October 23, 2011
Nothing ever goes as planned.
Last Wednesday was Advising Day at my college. Because I am scheduled to graduate next May I decided it was probably a good idea to meet with my adviser and make sure all my ducks are in a row. I didn’t want to be surprised by having to take another course after the Spring semester.
My adviser, Jon, was busy helping another student when I arrived on campus, but another adviser in the business program was available. Brian was my instructor a few years ago when I first began this journey and it was nice to get reacquainted with him. He looked at my transcripts and compared the courses I had already taken with the ones I have left to take. Brian agreed that I just needed two classes to graduate because everything else looked great. I was relieved to hear this news. I was planning on having my last semester be very easy and not as stressful as the others.
As I was getting ready to leave Jon mentioned that I should make an appointment with the Business Counselor to have her sign off on my schedule. This is just to make sure that everything really is good to go for graduation. I made my way to the guidance office.
Julanne, the guidance counselor, was just finishing an appointment with a student and I asked her receptionist if I could schedule an appointment. She stated that Julanne could probably fit me because it was already the end of the day. I was very happy to hear this. I would have had to wait a week otherwise.
Julanne looked at my transcripts and course history and then she dropped a bomb on my dream of finishing my last semester without any hassle.
“Your math scores are from 1997. While they were okay when you first enrolled here, they are now too old to count for credit. You’ll have to take a college algebra class.”
My heart sank. I didn’t really like math in high school. I passed my classes and I can do the work, but it’s been 15 years since I’ve actually used algebra. I’m just a bit freaked out about this.
“Oh, and we can’t use these Microsoft courses from 1999. We now use Microsoft Office 2010 and you’ll have to re-take them.”
I became upset.
“I use Microsoft Office every day,” I told her. “My job requires it. And I’ve tested out of Microsoft Office 2007 at an employment agency last year. My scores were at the advanced level.”
Julanne explained she would refer this information to the Dean of the Business Program and perhaps they could make an exception. A few days later she e-mailed me to say they would accept the Excel, Word and Access courses but I would have to take Powerpoint.
Another glitch. I learned Powerpoint at this school ten years ago. Now I have to take it again? Just because it was an old version? I’m very computer literate and I use these programs quite often. But alas, I guess I just need to take the class and ace them. Easy A’s. Still kind of miffed.
So instead of just two classes next semester I have enrolled in four. I’m going to have to bust my butt and say goodbye to any kind of social life because I’ll be studying and working and raising a family. I know I could split these into two semesters but my goal was to graduate in May 2012 and I am determined to do it.
Wish me luck. I can’t wait for this to be over.
