Hi! My name is Maria Bauer, I'm 20 years old and I am student at
Granite State College. I haven't always been a student here; I started at Hesser. I am a classic example of being one of those people who have to try different places until you find one that fits you. I have found that place! This is the third time I have started college. It was just as scary as starting the first time, but it had more meaning to me the third time around, by then it was something I knew I wanted...needed.
About me: I am a musician, I have been taking piano lessons from the ages of 3-18; violin/viola lessons from 4-18; singing lessons for a year in between somewhere in there. In those years I was in a scholarship string quartet where we played for the NH Governor's inauguration two years in a row, I was in several chamber orchestras and for piano I played in several competitions and accompanied fellow students as well as the Concord Community Music School president as she sang in a concert (granted she was my teacher) but it was still an honor for me. I just picked up a guitar and have started writing my own songs. I try and play at as many open mics as I can.
I am an outdoors person. I love to get in my car and drive to nowhere, get lost and take picture. Otherwise with the spare time that I find I rock climb both indoors and out, bike, hike, run/jog, kayak, rollerblade, play tennis, basketball, volleyball, basically if I can get my hands on it and it's new and interesting I will try it at least once. I have my motorcycles license with no bike...yet!
My focus on school is very important to me. I am very lucky to have a father who can support me as I am only working a part-time job so I can take 4 classes at a time (instead of 2 which is still considered full time), I am a classic example of "work hard play hard." Even though I am doing a double course load and school is my main focus I still need to figure out how to balance my life.
I had a job where they made me pick between work and school two different times and both times I chose my work. This time I chose school which is
myself. I chose myself! I'm here to prove that it can be done, whether you need to do one class at a time, or more. This time is about you. Come and join me! It's about you this time!
Classes are over! This was one of the harder terms that I have encountered here at Granite State College. New experiences and new ways of taking classes (example: 5 week online intensive class) doesn't always mean that it will make your life easier. On the flip side, taking a chance on a new way of taking classes could change the way you complete your program. I have never considered taking an English class online, however the online college English classes that are offered here are many, and the way they are set up seem to be pretty well constructed. Not to mention, I'm on my computer ALL the time so this is another excuse to take my computer everywhere :)
I am relieved to be done with this term. That means I am that much closer to finishing my teacher training education! And...behavioral science. It's a day by day, step by step, class by class, week by week (etc, etc, etc...) in finishing my degrees. Some days it feels like it will never end, and at other times it feels like time is flying. Don't get me wrong: my adult education is a ride that I don't want to have pass by me, but I can be a little impatient...
For everyone who has finished their classes, congrats! 12 weeks is an accomplishment. You should feel very proud of yourself!
A few weeks ago, I ran into an old friend from high school. A few days after that encounter, I ran into another friend from high school. It's always amazing how you feel when you run into old friends. There are some people you get very excited to see, and others you get this feeling in the pit of your stomach and in all honesty, you may try to dodge them from seeing you. For most people that I have met (post high school) it's a time in their life they want to forget. And seeing someone from your past can bring up some uneasy feelings that you thought you had buried.
The reason I bring this up is because seeing two of these people (one from each 'category'), I began to run through in my head what high school was like for me. I tried to remember my teachers, how they taught, the environment, etc. A lot of my high school teachers were very strict about assignments and due dates and making sure they made NO exceptions, because they were trying to prepare us for the "real world" and for college.
Because of how we were being "prepared", I didn't want to go to college anymore. Of course I had ambitions and I DID want to go to college, but I was expecting that it would not be the experience I had always dreamed it would be. Not after those experiences...
I may not be where I thought I would be when I was 16, but I'm happy to see where I am today. I'm in college, and in a short number of years I will have obtained two adult education diplomas. The exact same outcome as if I had gone off to college right after graduation.
The differences between high school and Granite State College are numerous! In high school you can become invisible. Very few people know your name, interests, etc. At this Concord, NH college campus, you walk in the front door and you are greeted by your first name! (Side note: I mention Granite State College's Concord, NH college campus because it's my "home base." I go there a great deal, even though I take classes sometimes at the Manchester, NH college campus).
In high school, no exceptions were made; here at GSC, teachers will work with you and they understand that life happens. Many students who I have taken classes with have demanding jobs and/or children.
These adult accelerated degree programs are very different from high school. Of course there are always exceptions, but my guess is that these programs work because everyone there has the same goal: to make life better for us. That includes fellow students, and it also includes the faculty. Hazing and bullying don't go on at college (or at least this one). This is the one place you will always look back on as a positive experience. It's a second chance for people (or third, or fourth...).
In many years down the road you run into someone who you went to college with, there will be no uneasy feelings; you'll finally have an educational experience you are more than happy to revisit.
The moral of this story: don't let your past experiences hold you back from really living your life. It's always the time to create some new experiences, and you know you'll be better off for it.
There's nothing more frustrating and nerve-wracking then your computer Internet connections giving you problems when you are trying to make a deadline for your online adult education classes. It can never be the days when you know you have a few days to submit an assignment: no, no... it's always on Sunday starting at 6pm, and it's the end of the module (which means nothing can be submitted after Sunday midnight), and you can spend HOURS trying to get your computer working and when it does, it is now Monday morning.
So what can you do about this? Fortunately, everyone in the Granite State College system are very understanding, and will help you in any way they can. Whether that means going to the college and using their computers, or working with your teacher(s) explaining the situation. My experience has shown me time and time again that the teachers don't want to see you fail: they genuinely want you to do your best and pass the class. And for those who participate and put in the effort, they will help you in any way they can.
In some respect, high school was harder than college.
I recently had some *very* annoying Internet issues, and I was very touched at how the faculty helped me. Which got me thinking about other technical issues I have had in the past. Any time I had a question about a form that adult Financial Aid sent me, or any letter about my schooling, I can call them up, or stop over at my home base (the Concord NH college campus), and they will take the time to answer any questions that I have. They are there to help make this process easier for us; including helping us with forms and/or submitting grant requests, etc. It's a true example of adult education services.
Everyone needs help at one time or another, and I will never forget all of the hands that have been and are reaching out to help. As corny as it sounds: Granite State College is a family. No one is excluded. Everyone knows your name, and it has that true feeling of "home" away from home.
AH SPRING IS HERE! Although, those snowflakes the size of golf balls was weird way of welcoming us to spring.
The beginning of spring is my favorite time, especially after a long winter like this one! There's that feeling (spring fever?) that you feel when spring is on its way. There's this sense of relief and feeling like you are waiting to bust out and grab life by the horns. Storm windows are taken down, windows are opening, people are outside a lot more... It's like a cleansing, figuratively and literally from the dark and dreary winter.
Spring cleaning is here, and even though my house is a MESS from pulling out dusty boxes from the storage areas and going through them, I feel myself releasing all this negative energy from my body and home. Spring is *my* new years. It's the time where I reset my goals that I want to see accomplished; it's my starting over point.
The beginning of 2011 was not the best. I've been going through some nerve-wracking, serious stuff, and I am ready to put all that behind me. I have this really comfortable chair that I put outside in my little patio and do homework on, (or play on the computer) and I can feel how the rest of the year is going to be for me. I'm ready to reinvent myself. And one of the things that I really loved about all of these revelations, is that my adult accelerated degree program was my #1 priority. I always knew somewhere that I had a lot of pride in my schooling efforts, but this was such a great reminder.
All of you that are either going through, or are considering going through any type of adult education service should take a second and pat yourself on the back for taking control of your life. School is not easy! It's not just something that you can "do" you have to work at it! YOU are the one that is in charge of your adult financial aid, YOU are the one who goes to the adult education courses, YOU are the one that does the work, YOU are the one that gets the adult education certificate. No one else does that, but you!
So to all of you: welcome to spring! Really take the time to embrace it! Restate your goals for the year. Spring and summer are the times (for me at least) that I am more inclined to go out and do whatever it is I am focused on. Whether it's weight loss related, school related, or honestly whatever category(ies) your goals may fit in: make this spring *your* chance for a do-over. Spring clean your house, and put your best foot forward.
Hope to see you in class :)
The end of the term is approaching fast. I have taken my first 5 week intensive online class. This (of course) is held the last 5 weeks of the term: which is the same time I have major research papers due in my other classes. It's a different type of experience. What's great is that adult education classes have the correct forum to try new things. Everything you do, every class you take will help you in your future endeavors. And everyone is traveling down the same road you are.
I am currently in this place where even though there are only 3 more weeks of classes, I know that time is going to fly by, however it feels like the days are never ending. This is the time when papers are due, quizzes are there to finish, etc. Outside of school, things have seemed to pile up and everything has now been officially moved to "#1 priority" which need to be done yesterday.
Life does this to you. These moments help define who you are as a person. I cannot even begin to tell you how many strong people I have met that will repeatedly stand up to the challenge. It's at these home stretches where you either "break" or walk against the wind "fight or flight."
I am a person who reflects...a lot! I was thinking about my first weekend intensive class I had at the Concord NH college campus here at Granite State College; not so much about the class itself but the atmosphere of it all. It was a very comfortable place for me. Not only was the class itself filled with information, but what was happening around us. Our class was constantly laughing - so much we had to shut the doors. The best part about it: we weren't the only ones! There were Foster Parent Classes right down the hall. Whatever you were there for, everyone seemed to have a glowing aura.
Career College Training is a resource that has become more easily accessible. From 4 year colleges, to strictly online classes, to adult accelerated degree programs (or even adult education certificates) which can be completed during day and/or night classes: there is something for you out there!
How does this relate with this being the end of the term for me? It's because I have been put in a position where I need to pick myself up off the ground, dust myself off, and get ready to fight for the next 3 weeks. These 3 weeks will be a test and I can guarantee you I will learn more about who I am as a person. Every experience, new or repeated, will help push us to where we would like to see ourselves. Hard work pays off: although I wouldn't mind having a personal genie at times :)
College life can be hard sometimes, maybe harder for others at times. When you find yourself trying to dig yourself out of a hole (or trying to keep yourself out of one, which is just as much work!) it can be discouraging. One of the toughest lessons is knowing there are no easy answers.
This is the second term that I have taken online classes for college. One thing you should know about me, is that I was intimidated by taking online adult education classes, mostly because there was a lot of uncertainty. It was one of the smartest things I've done! Instead of ignoring them altogether (my original plan) I started talking to other students at Granite State College who had taken online classes and they got me excited about it. One student even opened up his laptop to show me the layout of his class.
The reason I bring this up is because recently I have been taking a lot of time looking back at where I was a year ago. A year ago, I was just getting my life put back together, and I was just starting to think about going back to school - I had quit after only having 9 credits (3 classes) from another school. Now I'm a sophomore and I'd like to think I've done a pretty darn good job piecing my life together.
I was having a conversation with an old friend (who goes to another college), and she was telling me that school can get in the way of life. I felt sad for her, because she honestly doesn't know what school is supposed to be like. I didn't start out at Granite State, and I know that if I didn't get that push to go in and talk to somebody here, I wouldn't have gone back to college at all.
An adult college program, for me, is a way for me to grow; every time I'm in a class or even writing a paper, I feel stronger. (Corny I know...but hear me out) When you find yourself in that tough spot, this is the place where you can reach out to people and they are there for you with welcome arms. You are the one that has/is putting in all that work, and every result that you get back is from your hard work. College, and classes, are something that we have control over. Granted, there may be a few things that may not be in our favor, but we still have the chance to affect our outcome.
Hello again!
I realized that any time I end up talking about Granite State College, or any other Adult Education Degree Program, that I always relate it to my life. Granted, I tend to do this to get people excited/motivated through the knowledge that some random person gave herself a chance to change her life. But this one is for you, putting aside my life for comparison.
What got you to the point of reading these blogs? There is obviously something in you that wants to start, or continue with an accelerated undergraduate, or an accelerated degree program. There is something in you that has made you take those steps to search for these. Are you looking to start a program, or finish? Are you looking to improve your current job situation? Personal reasons?
It's very easy for me to say "you won't regret it!" - (and I know you won't), however it's really time that you took that next step to commit! There are so many excuses out there, many that are more than valid, but there are 5 reasons to do it to every 1 excuse. Want to test that theory? :)
I know I'm being very repetitive, but I'm curious: what is fueling your desire to be here? We all have something that inspires us to "take the plunge"; it's time for you to find your inner fire, and embrace it.
Online Classes: It's that time again. Instead of being stressed out about it, I'm actually very relieved. The holidays are over, and now it's time to settle down into a routine, and taking either the accelerated college classes and/or regular 12 week online classes, you have the peace of mind that you are working towards that well deserved degree.
Each first day of a new term is always a day I look forward to: It's a first day of school for adults. Granted, I have a lot of first days, but that spills over into the other parts of my life. It reminds me that I won't always have the same job forever, and that there really are a lot of "tomorrows." However, this specific day was even more symbolic. It was not only the first day of school, but it was the first day of class in the New Year.
Last week I was taking a look at where I was at this point last year. I wasn't even enrolled in school last year. I was living in Texas recovering from an severe illness. Now, because of my hard work, I am now working part time and taking 3-4 classes a semester and now a sophomore ... In less than a year. It's always amazing to see how far one person can go in the "short" amount of time of one year.
I challenge you, whoever may be reading this blog right now, to look into taking a class (or 2) and see where it takes you. Either online classes, weekend intensive classes, adult education certificate classes, etc.. Take a look at where you are right now, and then think about where you can you be in a year from now. If there is one thing that I can be brutally honest about, it's that I never thought I would have come this far this fast. You won't know where you will be a year from now unless you bite the bullet and sign up for classes and do it. Don't give yourself any excuses either - there is financial aid available. No more excuses! It might be the scariest thing you do, but you will NOT regret it!
See you next time! :)
...."a Very Good Place To Start"
- I figured that was an appropriate song title to start off with :) One thing that I am always either reading or looking up, is quotes. Song lyrics can work extremely well but I just bought an ipod touch which is the perfect time to buy one because it's exactly like an iphone but without the service (which if you bought one when it first came out, ... well sorry folks). Back to the point I was making: I have apps that I will look at for even 10 minutes of tons of inspiring quotes that pump me up! I love to look at these during my work break, school break, I mean, ANYTIME!
I know that this is the first blog that I have done, but things are a little different since I left you with my very first post. My home base was the Granite State College in Concord, and this term they had a Shakespeare class that I REALLY wanted to do, and since I live in Concord driving 20/25 minutes wasn't a big deal, so I am taking my classes in the Manchester location. This semester I am doing my second weekend intensive class!! Child Abuse and Neglect: I'm really excited! Although I wonder if that's weird to be as pumped as I am about that class....
During this summer I did 4 classes: I did my very first (2) online classes! They were amazing! They were completely doable, and it fit in with my lifestyle and I could not have asked for more! I was cautious about it because I really wanted that interaction and excitement that the students feed off from one another, and in an online class I would assume that you wouldn't get that. WRONG! If anything, I think it's just about the same, if not more. One of my classes was a women's health class. Because we were behind computer screens and NOT face to face, we were so open about ourselves and we learned so much about each other and ourselves. My other class was a politics class. Because we were on the computer so much, we were using discussion forums and we were only required to respond to "3 student's posts", and discussions went on for pages, I am going to assume because we had the Internet at our fingertips we could look up each others points and debate, etc.
I also had my very first Weekend Intensive Class at the Concord location as well this summer! Media and Its Message. GREAT CLASS! If you ever get a chance to take the class, TAKE IT! It's given as a bunch of different things, I took it as an English class, sometimes it's given as a Sociology class, etc. I love how those classes work. The summer ones I guess are a little bit different, but that's how I prefer to get in "X" amount of work done in 3, 4 days. Oh man, there was so much work that was done, my brain was fried at the end of those days but it felt so rewarding! I got a 4.0 in that class. You really can do anything if you just do the work! That's the key to success in anything. If you start to fall behind (Weekend Intensive is a little tricky) that's what everyone else is there for. I hated to ask for help. But I ended up "asking" my teacher on the very l last night of class (my Wednesday night class in Concord), because I had fallen a little behind, but because he saw how much effort I had put in, he helped me catch up and I completed everything.
Ok, so that was basically a recap over my summer. In my bio it says that I take 4 classes at a time. I guess I will leave that up. This term I'm not. I dropped down a few weeks ago from 4-3, and then when this past Thursday before the deadline I dropped down from 3-2 (which is still full time). I was trying to do to much. I am working, taking care of a parent, and I need time for me! I am working on my health this term, and it shouldn't be for "this term", it should be "every term" and beyond, but one step at a time. I am very big into music now, I've been playing with a wonderful band. I have found some wonderful people to play with and we play in gigs around the state. They are like my family, as corny as that sounds haha! The guitar player, he is just like a big brother to me, and the drummer and his wife, he's like a big brother and uncle in one, and his wife is like a big sister and aunt wrapped in one. It's great to be part of a close knit made-up family LOL. It's great that I have the time to have them in my lives instead of shutting them aside because of school.
-(I am by all means saying that school should come first in MY life, but if I were to take 4 classes and never have time to "hang out" and play music with anybody because I always have a paper to write: for me it's the same exact thing as shutting people out)
I never thought I would say this: I absolutely LOVE my life! I am going to school full time! I am a sophomore (finally!), I am a musician and play with some amazing musicians!, I have some amazing friends, I have a great job, part-time yes but it IS better than nothing I know that for a fact, I have a great car (knock on wood that it stays that way), I have a great relationship with both of my parents (finally!), AND I was just asked out the other night... ;) Somehow I think I will be alright!
I was upset at the fact that I had cut down from 4 classes to 2, but with all of the papers that had to be written, I just couldn't do it. But man...I am SO SO SO SO SO SO SO HAPPY that I did!!! I have one Weekend Intensive Class in Manchester and Wednesday Night class in Manchester, can you imagine what it's like to have some days and nights and weekends free??
See you all soon! Hope you are all doing great :)
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