An update on my Hiatus.

[ionbasa]

Hello everyone from Seven Forums.

I wanted to update everyone about my extended Hiatus from the forum, and when you can expect me back!

Currently I just started my second year at college, my major is mechanical engineering. As you can imagine, there is a large amount of work that I go through each week, although I enjoy it. Some of my classes are challenging, while others are more lenient, but still keep my busy. Between semesters I rarely get any time off, at most 2 weeks between fall and spring semesters.

As of late I have been gaining more free time as most of most general education classes are complete (I only have sociology and interpersonal communications left).

Hopefully I will start to be able to post back up on this forum. I've been 'out of the loop' for a while, but I am looking forward to meeting with new members and old members alike.

 

[Brink]

Hello Ion,

Congratulations on starting your 2nd year at college. Take care of school first. We'll be happy to see you around when you're able.

 

[Layback Bear]

I'm glad we are still in your thoughts. School first of course.
I do have a question.
What does (I only have sociology and interpersonal communications left). have to do with mechanical engineering.

 

[A Guy]

Agreed, school is first. We'll enjoy seeing you back, but we'll have to confirm your report card 1st

A Guy

 

[ionbasa]

I'm glad we are still in your thoughts. School first of course.
I do have a question.
What does (I only have sociology and interpersonal communications left). have to do with mechanical engineering.

Actually, since I am at a California State University, there are a set number of units/classes that need to be taken as part of completing general eduation: https://secure.csumentor.edu/planning/transfer/ge_breadth.asp

The CSU GE-Breadth Requirements is a lower division 39 semester (58.5 quarter) unit pattern with specified courses in the areas of:

Area A — English Language Communication and Critical Thinking
Area B — Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning
Area C — Arts and Humanities
Area D — Social Sciences
Area E — Lifelong Learning and Self-Development

You essentially cannot get a bachelors degree without those requirements.

 

[Joan Archer]

Nice to see you Ion even if it's only occasionally, you make sure you study well that is important, we'll be here whenever you have the time to visit.

 

[Borg 386]

Been there, done that (the last 4 years), I know how much time it takes for homework, classes, toga parties, etc.

Hang in there & focus on getting it done. I tried to get as many "go at your own pace" classes as I could & usually knocked out all the work by mid term. Get it out of the way I figured & I could focus on doing good on finals.

@ Layback Bear - Yeah, to get my degrees I had to take some classes seemingly unassociated with Computer Science, like some business courses, a couple humanities, a couple English courses & of course those lovely math courses. I don't see how some of those apply to what I was going for, I have to wonder if they add these courses to the curriculum just to drum up some extra $$$$$

 

[Layback Bear]

All those social studies courses just don't make sense.
Then they wonder why a education cost so much.
The extra time spent doing these lib courses could be spent doing study in the chosen field.

My comment are from someone who was asked to leave Home Economics in high school. They didn't like my attitude about sociology and interpersonal communication as some call it to day.
The Dean told to choose another course because the teacher didn't like me. So much for the liberal method of everybody loves everybody and I will teach you how.

I chose typing. What a head ache on a old mechanical Underwood wore out typewriter. I still remember after all these years. That is one course that really did some good a few years later. Some dummy started making PC's with keyboards. I think they call him Mr. Bill Gates.
The luck of the draw.

This long drawn out story is just to show if you don't give up some good will come from learning.

PS: The teacher really didn't like me because I could out cook her.
I was raised in a family restaurant.
--------------------------------
ionbasa when you find time to come back and post I want some stories on how things are going. Tell us what you can't tell them. We won't tell anybody.

 

[Borg 386]

I asked my counselor about having to take business, sociological & english courses for a computer related degree. His answer was "The days of the geek hiding behind a door are over, you have to know how to interact with people & know some of the aspects of business & communicating with people." That's all good & fine I suppose.

I found out that in essence a college can, to a certain degree, set the curriculum they want for you to be able to get the degree from their college. In other words, they want to toss english, humanities & science into the mix as graduation requirements, they can.

One thing I didn't appreciate with these extra courses were the book costs. Most classes dictate you MUST have your own book, no sharing allowed. And trust me, some of these books go waaaay up the $$$$$ chain. I had one English book that cost $380. We read maybe 1/3 of the stories out of it. (I remember Lori looking at the size of it & commenting "That's not a book, it's a booster seat!") :roflmao:

 

[ionbasa]

@ Layback Bear For the most part I don't have too many things to complain about. Except for the fact that dealing with anything involving Administration or Financing department is a hassle.

I had to go visit the Administration office a few months ago because one of my spring classes did not show up on my transcript. Needless to say I wasted an entire week running around filling out paperwork, talking to the dean of the engineering program, etc. The worst part is that most of the forms should have been handled electronically, such as sending the teacher a grade correction form, and having other offices sign off on all the paperwork.

And yes, the books get quite ridiculous in price, for example one of my Physics books was $280. Another book for physical chemistry was slightly over $300. And lets not forget the parking permits, which are $380 a year (what a ripoff).

For the most part there is nothing I can do about taking the 'extra' classes such as communications or sociology. The entire state university has a set graduation requirement for all students, regardless of major. I decided to get most of those classes out of the way from the beginning. I also didn't have to take some classes do to me completing 5 AP classes in high school two years ago.

 

[Anak]

Ah, mechanical engineering, I enjoyed that class when I had it in high school. When I asked my Instructor how I could get a better grade he told me that I have a flair for translating ideas onto paper, but I needed to cut down on my erasures.

Welcome back Ion, as said before, concentrate on your studies and the rest will come naturally.