The Process of Humbuggery

[Sparkey]

I'm getting close to my graduation and have the chance to take a couple elective courses. Boosting my cumulative GPA with a couple "A" grades is certainly an option worth looking into right now.

Suggestions? I'm in my 2nd year, at year end. I've taken all my required classes except 1 for my AAS Transfer degree. Ideas? I'm thinking pottery. I've already taken "Stress Reduction". ;)

Playing with clay sounds fun and easy, but hoping for input here. Will make my choices tomorrow at the close of the evening (while classes are still open).

Thanks for any thoughtful suggestions made.

Sparrowhawke

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Re: Student looking for "Easy A" classes.

Sorry, 'Hawke, I'm going to suggest you take the road less traveled. Don't make it easy, make it hard on yourself. You'll learn more and your transcript will be more impressive.

I've never been the one to do things easy.

 

[AirDancer]

Re: Student looking for "Easy A" classes.

If you've not worked with clay before, you'll find it quite challenging. Rewarding, as well.

I love working with clay. And this is from someone who (when much younger) used her mother's crystal salad bowl & silver serving pieces to stir up the dirt & water to make mud pies because I couldn't tolerate getting my hands dirty. ("Oooh, mud, icky!!)

Yes, I've been laughing at myself for decades about that.

 

[Claudya]

Re: Student looking for "Easy A" classes.

Wait you can take pottery and "stress reduction" classes at school? What happened to good old school stuff like Math, Physics, Literature, Physical Editation, History, foreign languages and all that?

How about picking some subject that will teach responsibility and social skills? Something related to charity work or taking care of the weak (elderly, kids, poor, homeless)? Are there any subjects of that kind? That would teach you a lot and it might look good in your curriculum vitae when you apply for jobs.

 

[Sparkey]

Re: Student looking for "Easy A" classes.

Sorry, 'Hawke, I'm going to suggest you take the road less traveled. Don't make it easy, make it hard on yourself. You'll learn more and your transcript will be more impressive.

I've never been the one to do things easy.

lol, been there, doing that. I'm Phi Theta Kappa with 3.5 Cumulative. Taking Calculus, MacroEcon and Geology this QTR (and believe it or not, the Geology course (104 level) is as challenging as the other two). Looking to bump it up a bit, so I want a 4 point next QTR.

Pottery sounds fun, thanks AirDancer. I've emailed a couple of my instructors for their suggestions, am good on my English Classes, but considering a Creative Writing course too. That leaves one more.

PS, am 60 years old, guys... didn't get my G.E.D. until 2003... it's all good.

 

[Corey]

Re: Student looking for "Easy A" classes.

I would suggest looking at your class selection in a different way. If you are trying to just get A's because you think it will llook good on a resume, in most cases that may not be accurate. Good grades are not the only important thing. Its also about the type of skills you have. You should take classe that give you the skills you need to get a job. How about a business class? You can use those skills for just about any job.

The difference between a 3.5 GPA and a 3.6 GPA (it probably couldn't even get that much higher with 1 A) is probably nothing in the eyes of an employer. But the difference between taking pottery and Finance 101 (just an example) would be.

Just my 2 cents

 

[Sparkey]

Re: Student looking for "Easy A" classes.

Thanks for all the suggestions...
I'll make my selection(s) tonight and will retire the thread. Thanks again!

I probably should have asked for suggestions about classes that can carry me along, that are interesting and don't need much effort because they mix challenge and reward. My Survey of American Music class was like that. There I was, sitting in the lecture hall, looking at John Phillip Sousa and history started unfolding right before my eyes. I was surprised to find a "music class" become one of my favorites.

 

[Sparkey]

Re: Student looking for "Easy A" classes.

So, am going with 2 business courses (one in the honors program), one online course on Creative Writing, and an Art/Ceramics class. Total 17 Credits and hopefully 4 easy A's.

Thanks again for the helpful suggestions and thoughts. Will want prayerful support too.

By the way, my Calculus professor stopped to speak to me in the outside commons area and told me that he was "whispering messages above" for me. And yes, this is a secular college. I guess he's not supposed to say "praying". I heard back from one of my English instructors (who is also my Phi Theta Kappa advisor) that was such an encouragement toward the Creative Writing class. She said, "If I were you, I'd take creative writing. YOU ARE A CREATIVE WRITER. I think the CW course for Spring will be online, taught by the very experienced and fun instructor Donna Rushing." She went on to say, "English 102 will be focused around analytical writing, with a specific focus on a lengthy research project/essay." Then she put the question to me, "Now which sounds better to you for spring?? ;) "

My educational process is blessed as are all things my hand finds to do. Thank you, Jesus.

 

[AirDancer]

Re: Student looking for "Easy A" classes.

You're going to be busy, Sparrowhawke .... yet it will be a very good sort of busy!

Have lots of fun with the ceramics class .... and if you get chance at the pottery wheel, go for it! There's much satisfaction in throwing clay onto the wheel.

*Sigh* I remember those days...........

 

[Carolyn]

Re: Student looking for "Easy A" classes.

I depends on what you are gifted in. I loved creative writing but i am also good in English despite the fact I can't spell. On the other hand I was also good in art. But pottery is 3 dimensional, and mixing the colors, well they never came out the way they were supposed to. So my red cocker spaniel was mauve. Bowls are not èasy on the wheal. It is easy to get them lop sided and mess them up. It takes lots of practice for some of us. Now I love gardening and digging in dirt or sloppy mud was squishy but OK.
I enjoy genealogy because it brings history to life. Don't know if this helps, but I would say go with what your like or are good at. More of a foreign language might even be good if you enjoy languages.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Re: Student looking for "Easy A" classes.

PS, am 60 years old, guys... didn't get my G.E.D. until 2003... it's all good.

Hey, I'm 60 also. Working on my Masters in Applied Psychology, Addictions Specialty, to qualify for my LCAC and LCMF. Cool beans, Sparrow! Keep up the good work!

 

[farouk]

Re: Student looking for "Easy A" classes.

S: Working with clay sounds interesting.

Scupture is an art that is often overlooked, I think.

 

[Sparkey]

Re: Student looking for topic.

I've gone with the tougher choices which includes taking a required Sophomore English Comp course. The class will require research at the library and should allow my entrance to an ongoing academic conversation. Within that, I've been told by the Professor that I will particularly enjoy the freedom of choice that students are given when selecting topics.

Basic guidelines would include a topic that allows a thesis statement, research of multiple sides, fair and representative preservation/presentation of the prior views and my conclusions (or lack there of).

I've already thought that my preferred conclusion would be something along the lines of:

Although both sides of this age-old debate have presented very convincing arguments and support for their positions, it is the opinion of this researcher that the topic is not yet concluded.

I would go on to say, "For these several reason (listing reasons and brief citations), my thought is that there is still room for both sides to explore various options (list options considered by others, not yet considered).
State Final analysis

But even though I've formed a position (not necessarily a wise one) I've not yet chosen a topic. I've considered:

• Age of the Earth (as seen through the lens of fundamentalists).
• Changing ideologies (through three generations) - looking at how my dad saw things (he was born in 1911), how I see them, and how my children look, with the idea that I could get lots of articles to support views and tell stories to help
• Social issues such as incarceration and jail/prison to include studies as well as interviews that might be conducted.

I will want to consider myself as a source material and have spoken with the English Professor who will be conducting the class next quarter. She likes the ideas and will be able to support the choices.

Still... nothing wrong in seeking the advice of many counselors per Proverbs 15:22
Thank you in advance for your thoughtful contributions to the hoped for success of my best Quarter so far!

~Sparrow

 

[Sparkey]

Re: Student looking for topic.

I'm really liking the idea of writing a paper about "The Process of Humbuggery". It might start with a definition and reference the various "Bah, Humbug!" replies different ideas have been met with throughout the history of mankind. I could conclude by saying, "This very process which has been met with such disdain..."

Sure, there are gaps in the idea, but why the Humbuggery? Would it not serve to bring a smile, and if so, "Well done," say I.

 

[Sparkey]

The evolution of an idea ...

So, I've changed the focus of my topic (again). I will like to consider the "humbuggery" topic as a subset of what I see as the larger process of change. "The Sweet Violence Necessary for Change" is my working title and it may very well be my most expansive work so far.

Here's a poem that was given to me today as I spoke to one of my esteemed colleagues, it is entitled "Change" by Ellen Bass. She oft times delights with portrayals of life's endearing absurdities.

Change
by ellen bass

This is where I yank the old roots from my chest,
like the tomatoes we let grow until december, stalks thick as saplings.

This is the moment when ancient fears race like thoroughbreds,
asking for more and more rein and I the driver for some reason
they know nothing of, strain to hold them back.

Terror grips me like a virus and I sweat
fevered trying to burn it out.

This fear is invisable, all you can see is a woman going about
her ordinary day, drinking tea, taking herself to the movies,
reading in bed.

If victorious, I will look exactly the same yet I am hoisting a car
from mud ruts half a century deep. I am hacking a clearing
through the fallen slash of my heart.

Without laser precision, with only the primitive knife of need,
I cut and splice the circuitry of my brain.

I change.

 

[Sparkey]

As I ponder the words of the poet it occurs to me that my resistance to change points to a lack of trust in our Lord. It is undeserved. It is fleshly and yet it is where I am as I stare blank faced at the crossroads yet again.

From youth I've chosen my path for reason
and upon me now comes the demand of my season,
the demand for change.

Will I become the Ox or shall I remain but a bird, flitting about? This then is my desire, to focus during the upcoming Quarter, my last, upon my past.