A yum, a mild yay, and two grumps

[cjsmith]

Thank you to multiple brilliant people who said the word "thermos". Zucchini soup + microwave + thermos + a ride to campus + 3 hours = MMMM YUM. I am going to be the BEST-FED student on CAMPUS. HA. Onion soup was finished just last night, asparagus soup is in the crock right now, and a batch of bean will run tonight. Ph33r my contented tummy. It will sing raucously happy ditties every schoolday afternoon.

Also got most of Wednesday's chem homework done during chem lecture this morning. Must continue to bring textbook to class for this very reason.

Other than that: disappointing day. Didn't finish first half of chem lab today, and am thus behind as soon as lab begins again on Wednesday. Am debating asking the teacher (now, before the problem is a big problem) how to work more efficiently in lab. I already know one strategy: get to the stockroom BEFORE EVERYONE ELSE DOES in order to requisition equipment. That line can get to be twenty minutes long. There aren't twenty minutes to spare. Sadly, the alphabet determines who's closest to the door.

Also tried to make an appointment to see the SJSU transfer rep who's coming to campus tomorrow. I was told that since the transfer office didn't open until today, there was no way to make an appointment until today. LIE. When I got to the transfer office, the dude was already completely booked up, and according to the appointment book keeper, he had been since last week. If I am smart, this will be the last time I believe anyone in any kind of administrative position. Always double check. When someone else gives out misinformation, the consequences hit me.

Bio homework now (due tomorrow), then chem homework (Weds), then physics homework (Thu). Damn but I hope I can get all the rest of the chem lab finished next session.

Comments

[kethryvis.livejournal.com]

As a former student assistant I can tell you... NEVER TRUST STUDENT ASSISTANTS. Most of them don't care enough to actually help you, nor do they ever have the right information, because they often aren't told the right info which leads back into the not caring and also is why no one tells them anything ;) I've gotten screwed over by trusting student assistants more times than I can count. I simply refuse to believe anything they say.

If you're wanting transfer info, the transfer reps can help, but your school's counselors can, too. Especially if you're wanting to transfer to SJSU, so many students in this area do that the counselors will most likely know the majority of info you'll need. I know when I was getting ready to transfer, my counselors were helpful but because I wasn't planning on going to UC Davis or Sac State, they were of limited use to me. They knew those transfer requirements in and out and even tho the UCs and CSUs are similar.. sometimes there are humps that are campus specific. If you haven't seen a counselor at your school yet, my recommendation is to do so, and if they don't have an answer to something, wait for the rep to come back (he will, oh yes, he will) or you can always call SJSU (or get one of us who's there on a regular basis to find out for you ;)).

One more piece of non-asked for advice you probably already know, but I'll pass along anyways: Advocate for yourself. Don't take what they tell you lying down. If they tell you something that turns out to be incorrect, fight like hell to get it fixed. My counselor at my community college screwed up my graduation petition and I was in danger of not graduating because of it. I got mad and fought, I got them to admit they were wrong, and I graduated on time and transferred with no worries. Work the ladder of responsibility until you get it straightened out. I get so frustrated at some of my fellow students who get jacked up and then don't fight for themselves, when really just a few meetings/phone calls would save them wasted semesters and money.

Oh and after you transfer, always carry your transcript with you. Your new school will tell you they have all your info, don't believe them ;) When I got to UCSC, that was the first piece of advice the transfer center gave us transfer students... best damned advice I got that whole time.

okay that's enough unsolicited advice ;) As someone else who's navigated the transfer process... good luck and stick with it!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Gotcha: no trusty the student assistants. This particular misinformation came from a full-time employee who is the gatekeeper for both the counseling and transfer offices, so she SHOULD have known, but whether she gave a hoot is a whole different matter.

Have definitely seen counselors. This time I'm double-checking: do I need to "transfer" or will I be able to take a bunch of courses at SJSU as a non-degree-candidate? Counselor says I can just take them randomly. Am severely hoping that's true, because if I'm "transferring" I have to take a bunch of English and phys.ed. and the like, and that's going to waste me at least half a year. Just need to make sure I'll have any hope of getting into the upper-division lab classes. Apparently they fill fast.

Carrying my old MIT transcript with me has been a major blessing so far. "You've taken calculus? Can you show m... oh. All right." About ten conversations like that and I'm starting to think I'll fold that thing up and put it in my wallet! :-)

Thanks muchly! It's always good to hear practical advice from someone who's been through it!

[just-cyd.livejournal.com]

hooray!! i'm so glad the thermos thing worked for you!!