Reading with strategy is smart reading but still reading should mean READING.
Yes, this must sounds like a weird heading but when it comes to reading it should be reading, not skimming through the papers. Be it instructions, advertisements, newspapers, assignments or no matter what. I am speaking from my hard learnt experience. I have recently learnt my lesson and I am kind of ashamed of it and embarrassed to share it but I better take it off my chest...after all I want to be honest at the end of the day, at least to myself!
I understand that Students of Masters in Social Work have a lot of reading to finish. Often skimming through articles and book reading is the easiest way, it is kind of okay at times but NOT for the instructions and/or assignments, especially not those which are 20% of your final exam, right? I did it.
I think I had lost my mind yesterday evening when I realized I have made a mistake of NOT READING my assignment properly. I had a paper due on Friday by mid night and knowing myself, I started paper a week before its due date. I skipped couple of days in between to chill out but I finished it on time, or so I think.
Okay, let me start again. Friday, the 17th I sat with my classmate and started to work on my paper which was due on Friday, the 24th. I worked hard to make bullet points, elaborate, research and to write professional APA (American Psychological Association) style language. I submitted with pride, and went to a mixer organized by Military Social Workers. My classmate and I who started paper together (but didn't finish together) were talking about our paper and I showed my paper to her on my iPhone. She started to read and suddenly she pointed out second part of my paper doesn't match the given instructions. I disagreed, but to satisfy her I opened instruction, and just to surprise myself I found out, she was right. After reading the instructions in depth, I realized I didn't read the instructions more than couple of lines because I was so sure of all the instruction JUST by reading two lines of whole paragraph. Oh, I lost it. I couldn't sit there, I couldn't drink, I couldn't eat, I was restless…way more than I would like to be. I felt like kicking some ass...or beating myself up with questions like, how dare you? How could you do this? What is wrong with you girl? And so on and so forth!
I was at a public place and I was restless. I had to calm myself by standing in front of mirror in the bathroom and by giving myself instructions to cool down and by confronting it to my brother over the phone. I did felt peaceful afterward. I obviously can’t do anything anymore because it was gone from my hands. I dunno what is result going to be, I dunno if I will have to do the paper again or not, I dunno what do I need to do now…but I do know I need to chill until teacher tells me to re-do, and I do know for sure, to read ALL the given instructions next time onwards… and I mean READING not skimming through it.
Trojan
Update: Here is the update on this paper! aggrrhh!!!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
USC Rocks!
I have always been a USC fan, I am the Trojan.
First time I heard about USC was years ago when I interviewed a USC alumni, then it didn't click me which university she has mentioned but soon after I realized University of Southern California, USC, is one the best universities in the world. And my school of Social Work at USC has ranked top 10 schools throughout the world, how fun!!!
I have applied to USC twice. First time, I made it to the waiting list, waited until the start of classes but couldn't reach to classes...I was sad, really sad. That year I worked hard, tried to gain new experience and also took new trainings such as substance abuse counselor and human trafficking. I worked with Domestic Violence survivors, South Asian queers, High Risk Teenagers on Probation, Homeless kids, and different kind of population, to gain experience, to know my passion in depth and to get into USC School of Social Work. By the time I reached to re application process, I was much more confident and assured about my admission due to the experience I achieved.
As I earlier mentioned I am in my mid thirties, and going for higher education was a little out of league work for me so I thought twice about my love for USC and let myself apply for USC as well as Cal state Long Beach. Though I did apply for Cal State Long Beach and researched couple of other universities, I somehow didn't finish all the requirements on time. I was assured in heart that USC is the one and the only one.
Second time, by May end I got an approval letter from USC for my selection, and I was insanely crazily happy. I called all the friends and all the people who knew that I have applied for this school to inform my good news. It was a way to get out of my mad life, my Effed up professional life. I took all the required steps and finally got into my stream of orientation followed up by classes.
USC provided me with confidence, support, financial aid and so many facilities which no other university often offers to their students. The libraries are open 24X7; there are few different route trams which run all day and all night; staff and teachers are accessible, tutors and librarians are very helpful. There is awesome swimming pool, gym and exercise groups are top notch. Everything under the sun is available with some cost and some free at the campus. The campus is beautiful and the stadium is one of the greener stadiums. And there are two USC owned bars on campus haa haa interesting, right?
What more can I ask for? I am so glad I made it to the USC and I am so glad I am a Trojan…
Trojan
P.S - One night at around 3.30 I left library, sat in the tram to go back home. The surreal moment happened to me. I wrote on my facebook: I am sitting in USC tram and going back home, The real scene is surreal: Hispanic driver is speaking Hindi, Bollywood music is playing and some Indian students are discussing Common Wealth Games, and India's today's situation... This all makes me wonder, main kahan hun?? (where am I?)
First time I heard about USC was years ago when I interviewed a USC alumni, then it didn't click me which university she has mentioned but soon after I realized University of Southern California, USC, is one the best universities in the world. And my school of Social Work at USC has ranked top 10 schools throughout the world, how fun!!!
I have applied to USC twice. First time, I made it to the waiting list, waited until the start of classes but couldn't reach to classes...I was sad, really sad. That year I worked hard, tried to gain new experience and also took new trainings such as substance abuse counselor and human trafficking. I worked with Domestic Violence survivors, South Asian queers, High Risk Teenagers on Probation, Homeless kids, and different kind of population, to gain experience, to know my passion in depth and to get into USC School of Social Work. By the time I reached to re application process, I was much more confident and assured about my admission due to the experience I achieved.
As I earlier mentioned I am in my mid thirties, and going for higher education was a little out of league work for me so I thought twice about my love for USC and let myself apply for USC as well as Cal state Long Beach. Though I did apply for Cal State Long Beach and researched couple of other universities, I somehow didn't finish all the requirements on time. I was assured in heart that USC is the one and the only one.
Second time, by May end I got an approval letter from USC for my selection, and I was insanely crazily happy. I called all the friends and all the people who knew that I have applied for this school to inform my good news. It was a way to get out of my mad life, my Effed up professional life. I took all the required steps and finally got into my stream of orientation followed up by classes.
USC provided me with confidence, support, financial aid and so many facilities which no other university often offers to their students. The libraries are open 24X7; there are few different route trams which run all day and all night; staff and teachers are accessible, tutors and librarians are very helpful. There is awesome swimming pool, gym and exercise groups are top notch. Everything under the sun is available with some cost and some free at the campus. The campus is beautiful and the stadium is one of the greener stadiums. And there are two USC owned bars on campus haa haa interesting, right?
What more can I ask for? I am so glad I made it to the USC and I am so glad I am a Trojan…
Trojan
P.S - One night at around 3.30 I left library, sat in the tram to go back home. The surreal moment happened to me. I wrote on my facebook: I am sitting in USC tram and going back home, The real scene is surreal: Hispanic driver is speaking Hindi, Bollywood music is playing and some Indian students are discussing Common Wealth Games, and India's today's situation... This all makes me wonder, main kahan hun?? (where am I?)
Night-Angle
I am the night-angle, in other words I am a night owl...oh well, I am the one, I am the one, and I am the one. It’s been years, and I still haven't learnt how to sleep early and wake up early. I have been the same way for years and I can’t say it happily that it is a good habit, not anymore because I think it is very unhealthy way of living. Well, not for the females who are in mid 30s...lol and truthfully I think it has started to show on my personal life, my professional life (which is????) and on my physical appearance.
Yesterday I decided to sit at the school library which is open 24X7 so I can concentrate better and finish my work faster than sitting at home and not been able to study due to weird distractions but I stayed up until 6 am and slept through the day and I am back to the library today….oh yeah. I am the night-angle.
How convenient to have a library which is open day and night, right? But it would have been much better if I was able to work on my paper on time and didn't have to stay up and live with the pressure. Truthfully, it has less to do with my night creative time and more due to my habit of putting things off until the last minute. For example, tomorrow at 1 PM I have a paper due and I am still working on it...its unhealthy! On the other hand, I do like to work over nights cos it is quiet, it is peaceful and I feel more attentive at this hour but on behalf of my health, nah, not anymore. I need to change this habit and I am trying to bring this topic in front of me for the same reason so I could pay attention to my activities and control to procrastinate. It could be my habit to rebel and swim against the waves :-))
Help!!! Help me peeps! Gimme suggestions please :-)
Trojan
P.S. It is fun to be up late while working and enjoying the quietness of this world, with my favorite music in my ears and my hands working on my Vaio keyboard =P
Yesterday I decided to sit at the school library which is open 24X7 so I can concentrate better and finish my work faster than sitting at home and not been able to study due to weird distractions but I stayed up until 6 am and slept through the day and I am back to the library today….oh yeah. I am the night-angle.
How convenient to have a library which is open day and night, right? But it would have been much better if I was able to work on my paper on time and didn't have to stay up and live with the pressure. Truthfully, it has less to do with my night creative time and more due to my habit of putting things off until the last minute. For example, tomorrow at 1 PM I have a paper due and I am still working on it...its unhealthy! On the other hand, I do like to work over nights cos it is quiet, it is peaceful and I feel more attentive at this hour but on behalf of my health, nah, not anymore. I need to change this habit and I am trying to bring this topic in front of me for the same reason so I could pay attention to my activities and control to procrastinate. It could be my habit to rebel and swim against the waves :-))
Help!!! Help me peeps! Gimme suggestions please :-)
Trojan
P.S. It is fun to be up late while working and enjoying the quietness of this world, with my favorite music in my ears and my hands working on my Vaio keyboard =P
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Adjustments - one
Life gets crazy busy when someone professional person 'try' to become a student. Truthfully student life can get really busy and hectic if students follow all the proper rules and actually study. I am a student now but last I went to regular school to study was in late 1990s, and now it is 2010 and I am back to school. I have no regular hours like a job required me to do; I have no fix budget and of course no fix things to do either. I WAS use to this lifestyle but after years of not living life on impulses and on campus, I find myself at lost - TOTAL LOST.
I need structure, I need fix issues to handle and I need a lot of fixes for my each and every day so I do not get out of my own control, oh well I guess out of mind would be nice way to put it!
Every time someone asks me, how’s school, I say, oh its good, it’s so hectic, and person in front look at me as if I am some insane girl. Then I often hear them saying, student life is all about fun, not about hectic time…aggrhh. How do I explain others that going back to school needs a lot of concentration, a lot of changes and a lot of new ways of communication…For example, I have this second paper due within two days and I let my mind continue to think that I know this topic, I will just sit and will finish it one seating but today I am noticing that it’s been two days and I am still not been able to finish the first draft, sigh. And today I am working over night in school library so at least I am able to finish first draft by morning…ah, student life. It is totally not advisable to procrastinate but it is acceptable in professional life.
Okay, I am back to working on my paper, it is due tomorrow…dang!
Trojan
I need structure, I need fix issues to handle and I need a lot of fixes for my each and every day so I do not get out of my own control, oh well I guess out of mind would be nice way to put it!
Every time someone asks me, how’s school, I say, oh its good, it’s so hectic, and person in front look at me as if I am some insane girl. Then I often hear them saying, student life is all about fun, not about hectic time…aggrhh. How do I explain others that going back to school needs a lot of concentration, a lot of changes and a lot of new ways of communication…For example, I have this second paper due within two days and I let my mind continue to think that I know this topic, I will just sit and will finish it one seating but today I am noticing that it’s been two days and I am still not been able to finish the first draft, sigh. And today I am working over night in school library so at least I am able to finish first draft by morning…ah, student life. It is totally not advisable to procrastinate but it is acceptable in professional life.
Okay, I am back to working on my paper, it is due tomorrow…dang!
Trojan
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
A Wakeup Call
I got a wakeup call today during one of my classes. I gave quiz for the class last Tuesday and today when I got my quiz back, I got 14/20, which is close to C...shiiittt!!!
I was never this bad, and then what did I do to go this lower?
Well, I thought I know this subject, Human Behavior, from my practical knowledge and I can do it, I don't need to read so much and blah blah blah... :-(
I was living in denial; it was a total case scenario of Defense Mechanism. I learnt this term in Human Behavior class today. I knew this term but not the way I learnt today. It is from Freudian Theory of Psychoanalytic. It has four parts under it but let’s not go too much in to theoretical part. It basically means when a person have some kind of shock or Repression, Regression, Projection, Reaction Formation, and Displacement then either they get adaptive or maladaptive...wait, I did get in to some theory hee hee...Oh well!! SO when person go into adaptive or maladaptive mode, they react to things different than 'normal' people do. For example: I chose a Professor Angulo for my Human Behavior (HB) class but when for the first day I went to my HB class, without information we found out that our professor was changed to someone else. I rejected this new professor right away without giving him chance to teach me or prove his abilities to me. I ignored the readings and studies for HB class for two sessions after my first session. On the fourth session we had quiz, which I did try to prepare but with an attitude. I gave quiz and as you already read, I got a very low grade...oh yeah; this was a wakeup call...a call to tell me that WAKE UP TROJAN & STUDY!!!
So as a result of the wakeup call which I got in the class today, I automatically started thinking more and paid better attention in rest of the HB class. Henceforth, I understood what was getting taught and regretted that I haven't been studying properly for HB and I DO need to pump up my game...No more excuses :-)
Conclusion: The Freud's theory which he wrote in 1920s still exist and works on people like moi =)
Trojan
I was never this bad, and then what did I do to go this lower?
Well, I thought I know this subject, Human Behavior, from my practical knowledge and I can do it, I don't need to read so much and blah blah blah... :-(
I was living in denial; it was a total case scenario of Defense Mechanism. I learnt this term in Human Behavior class today. I knew this term but not the way I learnt today. It is from Freudian Theory of Psychoanalytic. It has four parts under it but let’s not go too much in to theoretical part. It basically means when a person have some kind of shock or Repression, Regression, Projection, Reaction Formation, and Displacement then either they get adaptive or maladaptive...wait, I did get in to some theory hee hee...Oh well!! SO when person go into adaptive or maladaptive mode, they react to things different than 'normal' people do. For example: I chose a Professor Angulo for my Human Behavior (HB) class but when for the first day I went to my HB class, without information we found out that our professor was changed to someone else. I rejected this new professor right away without giving him chance to teach me or prove his abilities to me. I ignored the readings and studies for HB class for two sessions after my first session. On the fourth session we had quiz, which I did try to prepare but with an attitude. I gave quiz and as you already read, I got a very low grade...oh yeah; this was a wakeup call...a call to tell me that WAKE UP TROJAN & STUDY!!!
So as a result of the wakeup call which I got in the class today, I automatically started thinking more and paid better attention in rest of the HB class. Henceforth, I understood what was getting taught and regretted that I haven't been studying properly for HB and I DO need to pump up my game...No more excuses :-)
Conclusion: The Freud's theory which he wrote in 1920s still exist and works on people like moi =)
Trojan
Monday, September 20, 2010
A Month...of the Trojan Journey!
I don't believe in introductions anymore but just to clarify, I am a student, 30+ and going to school for the very first time in the US...
I started my school at USC about a month ago (August 24). I survived these four weeks of intensive classes, readings, papers and quiz. Yes, within first four weeks we have already gone through papers and quiz. I am working on my next paper which is due within three days and I have no interest to do it tonight. Oh please don't get me wrong, I do have interest in what I am doing but at this point I am lost, I am confused, and I am happy I am here cos if I wont get lost, wont get confused I will never find myself.
Confession: I did something which is not right, me thinks...I didn't read as much as I was supposed to read and study, I chose the escape path. I know its completely wrong but I didn't know anything better and easy way out was the way for me, but I am learning from my journey for my journey.
I should get back to my paper. It is due soon. I need to get my A grade no matter what happens.
I was a blogger when I needed a life where I don't have to face people, and I lived that life for few years and closed my eyes to it. This time I need to concentrate on my studies so much that if I start socializing then I am not gonna be able to get my desired A grade.
This time, it is my old way to document my new journey...
I am going to write about my journey as much as I can, and you can support me, love me, prove me wrong, bring over right to me but please stay with me on my this journey as a Trojan @ USC.
I am not American but I am becoming one and it will be nice to share these experiences with myself and with others - you!
Trojan
P.S. - I got grading from my one paper, though not sure how but I got A 95/100, I just know I worked my ass off for it. This has set a pace and expectations from me...I am sure I will live up to it. I will speak about that week soon, it was a somewhat crazy and remarkable week!
I started my school at USC about a month ago (August 24). I survived these four weeks of intensive classes, readings, papers and quiz. Yes, within first four weeks we have already gone through papers and quiz. I am working on my next paper which is due within three days and I have no interest to do it tonight. Oh please don't get me wrong, I do have interest in what I am doing but at this point I am lost, I am confused, and I am happy I am here cos if I wont get lost, wont get confused I will never find myself.
Confession: I did something which is not right, me thinks...I didn't read as much as I was supposed to read and study, I chose the escape path. I know its completely wrong but I didn't know anything better and easy way out was the way for me, but I am learning from my journey for my journey.
I should get back to my paper. It is due soon. I need to get my A grade no matter what happens.
I was a blogger when I needed a life where I don't have to face people, and I lived that life for few years and closed my eyes to it. This time I need to concentrate on my studies so much that if I start socializing then I am not gonna be able to get my desired A grade.
This time, it is my old way to document my new journey...
I am going to write about my journey as much as I can, and you can support me, love me, prove me wrong, bring over right to me but please stay with me on my this journey as a Trojan @ USC.
I am not American but I am becoming one and it will be nice to share these experiences with myself and with others - you!
Trojan
P.S. - I got grading from my one paper, though not sure how but I got A 95/100, I just know I worked my ass off for it. This has set a pace and expectations from me...I am sure I will live up to it. I will speak about that week soon, it was a somewhat crazy and remarkable week!
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