Wasn't it just last week when it was 50 degrees and sunny? I looked out the window this morning and what do I see - more snow! I was planning on a craft program this week at the library, we were painting plant pots and then planting seeds in them. But, somehow, the project doesn't seem so timely after more snow. On the other hand it may be the only green growing things we get to see for awhile.
I guess if we were having a spell of good weather it would be harder to concentrate on school and right now I am finishing one class and getting ready to start another one.
Another exciting thing happening this spring is the first semester of OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Insitute) at Granite State College at the Claremont NH college campus. I will actually be helping with the computer class which still has several openings. The classes are available to students over 50 and the cost is very reasonable - appropriate offering from an adult education school!
If you know someone who might like to sign up let them know about it.
OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) at Granite State College is a volunteer-run organization that offers free or low cost educational opportunities to residents 50 and older. Healthy communities require healthy stimulated brains and OLLI has many brain-stimulating offerings statewide - and now in Claremont!
You must sign up for a membership - $40.00 a year and you have access to free or low cost programs in the area of literature, history, world cultures, arts, social issues, environment, theater, religion, science, music and other topics.
This spring in Claremont there will be several different offerings - Watercolor Painting, Beginning Computers, Personal Biography writing to name a few.
On Wednesday, February 23, there will be a Kick-Off Event at Granite State College at the Claremont NH college campus, from 11 am to 1 pm. Stop in and sign up to become a member or to take a class. Keep your brain young and fit and the classes are fun!
For more information about OLLI at Granite State College, click here.
Take a look at some of the courses running at GSC's Claremont NH College:
- Modern America & the Movies
- Readings in World Literature
- American Sign Language I
- Managing Conflict
- Introduction to Anthropology
- Career Development and Life Planning
- Survey of World Architecture
- Autobiography as Literature
- Comparative Religions
- Observational Astronomy
- International Economics
- Shakespeare
- Principles of Marketing
- Regions of the World: History & Current Issues, East Asia
- Introduction to Philosophy
- Investment Principles
- The Media & It's Messages
- Managing Diversity
- Issues in Women's Health
- Financial Management
Packing up and delivering my daughter, Jess, to college. It was one of those 98 degree days, she had a car FULL of stuff, and she's on the third floor of her dorm (no elevator). Whew!
Assuring, and reassuring, Jess that her financial aid situation WILL work out. Even if her FA package changes a dozen times before the semester is half over! It will all be ok. (and it is!)
Talking Jess through her 'first-year' anxieties ... will she make any friends, will she and her roommate get along, will she be able to keep up with the other students??? (Yes, yes & yes!)
Bringing Jess home for an extended break when she got Mono. Mm-hmm ... Mono. Washing three weeks worth of her laundry & germ-ridden bedding. Nursing her back to health. Returning her to school with a month's supply of provisions - because "the food at school is terrible!"
Cheering Jess on with all the positive encouragement I can muster (You can too write that Psych paper by tomorrow noon! Honey, 'B' is a GOOD grade, not something to lament about! I'm sorry you're tired and your head hurts ... take a nap, drink gallons of water, take an ibuprofen if you need to ... and then study for your Italian exam.)
***
Cell phones & computers have made it possible to stay in CONSTANT communication with each other. Texting, Calling, Emailing, Facebook messaging ... there's no escape! I've barely had a chance to start missing my kid. But I do. Of course I do. There are certain things that cannot be conveyed in a text message.
There's nothing like the spontaneous discussions that spring forth when Jess bounds into my bedroom at midnight to enlighten me of her latest philosophical revelation. I miss my daughter's energy, her joi de vivre, the excitement that emanates from her very pores, when she is following the thread of an idea. I miss her pensive, deep-in-thought facial expression when she's reading a book or writing a paper. I miss Jess' light-up-a-room smile.
Fortunately, my daughter will be home over (aptly enough) Thanksgiving break, and I look forward to spending some face-to-face time with her. I think this is what people mean when they say they are enjoying the rewards of the hard work of parenting. Here's wishing all my classmates and colleagues at GSC's Claremont NH College a Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you each get to take a break from the hectic pace of work and school to count your blessings - mixed though they may be.
Here at Granite State College - Connecticut Valley Region, we are thrilled to share the news that another of our talented faculty members has recently published a book.
Sara Poisson, who is a mental health and substance abuse clinician for a half-way house, authored Silent Voices of the Past: A Chronicle of the Almshouse of Sullivan County.
"I noticed a small cemetery on the grounds at the county jail where I work ... The reason it caught my eye was because each of the stones in the back half of it were uniform in size and not buried according to family but by chronology. This became the beginning of a research project that lasted about 18 months. [It] was a joint project between the inmates at the jail and myself to find out who these people were and why they were buried here. What we learned was this spot was the location of the almshouse for the county. We discovered who was here, why and how the institution evolved and ended. 
There is a strong parallel between the throw away members of society during the almshouse era and the inmates in the county jail today. The challenges are greater, the stigma more negative and the stakes higher for both populations. My plan was to impart a sense of self-worth for the inmates by seeing that the almshouse population mattered. It matters who is buried here and why. They are entitled to the same dignity as any other member of the society. The same is true for the inmates. If they don't understand that, if they don't respect themselves, they are doomed to repeat their mistakes. I have long since been a champion for the underdog. My career has been working with underprivileged children and families, domestic violence survivors and the incarcerated population. My husband and I have a rescue center for abandoned and abused farm animals."
Poisson will be teaching Theories of Personality at GSC's Claremont NH College Campus and Abnormal Psychology at GSC's Lebanon NH College Campus this Winter Term.
What is the Prouty?
The Prouty is a bike/walk to raise money for cancer research at the Norris Cotton Cancer Center. It is held in July in Hanover, NH. Last year our advisor, Kate O'Neill, rode 50 miles--50 MILES!!! And she raised $1000 for cancer research. Not bad. I couldn't do that without a lot of training, most of it mental (I have bicycle paranoia, among other things).
What does "Prouty" mean?
"Prouty" refers to the name of cancer patient Audrey Prouty. In 1982, four nurses who were working with Audrey rode through the White Mountains in her honor. And that was the birth of the Prouty. 28 years later and it's still going strong.
GSC + Prouty = FUN
Even though I may not be able to ride 50 miles on a bike, I plan on joining the GSC team and walking the 10K. I hope to strong arm my husband into it as well (wish me luck!). The work I do at GSC is often independent of everyone else, so I am really looking forward to working together on the fund raising and then having a nice leisurely stroll with them through the woods in July.
And hopefully, as we raise awareness for cancer research, we'll also raise awareness for adult higher education, and our little college in Lebanon, NH (and Claremont!). More later on how to join our team!!!
I went apple picking with my grandchildren on the last weekend in August; it was early for apples, but the strange spring weather we had means the apples are ready early and won't be as plentiful. (Something I learned in my spring class at Granite State College) It was strange picking apples in the 90+ temperature, not quite as enjoyable, but still fun for the kids. I have to say biting into that just-picked apple, a honey crisp, my favorite, was for me the first indicator that fall was actually on the way.
This week with the weather more seasonably cool, downright freezing actually -- I know, it wasn't really that cold, but when the temperature drops 30 degrees in a week it sure seems like it -- well anyway, it got me thinking about fall and all of the things I like about fall. I love apple picking and the fall foliage and the smell of bonfires in the air, and I love back to school. Even as a kid I liked the whole process of starting the new school year. New books, new teacher and new things to learn -- I know, just call me a geek, I love school!
This fall I am finishing up my BA with my final project -- my independent study -- the Capstone of my degree. I started to worry about the fact that there was no syllabus, no weekly class, nobody to keep me focused, but me! Just when I began to panic, I got the email telling me that the professor I had requested to be my mentor was willing to take on the task which was a good thing. Also, I finally came up with an idea of what I wanted to research and write about -- phew! Who knew coming up with a topic would be so stressful! Once I had my topic and someone to steer me in the right direction, I began to get that old feeling; that prickle of anticipation, that happy back to school excitement. You too can experience this excitement and satisfaction. All you have to do is stop by any Granite State College location (I attend classes at the Claremont, NH college) and register for the many fall classes they have available. Just ask any of their friendly, helpful office staff what you need to do to get started, on a new career, or maybe pick up a few classes to help with the career you already have. Happy Fall!
We are offering some very interesting courses here at our Claremont NH College: Psychology of Occupational Stress, Short Fiction and Natural History of Northern New England - to name a few. At our Lebanon NH College, we're offering Law and Society, Principles of Marketing and American Popular Culture - just for starters. I often find myself wanting to take several classes at each location, but alas, there just aren't enough hours in the day to do EVERYTHING I want to do.
I'm taking a couple online courses: Principles of Economics and Continuous Quality Improvement in Health Care. Woot! I'm excited because my daughter is also taking an Economics course - at her high school. Maybe we can be study buddies! We'll see how that goes...
BTW, our new catalog is now available online, here's the direct link: GSC 2010-11 Catalog. You can find out about all of our Majors and Minors, our Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program and read Course Descriptions for all the courses we offer.
It is Saturday evening, just got home from work and what a crazy day. I deal with Ohio dealerships and needless to say, when the football game started today on TV, there was not a deal come through for me to look at. It is an exciting time of year. Not many people are thinking about going to buy new cars the first day of football season. Lots of guys love to sit on the couch for the afternoon, watch the game, drink a few beers and have a few laughs. Some of my girlfriends love to do the same from time to time. I am not a huge football fan but do like the excitement of it and I love to watch the Super Bowl at the end of the year.
Fall is my favorite time of year, the wind is cool and we are all winding down from a busy summer. Whether that summer consisted of vacation, seeing family or taking a class at Granite State College in one of there many locations like Portsmouth NH College, Concord NH College, Claremont NH College, Manchester NH College or onine classes for college. Lets not forget about that unforgettable experience to take a class on the Isle of Shoals. We are all winding down and thinking about the fall, maybe fall classes or just what the next year may bring our way.
Football kind of starts that all off; friends, new beginnings, expectations and goals for the year to come. Go Team!! Whatever that team may be.
I have attached a link about Career Advice that may be helpful to students who are undecided about which course or academic direction they may want to take, whether they are attending classes in Rochester NH college, Concord NH college, Claremont NH college, or Manchester NH college campuses.
It is necessary to have a sense of what direction to take. Perhaps the use of a website like this one could help students decide whether they have a better aptitude for the Behavioral Sciences offered through Granite State College or maybe they are more inclined to pursue Early Childhood Education Classes there. Either way, the technology abounds to provide information when college Advisors are not available at the end of a telephone line. At least this website gives students someplace to start.
http://career-advice.monster.com/job-search/Getting-Started/Try-This-4-Year-Career-Checklist/article.aspx
Adult Education is all about independently acquiring information, skills, and success. Technology is available to also help students form questions they need to ask of their Advisors.
Why not click on this website, dip your toes in and get yourself organized for the the Fall Semester. Granite State College empowers students to ask questions and achieve answers.
I don't know if it was a coincidence, or serendipity, but this is the front page article that greeted me at work one morning in the midst of the aforementioned ordeal: "Teaching from the Experience," by Angel Roy, Eagle Times Newspaper, August 14, 2010. Keith Marsh, the instructor for many of the Foster Parent Classes that meet at GSC's Claremont, NH College, was featured. As the article mentions, Granite State College is "the school through which all foster care and adoptive training is conducted in the state, in partnership with the NH Department of Children, Youth and Families."
If I didn't live in Vermont, I'd sign up for one of Marsh's foster parent classes in a heartbeat, but as a Vermont resident I have to take classes through my state's equivalent agency. Not only would it be more convenient for me to take these classes at GSC, because they are held where I work, but I have a very positive impression of the instructors I've encountered. Although my interactions with Marsh have been few and brief, my overall impression leads me to believe he's a fantastic teacher, and a wonderful foster parent. Case in point:
One evening last spring, we lost electricity just before one of Marsh's foster parent classes. I was the only GSC staff left at our Claremont NH College for the day. The epitome of calm, cool and collected, Keith asked if there was a pizza place nearby. I pointed him in the direction of Ramuntos. He thanked me and led his class down the sidewalk to the restaurant. I was so impressed by Keith's "go-with-the-flow" demeanor. While many instructors might have gotten flustered and/or cancelled the class, Marsh didn't let this obstacle stand in the way of continuing with his foster care class, he simply moved it to another locale for the night. What a terrific role model for his students!
If you want to learn more about Foster Parent Training at Granite State College -- I encourage you to check out that page on our website.
This spring, since my grandchildren love to plant things and watch them grow, I decided to take the Sustainable Gardening class offered at Granite State. The professor is a well known organic gardener who has written several books on the subject and also writes articles for a local newspaper. I decided that with his help I might be able to actually grow something. I figured that if I grew a garden as homework I would be even more motivated to make it a success. What I found was that even though gardening was still hard, hot and dirty work I wasn't in it alone. Most of the students in the class were starting from scratch just like I was. Over the next 12 weeks we all learned by trial and error and commiserated with each other or celebrated with each other depending on each success or failure-of course we didn't call it failure, the professor called each mistake a learning experience and encouraged us to keep trying new things.
Eventually we all had our gardens in place -- 8' by 10' was the requirement. We all grew different things, some grew flowers, some grew herbs and some vegetables-one enthusiastic student who was a new homeowner planted everything from herbs to fruit trees and we actually learned how to do everything from starting seedlings to how to plant a tree. It was amazing how much we packed into 12 weeks. Besides planting and tending our gardens we also visited many local greenhouses and fruit growers in the area both in New Hampshire and Vermont-not only the organic ones, but also the ones who are part organic and part chemical users. We learned about beneficial bugs, chemical fertilizers and pesticides and the dangers of using chemicals on our food. One thing I learned in those 12 weeks is that I want to grow my own vegetables just so I know what I am eating.
The class ended in June, but our gardens are still thriving -- or as much as they can with the small amount of rain we have had lately. So far I have had tomatoes and squash and broccoli out of the garden, as well as string beans and spinach and beet greens. This is probably one of the most fun classes I have taken at Granite State. I think the program could even be expanded to a second class involving more advanced techniques for pruning trees or even landscape design. The thing about Granite State College is that there is always something new and different being offered and they are open to new ideas from the students. It's great to have a resource like Granite State College right here in Claremont, NH.
So, here I am writing my first blog post. It's a little intimidating because I've never blogged before. But there's a first time for everything and I'm excited about this new endeavor. Of course the challenge will be finding the time, between working and classes and family responsibilities.
It helps that I am surrounded by other adult college students, many of whom can relate to my balancing act, because they are also working full-time while taking part time classes. In fact, many of my classmates are only able to afford their adult college classes because at GSC taking just one class a term means that they are eligible to apply for financial aid. Another huge incentive is that the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at GSC is only $15 per credit! Offering the lowest tuition of all four institutions in the University of New Hampshire System, GSC is a NH state college where my classmates and I can earn an affordable bachelor degree, associate degree or even teacher certification.
I suppose I sound like I'm going for a hard-sell. But that's only because I have such a positive impression of Granite State College. One of the best aspects of my job at GSC is being a point-of-contact for prospective and new students because I want so much to help people see their potential become reality. If a student calls our Claremont NH College, needing to know how to post a comment to the discussion board in Blackboard for their online class, I can walk them through it over the phone, because I've been in their shoes.
When a potential student calls or walks into our center for the first time, they are often worried about how they'll handle taking adult college courses on top of their work and family responsibilities, and I can relate. But it really is doable! For me, taking online classes is one way I have been able to manage to keep all the balls in the air, so to speak. Sure, my first online class was a little scary in the beginning, but my classmates were incredibly helpful - explaining where to find resources and how to submit assignments. It was a great feeling to learn some new technology along with the actual course material. That's just one of the perks of taking online classes for college!
Because I really enjoy the occasional human interaction, I also take face-to-face evening college classes, as well as weekend intensive classes. I find that I can fit these into my hectic schedule quite nicely. Currently, I'm taking Managing Diversity as a weekend intensive, and The Emerging U.S. Health Care System online. It's a splendid combination of formats and learning!
Well, I better get back to the books, because I want to make sure I get my assignment in before the deadline tomorrow.
The calling card of successful people is that they can influence the thinking of others in a constructive and positive way. Successful people also should be able to manage their time, knowing when it is appropriate to commit to requests for our time, as well as when it is alright to say "no". Of course, we all want to consider ourselves, or at the very least are on the path to becoming more successful. We individually have images in our head of what it means to be successful, but a common misnomer is that it is a mistake to seek out assistance from time to time. Asking does have its downsides, as it requires us to be humble. It conveys to people that we do not possess every strength, every amount of intelligence that is available to us; it exposes our weaknesses. Also, asking for help says that we do not have all the time in the world to do everything we want or need to do; our time management skills require significant exercising. The mark of successful people is knowing when it is appropriate to ask.
At Granite State College, there is a wonderful support system set up just for students. The pinnacle of the support system consists of our academic advisors. Their job, according to a recent press release, is to "meet with potential students who are interested in GSC, lending assistance and guidance through the admissions process. Once enrolled, students work closely with academic advisors on course and degree planning." My advisior, Kate O'Neill of our Claremont NH College, has been a wonderful blessing to myself and the other students of our region. Kate has gone above and beyond her duties to not only be available for a phone call each time I need her, but has anticipated my needs by letting me know about available classes coming up that fit into my schedule and are required by my degree. When I wanted to plan out my academic path during the Fall term of 2009, Kate helped me to find a listing of all online classes for college extending out through the Summer term of 2011. For a student like me who values having an operational plan like this, she turned out to be a great resource. I highly recommend anyone in school now or anyone considering enrolling at Granite State College to take advantage of their academic advisor. Not only is it their job to be the true "customer service representative" of the school, but they love what they do. Thanks Kate!
The good news is that for the most part it will be seamless for students. You will be required to sign a New Master Promissory Note (MPN) with Direct Lending, but other than that, things will remain the same in terms of how and when the aid is disbursed.
The real change will happen behind the scenes at the Adult Financial Aid office here at Granite State College. We have been working feverishly to make sure we are ready for the July 1st deadline imposed by the government.
What was the reason behind the switch you ask? The intention is to provide increased funding for federal grant programs such as the Pell Grant. Now, rather than private lenders collecting origination fees from students and using them towards their own services, the Department of Education will now take the fees charged for the Stafford loan programs and funnel it back into the Federal Grant programs.
Also, over time, the Department of Education is planning to lower the Stafford Loan Interest rates, making educational loans more affordable for students.
In order to make the process of signing the new Direct Lending MPN easier for our students, the Office of Financial Aid will be making visits to the Rochester NH College, the Claremont NH College, the Conway NH College and the Manchester New Hampshire College to assist students and answer any questions. To find out the specific times of our visits, please contact the regional centers. Also, as always, students are welcome to stop in and see us at the Concord New Hampshire College at any time.
My advising work with students who are seeking affordable bachelor degrees and continuing education in the Lebanon NH and CLaremont NH regions, would never be possible without the hard work and talent of our GSC support staff. One such staff member, Anne Park, our office manager in the Claremont center has been working for Granite State College since 2005. Anne possesses a wealth of information about many aspects of the college, and endures constant questions with patience and a lively sense of humor. She has wonderful way in which she helps students. They stop by the center stressed about a situation with financial aid, or registration, and before you know it she has sorted it all out and they leave breathing a sigh of relief.
Well, I was stressing about this blog ...and my stressed out mutterings drifted over to Anne's desk. Ever helpful, Anne shared with me the story of our own GSC self published author and illustrator, Roseanne Veillette, and I asked Anne to help me tell her story...stress levels went way down. See how she has this effect?
"Roseanne Veillette, a GSC student from the Claremont Region, has written, illustrated and published a children’s book. The book is titled Buck & Ben Explore the Rainforest and is geared for children ages 7-11. Buck and Ben are squirrels who travel in a hot air balloon to the Amazon rainforest where they meet a variety of South American animals.
Roseanne is working on her BA in Liberal Arts with an Individualized Studies major of Art. Her passion is pen and ink drawing and her work is amazing when you realize how many minute pen strokes she uses to create a drawing! Her book incorporates color and some collage technique but each page is covered in art. Roseanne is working on a second book as part of an Independent Learning Contract.
Roseanne investigated the whole publication process and ultimately decided to publish her books herself. To do this she has created and registered her own publisher name, Little Paws Press, learned how to copyright her work and purchased a printer and other equipment that she uses to painstakingly produce each copy. An incredible amount of work but so inspiring!"
I continue to learn more about Granite State College everyday both from the staff and the students. It is place where you can count on help....and inspiration...to happen.
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