Side Note: Woohoo! I am officially done with all of the requirements for school; I got my bloodwork done today and hopefully will have the titer results in the next couple of days and another big thing can be checked off my "to-do" list. *does a happy dance*
So, I am a sucker for office/school supplies. I could spend hours and spend hundreds at Staples or anywhere where office supplies are sold. I love post-its, tables, folders, sharpies, etc. I love it all. However, since I have such a great love for supplies, I often end up buying a bunch of stuff that I don't use... So, I have decided that this year, I am not buying ANYTHING before I go to class and actually see what I need. That's right, I am cutting myself off from anything school or office supply related.
I did buy one thing, though: a planner. A planner is a must-have item for me; I love writing down what I'm doing and what needs done and checking off the days/items as I go. It helps me keep my head on straight and feel accomplished. And this year, I got a super, super cute planner because I didn't wait until the last minute to find it!
So, this is my oath to you all; I am not buying any school supplies until I see what I actually need!!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The countdown is becoming much more real...
41 days until the first day of school... Let me just throw some adjectives out there of what I'm feeling:
excited, nervous, determined, scared, committed, unsure, proud, sick.
Yes, I realize that these words are contradictory... But, alas, that's what I feel, so I'm saying it. It feels like I made this commitment YEARS ago (In reality, it was only about 7 months ago) and even longer since I was in a classroom learning (hello August 2010).
Thus, I am a creature of habit, and I have grown quite used to my habits, my life as it is right now. Friday was a hard day for me. It was my very last day of work at the Physics Department. Honestly, if that job paid more and was in a closer location to my new house, I would keep it forever. The physics department taught me so much more than I ever expected. I remember being so nervous to start (I'm always anxiety ridden when I start something new) and on Friday I was crying because it had all come to an end.
I'm excited to start school, but I am so sad to leave all those I've become so close with in the past year behind. I really felt so important and appreciated at my job, and I will cherish that time forever.
And so, I am almost done with getting everything in line for school; just my terrible, horrible bloodwork awaits me (needles, needles, needles... hate, hate hate) and then I'll have everything set; other than my parking pass.
I also applied for unemployment and I'm hoping to be able to keep renewing it throughout my schooling; but we'll see if I can keep re-opening my claim or not. Right now my initial claim is being processed, so we'll keep our fingers crossed that I can get a couple hundred dollars every 2 weeks to help with the cost of gas and whatnot.
So, I am both anxiety-filled and excitement-filled as the last 6 weeks of freedom are closing in on me and school will be starting sooner, rather than later.
excited, nervous, determined, scared, committed, unsure, proud, sick.
Yes, I realize that these words are contradictory... But, alas, that's what I feel, so I'm saying it. It feels like I made this commitment YEARS ago (In reality, it was only about 7 months ago) and even longer since I was in a classroom learning (hello August 2010).
Thus, I am a creature of habit, and I have grown quite used to my habits, my life as it is right now. Friday was a hard day for me. It was my very last day of work at the Physics Department. Honestly, if that job paid more and was in a closer location to my new house, I would keep it forever. The physics department taught me so much more than I ever expected. I remember being so nervous to start (I'm always anxiety ridden when I start something new) and on Friday I was crying because it had all come to an end.
I'm excited to start school, but I am so sad to leave all those I've become so close with in the past year behind. I really felt so important and appreciated at my job, and I will cherish that time forever.
And so, I am almost done with getting everything in line for school; just my terrible, horrible bloodwork awaits me (needles, needles, needles... hate, hate hate) and then I'll have everything set; other than my parking pass.
I also applied for unemployment and I'm hoping to be able to keep renewing it throughout my schooling; but we'll see if I can keep re-opening my claim or not. Right now my initial claim is being processed, so we'll keep our fingers crossed that I can get a couple hundred dollars every 2 weeks to help with the cost of gas and whatnot.
So, I am both anxiety-filled and excitement-filled as the last 6 weeks of freedom are closing in on me and school will be starting sooner, rather than later.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Needles and doctors, oh my!
So a lot of my classmates and I are lamenting on our facebook group about all of the health requirements we have to fulfill. Ugh. I mean, I guess it's your sort of normal run of the mill stuff, but I don't do well with big long to-do lists that involve pointy needles.
So, just as a warning to all who may apply, you have the potential of looking forward to all of the following (makes me feel like I'm a teacher again, yuck):
I got my two-week notice letter in the mail and it made me really sad. I really do love my job and I'm going to miss everyone when I'm gone. It's really hard for me to focus in on getting everything organized so that they will be able to find things when I'm gone. Really sad. I'm a creature of habit, so this is hard for me. I just keep thinking, "I had an entire year before school" and now I'm staring July 1st in the face... It just seems like yesterday I was applying. And although I am sad about my job ending, I am very excited about school... I think. (Ok, I'm more nervous!)
So, just as a warning to all who may apply, you have the potential of looking forward to all of the following (makes me feel like I'm a teacher again, yuck):
- FBI fingerprint check
- Criminal Background check
- Child Abuse check
- Current CPR training
- TB test
- Blood titers for a slew of things (hepatitis, measles, mumps, chicken pox, etc)
- Physical
I got my two-week notice letter in the mail and it made me really sad. I really do love my job and I'm going to miss everyone when I'm gone. It's really hard for me to focus in on getting everything organized so that they will be able to find things when I'm gone. Really sad. I'm a creature of habit, so this is hard for me. I just keep thinking, "I had an entire year before school" and now I'm staring July 1st in the face... It just seems like yesterday I was applying. And although I am sad about my job ending, I am very excited about school... I think. (Ok, I'm more nervous!)
Friday, June 24, 2011
Oh hey, I forgot to tell you... I got a house!
So... I realized I haven't written on this blog forever and then I realized it's because I've been really busy... busy working on "the house"!
J* and I got a house and closed on May 3rd. Since then it's been a whirlwind of weekend work dates paired with J*'s constant attention in the evenings to try to whip this place into shape.
In fact, here I am a few weeks ago sanding the floors... I know, I know... I make sanding look real good. ;)
Although our original plan was to "take our relationship to the next step" and move-in together, we hadn't considered that would involve buying a house. But, given rental rates vs mortgage rates, we couldn't pass it up. This house has great potential and we are impatiently awaiting the day when we can sit on our couch and admire all the hardwork we've done... Or, in my case, sit on the couch buried in school books up to my ears... But hey, it will be somewhere to sit! Which is more than I can say about our current situation.
Anyway, none of this would be possible without the love and support of J*, and although I give him a hard time, he really is a good guy at heart and I wouldn't want to be sanding floors, ripping down wallpaper, or finding weird electrical things with anyone else. :)
Friday, April 8, 2011
Am I really *that* old?
Are all of my classmates younger than me? Please tell me I'm not going to the only "over 25" person!
My school started a DPT group for those who are going to be in my class, so as people are added we can meet each other virtually. It's sort of nice to get a sneak peak, but so far it looks like I'm the only one not coming straight from my undergrad. I hope that there is at least one other "oldie" so I feel more comfortable.
I know age is just a number, but I would really appreciate it if someone else was a nontraditional student/career changer so that I have someone to relate to. I was so happy when I found my couple "older" friends when I did my prerequisites and they have honestly become lifelong friends. We really bonded over the fact that we weren't 18 and freshman... it was really nice.
Regardless, I know that I'll find someone (or a group!) that I'll get along with and everything will be ok... I'm a chronic worrier, fyi. In case you didn't pick up on that. ;)
My school started a DPT group for those who are going to be in my class, so as people are added we can meet each other virtually. It's sort of nice to get a sneak peak, but so far it looks like I'm the only one not coming straight from my undergrad. I hope that there is at least one other "oldie" so I feel more comfortable.
I know age is just a number, but I would really appreciate it if someone else was a nontraditional student/career changer so that I have someone to relate to. I was so happy when I found my couple "older" friends when I did my prerequisites and they have honestly become lifelong friends. We really bonded over the fact that we weren't 18 and freshman... it was really nice.
Regardless, I know that I'll find someone (or a group!) that I'll get along with and everything will be ok... I'm a chronic worrier, fyi. In case you didn't pick up on that. ;)
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Registration
Well, it's that time again. I just got done registering for my first semester of DPT school today! :)
Of course my classes are planned out for me, but I can't believe I actually registered!
My schedule looks like this:
Human Anatomy (6 credits)
Human Physiology (3 credits)
Introduction to Clinical Skills (2 credits)
Principles of Practice I: Intro to PT Practice (3 credits)
Total: 14 credits
That 6 credit Anatomy scares me, I'm not going to lie about that... plus the Phys on top of it... I hated Human Physiology the first time... I'm really not interested in how things work on the cellular level and my professor was really boring... Hopefully I'll have a better time with it the second time through and with a different professor.
The only choice I got to make was if I wanted to do my anatomy lab on Tuesday or Thursday. I chose Tuesday so that I'm done for the week on Thursdays at 11. No class on Fridays! Although, who knows when all the open labs/potential other requirements will be... But, it'll be nice to be done with classes on Thursday and have the rest of the weekend for studying, relaxing, house cleaning, etc. :)
It's so interesting how different every PT program is... I have a friend who's been regularly taking 17+ credits per semester... I think that I have less overall credit hours because of the modified Problem Based Learning program; a lot of courses are combined, so instead of having four 3-credit courses, I have one 11-credit course. That will be interesting... Hopefully, I made the right judgement call that I feel I can succeed in that type of learning environment when it comes around in Spring 2012.
Of course my classes are planned out for me, but I can't believe I actually registered!
My schedule looks like this:
Human Anatomy (6 credits)
Human Physiology (3 credits)
Introduction to Clinical Skills (2 credits)
Principles of Practice I: Intro to PT Practice (3 credits)
Total: 14 credits
That 6 credit Anatomy scares me, I'm not going to lie about that... plus the Phys on top of it... I hated Human Physiology the first time... I'm really not interested in how things work on the cellular level and my professor was really boring... Hopefully I'll have a better time with it the second time through and with a different professor.
The only choice I got to make was if I wanted to do my anatomy lab on Tuesday or Thursday. I chose Tuesday so that I'm done for the week on Thursdays at 11. No class on Fridays! Although, who knows when all the open labs/potential other requirements will be... But, it'll be nice to be done with classes on Thursday and have the rest of the weekend for studying, relaxing, house cleaning, etc. :)
It's so interesting how different every PT program is... I have a friend who's been regularly taking 17+ credits per semester... I think that I have less overall credit hours because of the modified Problem Based Learning program; a lot of courses are combined, so instead of having four 3-credit courses, I have one 11-credit course. That will be interesting... Hopefully, I made the right judgement call that I feel I can succeed in that type of learning environment when it comes around in Spring 2012.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Loans! Loans! Loans!
I got my financial aid package today. This is exciting and also a little scary, only because I can't believe I am signing myself up for debt. Eek!!
I've never done this student loan thing before, so all of the paperwork/visiting the website is really scary. It's not that the websites/information is hard to understand, it's just hard for me to sign myself up for 7.8% interest rate on around $70k... that's a lot of money and a lot of interest.
I didn't receive enough money to go unsubsidized all the way, but I received almost the max amount allowed for unsubsidized, so I have very little in subsidized.
What's the difference? Unsubsized means that no interest collects until you are done with school/are not enrolled full-time. Subsized means that interest starts accruing immediately. So, I will be making interest payments on my loans while I attend school. If you don't make payments on subsidized loans then the interest "capitalizes" and you end up paying even more back when you are out of school.
I got approved for just a little bit more than what I need for the school year tuition/fees wise, so I accepted it. I figured I can use the extra hundred for books or I can just put it right back on the subsidized loan as payment for the interest. We'll see when it actually happens...
What alarmed me when I got my letter was in big, bold, red letters the amount of +$40,000 as my estimated school+cost of living!!! I thought that I was only approved for 1/4 of that amount and didn't know what I was going to do! Then I realized that they estimated my cost of living to be around $20k... Um, I don't think so! I can live much poorer than that! Actually, the truth of my personal situation is that I am dating a very supportive person who has agreed that he will support me while I go through school. Without this, I honestly don't know how it would be possible for me to go to school. My parents supported my entire undergraduate degree (what wasn't covered by grants) and living costs (because even though I lived close enough to commute to school I wanted to be "grown up" and live near campus) as well as when I went back for my prerequisites and I really can't ask anymore from them. They have been nothing but amazingly supportive of my decision (once they got over the disappointment of me not wanting to teach.)
So, since my rent/utilities will be paid for by my boyfriend, I can count on my parents to support me here and there for gas money and whatnot. I'll also be losing the job I have currently when they downsize, so I am hoping that I will be able to collect unemployment for awhile, and that will definitely help.
As far as getting a job while in school? I get overwhelmed easily and don't always accept change the best, so I want to get settled into my new "home" (wherever that may end up being), figuring out how to get places from there and get settled into my new school environment and the coursework. If I feel that I can handle something part-time eventually, then I'll deal with that then, but for now I want to remain unemployed.
But, anyway... I was a big girl today and signed myself up for a massive amount of debt that will follow me around for the next 13 years (the 2.5 while I'm in school and then the 10 afterwards of paying it back... I hope that I can pay it off quicker, though...)
I've never done this student loan thing before, so all of the paperwork/visiting the website is really scary. It's not that the websites/information is hard to understand, it's just hard for me to sign myself up for 7.8% interest rate on around $70k... that's a lot of money and a lot of interest.
I didn't receive enough money to go unsubsidized all the way, but I received almost the max amount allowed for unsubsidized, so I have very little in subsidized.
What's the difference? Unsubsized means that no interest collects until you are done with school/are not enrolled full-time. Subsized means that interest starts accruing immediately. So, I will be making interest payments on my loans while I attend school. If you don't make payments on subsidized loans then the interest "capitalizes" and you end up paying even more back when you are out of school.
I got approved for just a little bit more than what I need for the school year tuition/fees wise, so I accepted it. I figured I can use the extra hundred for books or I can just put it right back on the subsidized loan as payment for the interest. We'll see when it actually happens...
What alarmed me when I got my letter was in big, bold, red letters the amount of +$40,000 as my estimated school+cost of living!!! I thought that I was only approved for 1/4 of that amount and didn't know what I was going to do! Then I realized that they estimated my cost of living to be around $20k... Um, I don't think so! I can live much poorer than that! Actually, the truth of my personal situation is that I am dating a very supportive person who has agreed that he will support me while I go through school. Without this, I honestly don't know how it would be possible for me to go to school. My parents supported my entire undergraduate degree (what wasn't covered by grants) and living costs (because even though I lived close enough to commute to school I wanted to be "grown up" and live near campus) as well as when I went back for my prerequisites and I really can't ask anymore from them. They have been nothing but amazingly supportive of my decision (once they got over the disappointment of me not wanting to teach.)
So, since my rent/utilities will be paid for by my boyfriend, I can count on my parents to support me here and there for gas money and whatnot. I'll also be losing the job I have currently when they downsize, so I am hoping that I will be able to collect unemployment for awhile, and that will definitely help.
As far as getting a job while in school? I get overwhelmed easily and don't always accept change the best, so I want to get settled into my new "home" (wherever that may end up being), figuring out how to get places from there and get settled into my new school environment and the coursework. If I feel that I can handle something part-time eventually, then I'll deal with that then, but for now I want to remain unemployed.
But, anyway... I was a big girl today and signed myself up for a massive amount of debt that will follow me around for the next 13 years (the 2.5 while I'm in school and then the 10 afterwards of paying it back... I hope that I can pay it off quicker, though...)
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