Because of the school's change in curriculum about six months ago, aside from a quiz (9/10), tonight's class was a waste of time for me and makes me wonder why I trudged out of the house to drive 41 miles only to have to drive back.
TPTB decided to change up the curriculum half-way through our program, add newbies to our class and then not give us all the information we need AND repeat information we've already had. We noticed this the first night we got our syllabus for this class. Several students have been working to get everything straightened out with administration and get us the information we need - the stuff that wasn't on the syllabus and hadn't been covered any other time during our program.
Tonight we were supposed to have the quiz, then my original class was to separate out and go get a lecture and information on the other stuff. However, the instructor scheduled to teach us ended up getting sick and after we took the quiz, we sat in the student break room for a good hour and a half and talked or whatever. After that, we rejoined the class and "listened" to the lecture on the cardiovascular system - which we had at least six months ago. I ended up organizing some of my papers in my notebook and touching up the color on my name badge.
As I've said, other than the quiz (which I could have made up on Monday or Tuesday) and chatting with my classmates and teachers, tonight's class was a total waste.
Showing posts with label TPTB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TPTB. Show all posts
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Day 165 - No More Meetings (56 Days Left)
This afternoon at the J-O-B, TPTB decided that it would be a great idea to have a meeting to update the staff on the last quarter's results. I don't know whose idea it was to stick people in a warm, dark room at 3:00, show indecipherable financial Power Point slides to people who would rather dissect worms, while droning on and on about more indecipherable financial statistics. I mean - really. Who can possibly stay awake during that? Unless your name is Donald Trump. Even then, it might be a stretch. One co-worker woke herself up when she snored a little bit.
Needless to say, I don't really remember anything that was said, and I certainly didn't understand it at the time.
During a break from our Professional Development class tonight, I asked the teacher if as Massage Therapists we would have to sit through those types of meetings. I was quite grateful when he said, "No."
In our class, we discussed professionalism and the Code of Ethics of Massage Therapy, Cultural Diversity, and other stuff that we'll have to at least be prepared for when we are released into the wild world of Massage Therapy.
I may not say this often, but tonight's class was fun. We laughed. Sometimes I think this particular teacher needs to do some stand-up comedy.
Needless to say, I don't really remember anything that was said, and I certainly didn't understand it at the time.
During a break from our Professional Development class tonight, I asked the teacher if as Massage Therapists we would have to sit through those types of meetings. I was quite grateful when he said, "No."
In our class, we discussed professionalism and the Code of Ethics of Massage Therapy, Cultural Diversity, and other stuff that we'll have to at least be prepared for when we are released into the wild world of Massage Therapy.
I may not say this often, but tonight's class was fun. We laughed. Sometimes I think this particular teacher needs to do some stand-up comedy.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Day 154 - Rant of the Wall (72 Calendar Days Left)
When I first was registering for the massage program, the admissions person I talked to said that everybody, at some time in the program, hits a wall.
I believe I've not only hit the wall, I've crashed into it and am trying to break through it.
To say that I'm frustrated with the whole experience right now would be pretty accurate, if not an understatement. I believe most of it stems from the winter weather our region has been experiencing the last couple of weeks.
Don't get me wrong, I like a good snow storm - as long as I don't have to be out in it. However, because TPTB* at the J-O-B don't seem to care about their staff and apparently believe that being there seems to be a matter of life and death it takes an act of Congress to close due to inclement weather and then TPTB at the school reschedule cancelled snow classes on Friday nights, I cringe whenever I hear reports of a winter storm coming to town.
I have visions of my May Graduation Orlando Vacation Celebration (say that five times fast) going down the tubes because I have used all of my PTO (Paid Time Off) at the J-O-B due to the stinkin' weather.
Last week, we missed two classes due to snow and we made up one on Friday night and are scheduled to make up the other this coming Friday, with a final exam. However, last Friday, one of the student liaisons brought a "revised" schedule for this week into class and basically, the thought was that because a good number of students may not be able to make class on Friday, we would take the final exam on Wednesday, unless we can all agree to be there on Friday.
This caused a cascade of discussion on our facebook group over the weekend, and it seemed the classmates were divided on which way to go with it. By the time we got to class tonight, we still really hadn't agreed on the best thing for everybody.
THEN - in comes TPTB. They tell us that the exam is on Friday AND we have to be there the whole evening. Well, at least it was a definitive answer, frustrating as it was.
Why did they introduce the revised schedule in the first place? Was that the local school doing that, or TPTB? Does one hand know what the other is doing? It sure caused a lot of confusion and frustration among our classmates unnecessarily. Why do these things always boil down to a lack of communication?
Frankly, I have the time built up that I can sign myself out of class after the exam and I'm still good to go, but that still means driving 41 miles to the school to be there for an hour - at the most, probably.
So, what happens?
More anxiety. While sitting in class.
I can't pay attention to what's going on in the lecture because all I can think of is this junk. By the time we hit our next break, I told the teacher that I was signing out for the night and explained that I just wanted to be there for barebones on Friday, if possible. She was awesome and has worked it out with me so I can take the final at another time, Thursday before my other final, and I don't have to come at all on Friday.
That's a HUGE relief to me.
AND! I can celebrate WGH's birthday with him on his actual birthday on Friday! (He says he'll be 23, but I think I need to check his birth certificate.)
After getting all that straightened out, I still signed out for the night and came home, as there is a winter storm (ice and snow and all kinds of fun stuff) on its way and I didn't want to be a part of it tonight.
And we wonder why I keep saying I want to move to Florida.
I try not to let this stuff stress me out, but it doesn't seem to be working right now. I think if it were one or the other, J-O-B or school, it wouldn't be so bad, but between the two right now, I'm pretty much hitting the wall.
*The Powers That Be (generally meaning "Corporate")
I believe I've not only hit the wall, I've crashed into it and am trying to break through it.
To say that I'm frustrated with the whole experience right now would be pretty accurate, if not an understatement. I believe most of it stems from the winter weather our region has been experiencing the last couple of weeks.
Don't get me wrong, I like a good snow storm - as long as I don't have to be out in it. However, because TPTB* at the J-O-B don't seem to care about their staff and apparently believe that being there seems to be a matter of life and death it takes an act of Congress to close due to inclement weather and then TPTB at the school reschedule cancelled snow classes on Friday nights, I cringe whenever I hear reports of a winter storm coming to town.
I have visions of my May Graduation Orlando Vacation Celebration (say that five times fast) going down the tubes because I have used all of my PTO (Paid Time Off) at the J-O-B due to the stinkin' weather.
Last week, we missed two classes due to snow and we made up one on Friday night and are scheduled to make up the other this coming Friday, with a final exam. However, last Friday, one of the student liaisons brought a "revised" schedule for this week into class and basically, the thought was that because a good number of students may not be able to make class on Friday, we would take the final exam on Wednesday, unless we can all agree to be there on Friday.
This caused a cascade of discussion on our facebook group over the weekend, and it seemed the classmates were divided on which way to go with it. By the time we got to class tonight, we still really hadn't agreed on the best thing for everybody.
THEN - in comes TPTB. They tell us that the exam is on Friday AND we have to be there the whole evening. Well, at least it was a definitive answer, frustrating as it was.
Why did they introduce the revised schedule in the first place? Was that the local school doing that, or TPTB? Does one hand know what the other is doing? It sure caused a lot of confusion and frustration among our classmates unnecessarily. Why do these things always boil down to a lack of communication?
Frankly, I have the time built up that I can sign myself out of class after the exam and I'm still good to go, but that still means driving 41 miles to the school to be there for an hour - at the most, probably.
So, what happens?
More anxiety. While sitting in class.
I can't pay attention to what's going on in the lecture because all I can think of is this junk. By the time we hit our next break, I told the teacher that I was signing out for the night and explained that I just wanted to be there for barebones on Friday, if possible. She was awesome and has worked it out with me so I can take the final at another time, Thursday before my other final, and I don't have to come at all on Friday.
That's a HUGE relief to me.
AND! I can celebrate WGH's birthday with him on his actual birthday on Friday! (He says he'll be 23, but I think I need to check his birth certificate.)
After getting all that straightened out, I still signed out for the night and came home, as there is a winter storm (ice and snow and all kinds of fun stuff) on its way and I didn't want to be a part of it tonight.
And we wonder why I keep saying I want to move to Florida.
I try not to let this stuff stress me out, but it doesn't seem to be working right now. I think if it were one or the other, J-O-B or school, it wouldn't be so bad, but between the two right now, I'm pretty much hitting the wall.
*The Powers That Be (generally meaning "Corporate")
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Day 121 - Deja Vu Anatomy
Last week, we took our Anatomy I final exam which included the subject of muscle tissue, what it is, what kinds there are, and how muscles actually work. We had learned about sarcomeres, calcium's role, and what actins and myocins are.
In our first class of Anatomy II this evening, guess what? We reviewed muscle tissue, what it is, what kinds there are, and how muscles actually work, including sarcomeres, calcium's role, and what actins and myocins are.
Weird. Deja vu.
Last week, I ended up getting a 95% on the final exam, but wasn't really sure what all of the muscle stuff meant. Frankly, by the time we went over that last week, my brain had totally checked out. After tonight's review, I think I get it.
Yay!
As for the J-O-B, today was a strange day. Since the company had lost a contract back at the end of September, things have been rather slow. Well, today, TPTB executed multiple lay-offs. I was not one of the parties affected. I really want to add "unfortunately" to the end of that because in many ways, working 40 hours a week while doing this massage school program is hugely time consuming, physically and emotionally draining, and I never have time (or make the time) to clean the house.
But - I guess I have to help pay bills and make my contribution to society, so off to work I go.
Well, I mean, tomorrow, I will go to work. Tonight, I'm heading to bed.
In our first class of Anatomy II this evening, guess what? We reviewed muscle tissue, what it is, what kinds there are, and how muscles actually work, including sarcomeres, calcium's role, and what actins and myocins are.
Weird. Deja vu.
Last week, I ended up getting a 95% on the final exam, but wasn't really sure what all of the muscle stuff meant. Frankly, by the time we went over that last week, my brain had totally checked out. After tonight's review, I think I get it.
Yay!
As for the J-O-B, today was a strange day. Since the company had lost a contract back at the end of September, things have been rather slow. Well, today, TPTB executed multiple lay-offs. I was not one of the parties affected. I really want to add "unfortunately" to the end of that because in many ways, working 40 hours a week while doing this massage school program is hugely time consuming, physically and emotionally draining, and I never have time (or make the time) to clean the house.
But - I guess I have to help pay bills and make my contribution to society, so off to work I go.
Well, I mean, tomorrow, I will go to work. Tonight, I'm heading to bed.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Day 110 - The Little People
Warning: This post is mostly a rant due to frustration. I may cover some of what we learned in class, but probably not a lot, due to reasons I will address in my rant. There's also a DC Talk reference at the end. DC Talk makes me smile.
Why is it that corporation heads or adminstration thinks of really good ways to do things, but doesn't always realize the ramifications of their decisions?
We have been in this program for six months. Six. SIX! When we entered the program, we were given ALL the books we would need for the next year of the program. We were combined with another class that had already gone through a five week session of classes, and it was a little stressful, as we had some "catching up" to do, but not much. Throughout the program, we have had one or two people come into our class to make up time or finish out the program with what they needed and it wasn't too stressful.
When we started this new five week term, TPTB (The Powers That Be) had two brand-new students join our class. They were where we were SIX months ago. To say that they had some catching up to do with our class is an understatement. They got their books. Guess what? Their books are NEWER EDITIONS and aren't consistent with what's in our "old" books!
It may not sound too bad, but guess what? Our poor anatomy instructor has to take time to figure out what page contains what information and make sure that the information is consistent for both. As a result, we are about 3/4 of a class behind where we should be, according to the syllabus. How will we catch up? By rushing through the material and not understanding?
This evening, we finally finished the lecture from last night's class and took the quiz - shortly before 9:00 pm - nearly two hours after class started!
After we got the quiz behind us and took our mandatory break, we finally got to learn about the Integument System. That's the skin and epidermis* and that sort of stuff.
Now, let me take a moment to describe our "textbook" for Anatomy. The lecture is meant to complement the book, and therefore, is where we take notes for what we're supposed to know about the subject matter. So, in order to do any homework, we have to get through the lecture for the complete information. Since we didn't start until two and a half hours after we should have, we did not get through all the material and the material we DID get through is all confusing because we were trying to rush through it and write down what notes we need to have the information. And since we didn't finish the material, our homework won't be completed by the next session because we haven't gotten there yet. *Breathe*
This is one of those rare evenings where I am a bit frustrated. At least I had a 40 minute drive to think and calm down a little bit.
*I can't help but think of the DC Talk song "Colored People" whenever they mention "epidermis." Lyrics: "Pardon me, your epidermis is showing, mister/I couldn't help but note your shade of melanin." It's about God's colorful creation and how we're all just colored people and we see the beauty in the tones of our skin. Give it a listen if you feel so inclined.
Why is it that corporation heads or adminstration thinks of really good ways to do things, but doesn't always realize the ramifications of their decisions?
We have been in this program for six months. Six. SIX! When we entered the program, we were given ALL the books we would need for the next year of the program. We were combined with another class that had already gone through a five week session of classes, and it was a little stressful, as we had some "catching up" to do, but not much. Throughout the program, we have had one or two people come into our class to make up time or finish out the program with what they needed and it wasn't too stressful.
When we started this new five week term, TPTB (The Powers That Be) had two brand-new students join our class. They were where we were SIX months ago. To say that they had some catching up to do with our class is an understatement. They got their books. Guess what? Their books are NEWER EDITIONS and aren't consistent with what's in our "old" books!
It may not sound too bad, but guess what? Our poor anatomy instructor has to take time to figure out what page contains what information and make sure that the information is consistent for both. As a result, we are about 3/4 of a class behind where we should be, according to the syllabus. How will we catch up? By rushing through the material and not understanding?
This evening, we finally finished the lecture from last night's class and took the quiz - shortly before 9:00 pm - nearly two hours after class started!
After we got the quiz behind us and took our mandatory break, we finally got to learn about the Integument System. That's the skin and epidermis* and that sort of stuff.
Now, let me take a moment to describe our "textbook" for Anatomy. The lecture is meant to complement the book, and therefore, is where we take notes for what we're supposed to know about the subject matter. So, in order to do any homework, we have to get through the lecture for the complete information. Since we didn't start until two and a half hours after we should have, we did not get through all the material and the material we DID get through is all confusing because we were trying to rush through it and write down what notes we need to have the information. And since we didn't finish the material, our homework won't be completed by the next session because we haven't gotten there yet. *Breathe*
This is one of those rare evenings where I am a bit frustrated. At least I had a 40 minute drive to think and calm down a little bit.
*I can't help but think of the DC Talk song "Colored People" whenever they mention "epidermis." Lyrics: "Pardon me, your epidermis is showing, mister/I couldn't help but note your shade of melanin." It's about God's colorful creation and how we're all just colored people and we see the beauty in the tones of our skin. Give it a listen if you feel so inclined.
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