Final Words

I have written many papers in my 4 terms at Kaplan so far. Some have been fairly easy, some have been very difficult and time consuming.  I have realized that the professor sets the tone for the course.  I have taken 2 English classes, both requiring one scientific paper due at the end of the course.  Pretty much the same process for both classes.  Yet, the classes were very different because of the professors.  One was very strict and unyielding, the other was more lenient and forgiving.  Both were very nice and knowledgeable, and helped tremendously, but their styles were different.  I have had non English classes with professors who were sticklers on writing papers, and others who were more focused on the content instead of the technical aspect.  I have done well with both, and I appreciate both. 

The End

I always feel torn at the end of the term.  I really do love school, even with all the work.  However, by the 7th week or so, I am kind of running out of steam.  By the final week, I am completely ready for a break.  But by the time my next term starts, I am ready for it.  I have learned alot in this class and I know it will help me in my future, at Kaplan and in my career.  I have really enjoyed doing research for this paper because it is important to me personally.  I think it makes a difference when you can select your own topic instead of having one handed to you.  It makes it more meaningful.  I have enjoyed this class and doing this blog.

Nearing the End

I have enjoyed posting blogs in this course.  I thought I might post more than I do, but I have just been too busy to keep up with it outside of what is assigned.  I really like the peer reviews we do in class.  I think they are helpful.  I would like to have more feedback than what I get though, in terms of how many people give me feedback.  Sometimes I only have one person respond to my discussion posts.  While that person may be very helpful, having different people comment would be more helpful.  They can catch things that you don't see yourself.  They also bring their own ideas that might be beneficial in writing my paper.  I probably won't keep up with my blog after this class is over.  I think it's a great idea, and a great writing tool, but I really don't have time to keep it up. 

Peer Reviews

This week in class we are showing the rough drafts of our papers to the rest of the class for constructive criticism.  I actually like this process because I get some insight into my paper that I may not see for myself.  They are unbiased reviews from a fresh set of eyes.  I like to hear what I'm doing right, and what I need to work on.  It's really nothing to be afraid of, because we are all here just to help each other.  Sometimes it's hard to give constructive criticism to another person, because we don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, and we know that they are doing their best.  However, when the intention is not to hurt feelings, and the response is worded correctly, it can be very helpful.  I'm looking forward to having others read my paper and help me, and I hope that is what I will give out also.

Dealing with ADD

Although school has only been going for 2 weeks, my kids are ready for the holiday weekend.  I think they just need to take a breather from all that has been going on these past 2 weeks.  My little guy is adjusting to kindergarten and still doesn't realize when the weekend comes and when he has school.  My oldest son is homeschooled and hasn't started his studies yet (one more week).  Then there's my 7th grade son who has ADD.  In spite of the fact that he's very smart (most ADD kids are, by the way), school has been a struggle every year since kindergarten.  He does well, then he doesn't do well.  It's up and down. He started on ADD medicine toward the end of second grade (on school days only), and while it does help him focus, the side effects for him are disturbing to us as parents, and to him.  But even with the medicine, his grades are still all over the place.  So, so far this year, we are seeing how things go at school without any ADD medicine.  I know it's going to be a struggle this year too, but I want to give him a chance to function on his own if he can.  It really angers me that my child should have to be medicated (drugged) in order for him to fit into the mold that the public school system has for students.  Why can't the schools accommodate him?  Why can't they teach him the way that he learns best?  Why should I have to send him to a private special school in order for him to not be treated like he's abnormal?  Did you know that the majority of kids in special education services in public schools are in those programs because they have ADD or ADHD?  Is that really a disability, or do they just need to be taught in a different manner?  Most of them are actually very smart and learn best orally, and by doing things hands on.  Maybe if they weren't forced to sit in a chair all day with their hands in their laps and not talk at all, they could function better.  I realize this would take effort on the school system's part, but wouldn't it be worth it to raise the self-esteem of these kids who believe that they are dumb because they don't learn the way most other kids learn? 

How is school influencing my life?!

I am halfway through my fourth term at Kaplan University.  I feel like I have a pretty good flow down when it comes to school by this point.  However, life always throws curve balls, and sometimes I have to juggle and rearrange my schedule to fit school in.  The beauty of online learning is that, that's not a problem!  I can do school whenever I want to, as long as I meet my weekly deadlines.  I do alot of school work late at night, but my kids have started back to school, and I have started back to work part-time, so late nights aren't a great option anymore.  I'm having to find more time during the day to get school done.  I have a very busy life outside of school, but always in the back of my mind, I'm thinking about what I need to get done for school.  I feel like being in school is keeping me sharper; my brain doesn't have a chance to turn to mush.  I also feel really proud of myself and like I am accomplishing something important just for myself, which as most mothers know, doesn't happen alot.  I enjoy school, even with all of its challenges, and even when it feels like I will be doing it forever.

What happened?!

I am deviating from our selected topic for this week, because I have something heavy on my heart.  My baby is starting kindergarten on Monday, and I really have mixed feelings about it. It's so weird, because I have 3 boys, 15, 12, and 5 (yesterday, Happy bday baby boy!) and I actually cried last night at Meet the Teacher night and I never cried with my two older boys.  I even thought, at the time, that my middle son was going to be my last child, and that I was sending my "baby" to kindergarten when he went, but I still didn't get upset and cry.  I don't know what the difference is this time.  He's ready, even though he just turned 5, and he's very social and loves to have friends, but it's me having the hard time.  I know it will all be fine after a few days. Maybe I'm just sad that this part of my life is over.  He's the last one, and this time of my life is over--having little toddlers or preschoolers.  The days of just staying home and watching preschool shows will be coming to an end, and it makes me sad. 

I actually really enjoy school!

I have been back in school since the beginning of December, and until then, it had been 20 years since I had been in college. I had always said I would go back someday, not really knowing if it would happen or not.  I'm so glad I finally made the choice to do it.  I really feel like I am accomplishing something great, and doing something great for myself and my future, and ultimately my family's future.  I really wanted to attend my courses online.  I knew that "going" to class would be extremely difficult with my already busy life.  I happen to really love online learning!  It suits me very well.  I have always been a very organized, task-oriented, list-making person.  So, keeping up with assignments, and having to pretty much be completely responsible for myself has been fairly easy for me.  Having said that, however, I do tend to be a procrastinator, and I have to kick myself in gear from time to time.  I love having the flexibility to do school whenever I want, and whenever I can.  I do alot of work late at night.  That seems to be a good time for me.  Sometimes I wish I could just talk to my professor face to face, and ask questions in a conversation, rather than through email, but typically anything I ask through email is answered effectively.  I do like the anonymity of online classes, but I also like getting together in seminars and talking to my classmates.  I really like doing this blog and reading other people's blogs, because it gives an insight into people that we normally don't get just from chatting in  our seminars.  Sometimes it feels like I will be in school forever, and I do get tired of it and look forward to the break between terms, but I know that it will be worth it in the end.  Nothing that's worthwhile comes easy. 

My First Blog

I'm so excited to be posting my first blog!  It's kind of like writing in a journal, but everyone can see it.  Since my blog is titled "Everyday life with my 3 sons", I think I'll make my first post about my 3 sons :)  School starts 2 weeks from today, and in some ways I am ready, and in some ways I am not.  I love summer!  I love sleeping in and not really having to be anywhere or do anything, and I get to be home with my kiddos.  My boys are 14 (15 next month), 12, and 4 (5 next week).  So, not only is school starting, but 2 of my kids have birthdays coming up soon.  I'm also going back to work part-time as a preschool teacher, and I'm in school myself.  My oldest son is homeschooled (his choice), so I have to get his curriculum together for the school year.  I actually don't have much to do for him before school starts.  My middle son is going into 7th grade.  I had to buy him a trombone, get school supplies, football stuff, sports physical, immunizations, and various other things.  My baby is starting kindergarten this year.  I'm really quite sad about it.  I know he will be fine.  He is very social, and he will love it, but mommy would love to keep him home for another year.  I know the next 2 weeks are going to zoom by, but I want to savor each moment.  I want to not be aggravated with my kids.  I want to not yell at them when they don't listen.  So, that's what I'm striving for.  To make the last 2 weeks of summer the best yet.