Last night J and I went to NOVA to see a counselor about our progress towards our degree. I had been laying awake at night - no joke - about my degree "expiring" before I could complete it. You've probably heard the commercials for NOVA that say "you can get your degree by taking 1 class per semester", and the student handbook specifically says 7 years. So I've been having literal nightmares about all this time and money spent on my degree only to have it *POOF* vanish at the stroke of '09. However, we were assured by the counselor that is not the case, it's just a matter of your declared degree and credit requirements, a bunch of mumbo jumbo that kind of made sense but heck if I could explain it here. So no, neither of us has to worry about them yanking our diplomas away from us.
Additionally positive news is that I'm FIVE MEASLY CLASSES away from graduating! I really want to graduate sooner rather than later, so I'm inclined to just double up and get this done these next two semesters so I can walk in the Spring ceremony. However, it's not as easy as that. There are so many factors to consider.
Unfortunately, my remaining classes are the BIGGIES... 2 separate science classes, 1 math (which fortunately I placed in where I need to be, no refresher classes needed), 1 humanities and 1 elective. The science classes are 4 credits each and require one night of lecture and one night of lab. There's two nights already shot. Not to mention they've raised tuition at NOVA to almost $100 per credit, and I have not been here long enough yet to get tuition assistance at work (that kicks in mid-Oct) so that's money out of pocket up front, plus books and god knows what else a science class requires.
Further complicating things is the fact that I do not know if I am strong enough to take the math class without struggling. Sure I placed in there, so I obv. know enough to get by, but I fear that I'm going to be surrounded by eggheads who walk talk and dream this stuff, and I'll still be struggling with square roots. So I was thinking of taking it this coming semester, and then switching to a lower class if I can't cut it. But this means another 3 credits coming out of my pocket, and another night at school.
And did I mention that my last elective requirement is only 1 credit? So I either pay for three credits for an interesting class (and I'll have to check to make sure that a 3-credit class will count towards graduating), or take something like golf or self defense or "topics in studying".
So I can either double up to graduate early (more $ out of pocket, more stress, but less time in school), OR I can continue taking one class per semester and put off graduating until Fall '09 (tuition assistance at work, less stress and time at school, but later graduation). I am afraid that by doubling up on these next two classes I'm going to stagger under the course load and damage my GPA (which I'm quite proud of). As it stands right now, I am going to graduate with honors. But I really, really am ready to be done with school.
Decisions, decisions...
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
So close I can taste it
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3 comments:
Yay! How exciting! You're getting close.
If it doesn't matter what your one credit class is in, might I suggest Yoga? I've taken Yoga through NVCC 2 or 3 times, just to take it. It's nice and relaxing and a good workout. Maybe it'll help de-stress you about your remaining classes.
I actually considered that! :) Unfortunately, the Yoga class is only offered 1 day, at 4 pm. There is no way I would be able to get to class in time without majorly compromising my work schedule. If it were a business class, perhaps they'd be flexible for me leaving so early, but am thinking Yoga would be a hard sell.
My only suggestion is to watch out for a burn out. I know Rick was VERY close to this because he was packing his schedule so full of school that he wasted alot of money because he'd skip class to have a night off. Fortunately he was taking so many classes that he could skip ONE a week and still maintain, but it did hurt his GPA because he barely passes alot of his classes. Oh, and he will certainly help you in Math and Science, he LOVES those classes and from what I remember, the labs usually let out early!!
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