Showing posts with label Graduate School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Graduate School. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Graduate School

Last night was my first class as a Graduate Student. I am only taking 1 class this semester for a few reasons. First of all, I was accepted so late that my options were limited. Second, I have not been in school for a long time, I wanted time to adjust. Third, it is really expensive! Since we are attempting to do this without taking loans, I need to stay within affordability. Finally, I have a family who needs me now.

I am a little freaked out right now. I have to write a 25 page paper with footnotes included. I don't think I can remember how to do footnotes. The topic needs to be of historical significance since 1945. I am trying to think outside the box. In other words, the Civil Rights movement or the Kennedy assassination is plan B. While I value the historic significance of both these events, I am guessing that the professor has read a lot of papers on these topics. I want to WOW him. My husband has been coming up with ideas, but, they are all technology based. I am not really into technology. I was leaning towards something political. But, I am not sure that I would be able to be objective when writing. I have some strong opinions about the last administration (I am not saying if those opinions are good or bad). I guess I have some thinking to do.

I did practice frugality while preparing for school. Frugality in the way of textbooks. Before buying any of my books, I checked to see what was available at the library. Low and behold, the library had one of my books. I will be checking that out this week, and will renew it until mid term when I no longer need it. I saved $20.00. My remaining books were purchased used. I did do something last night at school that was not frugal, but will do every week. I parked in the underground, heated parking ramp. When I was an undergraduate at UWM in the early 90's I remember thinking that the "rich" people were the only people who could afford such a luxury. Well, we are not rich by any means. But, heated parking during a Wisconsin winter is worth the $2.75 per week I will have to pay. Imagine that, only $2.75, how one's perspective changes over time. I would bet that 15 years ago that rate would have been $1.50 and it seemed unattainable to me at the time.

Have a great day. I am looking forward to a day of working out, cleaning, laundry and studying.