http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/ en-us Copyright 2009 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:30:03 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss world. Throughout my busy schedule, I am thankful I have an easy going class. We do learn about the art of music therapy, but we also participate in actual exercises that may be used for patients under a music therapist's care. Relaxation exercises have been my favorite to do thus far. Again, I'm sorry for being away for so long, but now that I'm on track I'll be able to blog more! ]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/11/gone_for_so_long.html http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/11/gone_for_so_long.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:30:03 -0500 nothing about cars, but basically a piece in my transmission had to be sealed. It's okay for now, but eventually I will need a new car. Good and bad news.....good because I'll get a G6, but bad because my mom doesn't want to get me a new one just yet. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping my neon will last me for quite a while. On the bright side, it's running a lot smoother and not jerking anymore. I'll probably be in Marion until tomorrow afternoon. Coming home is nice because I do miss my parents a lot, but after a while I'm ready to jump back on the highway. Studying at home is a challenge for me; I think I feel so relaxed while I'm at my mom and dad's house and doing homework just doesn't feel right :). I'll be kicking it into high gear this week to prepare for two exams I have next week in pharmacology and nutrition. It's not ideal to have two exams on the same day, but my reward will be the Jay-Z concert next Wednesday! Hope everyone is having a wonderful fall break! :)]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/10/relaxation.html http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/10/relaxation.html Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:42:41 -0500 Well what a start to my week before fall break.... Monday, I was driving my lovely 2003 neon that I've had for a couple of years. Even though it is almost 7 years old, I haven't had any major problems out of it...until now. I made it to my destination, and it started "puttting"! My lever to let me know if my engine is running hot or cold went all the way up to hot & started dinging. Because it was so late, I couldn't get it fixed until early the next morning. By Tuesday morning, there was NO way I could drive it. I had to call a tow truck & have it towed to the nearest shop! After the mechanics inspected my car, they gave me the terrible news- My radiator went out and transmission fluid leaked into my coolant! $500 gone just that quick. Luckily, I have the best parents in the world who are going to take care of it for me, but it sucks that my trusty Neon would do such a thing to me! I thank God that it didn't blow my transmission, but it's still acting kind of funny, so my dad's going to take it to get it looked at again. Stay hopeful for me please. --Rachel Ray-- http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/10/not_the_neon.html http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/10/not_the_neon.html Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:05:49 -0500 Well, I promised an update on how my pharmacology exam went! Boy, was I extremely nervous right before the test was handed out, and all the information I learned seemed to leak out of my brain. During the test, many of the answers I felt I knew, and many I felt like I did not. I answered each question to the best of my ability and handed them in! Later that evening, I slowly scrolled down on Blackboard to check my grade. Either way, the grade was already determined. With both eyes open(usually I look with one :) ) I saw a 71 out of 80! Before I looked I truly thought I didn't do that well, but this shows the studying really did payoff. The whole time I studied my material I never felt prepared & it turns out I was. Thursday class was cancelled, so I'm glad I finally get a weekend where I don't have to study for this class. As a gift to myself, I upgraded my cell phone to my first touch screen phone. No, not one that is completely touch screen. I'm always afraid that if the touch screen goes out, I won't have anything else to use. For those of you who know anything about phones, I got the ENVTouch & I love it. The front is touch screen and the inside has another screen with a keyboard. Good present for doing so well on a test, huh? Everyone have a safe & fun weekend! http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/10/all_of_that_for_nothing.html http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/10/all_of_that_for_nothing.html Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:34:26 -0500 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. ]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/sun_warmth.html http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/sun_warmth.html Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:57:59 -0500 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. http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/a_sad_distraction.html http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/a_sad_distraction.html Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:54:44 -0500 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! http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/all_i_can_say_isthis.html http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/all_i_can_say_isthis.html Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:34:17 -0500 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. http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/home_sweet_home.html http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/home_sweet_home.html Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:27:26 -0500 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! :) http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/rollercoaster.html http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/rollercoaster.html Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:14:47 -0500 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. :) http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/is_this_really_my_grade.html http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/is_this_really_my_grade.html Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:17:37 -0500 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. :) http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/accomplished.html http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/accomplished.html Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:01:22 -0500 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! http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/i_love_the_weekends.html http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/i_love_the_weekends.html Sun, 13 Sep 2009 22:14:22 -0500 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! :) http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/thank_god_for_the_weekend.html http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/thank_god_for_the_weekend.html Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:16:36 -0500 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.]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/back_again.html http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/09/back_again.html Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:38:00 -0500 Finally back at the apartment in Fort Wayne with my favorite girls! This weekend was a blast, but now its back to the basics! I don't know why, but the fact that I started class a week ago really hasn't kicked in yet. I've been doing my assignments, but my mind remains in "summer break" mode. Feeling as if this is my most difficult semester ahead, I'm getting somewhat nervous! My music therapy class--I LOVE it! My professor is so energetic & is full of fun & jokes! Music Therapy is the first class I've taken that I don't actually need to go towards my major and it feels great to be in this class. After taking so many serious classes that your life depends on, it's good to have a class to relax in. Nutrition is a class I'm required to have for my nursing degree. I do enjoy this class because I like learning about things that can affect my health, but I feel like this class will require some work! English W233, an upper level English course required for many majors, is a class I'm a tad worried about. Surely many other students feel this way about english period! When I came into college I didn't feel fully prepared for college writing, but passed my english class last year with a B! My english professor really cares about helping students so I'm pretty sure I will make it. Those three classes are ones that I'm not especially worried about, but there is one that is on my mind everyday- Pharmacology! I discussed my journey through my Biology 204 class over the summer, and although it was difficult I made it through with a B; Pharm. is a whole different ball game! I'm used to going through notes at a rapid pace due to completing a semester's worth of work in 6, yes 6 weeks, in Biology. Thinking Pharm. would go at about that pace, I felt prepared, but maybe I'm not. :) We've finished 50 pages of notes within three days (It's a TWR class). This is nothing that I'm used to nor have I ever had to do in any class. The material isn't different, but it goes so quickly! I will be working twice or even three times as hard, but I will succeed! The thought of my first exam scares me, but I shall not let it defeat me! I hope everyone's first week went well! As I always say, just stay focused! Make sure to not be afraid to ask for help. One thing I noticed my freshmen year was that staff at IPFW are very willing to help you IF you make the effort to ask for help. We have good professors, but they're not mind readers. :) http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/08/back_to_reality.html http://blogs.targetx.com/ipfw/Rachel/2009/08/back_to_reality.html Sun, 30 Aug 2009 20:35:33 -0500