I know I'm not the only person wondering whats going on with the weather. Just recently the sun was shining and I had on my capris and flipflops. This week, however, I have switched to hoodies, sweats and my boots! I guess my mom bought them right on time. I wore them yesterday thinking people would be lookin at me crazy, but PLENTY of other ladies of IPFW wore their boots. With the ruthless wind blowing, my hair was all over the place, so the hoodie came in handy:)

Today is the day of the pharmacology exam I have been dreading. I feel more comfortable with the material, but I wish I had more time to review all of the drug names & their effects. The review in class went pretty well, so hopefully the exam will go over smoothly. Even though I've been studying everyday for hours I still get things mixed up. (Probably because I felt like I had to rush and learn the material.) I'm a slow learner sometimes and it takes me a minute to organize all of my thoughts. Just piece of advice: Do not wait until the last minute to study!! Study lecture material everyday right after class, or soon after. Doing so will help you retain information better! I'll give an update on pharm. later, for the better or worse.

Posted by Rachel at 9:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I haven't written much this past week with so much going on in my life. All the studying, projects, and papers are piling up on me....

Also, I experienced a loss of someone I was soon to meet, but the end came too soon. A friend of mine had her baby girl three months or so early this past July. Although she was just as small as she could be, she fought strong. Myself and all of my roomies pretty much were aunts to her. Two of us, myself and my other roomie had not yet saw our niece since she had to stay in the hospital until she gained enough weight & got well. One of my friends showed me pictures of her since I couldn't go to Indianapolis & visit, and she was SO small, but a cutie. Unfortunately, she didn't make it past 2 months.

This isn't something I really wanted to experience in the midst of studying for my pharmacology test. Although I never met her, I still felt very connected to her, and thought of myself as her aunt. Because she was born so early, my friends & I were going to have a baby shower for her mother not too long from now. It hurt my heart that the first time I got to see my niecy in person, she was in a casket. Everything really does happen for a reason, and God knows what he is doing. Because I had this and so many other things on my mind, studying hasn't been going the best, but I am trying to get back on track. Hopefully, I will pull a decent grade for this exam, but I honestly can't promise it to myself.

Dedicated to my Niece, Myi' Myi', We Love You.

Posted by Rachel at 7:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

All I can say is..this week held a heavy load for me! I'm so happy my weekend pretty much began today; I only have one one class tomorrow, music therapy, and I'm done!

Tuesday, I took my first nutrtion exam. To tell the truth, I studied for it, but not too much. So much of the material I covered in Bio. 203 & 204 and felt like a review. I don't know what it is with professors & exams with so many questions, but this one had 75 questions! Several people, including myself, went through the exam quickly & left. An 86% isn't too shabby for the first 75 question exam of the semester!

After classes, I spent time with my "Little" at our favorite place again, the arcade. As exhausted as I was after my long day of 12-4 classes, I still had fun. It's always good to try to take a step out of the college life and just enjoy life itself.

In pharmacology, we've learned more & more types of drugs, and I have to have them mastered by next Wednesday. I do have faith in myself, but this is one of the hardest things I've had to do as a college student. My class was told by a former student to not be disappointed in ourselves if we receive even a C, because the class is so demanding....but I don't want a C, I want an A or B! So that's what I'm striving for, an A or B. If I just so happen to get a C, I'll be a tad sad, but it's still a passing grade. :)

One minute until Friday!

Posted by Rachel at 11:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It feels so good to be back in Marion again! Although there is NOTHING to do in this little town, I'm happy to see my mom & dad because I haven't been home in almost a month! My hyperactive poodle was the first to meet me at the door. As I walked inside, the sweet smells of mom's home cooking greeted me. I have gained a few cooking skills while in college, but it will never compare to my mommy's home cooking. :)

My "Little Sister" called me today! I only hang with her once every week or every two weeks, and I kind of miss her! I think she's getting more comfortable with me and opens up more. Like I've said before, I've never had a little sister, so this is really a learning experience, but I like it (It's like she's REALLY my little sister). Next week we're going to one of our favorite places, the arcade! If any of you need a stress reliever, the putt putt arcade by the mall is so much fun! Being 19 years old, I still feel like I'm nowhere near too old to go to the arcade.

Tomorrow, my mom and I are having a mother/daughter day! I can't wait; I swear my mom is truly my best friend.

Posted by Rachel at 9:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm just waking up from my lovely evening nap, which was nice, but I have the worst headache!

I always feel like I have so much to do, even when I only have a few things that need to be done. Studying is always a must, but with studying, meetings, spending time with my little sister for the Big Sisters program, a long distance relationship, and finding time for myself life can be a bit stressful.

In my previous blog, I talked about how wonderful my first pharmacology test went, but everytime I reach a high point, I always return back to the bottom. We of course started a new section today, and if I'm not overwhelmed by it I don't know what you would call it! My professor reviews the basic breakdown of the nervous system, and began talking about neurotrasmitters, where they are release from, different kinds of receptor types-It's okay if this is going over your head.- But basically, theres different categories, and each has subtypes, and different functions and.....well it's just a lot of information, more than my brain could process at the time! By the time I got to this class at 3, I was already extremely tired so that didn't help me at all. I know I can learn the material, but with so many other things on my plate it gave me an instant headache.

On a brighter note, I met with my English professor to discuss a paper I got an A-/B+ on! (That's how he grades when he can't decide which grade we should get.) I usually struggle on writing papers, but I did well on this first one. I love the way my professor has structured the class, taking everything slowly & step by step. I feel like I am actually learning how to become a better writer and researcher!

Since class is cancelled for me on Friday, I'm going home to spend time with my mom, dad, and Paris(my poodle). Whenever I feel VERY stressed out, I assume that I just need to go home and get level headed again! It really does help me regain my focus and feel so much better; I'm sure many of you can relate.

I'll be relaxing while many of you will still be in class using your brains. Have a good weekend! :)

Posted by Rachel at 11:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well I did say I would give everyone an update of my grade on my Pharmacology exam. Truth is, I wasn't expecting this at all...75/80 correct, 93%! When I first viewed my grade, it just said 75 which made me think I got a C, but then I saw that was how many point I got right. I'm pretty sure no one can imagine how ecstatic I am about this grade; this is now the highest accomplishment of my college career:). As I was studying, the material started to become too easy, which always worries me, but I guess that was a good sign.

My next big obstacle is my Nutrition test next Tuesday, so I'll be spending plenty of time in the Helmke Library. People sometimes don't step foot into the library unless they HAVE to, but it really helps me to do studying there. The upper floors are usually really quiet, unless students are having study groups. For some reason, I can concentrate better in the library than I can at home & this may be true for others, too. Don't be afraid of the library, I promise it's your friend. :)

Posted by Rachel at 9:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just got finished taking my very first pharmacology exam. I've been studying hard since the semester began, but the last couple of days I hit the books really hard. Going to bed early was my plan for last night so I could study more in the morning before my nutrition class.....but of course I was nervous about the exam & couldn't sleep! I woke up every two hours and had to force myself to go back to bed.

This morning, I ate a good breakfast so I would hopefully have energy by 3 (My classes run from 12-4). My english class is cancelled for the week, so in between Nutrition and Pharmacology I got my last minute studying in. I finally reached the point where I felt like I couldn't look at anymore of my powerpoint notes, and prayed I worked hard enough.

The exam consisted of 80.....yes 80 questions...also known as the longest test of my life. Good news is, it was so much easier than I expected it to be! I'm confident that I got a good grade; my professor will post them this evening. Forcing myself to study hard last week paid off big time & I am so proud of myself! I'll be sure to give an update of my grade later on. If anyone has any questions about this class, please comment my blogs because I never get any. :)

Posted by Rachel at 4:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The weeked is finally coming to a close, sadly.

I spent the majority of the weekend with my friends, also known as my roomates, plus one of my other friends. The one who doesn't live with us is over here most of the time, so she might as well be my 4th roomate. :) It's tough living with four other girls, but there have been plenty of laughs already in the short time we've been living here. Some people will tell you don't live with people you know, and other will say don't stay with complete strangers. Really, I just think it depends on the person! Like I always say, find out things for yourself & don't go by what others tell you.

This afternoon, I worked at the Family Picnic at IPFW. If you were there, you may saw me supervising the kids area. Because I am a STAR, I get many opportunities to work at different events held by IPFW, which is one of the reasons why I love my job. I do tours most of the time, but I do help out at different events, so I don't do the same routine all of the time! Coming in contact with different people everyday is one of the highlights of my job.

I'll be back at it tomorrow, so if you see me in my yellow polo, say hello!

Posted by Rachel at 10:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's finally Friday! Even though Friday begins the weekend, I had plenty of things to do today!

I had a tour this morning, class, and a meeting for STARS (Student Admissions Representative). In between each of those I spent time studying for my Pharmacology test. I am so nervous for Tuesday to come, but I'm sure I will do fine! The first test of the semester in each class is always nerve wrecking, but once I take it I know what kind of answers the professor is looking for.

I was very tired by the time my meeting came around, but it was nice to see everybody from STARS together again. We did lose a few people, but on the brighter side, we will be doing information sessions and interviews very soon! If you're someone looking to get involved on campus with a flexible job & would like to inform prospective students about IPFW, be on the lookout! I really do enjoy my job, although I had to get comfortable with speaking in front of large groups of people. It took some time, but I wouldn't trade my job for anything! Hopefully, I will be able to continue with STARS when I enter my core classes for nursing.

But it's time for me to get back to my lovely pharmacology book. Hope everyone is having a fabulous Friday! :)

Posted by Rachel at 10:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I hope everyone had a nice Labor Day Weekend! After every weekend or holiday weekend I always think, back to reality!

I spent the three day weekend with my boyfriend; since he lives in Michigan, we don't get to see each other all of the time, so it was nice.

This year seems so much more busy for me! I finally figured out a studying schedule for my Pharmacology class, but it's still pretty tough. My first exam in next Tuesday, so I've been counting down the days I have to get 130 pages of material down. It's so crazy to think we've covered that much in this little amount of time....the class does go at a rapid pace, but it holds my interest. It's kind of scary to know that the information I'm learning now I will actually be using next fall in my nursing classes.

If you're wondering why I'm a sophomore and haven't started my nursing classes yet....

My first semester of my freshmen year, I started out being a pre-dental hygenist student. I took most of my prerequisite classes the first semester, then realized I wasn't sure I wanted to be a dental hygenist anymore. My second semester, I switched to pre-nursing, which requires some of the same prereqs, but different general studies classes. I could have began my nursing classes this semester as a sophomore, but there were so many other classes that are required besides the prerequisites that aren't the actual nursing classes- English(W233), Pharmacology, Microbiology, Nutrition, etc. Rather than take those challenging classes with nursing classes, I decided to get them out of the way and apply to begin in the program next fall. Yes, I'm taking an extra year, but I'm in no rush and it will benefit me in the future.

Don't be afraid to change your major! If you find yourself not interested in something, it's okay to pick something else. If you're a freshman and don't know what area you'd like to study, thats okay too! Don't force yourself to go into a profession that won't be something you enjoy, and always choose what YOU want to do; not what your parents or family think best suits you.

Posted by Rachel at 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)