Week in Review: A Reflection of January 15 – January 21

It was the last week before Spring 2012 classes start and I am both excited and nervous. I’ve finished all the courses for the Web Site Coordinator Certificate and now I’m moving on to the Office Assistant Technical Diploma classes. These are all new classes with all new instructors.

If you read both Lee http://mptclee.blogspot.com/ and my blog entries, you can see how different our academic lives are. Each program at MPTC seems to be different from the others. Besides a few general education classes, each program has it’s own set of very industry-specific classes. So in a way I feel like I’m going to a different school although it’s still Moraine Park Technical College.

They didn’t need me this past week at the place where I volunteer, so I had some time to gather my supplies such as notebooks and folders. To save paper and money, I use notebooks from the previous semester as long as I have enough pages left. You can use sticky bookmarkers to mark where the new class notes start or rip out the old pages from last semester. If you need to keep notes from previous classes, you can staple those torn out pages or put them in a binder.

As far as I can tell, I’m all set to begin classes. I just need to make sure to set my alarm this semester, because I’ve got some early morning classes this time around.

My Trip to the Bookstore – Spring 2012

Last semester I had four of them. The semester before that, I had two of them. This semester I have 6 large ones, one small one, and an access code card. I’m talking about textbooks. I knew I would be picking up a lot of books this semester, so I brought my backpack and an extra bag to carry them. If you have a friend that owes you a favor, I highly recommend you bring them along to the bookstore to help with the heavy lifting.

I have an old 1980’s entertainment center, and I use the space that is supposed to be for the TV as an extra shelf for the current semester’s books. I have not yet moved my old textbooks, notebooks, or folders from last semester, so I can’t put the new ones in their designated spot. My TV sits on top of the entertainment center. That probably sounds like it would look odd, but it drives me crazy to have a TV sit too low to the ground, like those old fashion wood panel TV sets.

But getting back to the topic of textbooks, I suggest keeping your books in the same spot so you never have to go around the house tearing apart couch cushions or crawling under your bed (hey, there’s that missing sock!) five minutes before leaving for class. It’s good practice to get organized now because whatever profession you go into you’ll need to keep track of something whether they’d be papers, tools, and/or supplies of some kind.

You can find bookstore hours, textbook/supply lists, and computer software by visiting: http://bookstore.morainepark.edu/

Week in Review: A Reflection of January 8 – January 14

As I have mentioned in my previous blog, last Tuesday was the new student orientation for spring 2012 at the West Bend Moraine Park Technical College campus. Members of the Web Developer Club and I were there to talk to the new students about life in a student club. It was nice to see fellow members and meet potential new members.

Wednesday was a great day for a walk. We needed bread so I figured I would walk to the store, because I had a feeling it was going to be the only time in January I would be able to do so. Sure enough, we get over 4 inches of snow the following day.

After shoveling, I turned on my computer. The bookstore’s online site now has books and supplies posted for the spring semester. I looked up my classes to see what I’ll be needed and how much I’ll need to spend before the semester starts. There isn’t much time left, so I better head over to the bookstore soon.

Much of my Friday was spent at the place where I volunteer. They had a lot of work for me to do, and I accomplished a lot that day. Everyone was wearing their Packer gear for the Packer party at noon. The employees brought all kinds of food including homemade soups and green-and-gold bakery. I had a chance to meet new people and talk to people I’ve only been able to say hi to in the hall.

I went over to a friend’s place on Saturday for movies, video games, and to watch Saturday Night Live. It’s one of my favorite shows. Who knew Daniel Radcliffe could pull off those American accents?

It was another good week, but time is going by faster each time Monday comes around. One more left before classes begin!

Happy Holidays! See You in 2012!

Since it is the holiday season, I’ll be taking a little break from posting blogs to spend quality time with my family. MPTC is taking a break, too. The campus will be closed beginning this Saturday, Dec. 24, and will reopen on Wednesday, Jan. 4, which is the start of Winterim. I won’t be taking any classes during the winter before the spring 2012 semester, but I’ll still be writing to you during my winter break in January.

I would like to give a big congratulation to all those students who have earned their associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates! We’ll miss seeing you around campus, but we wish you the best of luck on the next step in your career.

In January, I’ll be back with more blogs. I’ll let you know about my Christmas and New Years, and how I’m getting ready for the spring semester. There will be books to buy and new student orientations to attend to represent the Web Developer Club. Also, in the future, you’ll be able to see and hear me as I post my first video blog.

Happy Holidays! See you in 2012!