JOURNAL ENTRY #1 - SPRING SEMESTER 2003 (JANURARY-MAY)
Well, I made it through my first semester here. It was, I will admit, very overwhelming for me at first. I mean, I was coming from Raritan Valley Community College (two year school) transferring to a four year University. Raritan Valley was the only college I knew. I even left it and came back (went back to school in 2001 - read the about me section)! Now here I am in a totally different atmosphere. It was really something to get used to.
I never experienced the anxiety I experienced during the first couple of months at Kean University. As mentioned, I felt overwhelmed and everything was coming all at once. There were times when I said to myself "I was a fool to come here! I want to leave! Why did I decide to transfer here? I hate this school!" But, I didn't give in, and I stuck to it, and now I have finished my first semester there. I am taking summer classes (only until June 19th, then I'm free!) for only three nights a week (as opposed to Monday-Thursdays, which is what my schedule was in the spring [and will be in the fall semester too - yep, already have my fall schedule!]. I even had a Saturday morning class this spring! I am glad that's over with).
So, basically, what I am saying is that it was a tough road, but I am still here. I have made it through the first hurdle. Kean University isn't so bad afterall! Their facilities are great too. I found a couple of free services here that Raritian Valley never offered, or just wasn't available, and they have helped me a lot. Now who can pass up free services? LOL!
I have been in the Kean University Choir and Chorale and have joined a Music Sorority. We, as a choir, went and toured Boston this spring. I am hearing we are going to Montreal, Canada next year; so I can't wait for that one - since I've never been there.
Anyway, there is so much to do here and I wish I had the time to do some of these things on campus, but I have to work too and that comes first. Well, I should say work and education come first, and then other activities later.
Anyhow, I don't know what else more to say except wish me luck for the next 3 1/2 years!
I am glad to be apart of Kean University. :)
MORE WILL BE POSTED WHEN THE FALL SEMESTER COMES AROUND! :)
JOURNAL ENTRY #2 - SUMMER SESSION I 2003 (MAY-JUNE)
Okay, our school has two summer sessions. You can choose to take summer classes if you want to get a little bit ahead in your education. It is not required that we have to take summer classes. At Kean University, as I said, we have two summer sessions. We have summer session I, which is from May-June and Summer Session II, which is from July-August. The classes in the summer are six weeks, so it's more fast-paced. It is best to take your GE's (General Electives - which are classes that you have to take, but they are not part of your academic major) during the summer, but some people can't afford the tuition because there is no state financial aid for summer classes (only loans).
Anyway, I chose to take summer classes. You are allowed six credits per summer session (which translates into about two classes per session). I took two classes in summer I. I'm the kind of person that likes to get things done and out of the way - especially if they are GE courses! So I decided to take both of my required GE classes in summer I, so I could have the rest of the summer free (and also, my birthday is in July. Who wants to be in school on your birthday if you don't have to be? LOL)! I took a health course and College Algebra. I passed both classes. HOORAY FOR ME! LOL! :)
On a side note, I am so glad I decided to take college algebra in the summer. Some of the things we had to do online and I would be online for hours doing math problems. Math was never my favorite subject. If I had taken this course during the regular semester (fall or spring), it would have taken up a lot of my time and I would not have time for my other classes. I guess things do happen for a reason. :)
JOURNAL ENTRY #3 - FALL SEMESTER 2003 (SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER)
Well the Fall Semester came and went. It wasn't as overwhelming this time around as it was when I first came here. Perhaps it's because I knew what to expect and all I had were music courses (no GE's....Woo Hoo)! I met some new people and even socialized a little bit more (well, I see them in all my classes....LOL....it's really funny. I told the new people, "you are going to be seeing the same people for the next four years in all of your classes!" LOL!). It also went by EXTREMELY FAST. Maybe too fast if there's such a thing as that. :)
In any event, I am on winter break now until Janurary 12th. The last day of school for me was December 17th. Decmeber 17th was "Juries" for all Music Majors (meaning, basically, you perform your piece in front of your teacher and the music chairman. Like, for example, I'm a voice major. Therefore, I sung two songs while my voice teacher accompanied me and the music chairman and another voice teacher listened. We have to have the songs memorized. One song I chose and the other song they chose. They have four others to choose from. Yep, my teacher makes me memorize five songs - even though I only do two for the jury).
Anyway, all classes (including finals) must be completed before then. Which is great in one way, but it gets to be very crazy as well. So there is a plus side and a minus side to ending classes a week early! :)
Well, it will be the New Year when the spring semester starts and I am finally going to be going out into the field for my major! It's going to be another busy semester (no more free Fridays, unfortunately, now I will have classes Monday through Friday), but it'll be worth it when I finally graduate. I went back to school for a reason - to get a good education and a decent job!
That's the end of my third journal entry. Only three more years to go! (**Crossing fingers and counting**)
JOURNAL ENTRY #4 - SPRING SEMESTER 2004 (JAN.-MAY)
Welcome to the spring semester 2004! This was my first semester going out into the schools teaching. This semester I was teaching elementary. I had a fifth grade general music class. In addition, I was also teaching music at the Kean University Day Care as also part of the course. I will have to say that I felt very nervous at first, but after awhile I got the hang of it.
Yes, it was very overwhelming at times because not only do we have to teach, but we also have to make sure our lesson plans are up to the National Standards (depending on your state). If the objectives aren't specific enough, my teacher would have us redo them. If the proceedures did not match the objectives, had to redo. Among other things. Also, we had an educational portfolio that also had to be up to standards. They had to meet the College of Education requirements. I kept e-mailing and seeing my teacher every five minutes. As some education majors may know, you need to have at least a B- to pass the class. I was very concerned about this one. However, I ended up with a higher grade than I anticipated so it was all good! (Now I just hope I get past Junior Field II - Secondary field - next year! **Gulp!!**)
We went to Montreal this year on our choir trip. I think I might have mentioned this before, but we go on choir trips every spring (last spring was Boston). It was very cool up in Montreal. I had a great time there. The Canadian exhange rate is great! LOL! We spent two nights and three days there.
Well, it's getting close to crunch time. I have three more semesters left (about a year and a half, so disregard previous entry!). I hope I make it! This ends journal entry #4. I am nervous about teaching middle school kids, but I'll get through it.
JOURNAL ENTRY #5 - FALL SEMESTER 2004 (SEPT.-DEC.)
The fall semster came and went again. It was okay. I didn't have to worry about writing lesson plans and revising them this semster so that was one less thing to stress over for the time being....LOL! Only a few more semesters to go until graduation. Yippee!
JOURNAL ENTRY #6 - SUMMER SESSION I 2004 (MAY-JUNE)
I was only able to take one class this summer because the other class I wanted to take was full (it was even full for summer II)! The class I wanted to take was an education GE class (education 3000), so I will take that in the spring. In the meantime, I ended up taking English 2403 (English Literature) instead (another required GE course for all Kean University students). Once again, the summer semster went by even faster than the fall! By the way, I passed this class. :)
JOURNAL ENTRY #7 - SPRING SEMESTER 2005 (JAN.-MAY)
Spring semester 2005 was very stressful for me. I guess it was because it was getting close to graduation and I was very concerned about passing my classes. I kept saying to myself "if I get passed so-and-so and such-and-such".
I suppose that would be the reason I have to take two classes over in the spring 2006 (yes, unfortunately, these classes are only given in the spring; so I have to wait another year). I didn't fail these classes, but you do have to earn a certain grade for them. Oh well. This wasn't really a good semester for me. I was feeling sick at times and the change in the seasons didn't help either! (Damn allergies!)
Still, though, despite that mishap, what can I say? I am still getting closer to graduation! I'm only pushed back by one semester. Originally, I was going graduate in May 2006, but now it's December 2006. Oh well, what's another semester right? LOL!
Remember when I said I was nervous about teaching middle school kids? Well, I passed my field course with flying colors! I guess I can handle those students afterall....LOL! Let me tell you, they were a challenge.
OH, I almost forgot to mention, that our spring choir trip was to Virginia. My sister lives there, so she was able to see me perform in my choir for the first time. :)
JOURNAL ENTRY #8 - SUMMER SESSION I 2005 (MAY-JUNE)
Once again, I took two classes. I ended up dropping the Education 3000 course in the spring because the teacher was impossible (I complained about him to the chair and, apparently, I wasn't the only one who has complained about him). I also did not understand the book. Therefore, I took this class in the summer (along with History 1000 - my last GE course! Woo hoo! [Yep, you guessed it, this was ANOTHER REQUIRED COURSE FOR ALL KEAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS!]). Anyway, it was much easier this time around. I had a different teacher and a different book. This book was much easier to understand.
The History 1000 course was about American Civic Society. I find history very boring, so I can see why I chose to do this class last. However, they were giving this class online. I thought, "great! I'll take it online!" Hey, taking an online course on a boring subject is much better than going to the school and sitting in a classroom listening to a lecture about it! It was so easy too (taking it online). I never took an online course at Kean before. I highly recommend Kean University students to take History 1000 online (if you hadn't already taken the class). [To find out more about this class, feel free to e-mail me.]
I found out my grades, recently, and I passed again! Yay! One thing I have to say about summer sessions. They go by so quickly because they are only six weeks, which is a good and bad thing. However, I am not complaining! This may also be the last time I'm taking any summer classes. In the meantime, though, I can now concentrate on the rest of my summer. Next semester is going to be very busy, but I will save that for next time. This ends journal #8. :)
JOURNAL ENTRY #9 - FALL SEMESTER 2005 (SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER)
Well, this semester I did not feel stressed out like last semester. Although, yes, I was very busy, I only had a few major classes that I was taking and the rest were free electives. It felt easier this semester.
The main thing was, of course, passing the major classes (well passing all of my classes) and getting ready for my "special jury" to see if I am ready for my senior recital next semester. I was really pissed off because our juries always happen towards the end of the semester and that is always when the changing of the season hits, and I am usually recovering from a cold by the time my jury date comes. I certainly thought I was ready, and I was hoping they would pass me. Well guess what? I e-mailed my voice teacher and found out that I passed! Yippee! I'm doing my senior recital next semester! Every music major has to do a senior recital before they can graduate, so this is huge (I will write more about the recital in my next journal entry).
Just like with all of the other semesters, this semester flew by like nobody's business. I couldn't believe how quickly it went. I suppose that is a good thing, though, because it is one step closer to my graduation!
JOUNRAL ENTRY #9 - SPRING SEMESTER 2006 (JANUARARY-MAY)
Well the semester is finally over. I have a summer class to take starting May 24th. I do have a couple of weeks free in the meantime. There was a lot going on this semester. I did my senior recital with a HUGE success and I also took my praxis exam. I don't know how well I did, but at least I know what to expect if I have to take it again. I am still waiting for my grades at this point. I only have one grade so far. I did better than I thought in that class which is a good thing. I am just waiting for two more IMPORTANT grades (I am waiting for four more grades, but there are two IMPORTANT ones that I have to pass)! I will write more here again once I have all of my results in.
JOURNAL ENTRY #10 - SUMMER SESSION I (MAY-JUNE)
Okay, I have the following to say: I HATE THE DAMN FLUTE AND CLARINET! I ALSO HATE THE DAMN TRUMPET! Okay, what's all the ranting and raving about? The fuckin' prophiencies that's what! Also, I am taking Woodwinds II and it's a real bitch! The only instrument that I can play a decent tune in is the fuckin' oboe. Sorry woodwind and brass players, but this stuff is just not my thing. All I'm doing is getting frustrated. I can't wait for this summer session to be over!
JOURNAL ENTRY #11 - FALL SEMESTER 2007 (SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER)
Hi all! Well, I took this semester off and decided to change my major. Despite my parents' objections, I am no longer Music Education. I am just going to be Music BA. (By the way, I did well with those four grades and my summer class!)
JOURNAL ENTRY #12 - SPRING SEMESTER 2007 (JANUARY-MAY)
Hey again! Well, here we are in the spring semester. I've decided to go part-time so I can work full time. I had three classes, but I dropped one. The good thing about the remaining two classes is that they are both online courses (well one of the classes meets once a month). I'll write more when the semester is over. It's at the halfway mark now (as of March 20, 2007). Since all of my music classes are done, I am just taking free electives now. I have to tell you, it is great being in another building besides Wilkins Theater! Sheesh! I practically lived there for three years....LOL!! I tell you something else, I don't feel as stressed as I did when I was doing the education part. Here's looking to May 2008!!
Well, the semester ends officially on May 5th; but my last day was April 25th. I got my grade for the first class but not the second as of today (May 2nd). However, I am passing both classes! :) Next semester I will be going full time again, but I only will be on campus three days a week so I can still work and stuff. See everyone next semester! :)
JOURNAL ENTRY #13 - FALL SEMESTER 2007 (SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER)
I have to say that this semester was one of the hardest. I was a full time student working two (sometimes three) jobs. Yep, little did I know that I was going to be getting a second job when I posted my last journal comment! It wasn't easy and by the middle of the semester I found myself falling behind in two out of my four classes. It seemed like I had no time to do any of the projects. I ended up missing some classes in one subject and one of my final projects ended up looking like crap because I had no time to do it. I have not received any grades yet except for one class which I passed (although that wasn't the class I was having problems keeping up with). When I go to pick up my portfolio, I am throwing it away just like I threw out my final project.
Well I received all of my grades and I passed my classes despite all of that drama. I won't be going back until January 22nd so I am going to enjoy these next few weeks off. See you soon!
JOURNAL ENTRY #14 - SPRING SEMESTER 2008 (JANUARY-MAY)
Well the semester has ended and you are looking at a KEAN UNIVERSITY GRADUATE! WOOT! WOOT! This semester was so easy. I only had two classes and it was much more relaxing than last semester. It went by so fast and I can't believe that finally, after five years at Kean, I GRADUATED! Click here to read about the commencement! I can't believe there were 2180 of us who gradated that day (and of course, out of the 2180 graduates, there were only five of us who graduated with a music degree....LOL)! I am officially a KEAN UNIVERSITY ALUMNI! HOLLA!!!!
I took some pictures of the campus one week before graduation. If interested in seeing the campus, click here.
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