School Girl Ari!

[arienette]

So I mentioned maybe a week ago about going to get my GED and I have been thinking about this non-stop lately. I really have my heart set on it and so I am going to use this thread to keep track of some info on classes to prepare for the exam, the exam itself and then the long journey of going to college for a social work degree.

The main reason I am making this thread is because I know me well enough to know that this is going to get incredibly hard for me and I'm going to need some heaps of support at times and you're my family, so here I am.

So currently I looked into GED programs and know what program I am going with, since it is located a few blocks away. Classes to take in preperation for the exam start in September and I am going to start then, take a full six weeks of classes (writing skills, social studies, science, literature and math) for six hours a week and then take the exam at the end of the six weeks.

After that I am pretty sure I am going to find myself a full time job and save as much as I possibly can to be able to afford getting into this same college here to take core classes for a year which is going to cost $5,000. After that year I am going to apply to universities (I've been looking through a few I'd be extremely happy with) with transcripts from the year at the community college and then hopefully get my bachelors in social work.

So I have the next 4 or 5 years planned out, it seems.

 

[Guest]

Good for you Ari!

You have a goal, and a plan to get there. Now work the plan, and you'll be fine.

Reaching back to the late 18th century when I was in college, I recall that the key is good study skills.

In the classes that threatened to kick my ass, I applied some work skills taught in some class when I was in high school.

1. Take good notes.
2. Type up the notes when you come home every day.

The handwritten notes get unreadable soon enough. Typing the notes not only gives you a readable copy, but by going over the material right away, sets it into your mind.

3. Take notes when you read. Then go to #2 above with them.

4. Do things sooner, rather than later. Let the date you begin an assignment not be driven by the deadline, but by the date assigned. Start term papers at the beginning of the term, now a week before it is due.

5. Since you're using a computer, backup your work frequently. If you have a CD burner, buy 100 CD's and burn a copy of your school work every day, or at least every week. Have a disaster recovery plan. If your computer blows out a week before the end of the term, and you have recent versions of your work on CD, have a computer lined up you can use. Abs, maybe. Does it have the same software on it (Office etc.) you'll need to finish your work?

6. Engage in the social events with other students. The socialization is critical. A lot of learning is done outside of class. Besides, the sex is better with smart people.

7. Have fun!

 

[Guest]

Oh, and I forgot to add...

Buy your school uniform with the whites, tightest blouse you can, and the shortest plaid skirt available.

Post photos soon so I can make sure you bought right.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

This is a terrific program you have outlined, and you will thank yourself for the rest of your life for making this decision and sticking to it.

Academically the GED will be a piece of cake - someone who can already read and write (I mean really R&R, not "meet 'grade level expectations" nonsense) will stick out like a sore thumb. You will be the "smart kid," and your classmates will either hate your guts or seek your help.

The community college will be one step up from that for someone with your ability. It too will be a piece of cake, as long as you stay current from week to week.

When you get to the next level you will start to meet a few people about whom you will think, "Hey - she's actually smarter than me ," but most of the kids will be just like you - having fun, working hard, improving themselves, building a future.

I suspect that there is good demand for your chosen profession, and the demand may increase as the baby boom moves along. That will make it easy for you to finance your studies - it's not like you're seeking a degree in medieval Flemish poetry, here.

Good luck, best wishes, and GOOD FOR YOU!

You can do it, Ari.

Sincerely,

Roxanne

 

[rgraham666]

Good for you, sweetie. *HUGS*

No advice. I couldn't graduate high school so I doubt I can give any useful advice for university.

I'm so proud of you, ari. *HUGS*

 

[deathlynx]

Congratulations Ari and good luck! You'll certainly get moral support here...

No advice that I can think of at the moment...But I will say for all you that haven't graduated High School it isn't nescessarily required for success if you apply yourselves...I have an uncle who never did (not even a GED) and is rich...Now there's an example for me to live up to (with low self esteem it doesn't help)...

 

[lil_elvis]

Rock on, babe.

& , just cuz.

 

[McKenna]

Ari, this is fantastic news! Good for you!

This is an investment in yourself, and investment that will pay off for the rest of your life. You go girl!

 

[moonlight elf]

That's wonderful, Ari!

You already have some good advice here and lots of support. Social Work is a good field to study in and if you ask me the work is also rewarding. Keep your eyes on your goal and keep working towards it until you reach it. Sometimes your goal will seem closer, easier to reach and at others it might seem impossible but as long as you don't give up nothing is impossible.

Just be yourself, have fun and study(not that I should talk.....I hardly studied in school )

Much Luck

 

[Aurora Black]

Kick ass, sweets!

Beware the tentacles.

 

[Belegon]

Bsasically, I'm just here to cheer you on....I am sooooooo in favor of this Ari! You will reap many many rewards from it.

...and when it comes to money, use persistence in looking for public funds. It's shocking how much available finanical aid goes unused...

 

[scheherazade_79]

That's brilliant news, Ari! I'm really proud of you

 

[Antfarmer77]

Outstanding! You can do it!!

 

[cheerful_deviant]

Bout freakin' time!

Seriously, I'm more thrilled than you could know. You're making the right choice sweetheart, you really are. And any time you need someone to talk to or a kick in the ass, you know where I'll be.

Go get 'em girl!

 

[wazhazhe]

Here are some links I have that might be helpful.:

http://adulted.about.com/cs/ged/tp/GED.htm

http://www.testprepreview.com/ged_practice.htm

http://www.docnmail.com/tests/highschool/ged.htm

I was lways bored with school until I got to college. I hope you have a similar experience.

Good luck.

 

[kendo1]

Proud of you, ari.

The bestest advice: always do the work sooner rather than later, as was said above.
Get into a routine, work first, play later.

Ken

 

[arienette]

Here are some links I have that might be helpful.:

http://adulted.about.com/cs/ged/tp/GED.htm

http://www.testprepreview.com/ged_practice.htm

http://www.docnmail.com/tests/highschool/ged.htm

I was lways bored with school until I got to college. I hope you have a similar experience.

Good luck.

Thank you so much for these URLs...looking at the second one I'm glad I've already decided to take the classes. I hate math, I suck at it hardcore.

 

[SensualCealy]

Ari,

I am with you 100%!

My suggestion is look for scholarships, bursuries, ect. This will help once you have your GED and may get you to post secondary alot faster!

Ted,

Thanks for the tips- I WILL BE USING ALL OF THEM! Except the socializing, I already feel like Im going to be babysitting and I dont like it!
lol
C

 

[wazhazhe]

Thank you so much for these URLs...looking at the second one I'm glad I've already decided to take the classes. I hate math, I suck at it hardcore.

If you run into anything you don't understand or questions you can't find answers to elsewhere, I would be happy to try to help. My degree is in math.

 

[arienette]

If you run into anything you don't understand or questions you can't find answers to elsewhere, I would be happy to try to help. My degree is in math.

I am definitely going to end up taking you up on that...Just wait.
Thanks a bunch, everyone.

 

[Oblimo]

Kick ass, Ari!

My wife started with a GED and wound up with a Masters in Engineering from MIT. Degrees are sexy.

The best advice I can give is also the dumbest: When you go to college, do your homework. Just reading the stuff the professor puts in front of you will put you in the top half of the class.

 

[arienette]

Ooooh, I am so excited!
I just got off of the phone with the woman who runs the GED classes and she signed me for the afternoon classes and I start September 6th, 12:30-2:30pm.

 

[rgraham666]

Cool beans, ari. *HUGS*

 

[deathlynx]

Ooooh, I am so excited!
I just got off of the phone with the woman who runs the GED classes and she signed me for the afternoon classes and I start September 6th, 12:30-2:30pm.

Woohoo!
Congrats on your return to school!

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Ooooh, I am so excited!
I just got off of the phone with the woman who runs the GED classes and she signed me for the afternoon classes and I start September 6th, 12:30-2:30pm.

You are not only comely, but awesomely!

Yay you! You GO, girl!