Spring quarter may mop the floor with me

[cjsmith]

If all works out well, I am going to have a hellacious course load in the spring.

Definite:
Chem 1C with lab
Physics 2C with lab
Effective Organizational Communication (required to remain in honors society)

Almost definite, desperately need:
Bio 6C with lab

Must do if I am to apply to Davis in the fall:
GRE prep course; take GRE

Must continue doing or else switch with equivalent time commitment:
Work at vet clinic

I'm remembering that during my first quarter, chem + physics + bio + vet clinic = a severe ass-kicking. I got the grades I wanted, but I worked hard and didn't have a whole lot of down time. Spring quarter, if all goes well, I'm adding the communication course and the GRE on top of that.

On the other hand, I won't have the chem workload from hell like I did in fall. In fact, all of the teachers in my lineup are said to be excellent.

On the other other hand, competition is definitely more stiff in the later quarters of these three-quarter science series classes. First quarter, it was clear a lot of the students didn't know what they were in for. Now they do.

On the other other other hand, I've got to get this done. That's the trump card in this debate, right there. The bottom line is that this has to be done.

Comments

After all, your SATs got you into a not-so-shabby undergrad program

[katestine.livejournal.com]

Is the general GRE or a specific one? If the former, consider taking a practice test and seeing how you do - you might find that your score is good enough for your purposes or that you just have a few areas of weakness such that you can study them on your own or work with a tutor.

Re: After all, your SATs got you into a not-so-shabby undergrad program

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

It's the general GRE. I will definitely need some work to knock the rust off, and it's probably wise to do what you describe before shelling out the dough for Princeton Review or the like. I may still spend the bucks (and the time) because I probably need the bestestest scores I can possibly eke out.

Re: After all, your SATs got you into a not-so-shabby undergrad program

[katestine.livejournal.com]

The math is easier than SAT math; the verbal is about the same difficulty or a little harder. I highly recommend Princeton Review for the GRE bc it's a classic ETS style exam with Joe Sixpack and distractor answers. I'm sure you'll rock it with a tiny bit of preparation.

Re: After all, your SATs got you into a not-so-shabby undergrad program

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Ooo, that's excellent; math is what I haven't used much since 1989, but I still read voraciously. Thanks!

Re: After all, your SATs got you into a not-so-shabby undergrad program

[hitchhiker.livejournal.com]

I'd recommend getting the Barrons' GRE guide and not wasting your time and money on an actual course. That's what I did, and it stood me in good stead. Of particular value was that their practice tests were harder than the actual GRE (there are precious few of them, though, so don't waste them by doing them too early).

*Also*, if you want vocabulary practice, it strikes me that by now there are a number of downloadable free dictionaries available online, and several lists of "vocabulary" words, and the two could profitably be combined into some sort of elementary flashcard program :) let me know if you'd like that, I'll happily devote a weekend or two to the cause.

[steph-2012.livejournal.com]

Is Chem 1C still Qual? I *loved* qual labs! It was a puzzle, a who-done-it. You'll kick butt.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yep, still Qual!

Best of luck with your current adventures. Boy howdy.

[steph-2012.livejournal.com]

Thanks! And enjoy qual!

[layer.livejournal.com]

you are my personal hero.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Oh man, I don't know if I get to be anybody's hero unless I get through all this and wind up happier. So far it's still a toss-up between getting to vet school, going back to programming & saying hey at least I gave it a shot, and winding up facedown in a ditch. :-) At least outcomes 1 and 2 could quite possibly be happier than where I was this time last year!

Workload

[kheffron.livejournal.com]

CJ - you are awesome!! Keep the psyche positive and I'm sure you will make it and we will all be cheering for you.

Re: Workload

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Oh hi! Welcome to LiveJournal!

Thank you. We are cheering for your move as well, much as we will miss you here on the coast. It must be exciting watching the house foundation go in!