Today is Monday and the school week ends tomorrow. I've been done with my coursework for this week since Saturday and have been telling myself that I would get a jump start on next week's assignments since they both are huge. The sad fact is that I've done nothing but fudge around and read what needs done about 15 times and then go watch tv or do anything that doesn't involve the internet. I do have to say that taking online classes has helped me NOT want to be online for other things anymore and that includes Facebook, which has been my only social interaction for a couple years now.
I am not wanting to socialize on Facebook, Twitter or anywhere else online because when I'm done with my course work, my eyes are usually killing me and I just want to go rest them. I've been glancing at stuff people are posting on Facebook, either their timelines or mine, but not really getting too far into anything. I've even stopped watching youtube videos or Hulu shows because I just don't care.
My main focus is getting my coursework done and done correctly so I can maintain a good GPA and be able to get a good internship when I graduate. I've learned through research that internships in my state are hard to come by and they take people with the best grades, so that's why I'm focusing so much harder on school than anything else (besides my pets and fiance of course :) ).
I hope you all are enjoying reading about my journey through college and please feel free to ask me any questions you like, I'm always willing to answer them.
Until next time,
Karen
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Monday, March 16, 2015
Heading into the second half of the first term
Hi there all you wonderful readers!
It's been an interesting week in my studies and I'm glad it's almost over. Today is Monday and our school week ends on Tuesday. I have had 2 big assignments, one for each class and a discussion post to write also in my College Comp 1 class.
The College Comp 1 class work was the hardest because my discussion post had to be written first so I could get peer feedback before writing the assignment, kind of like a draft of a draft, since the assignment was our last rough draft of the BIG assignment due in 2 weeks. I have noticed something in the discussion posts that is beginning to frustrate me and am not sure what to do about it. I read all the posts and give constructive criticism like we are supposed to, to help the writer re-work their essay before turning in the assignment part. I think it's a great idea and would love to get feedback but for the second time, I've gotten ONE response that was helpful and offered critiques and one that was just "Good job" and that does nothing to help me. The professor has commented on everyone's posts with tips and critiques, except mine- twice now. If she thinks it's fine, say so but ANY feedback from her would help me to know if I'm going in the right direction or not. I even changed my topic and started over (We worked on this for 4 weeks now), so I definitely would like some feedback considering I did 4 weeks worth of work in 6 hours on Saturday.
My Intro to Health Sciences class is pushing me to do better by having me research and write what I find and I love this class for that. I've learned so much from this class that it's unreal sometimes. It's sad that I won't be continuing in health care but will always be thankful for this class and what it's taught me.
That's all for this week.
Until next time,
Karen
It's been an interesting week in my studies and I'm glad it's almost over. Today is Monday and our school week ends on Tuesday. I have had 2 big assignments, one for each class and a discussion post to write also in my College Comp 1 class.
The College Comp 1 class work was the hardest because my discussion post had to be written first so I could get peer feedback before writing the assignment, kind of like a draft of a draft, since the assignment was our last rough draft of the BIG assignment due in 2 weeks. I have noticed something in the discussion posts that is beginning to frustrate me and am not sure what to do about it. I read all the posts and give constructive criticism like we are supposed to, to help the writer re-work their essay before turning in the assignment part. I think it's a great idea and would love to get feedback but for the second time, I've gotten ONE response that was helpful and offered critiques and one that was just "Good job" and that does nothing to help me. The professor has commented on everyone's posts with tips and critiques, except mine- twice now. If she thinks it's fine, say so but ANY feedback from her would help me to know if I'm going in the right direction or not. I even changed my topic and started over (We worked on this for 4 weeks now), so I definitely would like some feedback considering I did 4 weeks worth of work in 6 hours on Saturday.
My Intro to Health Sciences class is pushing me to do better by having me research and write what I find and I love this class for that. I've learned so much from this class that it's unreal sometimes. It's sad that I won't be continuing in health care but will always be thankful for this class and what it's taught me.
That's all for this week.
Until next time,
Karen
Monday, March 9, 2015
It's a new week, time for a new attitude
Happy Monday to all of you!
It is a new week and I have decided that I'm done with the moaning and groaning of not understanding how to do things in my coursework. I sat down over the weekend with my amazingly supportive boyfriend and we figured out why I've been looking at this all wrong and how I can change it.
I'm going to be a Psychology major once I change majors next term and I might as well start doing the things I already tell my Facebook anxiety group members to do when they are having issues with something. Look at it from all angles and see if I can figure out what is causing the apprehension and then go about fixing it. I spent the weekend figuring out that I have been fighting my negative mind with the fact that I never finished high school and am not feeling smart enough to do this after all these years of doing nothing with myself. I am more than capable of doing this course work and am now going to keep reminding myself of that every day (Or minute if needed). The only thing holding me back is me and I need to change that.
I have a wonderful support team on my boyfriend and all my friends who are constantly telling me how proud they are of me for doing this and how they know that I can do this. Now comes the work of believing it :)
Until next time,
-Karen
It is a new week and I have decided that I'm done with the moaning and groaning of not understanding how to do things in my coursework. I sat down over the weekend with my amazingly supportive boyfriend and we figured out why I've been looking at this all wrong and how I can change it.
I'm going to be a Psychology major once I change majors next term and I might as well start doing the things I already tell my Facebook anxiety group members to do when they are having issues with something. Look at it from all angles and see if I can figure out what is causing the apprehension and then go about fixing it. I spent the weekend figuring out that I have been fighting my negative mind with the fact that I never finished high school and am not feeling smart enough to do this after all these years of doing nothing with myself. I am more than capable of doing this course work and am now going to keep reminding myself of that every day (Or minute if needed). The only thing holding me back is me and I need to change that.
I have a wonderful support team on my boyfriend and all my friends who are constantly telling me how proud they are of me for doing this and how they know that I can do this. Now comes the work of believing it :)
Until next time,
-Karen
Friday, March 6, 2015
This may be the hardest thing I've ever done
Hello all!
I know I said in a previous post that I was going to write in this blog once a week, but I felt like sharing some of what I have figured out in the past few days: Going to college may just be the hardest thing I've ever done, and I'm a mom, so that's saying a lot.
I handed in an assignment on Tuesday (The end of our school week) and I know for a fact that I half-assed it. We had to write about everything we've learned so far in our research for this class. It was the week 4 assignment, so I had 4 weeks of research to use. The research was the easy part and it was through the research that I learned I couldn't stay with the same major unless I wanted to waste time and money on a useless degree. The hardest part was the writing of the assignment. We have to use APA format, which some of you may be familiar with, but as someone who hasn't been is school in 30 years and didn't finish high school, I honestly have no clue what this is and am having a hard time grasping it. I am reminded that one of the reasons I didn't finish school was because I never was able to get what was in my head on to the paper. I could explain verbally all day long and be articulate, but when it came to writing it down and making sense, I would go blank. I had one therapist tell me it was a different form of dyslexia, which is all well and good, but it didn't help me get the work done. I felt like a complete and utter failure, so when I got pregnant at 16, quitting school was the easiest decision in the world for me. I honestly have no idea how I'm going to get through 4-6 years of this and make it out sane. I am on week 5 and it's just getting harder for me and I'm having to fight shutting down and blanking out. I read the descriptions of what we are to do each week for each class and am fine. I understand what they want and how they want it done, but then I go to write it, my mind just freaks out and goes blank or jumbles it all up.
I know it is a work in progress, but I see my grades slipping and I can't get too far away from the 90th percentile and still hope to get a good internship and job out of this. I am going to do my best to stop all the distractions, tell my negative mind to shut the hell up and go about getting this done and in the way it is supposed to be.
Thank you all who are reading along my journey and please know that I welcome any feedback you feel like giving, unless it's mean.
Until next time,
-Karen
I know I said in a previous post that I was going to write in this blog once a week, but I felt like sharing some of what I have figured out in the past few days: Going to college may just be the hardest thing I've ever done, and I'm a mom, so that's saying a lot.
I handed in an assignment on Tuesday (The end of our school week) and I know for a fact that I half-assed it. We had to write about everything we've learned so far in our research for this class. It was the week 4 assignment, so I had 4 weeks of research to use. The research was the easy part and it was through the research that I learned I couldn't stay with the same major unless I wanted to waste time and money on a useless degree. The hardest part was the writing of the assignment. We have to use APA format, which some of you may be familiar with, but as someone who hasn't been is school in 30 years and didn't finish high school, I honestly have no clue what this is and am having a hard time grasping it. I am reminded that one of the reasons I didn't finish school was because I never was able to get what was in my head on to the paper. I could explain verbally all day long and be articulate, but when it came to writing it down and making sense, I would go blank. I had one therapist tell me it was a different form of dyslexia, which is all well and good, but it didn't help me get the work done. I felt like a complete and utter failure, so when I got pregnant at 16, quitting school was the easiest decision in the world for me. I honestly have no idea how I'm going to get through 4-6 years of this and make it out sane. I am on week 5 and it's just getting harder for me and I'm having to fight shutting down and blanking out. I read the descriptions of what we are to do each week for each class and am fine. I understand what they want and how they want it done, but then I go to write it, my mind just freaks out and goes blank or jumbles it all up.
I know it is a work in progress, but I see my grades slipping and I can't get too far away from the 90th percentile and still hope to get a good internship and job out of this. I am going to do my best to stop all the distractions, tell my negative mind to shut the hell up and go about getting this done and in the way it is supposed to be.
Thank you all who are reading along my journey and please know that I welcome any feedback you feel like giving, unless it's mean.
Until next time,
-Karen
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
I've decided to change my major
Hello all you wonderful blog readers!
As you all have read in my last 2 blogs posts, I have been trying to decide what to do with the information I found out while doing research for my Intro to Health Sciences class about the state of Ohio not accepting any degree in Nutrition I would receive from Kaplan. Well, the decision to stay at Kaplan wasn't easy but with my physical limitations at the moment, I need to stay doing online schooling until I figure something out, so I did some further research and decided to change my major from Bachelor in Science Nutrition Science to Master in Science in Psychology. I plan on specializing in behavioral analysis and hopefully someday working with Vets dealing with PTSD and other issues brought on by their time in the military. I have learned that the degree I will get from Kaplan will be accepted by the state in this instance and therefore I can stay there as a student. I will be finishing out this term in the classes I am taking in the health sciences program and then next term will be in the psychology program and the classes I've already registered for will be counting for my core classes.
I run a Health Anxiety group on Facebook at the moment and have been an Admin on other anxiety centered groups, so this isn't new to me. Plus the fact that I have mental health diagnosis' and this will give me a chance to learn more about them, is a huge plus in my book.
I hope you all are enjoying my blog so far and if you have any questions about my journey through college, please feel free to ask.
Until next time
-Karen
Sunday, February 22, 2015
This is going to be a bumpy ride
As I sit here this morning thinking about what I want to write in this blog, I'm finding it hard to put into words what is going on in my head. I have been doing a lot of research for my chosen profession for one of my classes and it's been eye opening to say the least. I'm not sure I said what my chosen profession is but it is Registered Dietitian and I am going to Kaplan University online for a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science. I had a great plan and that was to go through the 4 year program at Kaplan and become a Nutritionist. Then get off disability and get a job in a health club or wellness center while I went to a brick and mortar university to get a Bachelors or Masters in Dietetics and get certified as a Registered Dietitian and then work in a hospital or government agency helping people learn to live healthier through what they eat.
Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans right? I had to research my profession like I said and part of the research involved learning the certification process through my state to get certified as a Nutritionist, since that's what I'm at Kaplan for. I found out that in the state of Ohio, they do not consider Nutritionist as it's own profession and if a person wanted to practice any sort of nutritional counseling, they have to be certified as a Registered Dietitian or Licensed Dietitian only. That in itself would be so bad because the state website says that getting a Bachelor of Nutrition Science is good for qualifying to take the exam to get certified, IF it's from an accredited school and Kaplan is not accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. When I first signed up for Kaplan, I knew that I wouldn't be able to get certified as a Dietitian but didn't realize until I did this research that I wouldn't even be able to become a Nutritionist in this state. There are only 11 states or so that are this strict about certification and there are quite a few that let people become certified as Nutritionists just with the education I'm receiving at Kaplan, but I don't live in those states and don't really want to move again.
My dilemma is what do I do now? I'm on disability so I don't have a ton of extra money and don't own a car yet, so going to a brick and mortar university is out of the question right now. As I see it, I have 2 options: 1- I stay at Kaplan and keep gaining college experience and knowledge that may transfer to another school when the time is right OR 2- Finish off the terms I'm already registered for and take the hit on the loans coming due when I leave school until I figure out how to go somewhere else. I'm leaning towards the first option because I really am learning quite a bit, just in the 3 short weeks I've been there and it is helping me feel like I'm accomplishing something for a change.
What would you do if you were me?
Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans right? I had to research my profession like I said and part of the research involved learning the certification process through my state to get certified as a Nutritionist, since that's what I'm at Kaplan for. I found out that in the state of Ohio, they do not consider Nutritionist as it's own profession and if a person wanted to practice any sort of nutritional counseling, they have to be certified as a Registered Dietitian or Licensed Dietitian only. That in itself would be so bad because the state website says that getting a Bachelor of Nutrition Science is good for qualifying to take the exam to get certified, IF it's from an accredited school and Kaplan is not accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. When I first signed up for Kaplan, I knew that I wouldn't be able to get certified as a Dietitian but didn't realize until I did this research that I wouldn't even be able to become a Nutritionist in this state. There are only 11 states or so that are this strict about certification and there are quite a few that let people become certified as Nutritionists just with the education I'm receiving at Kaplan, but I don't live in those states and don't really want to move again.
My dilemma is what do I do now? I'm on disability so I don't have a ton of extra money and don't own a car yet, so going to a brick and mortar university is out of the question right now. As I see it, I have 2 options: 1- I stay at Kaplan and keep gaining college experience and knowledge that may transfer to another school when the time is right OR 2- Finish off the terms I'm already registered for and take the hit on the loans coming due when I leave school until I figure out how to go somewhere else. I'm leaning towards the first option because I really am learning quite a bit, just in the 3 short weeks I've been there and it is helping me feel like I'm accomplishing something for a change.
What would you do if you were me?
Friday, February 20, 2015
Online College at 46
Since this is my first blog post, let me introduce myself. My name is Karen Rittenhouse and I am a divorcee living in Central Ohio and as the title states, I am 46 years old. I was last in school in May of 1985, which was then end of my second year of 9th grade. I had been expelled the first time around for ditching one too many times. I never went back because I became a teen mother and had my first son at 17 years old. School had always been a love/hate thing with me all through the times I did go. I would do amazing when I was in class but once at home, lacked the motivation to do homework. The only reason I passed any grades past 6th was because I did most of my work before I left class and aced all my tests, which gave me a passing average.
Now at 46, I have been on disability for 11 years for severe Generalized Anxiety Disorder and have not worked even part time in 5 years. I have developed a few physical health issues and lead a pretty sedentary lifestyle, which has led me to become 80 pounds over a healthy weight for my height of 5'0". I have spent the last 5 years being afraid of doing much of anything and even developed Agoraphobia but have gotten that down to bearable with therapy and hard work. I made the decision in December of 2014 that I was tired of the life I was living and wanted to have a better one, but had no real work experience at anything besides retail and janitorial and I refused to go back to doing either of those. I decided that in order to have a better life, I needed an education and so I applied for an online college since I physically couldn't do a brick and mortar school yet. I was accepted to Kaplan University online and am in the Bachelor of Nutrition Science program. My initial thought was to become a Nutritionist so I could learn to have a healthy relationship with food and be healthier in mind and body, but have learned from doing research for one of my classes, that my state (OH) doesn't acknowledge Nutrition as it's own profession and I need to be a Registered Dietitian in order to get Licensed and Certified in this state. I have also learned that Kaplan is NOT accredited with the accreditation board that would be doing my certification exam, so I have had to make another decision concerning my schooling since I am wracking up school loan debts with each term I go. I am going to go to Kaplan and take as main of the major classes as I can for this academic school year and then I will transfer to a brick and mortar school here in OH that has the right accreditation for me to get my certification.
Since starting the online classes on February 4, 2015, I have learned a lot about myself and how I function. I have learned that I have lost any organizational skills I may have had concerning school work and getting it done. I have learned that I am easily distracted by working from home and the pets are the biggest ones. Either the dog is scratching to go out for the umpteenth time or the cat is wandering around meowing his dissatisfaction at being ignored. He has taken to waking me up between 2 and 3 am so he can continue his tirade of dissatisfaction with me. I am also having physical issues with sitting in this uncomfortable office chair I bought at a yard sale for a dollar a couple years ago. It is killing my back, shoulder and neck and my legs go numb or hurt from sitting so much. I am pushing myself to do well and maintain an A so I can get into a good internship in a reputable hospital and therefore get a better paying job when I'm done. Paul and I have had a couple of really hellacious years financially and it has not only taught me what we really CAN do without. but has taught me more than a little humility in the process. This schooling will not only help me gain knowledge to get a good paying job, but will prove to me that I really CAN finish something I start.
I will write this blog at least once a week for the time I'm in school, so as to document my journey through school. I hope to make it interesting but at all times candid and truthful.
Now at 46, I have been on disability for 11 years for severe Generalized Anxiety Disorder and have not worked even part time in 5 years. I have developed a few physical health issues and lead a pretty sedentary lifestyle, which has led me to become 80 pounds over a healthy weight for my height of 5'0". I have spent the last 5 years being afraid of doing much of anything and even developed Agoraphobia but have gotten that down to bearable with therapy and hard work. I made the decision in December of 2014 that I was tired of the life I was living and wanted to have a better one, but had no real work experience at anything besides retail and janitorial and I refused to go back to doing either of those. I decided that in order to have a better life, I needed an education and so I applied for an online college since I physically couldn't do a brick and mortar school yet. I was accepted to Kaplan University online and am in the Bachelor of Nutrition Science program. My initial thought was to become a Nutritionist so I could learn to have a healthy relationship with food and be healthier in mind and body, but have learned from doing research for one of my classes, that my state (OH) doesn't acknowledge Nutrition as it's own profession and I need to be a Registered Dietitian in order to get Licensed and Certified in this state. I have also learned that Kaplan is NOT accredited with the accreditation board that would be doing my certification exam, so I have had to make another decision concerning my schooling since I am wracking up school loan debts with each term I go. I am going to go to Kaplan and take as main of the major classes as I can for this academic school year and then I will transfer to a brick and mortar school here in OH that has the right accreditation for me to get my certification.
Since starting the online classes on February 4, 2015, I have learned a lot about myself and how I function. I have learned that I have lost any organizational skills I may have had concerning school work and getting it done. I have learned that I am easily distracted by working from home and the pets are the biggest ones. Either the dog is scratching to go out for the umpteenth time or the cat is wandering around meowing his dissatisfaction at being ignored. He has taken to waking me up between 2 and 3 am so he can continue his tirade of dissatisfaction with me. I am also having physical issues with sitting in this uncomfortable office chair I bought at a yard sale for a dollar a couple years ago. It is killing my back, shoulder and neck and my legs go numb or hurt from sitting so much. I am pushing myself to do well and maintain an A so I can get into a good internship in a reputable hospital and therefore get a better paying job when I'm done. Paul and I have had a couple of really hellacious years financially and it has not only taught me what we really CAN do without. but has taught me more than a little humility in the process. This schooling will not only help me gain knowledge to get a good paying job, but will prove to me that I really CAN finish something I start.
I will write this blog at least once a week for the time I'm in school, so as to document my journey through school. I hope to make it interesting but at all times candid and truthful.
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