So, last week, when we got back from our honeymoon, I had to quickly get online to order my books. I am only taking two classes this semester. This is supposed to be my easy semester-- two classes, no job to balance with homework and on campus meetings. Free time to hang out, to go to events like parties and weddings without having to worry about whether I can get time off or if homework is due. All I have is an online course for my Social Science Methods requirement for secondary education, and math class to fulfill the last two credits I need to finish the teaching program. While the methods book was average in price of what I am used too, the math book was ridiculous, and so I went online to order it. A paperback copy for $60! Awesomely doable! Ordered. Unfortunately a week later, I discovered that I had purchased one of the supplements, and not the text. FUCK! I had less than a week before class started, and I HATE being the kid who has to ask for extra time because the books aren't in yet. In my haste and panic, I ended up having to order the ridiculous book from the bookstore, that at the cheapest cost us $130 just to rent, and thus because of our recent excursion to Wyoming, meant we went negative to pay for my unintended extra expense. I also can't return to supplement book.
On top of this drama,I am not happy, at all, about having to take another math class. Way back at LLCC, in 2006 during my second semester of college I took what I thought would be my last math class. MAT 104- Math for the liberal arts major. Easy, right? One semester and done forever. All I needed for the history program here at UIS was 4 credits. Unfortunately after I finished all of my bachelor credits, and I am just trying to finish up my certification classes, do they inform me that I need 6 credits to the education program. FUCK! Well, I'm over it, and I an begrudgingly taking this class. I get online to register and see MAT 102, College Algebra. It's a freshman class and I am a super senior at UIS, this should be fine for a math illiterate such s myself-- the kind of person who gets so panic attacky when she sees numbers that I freeze up and forget how to count when someone watches me count out change.
Today is the first day of classes, first last day for me, and it's going to be amazing. Everything should be perfect. I get up, shower, apply makeup, and put on my new outfit that I bought, the one that makes me look mature, elegant, sophisticated, and like a teacher candidate-- a hot teacher candidate, mind you. I have no problem finding a parking spot and am the first one in the class room. Yes! First choice in prime seating! I make a few friends as the students pile it. Most of them look like they are barely old enough to be in high school let alone college, and I revel in my maturity and coolness, and adjust my trendy new outfit like I am better than all of these newbians. The teacher seems perfect for me and I relax somewhat that although this class terrifies me, I am sure she is willing to work with me and is committed to making sure we all get this. This might not be absolutely horrible...
Tragedy strikes without warning!
"This is a prepatory class for Calculus for those of you who are majoring in business and computer science, so if you are not required to take calculus after this, you might want to talk to your adviser and see about taking another class."
WHAT!? NO! I am in the wrong class! The very class I lost $60 dollars on ordering the wrong book and went negative to order the right one! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE SHITTING ME! Next thing I know is we're going over notes, and it's like the entire class is a play and I don't know any of the lines. Numbers and variables are flying up on the board and answers are being shouted out. How are they coming to these conclusions!? This is less decipherable than hieroglyphics! I am fucked. Do I even know where the receipt for my book return is? GOD DAMN IT!
I talked to her after class, and we decided that I should go to her Quantitative Reasoning class, which is more of a survey. I mean christ, I just need to dam credits. I gave up being an astronaut for this very reason, and there is no way I can do this math. It's going to be impossible. Plus, I am relieved I won't lose her as my teacher. But first I have to make sure QR isn't too much like my MAT 104 class and will still count. Next thing I know is I am rushing over to talk to the Teacher Education dept to make sure I can take this new class. Luckily, the amazing lady that pretty much runs that dept pulls strings and approves my decision. I run back to my new teacher and tell her all is good in the land of Bekki after all. Crisis averted. She sends me to the dept asst, I get dept approval, and I hustle over to the library to add and drop the classes.
I drive home, knowing I have to be back at 4 for my new math class, hopefully more aligned with the needs of special needs math cases like myself, determined to find my book return receipt. I, Bekki Leber the fucking idiot, tossed it because I always hold on to them and never need to return books. I am always on top of things and I know what classes I need. No. Not this year. Because all the info was conveniently not presented to me, and I was not informed this was a prep track specific class, I am now digging with my bare hands through my trash can-- full of old food, junk mail, coffee grinds, other undesirable oozes and squashed remnants-- is that fucking mold!? I have to wash my hands, excuse me. BLECK! No return slip.
FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK...
This is the part where I panic and go wake up Wyatt with only four hours of sleep to break down and cry.
I get back online, buy my new book, and accept that I have just lost a collective near $200 on this class. I order my new book and head back to UIS to pick it up, print off some stuff at the library since my printer is dead and I can't get my new parking pass until I have the form, and be at my new math class at 4 pm.
A small victory! While telling my sob story to the ladies in the bookstore while they pick up my new book, I am informed that I can still return my book up until Friday. I don't need the slip because they can print it since I bought it online! THANK YOU MERCIFUL UNIVERSE! Just one small victory, but it makes a few things right. I still lost $60 bucks on the other book, but I can cope with that, I guess, if I have no other choice. OH, rest assured I will bitch about it, at length, whether you want me to or not. But, on the whole, I am heaving a sigh .
But, if someone asks me how my days is going, would it be too melodramatic to say it's approaching one of my worst ever?
No comments:
Post a Comment