*EducatingRita

The Bittersweet Light At the End of the Tunnel

One would think that after 3.5 years of tortuous failed invitro fertilization, an agonizing two year wait for an adoption, the completed adoption of -- twins!!! -- born 2 months premature and parked in a NICU for 2 months, 5 months of maternity leave (mostly unpaid), a return to a workplace often toted as "the best place for working mothers" and then waging war in HR for that well publicized but apparently fictional "flexible" schedule --  that simultaneously completing a M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration was just plain crazy. Well, it was. And it wasn't.

It was everything I needed, wanted and didn't expect. My experience was just shy of epiphany. Even when courses didn't go the way I thought. In some cases, they didn't happen at all; however, the education gained was more than expected. Taking part in Suffolk's Graduate program in Higher Ed has been one of the greatest educational achievements I've ever undertaken. As a First Generation graduate students -- the only woman in my family with a four year degree -- let alone a graduate degree, just picking up my cap and gown -- I seemed to grow 2.5 inches in  the bookstore.

The pathways to educational enlightenment, more often than not, were not completely pedagogy, theory, nor practice-based. In many ways the experience was holistic -- involved understanding the art of negotiation, the validity of independent thought, opinion and respect of and for the opinion of others. There were tough lessons in diplomacy, tact, reason and expansion of one's capacity to just listen. Respect was gained for peers -- and don't we all have a story to tell? -- from different sci-economic backgrounds, different sexual orientations and from foreign colleagues -- insight gained into life outside of the U.S.  There is no standard of exit exam or nationalized achievement assessment strategy -- which could ever concretely place value or exact measurement on the value of the education I have received. I can simply state -- it was one of the best decisions of my life. I am profoundly grateful to Suffolk University.

Graduating in a time of Titanic-like panic over the continuing U.S. fiscal economic meltdown -- not so nice, for sure.  Semi-deer in the headlight moments of how to pay for thousands and thousands of student graduate debt -- on top of a mortgage and car payments? That will put some grays on you. However, it is also an educable moment. Perhaps, that oh-so sought after (in an era of downsizing, restructuring and downward salary spirals -- increasingly elusive) 6-figure job will have to wait. Perhaps it's time to think survival -- pare down and get to the nitty-gritty of what life is truly all about. Follow the heart. Be true to yourself. And the rest will follow. Perhaps, on my journey to vocational happiness -- I do arrive at that 6-figure job -- and I find it's not worth the toll it may extract (and in an economy where the MEGA-JOB -- often entails being ON 24/7, wired to the gills,  crackeberried and never allowed to be "off", 70-80 hour weeks...) However, because of my experience at Suffolk, I feel I have been given the critical thinking tools to analyze and make good decisions both professionally and personally. The ability to leverage intelligent thought in decision-making, strength of confidence to research and then exercise action or propel an argument and the ability to trust and logically follow an independent thought to it's conclusion.

Now that's what I call education. And, that folks, is priceless.

Step gingerly, please

OK, working on ALL four research papers due. Each one in varying states of completion, and, frankly, literary dishabille.

Oh, hey! Look out! See that large-ish pink smouldering gelatinous blob on the corner of Cambridge and Derne? Step around it please, it's my brain. Most of dropped it there last week walking to the Center Plaza garage. I'll swing by and scoop it up as soon as I find the time and can no longer function without it...

Gaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!! Is it graduation yet?

Beware The Ides of March, plus one

Hello there. It is truly the Ides of March, plus one. Happy St. Patrick's Day to all those celebrating the wearing of the green this week. The term Ides is Latin for full division. Despite the now ominous meaning of the phrase above, it was a festival day back in ye olden times. The Romans, originally used the term to refer to the full moon -- a rather important lunar activity in the Roman calendar for numerous reasons -- for all you word geeks out there -- now you know the rest of the story (Paul Harvey, RIP.)

Seeing it is now the full moon of my academic career at Suffolk (stay with me folks, I'm going somewhere with this, I promise)  -- I've rounded the corner and clearly see graduation looming ahead. If only I can stay on target. These last 4 research papers are killing me! Thankfully, I did get my act together in January and kept myself somewhat true to schedule for most of February.

But despite the focus, and approaching graduation, it does'nt mean ER is done receiving her education. No, no far from it my friends. The learning continues up until the very last second! Last week in class, a major verbal blunder of epic proportions. What you say, ER make a vocal faux paus!? Again! Some might mutter...but in all honesty it was completely unintentional and ER is very saddened. ER ultimately learned that there are lots of offensive words which have benign origins. Whether a word is offensive or not isn't based on logic but on history. Most people will make some distinction based on the intent of the speaker -- whether a word is truly harmless in your mind, or if you really meant to offend. ER had no intentions of offending but clearly did so, accidentily. And even after attending a fabulous Suffolk conference, just the week prior,  entitled "Multi-Cultural Summit" in which two great instructors from the Coalition Building Insititute held a terrific integrated learning experience! ER bubbling afresh with newly learned sensitivitiy skills and a new outlook on "walking a mile" in someone else's shoes. And, wham!  ER offended a peer in class. Thankfully, the class, had a communications contingency policy in place. A code word was spoken and all discussion ceased and a thoughtful journal activity ensued. Afterwards, a very intelligent and enlightening discussion -- albeit occasionally uncomfortable at times -- was held.

However, this is what happens when emotions are involved. Topics of sensitivity can and should be rationally dicussed and it's never an easy process. It's difficult to admit wrong, it's difficult to hang your emotions out for all to see and comment on. No one likes to admit they made a mistake or wants to dwell on something when emotions are raw but, if true education is to happen and learning take place, then these events, when they happen, need to be analzyed and discussed, no matter how uncomfortable it makes either party involved. In the end, it was a great discussion. ER sometimes wishes direct invovlement in these educable moments onto someone else, but despite cheeks flaming red -- ER learned a valuable lesson.

Sometimes an adjective, even something considered an ordinary word and is not in itself an outrageous word,is  not an adjective but can be hurtful. Once the offense is made, it's out and dealing with it in an effective and respectful manner is the only way to go. ER doesn't regret the choice of words, as they were not said maliciously or with intent to cause hurt, but truely and deeply regrets the obvious pain caused. ER is grateful for the discussion that ensued and has learned more about common words and their possible offensive meanings than ever before.

The world of etymology is vast and ER is definintely no philogist. However, having personally experienced  the few seconds it took to offend someone ER cares about thought this valuable lesson should be shared. Interested to see how easy it would be or take a gander at a list of seemingly benign words which have potential to cause harm or should be avoided? Check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Words_to_avoid and Val Dumond's "Just Words: The Us and Them Thing", and this is a fun website for all things verbally interesting: http://www.languagemonitor.com/

Verbally wiser and ever yours,
ER

 

February is become unofficially unglued month

Whoa are the overcommitted for they know not what day it is.  Ok, so ER's being a little melodramatic but with 4, count 'em folks! 4 Research papers due this semester or this overworked and very tired grad student will NOT be walking across that floor for the much anticipated and highly coveted sheepskin. Wow. I can't believe it's February already. I did spend a lot of time organizing myself in January but despite my uber organization -- it's still been difficult keeping it all together. Some things, things I rather enjoy -- like blogging for instance -- have fallen by the wayside. So sorry to my peeps in the graduate office who send only mildly threatening emails...

Somtimes I do wish there were 8 days in a week and 28 hours in a day. Being a mom, a student, a worker, a wife, a respected member of my community as well as trying to leave a leagacy at Suffolk is taking it's toll on my spare time. Hah! Spare time -- who am I kidding? What's that?

And the economic news of late isn't helping ER's mood either. I had hoped to write, well, about hope but ER's not feeling very upbeat in that department. Long the oral crier in the family of the impending fiscal doom -- no one ever listens to me -- I kept wondering out loud -- who's buying the $4,000 tvs??? Even in my chosen field, Higher Education, things are looking glum. When the most well endowed of universities emails its employees for nearly a month straight and is holding workshops on "what to do in a recessive economy" the hand writing is on the wall folks! Its pink slip time -- or dang near close to it. Golden parachutes are launching all over campuses from here to the left coast. Universities are bracing for impact and it won't be pretty folks. ER predicts layoffs, hiring freezes and painful cutbacks on campuses nationwide.

At most institutions (barring the elites -- which are always in a class by themselves -- pun intended) -- applications are down, enrollments, therefore, are going to be down and perhaps, its time to re-evaluate the need for that humongous new stadium, or glass enclosed health center or the residential towers with internet connectivity in every room and 52 inch flat screen tvs on every shared living space? Know what I mean? Are these really necessary? If you have luxe accommodations does it mean you're getting a quality education?

Perhaps its time to get back to basics. Providing quality education to those who seek it, on a campus where the student body have access to all the appropriate research tools in order to achieve their educational goals without frustration and futility. How about a tweak in the salary departments? How about a return to the less is more approach as in less six figure salaries for the higher educational fat cats. A recent article in Businessweek by Ellen Gibson revealed:

"....University presidents may not be as generously compensated as their counterparts in the for-profit world, but their pay has been rising steeply over the past 15 years, especially compared to professors' incomes. One-third of presidents at public universities now earn more than $500,000 a year. The median pay for public-school presidents in the 2007-08 school year was $427,400, according to an annual compensation survey by the Chronicle of Higher Education. It was $100,000 higher at private colleges. With base salaries well into the six figures, the administrators' total compensation is rounded out by perks like retirement payouts, retention bonuses, performance awards, expense accounts, and the use of well-appointed homes and cars. For instance, E. Gordon Gee, president of Ohio State University, took home a total of $1,346,225 last year, including a $310,000 performance bonus..."

 

Wow. Kind of makes you think? Well, what I think of first is compared to OSU and the bruhaha that flared up earlier at Suffolk  -- we're getting a veritable super blue-light bargain in our corner office but tha't s another blog for another time...

January is Official Organization Month

Happy New Year! Well, ER is using the entire month of January to GET ORGANIZED. So, despite having a class cancel out at the 13th hour, ER is officially prepared for the other class. All materials have been printed off, 3 hold punched and put in a binder in chronological order. Also, all reading and homework assignments have been entered in ye old Palm Pilot.

When this little electronic wonder dies, ER's world will go down the drain with it.  Even though I have a backup on my Outlook, I think the program's so ancient, if I bought a new one and tried to synch the two -- it'd be like talking Sanskrit to someone fluent only in English. I suppose I should upgrade since I purchased the bottom feeder Zire Palm but it's been a lil' trooper! Have never had any problems. Now that I've said that, of course, it'll implode in a tiny fire ball of malfunction.

If Santa failed to gift you with orgnanization this holiday season, ER recommends getting a PDA, like the Zire, or using the cell phone's organizational abilities or get an ol' fashioned book organizer -- to assist in keeping oneself academically on track.

AS ER examines the incoming syllabi , there seems to be a new educational trend cresting the horizon? Seems to be an awful lot of "journaling" or mini-papers lately. ER's educator anntenae are twitching....Hmmmmm, feels like Professors are looking for validation students are doing the reading. For all those classes you sat in where the professor asked a question regarding the reading -- oh you know anywhere from the academically polite -- "Who would like to discuss the the main problem in the case study this week?" or the covert "Are there any questions regarding the readings? I know it was very dense. So, any questions? No questions? Really?...." to the exceptionally painful "OK, did anyone do the reading from last week? Because if not, there isn't going to much of a class tonight..." And you could hear a pin drop? Well, welcome to journaling folks! And, really, we have no one to blame but ourselves.

However, the journaling could also be a great tool in which to gage student levels of knowledge and comprehension as well as potentially provide a warning sign if students are gonig off track or clearly not comprehending something. It could also be a good showcase of student writing abilities and also take the heat off the "uber" paper. A lot of little papers over a longer period of time, is far better than the Giant Paper due at the end of the semester. Due to life events ER knows all about the perils of the Giant Paper and failure to produce the paper by the end of the semester -- give me the mini's over the maxi anyday.

What's your opinion on the journaling and mini-papers (often called opinion papers)? Does it feel particularly penal or is it for the good of all -- student comprehension and gauge of learning for the instructor?

ER wishes you all the ability to stay focused and organized and hopes the rest of spring semester goes well. Much good luck and best wishes to all but especially those graduating this semester. ER hopes to be included in the ranks. Can't imagine not attending class at Suffolk but am looking forward to an expanding professional role in higher education.  It's an exciting time in the US right now. There's a new administration coming in and perhaps a more thoughtful and inclusive national (and international) direction can be sustained. Peace to all in 2009.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Sorry Folks. Educatingrita was in the trenches fighting the good fight, scaling the walls of justice at both work and Suffolk. Battling the bureaucratic machine takes a lot of you especially when your David approaching Goliath with your measily slinghot. Been spending a lot of free time doing battle with a local promiment university for the much-advertised but apparently seldom put into action "flexible schedule". Still dueling with HR. Taking the skirmish to another level of management. Oh, joy! It's the most wonderful time of the year! ER believes a certain person in HR will not just receive coal but perhaps an entire bargeload from Santa this year for the exemplary display of non-negotiation, unsympathetic and inflexible work environment beliefs.

A much respected professor in the Higher Ed program abruptly resigned during Fall semester.  Some students (ER included) began a letter writing campaign in support for said Professor to remain and fired them off to management. The effort received much approval among the cohort but some naysayers popped up -- asking for sleeping dogs to be left alone. However, democracy can be a contact sport -- so when you chose to take a stand or make a point -- be prepared to, ahem, duck a few shoes...Everyone has the right to say their opinion.  That's what makes this country great.  Which reminds me of a quote by E. Norton - The only way to make sure people you agree with can speak is to support the rights of people you don't agree with.

Also been putting in every available ounce of energy towards maintaining a rocking marriage, raising two adorable twin boys (we're on solid foods people! Never mind the Pollock-like sweet potato splats on my dining room walls -- they're eating real vegetables and lovin' them! OK, green peas...not so much.) Also been pursuing academic greatness. Well...I should say: wracking up yet another incomplete! Rapture! Caught Dad's vicious cold when we went home for Thanksgiving -- thanks Dad! Spent the entire TG break being thankful for NyQuil but, man, did it implode my very tight paper writing schedule.  I'm STILL hacking up a lung 2 weeks later. Mostly thankful, the twins didn't get it -- even when I passed it on to my husband. 'Tis the most wonderful time of the year!

ER had the nose to the proverbial grindstone most of November with research papers, power point presentations and group projects on a collision course with Thanksgiving, then sickness and, now, of course, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year festivities. The Graduate Office, sweet kind souls that they are, have been only mildly threatening, begging most politely for me to get out the keyboard out and start pounding something out. And so here we are.

So, look if you find yourself in a pickle at the end of any semester. Don't be afraid to contact the Dean of Student's office. Anne Coyne is awesome. She will walk you through any academic procedure you might need to utilize. Also, if you have more than one Incomplete on your docket, be wary of letters from Financial Aid, as insignifiant academic progress may impede your ability to obtain your student funding for the next semester. ER will be slaving during the break to erase two incompletes by the first week in January.  Santa will be bringing a very large bottle of Migraine Excedrin next week. Not looking forward to spending my entire winter break finishing research papers, but what can you do? Take one look at my babies and repeat “so worth it, so worth it all…” Head's up -- incoming Sweet Potatoes!  

Since I seem to be on a democratic rampage...how about this little electronic phenomenon -- Christmas gift registries for tots? My 10 month old niece, a 7 year old and 13 year old nephews all composed lists (one of which is 11 pages long...) Is this incredibly tacky or a technological time saver? Being born in the Mesozoic era, makes ER a little on the old-fashioned side. ER feels registries are best left to weddings and baby showers. Whatever happened to the good old Letter to Santa -- (having word magically spread via’s Santa’s parental helpers through the family...) On-line lists just smack of the gimmie-gimmies. Which in ER's mind is not the point of Christmas. Any opinions on this? Should I get with the times or hold onto Christmas beliefs about celebrating just being together with family, sharing a meal, and the giving gifts means something picked out especially for the recipient...not #5 off a list 11 pages long...

Yep, the season is upon me. 'Tis the most wonderful time of the year! Happy holidays to all!!! Best wishes for 2009. See you next year!  

Suffolk Hidden Gems

Poetry slams, faculty book clubs, you are what you eat, cattle calls and breakfast with local media chiefs...what is this you say? Well, it's educatingrita's Hidden Gems of Suffolk. Can't see the forest for the trees? Up to your eyeballs in group projects, research papers, banging your head against the wall trying to come up with a thesis? Don't despair. Take a mid-semester breather from academia and a break from obsessing about your Halloween costume to behold the hidden Suffolk .

Suffolk has a healthy reputation for basic as well as applied research. There's much interdisciplinary research crossing numerous traditional constraints.  All types of scholarly activities are encouraged potentially benefiting the local community, promoting global understanding, discouraging prejudice and exploration of the sciences. To that end, here are just some of what ER considers to be Suffolk Hidden Gems:

I don't like green eggs and ham, Sam I am: The Suffolk Poetry Center

That's pretty much the extent of ER's poetry knowledge but there are plenty of people on campus who think a lot more about poetry.  The SUPC is located in a room of the new Mildred Sawyer Library and encourages and supports the study and practice of poetry and creative writing. It also houses the Zieman Poetry Collection. There are a number of activities: readings, workshops, discussions and provides a unique opportunity to explore literature beyond the class. Renowed writers engage in readings and interact with students, faculty, staff and guests.  Among the lectures and workshop is the student run writing group: Sub Text who meet in the Poetry Center.

Workshops and discussions are open to the Suffolk community and the public. There is a current collection of valuable literature, including signed first editions, as well as a video/audio archive of all visiting writers. The Poetry Center also serves as the research hub for history of the book, rare books and history of literary publication. Not to mention, Salamander, edited by Prof. Jennifer Barber, is Suffolk's own nationally recognized literary journal. To learn more about the Poetry Center contact Professor Fred Marchant.

SU Events Homepage: There’s always something interesting percolating on the SU Events link: http://www.suffolk.edu/564.html . A quick look could be worth your while recent highlighted events included:

• Next stop: Broadway! Open Auditions for Wes Savick’s original tribute to Howard Zinn: Monday, October 20 7:00-10:00PM - C Walsh Theatre and Tuesday, October 21 same time, Studio Theatre. The Theatre Department welcomed all registered students to auditions for the above production. Sign-up on the Theatre Department Call Board. Performs: November 20-22, 2008 at the C. Walsh Theatre. Link: http://www.suffolk.edu/31484.html
• The Breakfast Club: Why Isn’t the Media Listening to You? Dr. Rosenthal, Chair of the Communication and Journalism Department hosted the event with Greg Gatlin, Suffolk Director of Public Affairs moderated a discussion regarding press releases with media industry experts from NECN, TIAA CREF, Boston TV, WGBH and the Boston Business Journal. An early-bird event at:  7:30 am event with coffee, tea, pastries representing a chance to discuss how to be better positioned and get your message across to the media. Not sure of the actual attendance at this event but potentially a good of a small group being present resulting network potential? Priceless.  http://www.suffolk.edu/30706.html

What do you mean Twinkies are not a food group? Did you know there’s an actual Registered Dietician on staff and access to his or her vast knowledge and expertise is: FREE, Gratis, No Money Down. Precious few things in life are few folks. Especially something that could potentially prolong your life. Take advantage of this great health service to put a stop to the dreaded Freshman 15 or help thwart all those hours of inactivity while you studiously absorb higher learning from the banal glow of your PC screen…Consultations are held on a monthly basis with the next one on November 19^th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Put down that salt laden gordito and do something good for yourself! Call Health & Wellness Services at: 617-573-8260 for more information.

Membership Has its Privileges: The Center for Teaching Excellence – A resource open to faculty at Suffolk. It’s no secret higher education has become big business and is in a state of serious transition. Never before have institutions had to do so much with so little (government funding has drastically decreased). As higher education becomes more and more codified as a business -- the fact such a center exists at Suffolk is a huge advantage to its biggest stakeholders –students. The center, directed by Donna M. Oualters, Ph.D., is committed “…to ensuring the University delivers on the promise to provide quality education through outstanding teaching.” The CTE has an abundance of programming, services, resources and tools for faculty to develop knowledge and teaching skills. Workshops of the past include:  how to approach distressed students on campus, the use of powerpoint slides in class, reaching out to millennial students, creating a teaching statement and creation of student evaluations. There’s even a faculty book club which discusses contemporary works regarding higher education trends, theory and works of fiction and non-fiction. Students considering a career in higher education might find it a worthy trip to check out the center and perhaps rap with a staff member about the profession.   

The above are just a small slice of Suffolk’s vast internal landscape. What’s your favorite Suffolk Hidden Gem? Got a special place, program or club you’d like to share? Send your comments to ER and I’ll mention them in a follow up column. Take care and don’t forget to lift your head from those books every once in a while and take a look at all Suffolk has to offer. – ER

Procrastination Is Thine Enemy

Ok, you'd think with twins, a husband, a household to maintain, bills to pay, grocery shopping, commuting to work and squeezing in quality time with family and friends -- I'd have my act together. Well, I do and I don't.  At least not to my satisfaction. Every semester I begin with a basic plan -- write everything down. and do it by the due date. Simple, yes. Possible? Not always.  By mid-semester -- coming up soon. I reevaluate my feelings of adequacy and this year, I'm already feeling like I'm slipping behind. I need to go into lock down mode and get to business before it's too late. 

Here are educatingrita's tips on how to maintain your sanity and still have a life while when you have uber multi-tasking reponsibilities:

Write it down - PDA, hard book organizer, cell phone, wall calendar - writing down reading and writing assignments are key. If you're not attending full-time - and most of us aren't -- then time management is not just your friend -- it's your BEST friend. At the beginning of the semester take the time to lift dates and deadlines off each syllabus and write 'em down. If you're super busy (like me) I even schedule my study times. If i don't, I'm like trying to read assignments in the shower, kidding (well no, I did try it once just to see if I could read in the bathtub -- not a good idea. A similar crazy idea -- someone once gave me to write my term paper drunk for a particular professor's class. Note to others: don't do that either. Some actually did, with disastrous results. Back on topic, these blocks of times ARE in a very real sense, appointments. Professors are not thrilled when you ask for 3 day extenstion on an assignment. Trust me.

Group Projects Are Very Real - nearly all classes have them. They've gone from educational trend to permanent classroom fixture. Honor your classmates and prepare your materials and have them ready when they're due. Stay in the communication loop. Do not drop off the radar. No one wants to hear at the 13th hour that you're planning to be out of town the entire week before a presentation and you can't have your portion of the assignment ready. Think ahead (and this is where the calendar thing comes in handy) and be kind to your groupmates. You're all in the same academic boat together, even if you are out of town you can take measures to keep the project floating nicely. Don't sink it (and possibly tank other people's grades in the process) by not communicating or stepping up if you need to.

Cramming is not a good idea: Perhaps in undergraduate courses you could get away with it. Graduate level courses often have term-long assignments which require organization across the entire semester. If you haven't come up with a research topic and started the research for your final paper at least 2 months prior to it being do, you are skating on some seriously thin ice. And make no mistake, Professor can smell a rush job from 20 paces. Do yourself a favor and get onboard sooner rather than later in the research paper department. This also goes a long way to avoiding a mild nervous breakdown right before the Thanksgiving holiday when you realize you're academically screwed. Cramming reading or exam preparation also simply doesn't work. You're paying for this. Make the most of it and make it an enjoyable (hopefully not too stressful) experience by making the effort to stay on top (not get buried by) your academic committments.

Technology is your friend, sometimes: I recently purchased a laptop which imploded in it's 2nd month of operation. Thank you Vista! During which I had a paper due, since I couldn't figure out how to print the dang thing out, I emailed it  to the Professor. The professor also couldn't print out my attachment (naturally, again, Vista you suck) and he was slightly peeved I had to email it. I don't blame the guy. Why should he bear the burden of my technological snafu? If you've acquired technology, make sure it's good to go. While educatingrita is still bucking the all things electronic era , I do work with it for a living. I really should be more proactive with my gear at home. At work, I pick up the phone and dial IT and a 12 year old comes upstairs and fixes the problem in 7 minutes. I turn red, mumble thanks and he goes back into the IT batcave. At home I'm clueless. Thank you to Circuit City for replacing my laptop (with the demonic Vista disease) 2months out from purchase.

Down time is key: Seriously. Go see a movie. Go apply picking. Go shopping for new shoes or  a back to school outfit. Reward yourself for hitting your academic goals so far. Go to the nearest bar and cheer for the Sox!!! Even the Egyptians knew they had to take a break from pyramid building...

The sentiment expressed by All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy was first recorded by Egyptian sage Ptahhotep in 2400 B.C.,

One that reckons accounts all the day passes not a happy moment. One that gladdens his heart all the day provides not for his house. The bowman hits the mark, as the steersman reaches land, by diversity of aim. He that obeys his heart shall command.

Don't forget to schedule some fun. It's crucial for mental health and will even help keep you focused.  -- ER

3 Tiny Textbooks = $300 Five Continuous Hours of Sleep? Priceless

Educating Rita is back alas, though, I'm a husk of my former self! Sometime between a  frantic end to Spring semester 2008 and now, I became a mommy to adorable 2 month premature twin boys. After Mr. ER and myself were sure they would survive (and believe me folks, one of our sons could have fit IN a Dunkin Donuts coffee cup...it was pretty scary for a while...) we've been successfully launched into the parental races! BTW the boys are now thriving and chubbing up nicely.

I'd like to take a moment to say Kudos to Suffolk's graduate programs and how awesome they are to working professionals (and parents!) What a relief to have a schedule which begins in the late afternoon and a variety of ways in which to access lectures. I  pondered a web class but began my search a too late in the summer and couldn't get my academic act together with my advisor in time to register...There were so many options and that was a good thing because a couple options did fall through. There are: web based, hybrid web/lecture, straight lecture, satellite campus options. In the end, I selected a really interesting class (in another department outside my program  -- another great option -- inter-departmental flexibility!) as an elective along with another core elective within my program.  Now with the all the writing and research requirements -- what a blessing our little darlings recently began "sleeping through the night". And by that (FYI for all you non-parents or parents-to-be out there...) that means approximately 5 hours of continuous sleep! Oh, joy! Rapture. Now I only look half comatose instead of one of the walking dead.

Show me the money: Of course, the Fall semester began with a bang or should I say implosion? Since I was unsure of when I'd return to my graduate studies, I was behind the 8-ball in the FAFSA department. Submitting online sometime over the summer (a very late start...get your FAFSA in sometime in the Spring and learn from my mistake!) So the Bursor's office had an apoplectic fit and Financial Aid really pulled off a 13th hour miracle in time for me to retain my "registered" classes despite missing the aid deadline. Thankfully, the federal student loan system hasn't collapsed -- yet. Scary times right now folks, scary times....

Hello, is anybody out there?: Second mistake: not realizing how long coordination to take an elective outside the program would take. As usual this also was an educable moment. And ER is all about educable moments...When planning your fall/spring classes (be it returning or fresh start) having your classes picked out earlier not later is best. Given the ways in which people can be reached electronically aside, the dead of summer (or worse the beginning August) is almost too late to select courses, especially if you're seeking a popular one or need to track down and get permission from n Advisor, who may not be checking emails regularly over the summer break.

What do you mean I can't take Scuba 201?: Have a hit list of lecture options and be prepared to present syllabi for courses outside your program. Be ready to defend why you think the class is important to your degree track.

Excuse me, may I cut in?: It's always nice to ask permission for entry into the class from the Professor -- even if it says open enrollment and there are no pre-reqs for admittance. Give a brief background of who you are and why you're interested in the class. This is a good time to ask for that syllabus to present to your Advisor.

Scholastic Yoga: Be flexible. If the class it close to closing or if you need something for a particular date/time and you don't get it -- it's really not the end of the world. Often there are other lectures or web classes for the same with very similar properties. When search for classes include a bunch of options so you can see what's out there. Again, earlier is better to avoid this scenario.

Hi. Who are you?: It's always good during the Fall semester to touch base with a face-to-face with your Advisor to make sure you're on track with your selections and you're getting what you need from your program. Email is great but it doesn't really take the place of a physical meeting. Also, if you're rounding the corner to graduation Fall is the time to make sure you've got the credits you need.

That's all the tips and tricks I have at the moment. Feel free to give me an email if you have any questions regarding the HE program or just academic navigation in general and as always if you have tips or suggestions -- submit them! TTFN! And welcome back to the Hub! Go Red Soxxxxxxx!!!!!

ER

ER's End of Year Wrap Up

As the final semester of my first year in the HEA grad program comes to an exhaustive close -- I can’t help but take a breather to reflect on what’s happened during the past year.

Overall, I feel this has been one of the most personally satisfying educational experiences I’ve ever had. I’ve learned a lot since August of 2007 and look forward to continuing the program and future learning opportunities. Graduate school is nothing like the undergraduate experience -- on numerous levels. It's much harder than I expected, takes more out of me and I find myself caring very deeply about my program, my peers andthe future -- a lot more than when I started. The diversity and depth and scope of my peers is outstanding. I don’t think I could’ve found a better representation of “real life” -- kinds of diversity: racial, sexual, gender, socioeconomic -- at any other private university than at

Suffolk

. The academics are challenging, the instructors are great and things get especially interesting when professors give students lead or freedom to really dig into and study subject matter, theory or contemporary issue of importance. And I’ve had a lot of fun getting to know everyone and, thankfully, there’s been more laughs than tears – and that’s always a good thing. Howver, it’s school and it’s an educational thang so here’s ER’s Things I Learned at

Suffolk

:

Lessons Learned

(an amalgamation of my own personal lessons and from others):

Thou shalt not be overtly-criticizing of peers in a public forum.

During panels or other outside guest speaker engagements – formulate good questions, if possible get a business card and don’t be afraid to keep in touch.

Thou shalt not swear during an oral presentation.

If thou are starting a 25 page research paper less than a week before it’s due – thou are screwed.

Never tell your instructor that you consider their comments to your paper picayune.

Thou shalt not swear during an oral presentation.

As tempting as it sounds when classmates encourage writing a paper while intoxicated – don’t.

One cannot perform complex scholarly reading while watching American Idol. (Michael Johns was robbed…)

When the same teacher every week says “we might be getting out early this week” don’t believe it.

Thou shalt remain composed during a presentation, even though you only have 13 minutes and everyone else got 20-25 minutes. Losing your @#*& in abundance is never helpful.

Begin looking for your post-graduate job now.

Working 35 hours per week, plus commuting 15 hours, and performing unpaid 10-15 hours of weekly Internship -- makest thou very, very, cranky to the husband. 

Working hard all year means one thing – Summer is all that much sweeter!

Take care to all who read this Blog. I’ve really had a great time doing it and I hope I’ve generated some entertaining and informative reads, opinions and comments. Happy Summer 2008!