January 18, 2006

Final Grades In:

After a scathing letter to the college (about not sending a gradecard and locking me out of the online service so that I couldn't see my grades), I got a copy of my final transcript with grades for my last quarter:

AC122 Payroll Accounting 3 credits A-
SC300 Environmental Science 3 credits A
SO220 Cultural Diversity in the United States 3 credits A
WP138 Intro to Word Processing Applications 3 credits A

Total grade average: 3.85

I am now a graduate with an associate degree Legal Assisting/Paralegal with honors. *cheers for me*

(preps a new letter for the college about where his degree is)

Posted by Ravennacht at 01:51 PM

December 16, 2005

Finals Completed, the Wait begins

Finals are over with. I was tempted to take all four tests at once, in one of my fits of wanting to be done with it, but after last quarter's all day six test fun-fest, I didn't repeat it. Cultural Diversity was much harder than I prepared for, to tell the truth, I really don't care what I got in there at this point. I always have trouble with dates and statistical numbers, never remember anything like that well.

Payroll Accounting final was suprisingly painless. I guess after doing a 15 employee company payroll for 6 months with all state and federal deposit and end of year reports with them, and the subsequent journalling... a five employee journal and general ledger for two payrolls is relatively painless on the final. Four days of torture on that final project definitely prepared me for this... I have no doubt I passed the final whatsoever.

The environmental science final was also relatively painless. Falling right in line with my Geology degree classes, it was pretty much rudimentary review anyway, and of great interest to me, field-wise, so I retain much of it well.

The computer course final was a yawner... what a joke.

I cannot even explain how much relief I feel now. I may sleep for a week. I need this vacation, I feel dead inside from the stress. Now all I have to do is await final grades.

Posted by Ravennacht at 01:00 AM

December 08, 2005

Projects and Finals Approacheth

I spent four straight days doing the Payroll Accounting project. My eyes feel like they are going to fall out of my head, I can't handle looking at small figures so intently so long. Thank goodness I didn't wait until the deadline, lest I never would have finished nor found many of the mistakes I had initially made. I was not doing well in the class at all, getting marginal Cs on the tests regardless of how hard I studied... though my homework always was mysteriously fine... just the manner of test questions chosen I guess. I have requested additional work and assistance from the instructor but she says I am overreacting. I am still slightly above the class course average, however, grade-wise, that's not so good.

I had hoped to graduate with honors... somehow I don't foresee it happening. It's not from lack of trying.

I have finals under control, but must confess severe anxiety over the Payroll Accounting final. If I don't pass this, I don't graduate and have to take it over. Gee, wonder why I chose to take this class the last quarter of the whole thing? Now you know why.

I did a research paper for Environmental Science on causation of mass species extinction, literally emptying the city library of every book I could lay hands upon on the subject. No one ever said I wasn't thorough.

For Cultural Diversity, I had to do a Letter to the Editor on a cultural diversity issue. A local state senator had made recent comments concerning making English the official language of the State. Given the current anti-hispanic atmosphere in the state, I foresaw this more as a strike against them than the innocent reasons he was blabbing about... anyway, that's what I wrote my letter concerning.

Did I mention what a complete waste of time this Cultural Diversity class was? I could read the book in the space of a single sitting, its like a brochure filled with definitions and examples, that's it. Not something I would pattern a class after. I always was of the mind that Cultural Diversity was best taught in the context of other subjects as how they relate to them... but what do I know. Anyway, I'm almost done with it.

The Word Processing course I was forced to take, I have been ready to take the final for the last two months. I had completed all of the homework weeks ahead of time (how many ways could I possibly need to learn how to use Word tools... I only use it every day anyway). The instructor was severely lacking in completing grading assignments or preparing tests ahead of time so that we could get them out of the way. So much for accelerated, work-at-your-own pace.

I'm already writing scathing evaluations.

Posted by Ravennacht at 01:59 AM

October 09, 2005

Payroll Dilemma

I am really frustrated right now. I spent the last two weeks studying my ass off, doing extra work, re-reading chapters, completing presentations, researching and still managed to do god aweful on this first Payroll Accounting test on friday. I just don't know what else to do to do better.

For some reason, the drier the topic, the harder it is for me to click on some of this stuff. I have tried to approach this from every angle I can think of, its just not coming out. My luck is that this is the only course left I really need for graduation, and I am failing at it at the moment, not a good sign. Thank god I am not trying to be an accountant, this is miserable.

Going to have to pour more time into this, I have to figure out a way to get through this. This is depressing and stressful as hell.

Posted by Ravennacht at 09:39 PM

September 27, 2005

Final Quarter Begins

I am absolutely swamped with material to read and assimilate. School just started, and between these four classes and work, I don't even think I can formulate a constructive syllable non-related to either. I am such a dumbass for doing this to myself again. Four classes may not seem like much, but for my it is a lot to juggle, try to retain all the information, and work also.

My stress level is very high right now. Granted, it's the last quarter, but I'm definitely at that "tired of this" stage (which, thank goodness it is the last quarter BECAUSE of that). A lot of the pressure is from this Payroll Accounting class. My apprehension level in going in there is astronomical, considering my last accounting classes were 10+ years ago. I just don't think I am going to do well in there.

I think my aggravation level is a lot higher right now, also, owing to the fact that I am having to take yet another Word Processing class. It just seems that they are all the same to me... plus I use this stuff at work all the time so its like I feel like I'm wasting my time, being bored. It's highly frustrating.

Already I have had one issue with a professor and am only a few days into the new quarter. From my review... supposed to read three chapters then write three assigned papers... the assignments do not match where he indicates they are in the book, in fact, I cannot even find them. My textbook version is newer than that listed on the syllabus... apparantly the syllabus wasn't changed. More stress... woo.

Anyway, enough bitching. Must return to reading, got enough to do as it is.

Posted by Ravennacht at 04:02 PM

September 14, 2005

Grades for Summer Quarter

First, let me say that I was truly suprised by these grades, because I truly struggled this quarter, a lot of bad things going on at once all tearing at the concentration at the same time. Thanks to family and friends that put up with my bad moods and cranky attitude during the quarter, I appreciated your support. Grades are in:

KY141 VC Keyboarding I Grade: A Credits: 5
PL108 VC Juvenile Law Grade: A Credits: 5
PL202 VC Criminal Law Grade: A Credits: 3

GPA this session: 4.0
Total Credits this Session: 13

Accumulated Credits: 191
Accumulated GPA: 3.85

LAST Quarter Schedule:

AC122 VC Payroll Accounting
SC300 VC Environmental Science
SO220 VC Cultural Diversity in the United States
WP138 VC Intro to Word Processing Applications

Posted by Ravennacht at 09:46 PM

September 08, 2005

Test Grades

Well, the results of my whole day torture session of five tests in one day are back (yeah, I was suffering from concentration lackings during the last weeks, no excuse though, mutters):

Juvenile Law:
Test 3: 91%
Final Exam: 93%

Criminal Law:
Test 4: 94%
Final Exam: 83%
No news yet on Motion to Supress grade:

Keyboarding I
Final Exam: 86% (bleh)

I also got a compliment from my Law Instructor:

It was also a pleasure having you in my law classes. You are an exceptional student with a proficiency in law. I highly recommend you consider continuing your legal education. If you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Methinks I should hit him up for a recommendation letter. Maybe I can be appointed to take Sandra Day O'Connor's seat on the Supreme Court (stooge smacks Roberts, Scalia, and Thomas in the back of the head).

Posted by Ravennacht at 12:49 PM

August 30, 2005

Intelligent Design vs. Creationism

I never seem to get more flustered than listening to a bunch of thumpers talk about their right to have their children taught "intelligent design" in their science classes as an alternative to evolutionary theory in schools.

Is it just me, or is "intelligent design" a grandiose, regurgitated name for creationism in a slim, neat marketing package to defeat the auspices of the Supreme Court ruling in Edwards v. Aguillard .

Lets study this problem from a purely realistic, logical standpoint. You send your child to school to get an education. Within that education your child may attend science classes. Since when is "intelligent design" an accepted science? You defeat the foundations of science by teaching "intelligent design" within the context of a science class... is it reproducable, is it observable, can it be recreated.

I am not opposed to allowing students to take religious classes in school, as long as they choose to take the course. What I have an issue with is the teaching of religious creationism dogma in a science classroom, when it belongs in the context of biblical study not science.

The recent movement toward "intelligent design" teaching in science classrooms (and again, I emphasize in the SCIENCE environment), is completely unacceptable to me.

Stop shoving your bible down my craw. Teach your child at home and bible school about creationism. Respect the differences in our culture and stop assuming that everyone is a born-again wannabe waiting to be saved.

Posted by Ravennacht at 08:09 PM

August 29, 2005

Countdown to Meltdown

I have had it with Summer Quarter. I am absolutely worn out. I am determined that I shall not allow it to go on another week. It is my goal to complete my last two tests this week, along with the motion to supress with memorandum, along with the hearing attendance report, along with the three finals THIS WEEK. Finals were not supposed to be until next week, but I just can't stomach another weekend of reading and researching and waiting to take the test. I want it done already. It's probably going to kill me, but, I need a break! ENTERING HIGH CAFFEINATED, MANIC-EXPLOSIVE ZONE, PLEASE WEAR HARD HAT AND DO NOT FEED THE SOCIOPATHS.

Posted by Ravennacht at 12:01 PM

August 22, 2005

The Saga Continues

Just got my check from the college today, reimbursing me for the $1600 I paid earlier in tuition. Praise be to the Grant gods. It covers the tuition and about $200 of the books (which actually cost me $300+, but beggars can't be choosers, and at least i have a job).

Have one test left in both Juvenile Law (next friday) and Criminal Law (next wednesday), with both the Research assignment and the court visit assignments due on next friday as well for Criminal Law. I probably will try to take the final for Keyboarding then as well, just to get it away from the other two exams the following week, I have enough to worry about.

I missed the deadline to schedule for next quarter classes (my final quarter to graduate), which means I have to pay an additional $25. I tried to schedule online but the computer blocked me out of two classes (Payroll Accounting and Cultural Diversity) because it says I don't have the prerequisites complete to take them. Unfortunately for me, the computer does not seem to recognize that I have transfer credit from Ohio State that covers one of the prerequisites and I have earlier credit from Northwestern (from my first two degrees) from the other class, but it was renumbered. Enter mad calls to voicemail with the registrar and a huge detailed e-mail to the registrar and my advisor about the problem. Still nothing back on either. Woo stress.

Woohooo, Miss Heather starts school today. Had to get up early and live the life of a avid scholar on campus. (weeps for her) hehe. Manatee County doesn't know what hit it. Get that degree done, girl, you need to move!

Posted by Ravennacht at 02:39 PM

August 11, 2005

Praise Be the Ohio Grant Gods

Finally got an award letter from the Ohio Board of Regents today indicating that I have received an Ohio Instructional Grant for $5,400 for the 2005-2006 year. I can't relay exactly how much better I feel now, especially in light of the $1,600 tuition bill on my credit card making faces at me. This with the Pell grant covers the majority of tuition now, but I still have a bit to pay from now on with book costs, but at least I am working too. Finally I can breathe again without thinking I would go bankrupt! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Posted by Ravennacht at 10:58 AM

July 18, 2005

Summer Quarter begins

School started today and with it brought my usual bouts of apprehension and nervousness, a purely futile and frustrating series of events that have no connection to anything which can cause me harm, but then again, thats my mental manic anxiety problem anyway.

Welcome to Summer Quarter. Your classes will be: Criminal Law; Juvenile Law; and Keyboarding I.

I logged in at school and right off the bat I noticed that the school has messed up already, listing me in a class for which I already had taken LAST quarter. I called them and told them to remove it, listening to the guy talk to me like I was a complete computer illiterate twit (he thought it was just VIEW OPTION error that I had set wrong until I patiently explained that I was registered in a class I already had taken).

I reviewed all the syllabi for my classes, which is fairly daunting because they are compacting ten weeks into just eight so that means I have a lot of reading to do quickly. The one I truly dislike this quarter is already giving me grief, Keyboarding (shudder what a mind drainer monotonizer). Unfortunately I need the time credit, so I can't afford to just test out of it. It requires me to go in and buy a program just for time drilling. Good grief. I have no idea how fast i can even type actually, its pretty fast now anyhow... I wish I could just pass out of this stupid course. The homework she wants done in there is obnoxious. I'm tired of this quarter already.

I have a series of projects for the law courses. Must go in to the city and sit in on a criminal hearing and submit a report. For juvenile law, I have to research FBI and gang statistics for a report.

Thank god I only have three courses. If it was four, like last quarter, I think my mind would implode.

Posted by Ravennacht at 01:29 PM

July 15, 2005

Bless the Fed, Damn the State

I was going to go in yesterday and pay the $3,000 tuition bill, but Financial aid was closed after an open house for tours. So I called this morning, and was welcomed with the news that my Pell Grant had returned to halve this white whale of a bill. I now only have to cough up $1,600 by today, thank goodness a credit card check came yesterday with my renewal card. Now if only the State would process my student aid report I may be able to breathe again. I have all of $500 dollars left in my checking account, which at least lets me dent into the payment this month when the credit card bill comes now (I'm one of those that rarely use their credit cards, of which I only have two, and always pay the balance off that month, no luck this time). I credit the good juju and pass it on :)

Posted by Ravennacht at 10:21 AM

July 14, 2005

Financial Aid Woes

I have gotten little sleep since last night, tossing til about 4am. I didn't wake up til around noon. This $3,000 tuition bill (due by Monday) is going to kill me. I spent most of today phoning the school dealing with it. Then the bank. I have to get up early tomorrow and drive to campus to fight with Financial Aid, then head to the registrar to charge this behemoth bill to my card (basically because I know Financial Aid isn't going to have my grants returned in time for classes starting Monday.) It's bad enough to be grappling with all these health issues, family drug overdoses, basket case loon relatives on the verge of collapse, needy grandparent... now I have to face inclement bankruptcy just to finish a degree. Why go through this. Why not just quit. Someone is trying to send me a message. I'm getting slammed from every side, it seems.

I can completely understand Webkittyn's current dilemma. To receive a bill of such herculean amount for her rescued kitties, a shakespearean thrust of a rapier to the heart of a person just trying to do what is right... I'm sure her eyes about fell out of her head. I know mine did for this freaking bill. I'm still tasting bile in my mouth. I'm still in shock. Not sure if my heart has started beating again yet. I still can't freaking sleep. Christ, I am such a dumbass. God this is depressing.

At least my $300 plus textbooks arrived in time.

Posted by Ravennacht at 02:48 AM

July 07, 2005

Summer Quarter Book Fees

$358.38 for four books for summer quarter. And tuition bill hasn't even come yet. Someone shoot me in the face. Thank god I have been working or I'd be more of a pauper than standard. Freaking legal textbooks are expensive.

Posted by Ravennacht at 01:03 PM

June 20, 2005

Spring Quarter Grades Are In

Spring Quarter 2005

DP150 VC Spreadsheet Applications: A

DP200 VC Automated Research: S

PL106 VC Domestic Relations: A

PL107 VC Real Estate: A


CREDIT HOURS THIS SESSION: 13
QUARTER GPA: 4
ACCUMULATED CREDITS: 178
ACCUMULATIVE GPA: 3.84

Thank God

Posted by Ravennacht at 11:16 PM

May 25, 2005

Spreadsheet Part 2

I swear to god, I am going to blow a freaking blood vessel. After not having grades for two weeks completed, I check for them today and see the post for the last two week's assignments. I get a 0 on one of the assessments because he says that I duplicated the other assessment on submission by mistake. I have no means of disputing anything because he removes all the drop boxes from student review. So I wrote him this letter.

Professor XXXXXXXX:

I am writing this email in response to the outcome of my grades as posted for Chapter 6, which include:

Chapter 6 drop box (60) 43.00 (71.67%) Assessment #6 - Nothing submitted (-15). Assessment #7 was submitted twice.
Assessment #7 - Not set to print in Landscape

Needless to say, I was shocked that I may have mis-submitted an assessment, as when I checked my own directory, I had completed the assessment.

I am somewhat frustrated, however, with some issues concerning this. I have no means of seeing exactly what I did on this assessment or did not do, as the assignment drop boxes are removed each week.

I cannot dispute your grade in this. I now have no choice but to accept the grade. However, I believe I deserved consideration from you, as an instructor, as your adult student, for something that was clearly a submission error, with at the very least an e-mail from you stating that I had made an error and to submit the correct submission to you.

I believe that I have done my assignments and displayed proficiency well in your course. I believe that, as a professional, the consideration that you request of us students when you have had a birthday party, or have been late grading assignments or the midterm has been consistantly granted to you with no complaint. I am frustrated that this system does not seem to go both ways.

Posted by Ravennacht at 05:18 PM

May 05, 2005

Spread this Sheet ye Bastid

I have been immersed in the lovely time of Midterms all week. I am thoroughly frustrated with this Excel class I am currently in. Not because I am having any problem doing the work or knowing what to do. Not because I had this class once before and passed it already. Not because I had to retake this class under the two year rule. And not because I am already in 3 other classes (all law courses).

No. This class is thoroughly p*ssing me off owing to the fact that the instructor is a complete unmitigated ASS. I log in the first week (2nd day) since I had to work the first day of school. I catch a load of crapola that I need to make an introductory post on the class forum (nevermind that its due that Friday). I post, expressly making it known that I was working all day the previous day and that this assignment isn't due until friday anyway. Already his attitude is starting me off on the bad foot.

Next we get badgered about when assignments are due by, which we all know (as is clearly written on the assignments and the syllabus) to be due by midnight each Friday with him grading on Sundays. He wants us to email him every time he posts grades on sundays so he knows that we have seen them (anal much). This last week he writes a big announcement about how he cant get to grading the last section work until monday night owing to birthdays and stuff in his family. Check monday and he hasnt done it, irrespective of the fact that the midterm is due by this friday.

So I log in to take the midterm just now. He threatens that he knows when we download the test (yank) and that we have exactly two hours to turn in the assignments for the midterm (8 of them) or we get a zero. So, after reading the instructions I click the link and the window opens into a pdf document (and again, no notice to people or accomodation for those that cannot open those files, what an ASS) which is a BAD photocopy of assessments from his instructor book, and I do mean BAD BAD copy. We are supposed to copy format and other stuff and I can barely read the numbers and recognize what is bold and what is just shitty copy. I am so pissed off.

Nevermind that some of the files which we are supposed to open to do the assignments are from the cd which came with the book (which is divided into at least 20+ sections). He fails to mention WHERE on the cd to find the files he was using in the midterm, cause its only broken down by chapter, NOT TESTS. I found them finally (no where obvious), but I can just see the people that have problems with computers absolutely having a nervous breakdown.

Now, the instructions on the test say to name stuff completely different from what he said, so again you get disparity. You get portions that say to print a sheet, make more changes, print again, make more changes, etc... which since this is all online means we cannot do... which means we have to copy each stage after a print to a new sheet to turn in. *roll* Again, he never bothered to teach others how to do that (I know how anyway, but can you imagine a beginner dealing with this stupid shit?)

I am so going to flame his freaking evaluation to high hell. I am so p*ssed.

Posted by Ravennacht at 01:24 AM

April 01, 2005

Grades Winter 05

A ---Advanced Composition
A ---Litigation
A ---Probate Administration

Dean's List (Woot!)

Posted by Ravennacht at 01:53 AM

December 01, 2004

Grades Autumn 04

A ---Document Processing with Microcomputers
A ---Introduction to Legal Systems
A ---Legal Research and Writing

Dean's List (woot)

Posted by Ravennacht at 01:49 AM