College advisement... sucks.

[Jason Brian Merrill]

When i started on my dual major in education/computer science, my adviser signed off on it. We both figured it could be feasible to finish both degrees by spring 2010.

Now, as i set up my schedule for 2010, some requirements have changed, but i have to fulfill them. Not only that, when he signed off on the form last semester, apparently he didnt notice that i need to take a literature elective for the education degree.

So, now im taking 21 credits next semester.

This isnt a jab at my adviser - but i just wish they had this whole thing computerized, and little checkmarks next to the classes you already took, and red highlights on the ones you need for the degree you want.

MAT135AA – T,Th 8:00-9:15 (statistics)
MAT220AA – T,Th 9:30-10:45 (pre-calc)
CIS240AA – T,Th 11:00-12:15 (database management)
ART105 – T,Th 1:00-2:15 (fine arts survey pff)
BIO115AA – T,Th 2:30-4:15 (LAB - biological science)
SSC110OA – Online (Marriage and family pff)
ENG135OA - Online (American Literature)

im gonna have 2 long days and 2 online classes. I have to do it, so i know i can handle it. Even thought that reasoning makes no sense.

[yep]

Originally Posted by Jason Brian Merrill

When i started on my dual major in education/computer science, my adviser signed off on it. We both figured it could be feasible to finish both degrees by spring 2010.

Now, as i set up my schedule for 2010, some requirements have changed, but i have to fulfill them. Not only that, when he signed off on the form last semester, apparently he didnt notice that i need to take a literature elective for the education degree.

So, now im taking 21 credits next semester.

This isnt a jab at my adviser - but i just wish they had this whole thing computerized, and little checkmarks next to the classes you already took, and red highlights on the ones you need for the degree you want.

MAT135AA – T,Th 8:00-9:15 (statistics)
MAT220AA – T,Th 9:30-10:45 (pre-calc)
CIS240AA – T,Th 11:00-12:15 (database management)
ART105 – T,Th 1:00-2:15 (fine arts survey pff)
BIO115AA – T,Th 2:30-4:15 (LAB - biological science)
SSC110OA – Online (Marriage and family pff)
ENG135OA - Online (American Literature)

im gonna have 2 long days and 2 online classes. I have to do it, so i know i can handle it. Even thought that reasoning makes no sense.

Um, that sounds like 2 days a week for 8.25 hours per day with several breaks in-between, plus some online work. Sounds ideal.

Am I missing something?

[Jason Brian Merrill]

Originally Posted by yep

Um, that sounds like 2 days a week for 8.25 hours per day with several breaks in-between, plus some online work. Sounds ideal.

Am I missing something?

apparently so

first the fact that school isnt just when you attend. Im on 15 credits now and its rough. but hey, im not complaining much other than i didnt expect this, and it kinda sucks that i wasnt able to balance the load a little differently, because my adviser didnt catch it.

[matic]

Originally Posted by yep

Am I missing something?

Typically, a college student is expected to spend 2 hours studying for every hour in class. So 17 hours a week plus 34 hours studying plus probably some kind of a job to pay for all that higher education = our friend JBM is in for a rough semester: that's 51 hours a week before online classes and work.

[Jason Brian Merrill]

Originally Posted by matic

Typically, a college student is expected to spend 2 hours studying for every hour in class. So 17 hours a week plus 34 hours studying plus probably some kind of a job to pay for all that higher education = our friend JBM is in for a rough semester: that's 51 hours a week before online classes and work.

oh god that really drove it home haha

[morpheme]

I can commiserate, I myself have a tough load.

[Chris_P_Critter]

I dropped out of school when I was 16. Now, with 3 kids, a wife and a ridiculous mortgage, I wish I could go back - but - I have no time, and can barely afford gas in my car, let alone school.

I'll get there eventually, but what I am trying to say to you is: it sucks now, but when you have that degree it will all pay off for you dude.

[vanpet]

I have a degree, and it still sucks.

[Jason Brian Merrill]

Originally Posted by Chris_P_Critter

I dropped out of school when I was 16. Now, with 3 kids, a wife and a ridiculous mortgage, I wish I could go back - but - I have no time, and can barely afford gas in my car, let alone school.

I'll get there eventually, but what I am trying to say to you is: it sucks now, but when you have that degree it will all pay off for you dude.

it sounds like, from my limited knowledge of you, you made a success of it without school. that is admirable! I could have my decent job doing collections, but the business is getting harder imo, and i simply cannot be that tough on people.

[Jason Brian Merrill]

Originally Posted by vanpet

I have a degree, and it still sucks.

i guess it depends on the degree... the reason i chose teaching wasnt only for the fact that i wanted to teach if music doesnt pan out - its also nearly a guaranteed job, in comparison to other vocations, imo.

But yeah, college is overrated in many ways. Trade schools are good to an extent.

[Jason Brian Merrill]

Originally Posted by morpheme

I can commiserate, I myself have a tough load.

the real challenge isnt getting through it - its getting all A's hehe... but that's my goal - ive been presidents list every semester i could and i dont want to graduate less than summa cum laude.

[Chris_P_Critter]

Originally Posted by Jason Brian Merrill

it sounds like, from my limited knowledge of you, you made a success of it without school. that is admirable! I could have my decent job doing collections, but the business is getting harder imo, and i simply cannot be that tough on people.

I've worked really hard and have done the best I can, but honestly; since I don't have the piece of paper, I am locked into my current job - it's VERY difficult to convince an employer to hire you based on your experience alone.

But... never say never either - I will get there, just not now.

Hang in there man. Either that, or write the next hit song and get rich!

[nofish]

Originally Posted by Jason Brian Merrill

This isnt a jab at my adviser - but i just wish they had this whole thing computerized, and little checkmarks next to the classes you already took, and red highlights on the ones you need for the degree you want.

Why don't you put up a feature request ?

[Jason Brian Merrill]

Originally Posted by Chris_P_Critter

it's VERY difficult to convince an employer to hire you based on your experience alone.

now THAT really sucks. Its not that i haven't worked hard, just - i was involved in a network of people that had a somewhat homogenized work pool, and i was in that pool - and eventually got a decent job for someone within that network (doing collections).

I've never really needed credentials. Of course, since im NOT in that "network" anymore - i am going to need them

[Jason Brian Merrill]

Originally Posted by nofish

Why don't you put up a feature request ?

oh god, if only i could!

I still cant use my back button or refresh button on their portal!

[kindafishy]

Originally Posted by Chris_P_Critter

I've worked really hard and have done the best I can, but honestly; since I don't have the piece of paper, I am locked into my current job - it's VERY difficult to convince an employer to hire you based on your experience alone.

But... never say never either - I will get there, just not now.

Hang in there man. Either that, or write the next hit song and get rich!

Depends what you do Chris_P. I am heavily involved in interviewing candidates for the company I work for, and for us, education means very, very little next to experience when we are looking for senior developers - to the degree that it is little more than a point of interest. For juniors, obviously eduction is the key because we have little else to go on.

Anyway, considering what FTA is up to, that hit song may very well be yours!

[Chris_P_Critter]

Originally Posted by Jason Brian Merrill

now THAT really sucks. Its not that i haven't worked hard, just - i was involved in a network of people that had a somewhat homogenized work pool, and i was in that pool - and eventually got a decent job for someone within that network (doing collections).

I've never really needed credentials. Of course, since im NOT in that "network" anymore - i am going to need them

I hear you man - ever gone onto "LinkedIn" - it's a networking site specifically for career connections - not too bad, but hasn't gotten me anywhere yet.

Never underestimate networking - it really can help you. Even if the folks you knew in that "network" aren't able to provide assistance in teh career you're planning to get into, they may know others who are!

Originally Posted by kindafishy

Depends what you do Chris_P. I am heavily involved in interviewing candidates for the company I work for, and for us, education means very, very little next to experience when we are looking for senior developers - to the degree that it is little more than a point of interest. For juniors, obviously eduction is the key because we have little else to go on.

Anyway, considering what FTA is up to, that hit song may very well be yours!

I hear you, I guess it's relative to the industry though. I've not had any luck, but I will soon enough I suppose.

LOL! FTA coming out with a hit would be a dream come true for me. Only thing I ever wanted to do, but unfortunately music never made enough for me to feed myself, let alone a family!

[Jason Brian Merrill]

Originally Posted by Chris_P_Critter

I hear you man - ever gone onto "LinkedIn" - it's a networking site specifically for career connections - not too bad, but hasn't gotten me anywhere yet.

Never underestimate networking - it really can help you. Even if the folks you knew in that "network" aren't able to provide assistance in teh career you're planning to get into, they may know others who are!

errm, this "network" was .... unique. Trust me.

[Chris_P_Critter]

Originally Posted by Jason Brian Merrill

errm, this "network" was .... unique. Trust me.

LOL - the MOB perhaps?!?!