Filed under: The University
I have survived the summer semester at The University. I have had class Monday-Thursday from 6:00-9:00pm since May. That is one sure-fire way to decimate your summer social plans. My last in-class final happened on Friday night (what? who schedules a final on a Friday?) and I finished my take-home final over the weekend. It’s over and now I feel like I can breathe.
Let’s do a little recap, shall we?
Classes Completed:
- Econ 3100: Labor Economics
- Econ 3200: Money & Banking
- Econ 3620: Math for Economists
Now, I’m sure the vast majority of my readership couldn’t give a hoot about economics–I assure you, I only give half-a-hoot. As soon as I’m actually don the flowy robe and funny hat I won’t think about Economics in any kind of academic sense ever ever again. (Why am I continuing with this? Because I’m close to graduating and I’d rather have a degree I don’t use by May 2011 than put in another 3 years to graduate in something else.)
I had a smattering of really, um, ecclectic professors–the native Mongolian who spoke so softly I could hardly hear her from the front row, the dashing Turkish grad student with very European hair and shoes, and the Bangladeshi professor who has a stuttering problem, a pretty significant one. In all my years of Economics courses at The University I have never had an American-born professor–I’m used to deciphering unfamiliar vocabulary. But the stutter…people, it was bad. I don’t know if it wa s a nervous thing or a leftover-from-childhood thing, or something else…but trying to understand the inner workings of monetary policy set forth by the Federal Reserve and the differences between Keynes and Friedman while simultaneously interpreting through a stutter. Ugh. It was impossible.
And now it’s over. And I can breathe. My next feat will be to fit an entire summer vacation (without actually taking a vacation) into the next 3 weeks before classes start again.
10 Comments so far
Leave a comment
Yay, congrats! Great work! I’m sure it doesn’t feel this way to you but to me it seems like you only just announced you were starting school, and now you’ve finished your first semester!
Comment by Jess 2010 August 8 @ 9:52 pmWell done!
Comment by Allie 2010 August 9 @ 12:44 amHave a great three weeks! I recommend cookies and shoe shopping and at least two dinners at an outdoor cafe.
Oh, and throwing in random economics terms in mealtime conversation to confuse your friends.
Comment by Stacy 2010 August 9 @ 5:22 amWell done on getting through it all, my dear! Especially with those little extra challenges thrown in there for good measure!
Comment by Aly @ Breathe Gently 2010 August 9 @ 5:47 amCongrats, enjoy your (short) summer break!
Comment by Karen 2010 August 9 @ 6:49 amCongrats on finishing your semester! It is so so hard to work full time and go to class multiple times a week, but you’ll be done before you know it.
Comment by lou 2010 August 9 @ 7:01 amJust reading the names of those three classes? That’s more math than I’ve done since my own education. (Balancing my personal checkbook, not withstanding, which I track & balance to.the.penny–yes, I am THAT person.) Numbers, they are not my friend. English & History? Bring it on. You can keep all those numbers.
Comment by Dawn 2010 August 9 @ 1:04 pmI had Microeconomics my freshman year and dropped because my prof stuttered. It’s awesome that he wants to overcome that obstacle but my 18-year-old self did not have the tolerance at 8am MWF to deal.
Comment by thecoconutdiaries 2010 August 9 @ 9:17 pmGoo! I had no idea you were doing three summer classes. That is a full load. Glad you are done — breathe! I also just finished my summer internship and have three weeks off. Today was my first official vacation day, and it was bliss. Live it up!
Comment by Sra 2010 August 9 @ 10:09 pmhow grand, congrats (as i’m sure you passed the exams)!! do treat yourself to something extraordinary and try and have a breathing, relaxing kind of 3 weeks now!
when you get your degree, what can it be used for? in sweden the system is so very hung up on specific degrees and if you don’t have one in a specific area (that isn’t a necessary one like docor, lawyer, veterinarian and such of course) you really don’t have a chance at such jobs no matter experiences and personal qualifications (if you’re not in with good connections that is). but in other European countries it’s not that important what kind of uni-degree you have but THAT you have one ie you have proven your skills and determination. oh how i wish it was like that here too! when it comes to certain aspects of life sweden is really very judgemental and backwards i think. anyway, how is it in the us? go ahead, write a blog post and tell!
Comment by piaktw 2010 August 10 @ 4:28 pm