Down to the Wire
I can hardly believe a whole month has passed by since I’ve posted anything here. I can’t say I’ve been busy, really; just enjoying my summer vacation, mostly. I’ve had a little too much time on my hands lately and have been feeling restless. Part of that restlessness is knowing that I have just over $6,000 remaining in financial aid for 2015-2016- and 13 classes to go. If I’m really careful, it can be done. (By the skin of my teeth- maybe.) But I was just thrown a serious curve ball by my school. I was assigned a new adviser- a real sweetheart- who caught an egregious oversight in my records. When I transferred my Associates Degree in Behavioral Sciences (and CPC in Substance Abuse) from Vincennes University, I was allowed 92 of those credit hours in to IU East. That was pretty generous, I thought. However, my new adviser pointed out that they’d made a terrible mistake and only 64 credit hours were allowed. And I was told this a whole year later!
That alone should have given me clemency, I thought. That’s not a light mistake, because that effected my financial aid and how many classes I chose to take per semester, etc. My adviser took the matter to the graduation committee and pleaded on my behalf, but they told her that they never make exceptions. Nice. Now I’m having to rethink my entire next 3 semesters and facing the possibility of having to graduate in the summer to fall of 2016 rather than in the spring of 2016. Frustrating! Not only that, I may not have the financial aid I need for all of my remaining classes- it’s just so tight. I’m having to work all of this out with my Isuzu Rodeo starter dying half the time and my water heater bursting open and gushing through my son’s walls. It’s…challenging, to say the least. But, as always, quitting is not an option. That’s just not in my vocabulary- not when it comes to college, anyway.
So now, despite the fact that I’ve got 111 credit hours under my belt, I now have 36-39 more to go. My heart actually sank for a moment when I got the news, but I’ve been in survival mode for so long; I can’t afford to focus on any negativity. I applied for a Federal Perkins Loan so that I can take two summer II courses to get an early start on my last batch of classes. If not, I’m going to have to bulk up my fall and spring semesters to 5 courses each term. Fingers crossed that I get that loan!
If I’m able to take the two summer classes (starting in July), they will be:
Forensic Anthropology
Topics in Criminal Justice: Serial Killers
-both upper level courses. Yes, they actually have a serial killers course! I’m so there. Forensic Anthropology is the study and analyzation of human remains at crime scenes. These classes are right up my alley! I’m so ready to get back to work.
Seed pods- taken early this morning with the Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35/2.4 vintage film lens
m o n o c h r o m e j u n k i e † 
This gives me college flashbacks…the LAST SEMESTER, my advisor discovered that I was short by 1/2 of a PE credit! I had to go to the dean and get special permission to test out of a swimming class! All the best to you!!
June 9, 2015 at 7:40 pm
Oh wow, I feel you on that one. I would’ve been so mad! I’ve had to fight my way through a host of setbacks. (One really bad time, I had to drop out of school altogether due to stress, anxiety and chest pains. I ended up with a $1,200 debt with the school as a result and fought my way through having the charge dropped altogether. They did end up dropping the charge- but it wasn’t easy. Whew. Small miracles!) Glad things worked out for you in the end!
June 9, 2015 at 7:50 pm
I think that one of the biggest things college teaches us is how to deal with the hoops we are called to jump through! It takes a lot of perseverance to stick with it through all the obstacles that appear!
June 11, 2015 at 8:01 pm
You’re right. After I get my Master’s in Forensic Psychology, I’m going to be able to face any challenges after everything I’ve fought through to get there! And I do mean everything (car accident, homelessness, hospitalization- oh the list is very long…)…heheh.
June 11, 2015 at 10:06 pm
‘Forensic Anthropology
Topics in Criminal Justice: Serial Killers’
way cool.
nice to see you here 🙂 Gav.
June 9, 2015 at 10:44 pm
Hey, good o see you too, Gav! :0) And yeah, I’m super excited about these courses. I’ve spent the past few decades researching serial killers in depth; very interesting stuff- to say the least.
June 9, 2015 at 10:49 pm
Yes. I’ve done a bit of research too.
Really fascinating.
June 9, 2015 at 10:58 pm
Hiya, Hon! Will any of these help?
http://www.gocollege.com/financial-aid/scholarships/states/indiana.html
And do you wanna hear about my WHOLE 10-minute interview with Gacy?
June 10, 2015 at 8:10 am
Dude….shut uuuuuuppp….seriously? I think I remember you telling me that once. As much disgust that the name Gacy musters up- there’s just as much awe. I couldn’t imagine interviewing him! DO TELL.
June 10, 2015 at 8:13 pm
I agree that this is not a light mistake to make and the school should attempt to make this right in some way. Been thinking of you and hoping your summer is going well with lots of great photos to share.
June 13, 2015 at 1:00 pm
Good to see you Al, as always. :0) And on that note, I may appeal the decision upon your confirmation! I do agree too. I look forward to your summer pics and stories too. x
June 13, 2015 at 4:44 pm
Remember us when you are famous and they create a quirky romantic comedy police procedural based on your amazing future career. In the meantime I look forward to beautiful mostly monochrome Bones compositions. 🙂
June 18, 2015 at 11:43 am
Haha…I laughed so hard reading this. THANK YOU. 🙂
June 18, 2015 at 8:46 pm
A whole month since you’ve posted, WELCOME TO MY WORLD! HAHA! Hopefully without the overwhelming guilt and stress of it though. I’m frustrated with your school because I’ve gone through the same kind of CRAP at mine since I transferred to where I’m at/going to graduate.
July 9, 2015 at 11:31 pm
I know….school eats the soul- WHOLE…heheh. But you know, when I first met you, we were both less capable of processing and dealing with stuff. You’re the first and only person I’ve met that was like, “I’m tired of being hte patient. I’d rather be the doctor.” 😉 I know you’re going to be a kick ass therapist in the not too distant future, and, I have no doubt you’re going to break new ground. We’re almost there!
Not really…but hey, it sounds good, right? heh… x
July 10, 2015 at 6:35 pm
HAHA! Of course! We can be each other’s e-therapists as well. We can put up our certifications behind ourselves when we one day Skype and say “Hmmm and how does that make you feel?”
July 13, 2015 at 4:36 am
ExACTLY. And how DOES that make you feel?
Haaa…. x
July 13, 2015 at 2:03 pm