Reflections on a Semester

Well, the Fall 2009 Semester is quickly coming to a close and I feel this is as good a time as ever to begin reflecting on what has been one of my better semesters here.

I. Classes

-- For the most part, my academic workload was not too bad, but I really decided to let "Senioritis" get the better of me as the semester dragged on. And, for those of you who know me, I know exactly what you're saying: "You're not a senior!?" Well, that did not stop me from becoming thoroughly academically-unmotivated as the semester went on. Taking a 21-credit courseload is a pain in the ass, to put it bluntly, but when grades come out next week I guess that is when the true test of the courseload will come to the surface.

-- Easiest class of the semester: EDUC 342 (Educational Media & Technology) - This class was a JOKE! Don't get me wrong, most of the material is useable for teachers, but the grading scales were so lenient that I feel like all decently functioning human beings would have gotten an A.

-- Hardest class of the semester: MATH 222 (Calculus III) - I give Calc III the "hardest class" honors because it really was, however I feel I quickly mastered the material and turned it into an easy class. Going into the final exam, I have accumulated 396 of 400 possible points (lost 4 points because I didn't know how to find the volume of a parallelepiped - I am sure I will forever be reminded of this blunder). Regardless, I studied more for this class than perhaps every other class of the semester.

II. Graduate School

-- I'm in! The University accepted me into their combined Bachelors/Masters Degree program which means that I will possess (God-willing) a Master's Degree by June 1, 2012! While my friends, family, professors, and I had no doubt I would get into the program, the application process dragged on from late August through December, when just last week I received the letter. To my other friends like iepoch and zcrescendo who are currently going through this process, my best wishes of luck of course go out to you. (Then again, nothing ever means anything until it is placed into the blogosphere...right?)

III. Music

-- I must admit: going into the semester, music worried me. I mean, there was that issue of that girl at the end of last semester which kinda got me down for a bit, but I decided really to say "Fuck it" (...absolutely...no...pun...intended). This semester in band, choir, and jazz band ended up being the most fun I've had there in my five semesters playing. And that's really saying something. Having zcrescendo back to crack daily jokes with in every rehearsal was of course an added bonus that was missed last semester, but still... everything seemed to go much better. Of course, there were rough spots, like the week-long rehearsals leading up to Noel Night that really never seemed to end! But still, fantastic! An excellent job to everyone involved with the music program this semester! Can't wait to pick it up again in February.

IV. The Romantic Front

-- I choose to label this section as thus because I have the song Love is a Battlefield stuck in my head - damn! This has, hands down, been my failure of course. It seems as though love has decided to elude me, and it's totally okay. It's been like this: I like A, but B likes me. A does not like me (or at least I don't know...nor do I want to find out with a mere two days left to the semester) and I do not like B. Whatever - it's better than where I was at the end of last semester.

-- I feel as though my confidence with this regard has increased a bit, but still has mountains to climb. I mean, I dunno. I'm steadfast in my belief that there is a certain degree of matters of the heart that are out of my control, but I'd like to begin to control that a bit. And, as a certain Professor of mine said, "Patience is a virtue. So use it, damnit!"

V. Announcement

-- For those of you who do see me on a daily basis over Intersession, this does not apply to you, as it will be harder for you to notice. However...

-- Beginning Wednesday, December 9, 2009, at 12:15 PM, I will be beginning a new, rigorous routine of diet and exercise, the goal of which will be to lose 20 pounds by the beginning of Spring 2010 semester. Wish me luck, and I hope the difference will be noticable.

Well, I hope you enjoyed reading!!!