I'm just a freshman.

The midterm week at Southern Connecticut State University has come and gone, and let’s just say the ending results, for me, left much to be desired.  I was hoping to come to college, work hard, and get A’s and B’s, just like high school.  I was completely wrong in my thinking.  Turns out, college is nothing like high school as far as grading goes (obvious, I know).  At my high school, as long as you showed up to class, attempted the homework, and didn’t completely bomb the tests, you had at least a B.  I was completely caught off guard when I saw that I had only one A, out of all my classes.  I was even more surprised when I realized I received a D on my biology midterm.  Not only did I study for over 4 hours for that exam, I knew all the material and completed the test with ease.  I still cannot believe that I am on the verge of failing one of my favorite subjects.  That’s college for you though.

I have concluded that for the rest of the semester, I need to buckle down even more, and try my hardest not to let these midterm grades affect how much work that I put into my classes for the rest of the semester, and the rest of my four years.  I think that the only positive thing that can come out of these grades is that it leaves me A LOT of room for improvement.  And then again, it’s only the first half of my first semester, and I am still adjusting.  I know that I shouldn’t make excuses for my grades, but I’m going to do it anyways.  I’m just a freshman.  

Mid-Term Digital Storytelling Project

really?

We are currently living in an evolving world.  Just one glimpse around you notice society changing rapidly as compared to the past decades.  As well as the technological and physical transformations, we, as a people, are also morphing.  One considerable change is the way education is viewed.  A college degree, once a treasured honor to be given, is now on the same level as a high school diploma 30 years ago.  Instead of looking for a job after graduation, college grads are now applying to graduate school, which seems to be the only way to get an upper leg in this unreasonably competitive job market.  


I recently read an a article on thenewamerican.com which not only baffled me, it made me second guess what I was going to school for, and what the true meaning of my education was. "Grade Inflation in American Education" exposes the ugly truth of a flawed American education system.  Students are studying less, and earning higher grades the article reports.  It exposes some of the nations top law schools as giving their students higher marks to make them more eligible for a job when they graduate.  
Is giving students higher grades for less work really going to give them an advantage in life? Granted, it may help them get hired, but what happens when they half-ass their work once there, having the mindset that they will succeed doing satisfactory work?  I feel that these grade inflations are just another scar on a battered and skewed education system.  


The article goes on to talk about grade inflation in secondary school.  As a result of the "no child left behind" act, schools feel the need to up students scores in order to appear in better shape then in most times they really are.  The government blames teachers for the lack of success in students.  Granted, some teachers simply are not good at what they do, but the majority of the time it is the students who are unmotivated to reach high marks.  


It is disheartening as a college student to hear that (some not all) students are succeeding without putting in the time and effort that is needed for true academic excellence.  It makes me reconsider whether the degree that I wish to one day EARN will really be a mark of my academic success, or just another piece of paper that may or may not get me a job. 

"Frightenigly Fattening Fall Foods"

Web MD is my go to guide for all that is health.  When I have spare time, I look at there slide shows on healthy and unhealthy foods.  They recently posted one called Frightenigly Fattening Fall Foods.  I thought it was festive, and eye opening, so I'm going to show some of the foods that were featured in the slide show. 

Oktoberfest; The Food & The Beer

Chili

Caramel and Candied Apples

Holloween Candy

Macaroni and Cheese

Mashed Potatoes

Pecan Pie

Pot Pie

Tailgating Foods

For tips on how to avoid, or find healthy alternatives to these fattening foods, visit the link mentioned above.

our peer mentor, Kaitlyn.

Our Southern Inquiry class was assigned a peer mentor for the semester.  The role of the peer mentor is to introduce us to events on campus, give us insight into our first year at Southern, and offer the class valuable advice for the rest of our college careers.  Having a peer mentor like Kaitlyn adds a breath of fresh air to the class.  It's nice to know that there is someone you can go to besides your teacher when you have any questions or concerns.  She had taught us that it is perfectly o.k. to change your major, and you should always do whatever you want, no matter how late in your college career you are.  I think that the peer mentor program is fabulous, and I think it is a crucial role in the freshman inquiry experience.  

what makes a good blog?

What exactly makes a blog "good"?  After some thinking, and a quick search on google, I realized that there are different aspects of a well-recieved blog.  One website in particular gave wonderful tips on making your blog stand out a little bit more.  Here are a few that I thought were the most useful:

good blogs have a voice.

good blogs are the product of "attention times interest".

good blogs are weird.  

good blogs make you want to start your own blog.

So with these ideas in mind, go out there and write! Talk about what ever is on your mind, no matter how odd.  You never know who might feel the same way as you!

undecided?

I have always had a passion for the sciences.  Whether it be Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Forensics, I have taken an aggressive interest in taking as many science classes as my schedule would allow me.  That being said, it only makes sense that I major in something science related right? OF COURSE.  My senior year of high school, I applied to my list of colleges as either a nursing or a pre-med (Biology and Chemistry) major.  I eventually chose to enroll at Southern Connecticut as a pre-nursing major, hoping to be admitted into one of the most competitive programs that the university offers.  


After almost half of a semester here, I am questioning my college choice.  I am exploring the possibility of changing my major to pre-med, or perhaps moving away from the medical field all together and majoring and Biology of Forensic Science.  I have absolutely no idea what major I am going to end up sticking with, or what career I am going to choose, all I know is that it is going to involve science in one way or another.  I guess that makes me undecided?