Not a good start

Already I am feeling overwhelmed. Not a good sign of what is to come this semester.
I have four classes this semester (12 credit hours). So if you don't want to know what I will be doing for the next 5 months of my life, quit reading now. For those of you who are interested...read on and know that I do know that I am totally bonkers for doing this to myself but I really am looking to retire from college this year and I have to get finished.

Okay, on Monday night, I have Visionary Leadership with Dr. L- he is hard and very demanding but one thing you can be sure of- when you leave his class, you have learned something. You worked your butt off for it, but you carry something with you.

Already in that class, we have five papers to do, 10 hours of field work and a portfolio on the Field Experiences plus a midterm and a final. Not to mention the book is $105. Now, I have had this professor for four classes and I have always bought the book and then never used it. Call it my Type A personality or as some would affectionately call it "anal retentiveness", but I have this incredible fear that if I don't buy this book, that I may need it in some way and then I will feel trapped if I don't have it. Not that I have $100 for something I won't use either.... damn if I do, damn if I don't...ugh!

Now on Tuesday nights, I have my Administrative Internship where I have to do two projects and work with the Special Ed Director for 10 hours a week. Now let me recap here, so far, I work 7:30-4, go to class 3 nights a week from 5-8 and have an internet class- not to mention a family. So when am I supposed to squeeze in 10 hours a week. Then I have to not only take, but pass a PRAXIS exam that costs $400 to take before I can get a grade in the class. Gosh this isn't looking good...

On Thursday nights, I have Secondary School Curriculum. I don't know why I have to have this. I don't work in secondary, never have, never will. I dont have the patience for this. I do want to be an adjunct professor at the university so maybe I can use something. I had to miss this class last week, but from the syllabus, it looks like we have 5 Article critiques (this seems to be a prerequisite for all grad courses for some unknown reason- I call it busy work) a Curriculum Proposal (God only knows what this will entail) and a midterm and final. This book costs $126. (balance so far, $631)

Then I have an internet course which is SPED Litigation and Legislation. Luckily we don't have to purchase a book for this course, but wouldn't you know it, we have to print out four different documents which is a total of 358 pages. There goes at least a ream of paper and two ink cartridges (would the book be cheaper???). Who knows what will be required in this class. This professor seems to fly by the seat of her pants and never really plans anything. One day, you'll check blackboard and she hasn't posted anything in a month, the next week, she may give you 4 or 5 assignments. This type of teaching style doesn't work well with my personality. It totally stresses me out. I live by a calendar and always want to know what is expected way ahead of time. Not that I do it early, usually I procrastinate till the last minute, but hey, at least I get plenty of time to say "I really need to work on this.."

So, if you don't hear from me for a while, you will know why, but I am really going to try to keep the blogging up- as it is a good stress reliever and a way for me to release.... breathe in.....breathe out....

I am a fighter and a survivor. I will get through this, mainly because I have to and because I can really see the light at the end of the tunnel.