It's math homework! Well, it's not really homework, because that implies that someone assigned it to me, but it IS a collection of completed problems from lesson 1.1 in the Calculus book I borrowed from the library. It was long and tedious, but I'm very proud of myself for having completed it.
My current routine when I wake up every morning is as follows: read two chapters from the Bible, study one Spanish lesson from my 30-day spanish book, read one chapter from my electronics book, and complete one lesson from my Calculus textbook.
At bedtime, I read another two chapters from the bible (they're short), and I read a bit from whatever fiction book I'm running through (currently, The Subtle Knife).
I start taking college classes toward my Electrical Engineering degree in August, and I want to be prepared (I plan to take Calculus I, Physics I and Spanish I). Why am I studying the stuff now when I could just wait to learn it all during class? Reason being, I will be working full time while taking three classes, and I don't know how well I'll be able to keep up. It's my first time sitting down in a college classroom (despite having two degrees), and I fear taking three classes at once while working 40 hours might be overly ambitious. Then why am I taking so many? Good question. Here's why: I have 24 months of college benefit (called the Montgomery GI Bill) remaining, part of my military benefit. With this benefit, I would receive a check in the mail every month while going to school. I would use that money to pay for tuition, and may still have a few hundred dollars left over each month. In August, however, this benefit changes significantly. Starting in August, the government will pay 100% of my tuition straight to the school, they will send me $1000 a year to pay for books, supplies, etc., and, if I'm going to school more than half-time, they will send me $2,000 A MONTH as a living expense stipend. That's incredible! To qualify, I have to take at least 9 credits, or three classes. How long is a semester? 4 months? That's $8,000 in my pocket... well, to put down on debt, anyway. SO... pre-learning Calculus and Spanish will help with the transition to a bricks 'n mortar college experience.
Wish me luck!
-Sailor Matt
15 comments:
I hear ya on this one, Matt. I'm taking four units this year on top of 32 hours of shift-work on a 24 hour rotation.
The academic year starts Feb. 23 down here, and I've already made a start in the assignments with high hopes to have the first round done before university officially kicks off.
All the material is online, thankfully, but I know it'll suck if I leave it to the last minute and do a half-ass job.
Here's to learning!
Cheers.
Also, The Subtle Knife is awesome. A good series of books there.
Sounds like you're off to a great start, Cap'n Joe! Are these online classes? My MBA was an online curriculum from University of Phoenix. Makes it a whole lot easier on us workin' folk.
Unfortunately, I only qualify for the monthly living stipend if I attend a physical campus. I found a Distance Learning Electrical Engineering program at University of North Dakota that I might transfer into after my college benefit runs out. I would only have to fly out in the summers to complete labwork (a full class of labwork condensed into five 8-hour days).
Although I disagree with the theology, His Dark Materials is a great series. It definitely doesn't make for light dinner conversation!
Best of luck, Matt. Sticking with routine seems to be a great method for learning and it almost becomes addictive, where not doing what you're used to doing daily feels wrong.
His Dark Materials is one of my favorite book series out there. Agreed, the theology is different, but all theology's in the fantasy are different (usually), and so I don't look much into that. If you like The Subtle Knife as much as I did, then you'll love The Amber Spyglass.
wv: parit--That one city in France where those colorful talking birds come from.
Thanks for the luck wishes. Indeed, starting a small but steady routine seems to be the way to go. Long-term commitment is a serious shortfall of mine, so completing each of these tasks (self-teaching Calculus, Spanish and Electronics) will be a big judge of my ability to turn weakness into strength.
Oooo, I'll need to keep my eye open for a copy of that. If you boys recommend it, it’s surely worth a look. I'm on the third Book of a series the noo. I'm not going to tell you what it is; I'm too embarrassed. I will be doing a scathing review later though. I hate every page, but I will not give up until the end. A man's gota do, what the Mrs tells him.
Best of luck in your extreme learning. You won't need it though. You're very intelligent, I've decided. So there!
Hey, I feel smarter already. Thanks Marky!
Now I wanna know what books you've been reading. Can't wait for that scathing review!
Oh, The Subtle Knife is the sequel to The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman.
Oh, Marky, you're reading the Twilight books, aren't you.
That's my guess. My Mrs. asked me to do the same thing.
TWILIGHT! I should have guessed that. Hah... that's kind of a gothic romance novel, eh? Marky could be dying his hair black, painting his fingernails and shopping for a long, dark trench coat as we speak.
Nope, they're all classes that have to be physically attended, for the most part. With my work schedule its looking like I'll miss all four classes once every three weeks. Which is manageable, as I've got folk (including my girl) who can take notes and what have you for me. The important stuff can be accessed in the uni database online.
Aye, the theology was a massive divider in this series of books. I remember some of the furor at the time as well as an outcry about the film adaption. Regardless, the story itself is well-founded.
Ugh, I'll put my hand up and say I read the Twilight series. I know, I know, I can't hang with you guys anymore. They were pure fangirl stuff, written by a woman who saw herself as the pefect, untouchable, unquestionable, beautiful protagonist. I had to gnaw my own hand off at one point to survive.
If I can score back some cool points, I did go man-up after reading them. Went out and ate steak, got into fights, drank ale. You know, the standard fare.
First, I must tell you that your plans for getting your education are remarkably ambitious! You should be proud of yourself for even formulating the plan, much less sticking with it. The world is safe in hands like yours.
I too read all four books of the Twilight Saga because my twelve year-old granddaughter was reading them and was entranced with them. It was important to me to be able to talk with her about anything in the books. I was impressed with Meyer's confidence in changing the ancient vampire and werewolf lore to better fit her world. She was able to make it work quite well. She's not a great writer, but she's good at what she set out to do: write a story of budding love under seemingly impossible circumstances, that would appeal to the young teenager. Looking at them from the point of view of my granddaughter, I zipped through the 700 page books and enjoyed the story. Thanks for letting me ramble.
Ancient Reader
Oh, Marky, you're reading the Twilight books, aren't you.
===================================
SPOT ON!! Now I'm slightly freaked out. You should be one o those CSI guys!!!!!
Wow, it's like a reluctant Twilight fanclub in here. I got the book from my wife for Christmas, even though I didn't ask for it (but I was tempted to ask for it, which makes me guilty enough). So, if Captain Joe, Marky and Ancient Reader have all read the series, that just leaves Logankstewart and myself (unless Mr. Stewart has already given in the Mrs. Stewart's request...).
Full circle, my friends. Full circle.
And thanks for the kind words, Ancient Reader. I think that as our little community grows, one blogger/commentor at a time, the world is becoming a safer place. We're like Watchmen... :)
Indeed, I say, I did read Twilight, but none of its sequels. I can only take it in doses and I have to please the Mrs.
well, my wife has read the Twilight series twice through, and she's bought tee shirts, seen the movie, and purchased the soundtrack. It's worse than her Harry Potter phase.
My cousin is going through the same fashion of violent fandom. She's also now devouring the vampire books that were a basis for the HBO series True Blood.
Post a Comment