Reaching Lifelong Goals

I kind of quit paying attention to math about my sophomore year in high school…about 1972!    Upon returning to college last term, I took the usual placement tests.   I scored well on the reading/writing part of the test, but when it came to math…the testing computer just locked up and “you need to start all over again, buddy…”    For my first term back at Linn Benton Community College I dove right in and started all over again with MTH 020.   Success!  I received an A in the class and off I went to work my way up to MTH 105!   My plan is to get my math requirements out of the way while taking classes at a community college (HINT, HINT…look into this, you will thank me later…) due to the smaller class sizes and personal attention from professors.   I see now that this plan is definitely sound.   I have heard horror stories from my fellow classmates who have tried to struggle through a math class of 150 students and a TA teaching the class.    I really feel that there are merits to taking lower level courses at your local community college and then transferring to finish your junior and senior years at a university.   Dual enrollment programs are all over the nation and your area probably has a similar program.

Algebra is a foreign language to me, however, it is sinking in daily.   My math teacher is really great and quite a character to boot…  He makes learning quite enjoyable.   Right now I am sitting on a B average.    I really want to keep my 4.00 GPA going   this term.    Have to buckle down and really pound these concepts.   I will be sunk if I get into higher math without a strong base of knowledge.    I found one piece of invaluable machinery that everyone out there should get ASAP….the Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus Silver Edition Graphing Calculator.  In our case, this calculator is approved for use all the way up to MTH 111.   When you get into MTH 095, this tool is invaluable I’m told.   So far it has been the best investment yet.    (I also bought a netbook for my backpack….I’ll blog on my MSI Wind later, stay tuned.)   One of it’s greatest features is it’s expanded memory.   You can store formulas and enough data to make it through any test!!

Have to sit down with my Algebra book now…..big test coming up on Friday!!

This online program appears to have some real potential check it out…every little bit helps

Adobe Education Store! Students and Faculty Save up to 80%!

I did not think it would affect me this much….received the actual acceptance letter from Oregon State University today.   The thought that I really should have gotten this letter 35 years ago when I was leaving high school really hit hard.   You look back over your life and see where you have been and where you could have gone…   Would I change my life? maybe…any regrets, a few…  Had to just sit down and weep for about a 1/2 hour.    The whole premise of this blog is REACHING LIFELONG GOALS…and I have to look at that.   I’m well on my way to finally have that college degree that I could never put on a resume.   I know that a college degree would have changed my life drastically 30 years ago, but there is no way to change what has been.  Late in life, yes, but achieving goals sometimes has life get in the way.  Nontraditional Students all over the nation may be experiencing this same phenomenon, but personally this letter was a milestone for me.    I don’t know if anyone out there will be going through these same feelings, but if you are, I hope you have the same feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment as I am right now.   The idea that I will finally have that opportunity to finish my education this late in life is what being a Non Traditional Student is all about.   At this point in my life, starting a new career is a scary thought, but it is also exhilarating at the same time.  One should not just take their lot in life as a static thing, you are never too old to go after that goal you set for yourself so many, many years ago.  Reaching lifelong goals is just not a clever blog title, it has become a major driving force in my life.     Sure there will be obstacles (MTH 060 is kicking my butt right now…) but the light is at the end of the tunnel now.   Sorry if this post is kind of sappy, but I’m still trying to soak all of this in right now.

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Nikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

I just found out yesterday that my application for admission to Oregon State University has been accepted!   When it comes to reaching lifelong goals, I guess 35 years is not to long to wait…I joined the USAF right out of high school in 1974.   On returning home to Oregon in 1977, I thought then that my college education would be the next phase in my life.    Well…life has a tendency of getting in the way of your goals sometimes.   Working full time and going to school full time took it’s toll.    I had to quit school in 1981 and did not return to it throughout my working life.   I now have a new chance to fulfill this lifelong goal of mine!

I am in a dual enrollment program with my local community college and will be taking classes at both institutions.   Since my placement testing on math just said….START FROM SCRATCH,   I will be completing my math requirements at Linn Benton Community College.    Smaller class sizes, more individual attention from teachers and lower cost are all factors that you should look into.    I find that I’m not the only one in this boat as many of my classmates in “dummy math” are all Non Traditional Students like myself.    I will be finishing up my math requirements and taking upper level classes at OSU at the same time.

If you are an older returning student to college, the opportunities of dual enrollment in Community College and State Universities are really something to consider.   This type of program seems to be universally offered accross the USA.    Diving into the college waters after a long absence from school can be a daunting experience.   This type of program is something that will help you in a big way if you have a number of lower level classes needed for your Major program.     Next Post:   Things that all Non Trads should have in their backpacks!

Here is one of the most important tools I’ve found for getting through math! Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus Silver Edition Graphing Calculator

Being a Non Traditional student is a different experience at college… When I was put out to pasture by my previous employer due to the economy, I quickly saw that the job market in Oregon was pretty poor. Especially if you are a 53 year old Shipping Clerk without a college degree. What better time to go to school and finish that long desired degree. I was a student at a community college in Salem, Oregon from 1978-1981, majoring in Business Administration. Thought back then that it would be my ticket to success…

Well, LIFE GETS IN THE WAY SOMETIMES! Going to school and working full time soon became problematic, something had to give… Well long story-short, I became a working stiff in jobs that were neither fulfilling nor challenging for the next 30 years!

So, in March of 2009, I made the decision to go back to school as an “older returning student”. I just plugged in my Business Administration credits and thought that would be fine… My wife is a CPA and asked me one day – “do you really want to take Business Law, do you really want to study Business Statistics?” I had to take a long hard look at what would be available to a 58 year old MBA going up against some “kid” just beginning his career. A prospective employer would look at him and say “I can pay this kid less money, and get more years out of them”

My wife asked me, “what do you want to be when you grow up?”

My first love has always been History. Particularly World War One Aviation. If I was to invest the next few years in college, why shouldn’t I study what I love? Since I have made this change in course, I feel a new freedom and drive toward my goal of a degree. What do I want to be when I grow up? AN HISTORIAN!!

When people ask me what I do, my goal is to be able to tell them that I’m a noted WWI Historian and be able to back that up with the sheepskin to prove it.

This is my favorite camera, just one of my many hobbies…Nikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

Here is a program that I am looking into for everyone…New to blogging? This is the way to learn…how