anyone there to greet us or answer any questions or anything. 

We went to some other art exhibit on campus too where they also sold their pieces.  I didn't see any prices on them so I don't know how spendy they were.  We got to see a seismograph or what ever that thing is that predicts earthquakes.  That was kind of cool.  They have a sports center with a room devoted entirely to all their trophies.  Football is H-U-G-E there so most of the trophies were for that.  I saw the math class where you can drop in for help.  It's a tiny classroom where you go in, sit down, do your homework and raise your hand if you need any help.  I have a feeling I'll be spending a LOT of time there!  Ugh!!!  I've decided I want my first semester of college to be a positive experience so I won't be taking any math classes.

The girl giving the tour is a junior there, I think, and she's also a business and economics major.  She says I'll have to take 2 math classes.  She found the first one pretty easy and I freaked out when she said it included some algebra.  She's currently taking the second math class now and says it's more difficult.  She's been to the math drop in center several times already this semester.  I'm thinking if she found the first math easy (and I know already that it's going to be difficult for me), then the second class is going to be rrreeeaaalllyyy hard! 

We went all over and afterwards, I felt very overwhelmed.  The campus is spread out into all different buildings in every direction.  I had no clue how to get back to my car (the girl walked me back to the parking lot) and I felt like, even after the tour, that I'm still going to be very lost there.  I brought my map with me so I could look at it and kind of get a feel for everything.  After I got home, I looked at it and tried to remember all the places she took me and honestly, I couldn't remember the majority of it.  There were so many different buildings and I can't remember what all went with each building.  Like, I know where the Student Union building is.  It houses a cafeteria.  We went to some other building and she showed me where they have another cafeteria with a different variety of food.  The Student Union offered more all American type of foods where this other cafeteria had more cultural foods.  I can't figure out where that other cafeteria is by looking at the map.  Not that I'll be eating there a lot anyways as it isn't any cheaper than eating at say, a fast food restaurant, but it's nice to know I have that choice if I want it.

Growing up, my father was in the military and I went to a new school almost every year because we moved so often.  I was always nervous and scared the first day but this somehow feels even scarier.  I'm sure I'll get it all figured out once I get started, it just all seems so intimidating right now. 

I think the tour was about an hour and a half long.

OT but Katie is having a live giveaway this Friday, October 8th, from 5:00 to 11:00 PM EST.  Click here for more details. 

In honor of all the rain we're having today, enjoy this pretty rainbow.

13 showed me some love:

The Daily Pip said...

You will do fine! Remember, all the new students will be feeling the same way. I bet you will know your way around campus by the end of the first week.

Your pal, Pip

Kristen said...

I lived on loans only. You can do this!!! I know you can.

MommyLisa said...

Good luck with school.

Zona said...

I'm sure you can do it!! It's tough but worth it!!

I'm so sorry you missed BBT!!! They'll have repeats soon though. Too soon!

Wags,
Zona (and mom)

Draco and his Mom said...

yay!!!! you will do great in school...new changes are scarey but so worth it in the end. Hope your hip is feeling better.

Velvet Over Steel said...

So sorry about your hip! Praying it is and gets better very soon!

I'm very excited for you and college!! You WILL do Great!!! I wish I had gone back to school and may still once my youngest son is done in a couple of years. But right now I'm exhausted whem working and helping him with 4 hours or so of homework almost every night. Ugh.. and it's not even my homework or credit! lol

Thank you for the Rainbow! It's very pretty and Brandon and I had a conversation about rainbows just this past Saturday. :-)

Have a wonderful week & be careful with your hip!!

Big Hug,
Coreen

jen said...

You can do this!!
You are strong:)

Zuzana said...

Sounds like a very exciting day. It is funny dear sprinkles, we share similar childhood memories; i too moved a lot around and as a child had to start pretty much every new year in a new school and I hated it. Even today i seek incredible stability and tend to stick to routines as I hated it so much.
I know it is even more scarier for you today, as we grow older, we are more contemplative and fear things in a quiet different way then as children.
But I know you will do well, every beginning is difficult.;)
Beautiful rainbow...
Have a lovely day dear friend,
xo

Melissa said...

It can be very overwhelming to go to a new school, especially one that big! But once you're there a while, you'll get the feel for things.

I have known lots of people that lived on loans alone. Best of luck and I hope you hear good news soon. :)

Nadine, Chewy and Lilibell said...

You can do it! We all have faith in you and will be here rooting for you!!

Deborah said...

Hey Sprinkles, you will be just fine, you will probably remember more than you think the second time your there! My daughter doesn't want me to post the babies name on the internet, so for now, I'm calling her the "little one". I'm sure you understand!
xxoo
Deborah

Unknown said...

Still waiting to get your address, girly! Did you not know that you won the giveaway I had for A Sassy Glass???
Hope you are having a great week!

Sketching with Dogs said...

We know you will be fantastic, this is such a great opportunity!
All our loves :)
Dip Bridge Elliot and Lynnexx

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