Choosing classes and the awkward sophomore to junior transition

I'm quite excited about registration this time because for the first time in three semesters I have leeway to choose some fun classes. I've learned a thing or two about balancing one's life since I started college, and I definitely think it's a good idea to mix up heavy semesters and light one. In that vein, having taken a mere 12.5 credits this spring, I'll be jumping back in with five classes (and theoretically working at a psych or bio lab) this fall, which means that after the calculus, chemistry lab, and statistical methods in psychology classes that I need tot take, I've still got two spots to fill. Yay!

Deciding how to fill those spots is not so simple though - too many choices, and I'm trying to fulfill as many distribution requirements as possible. Macaulay is offering an honors section of Cultural Anthropology 101 with a past Honors Seminar professor of mine who I got along with particularly well, so that is a strong candidate. And I was all set to take one of two possible introductory philosophy classes, until the German department announced its classes for the fall, which include temptations such as "German Children's and Adolescent Literature" and "German Radio Plays." After four straight semesters of German to meet my foreign language requirement, the department is one of my favorite at Hunter because of the light hearted class environment and the consistent quality of the professors.

The other appealing thing about taking a German class is that I can take classes beyond the introductory level. Looking to my junior year, it suddenly seems like it's time to get serious about... something. I only have two short years left to finish my major, write an honors thesis, and generally ensure that I've gotten a good education, all of which leaves me wondering what exactly happened to the past two years. When I think hard I realize that the first year was spent mostly taking cool classes and some distribution requirements and generally having a good time, while this year has been devoted entirely to prerequisites for my major. College is somewhat frustrating in that everyone tells you that you shouldn't rush in deciding what you want to do, but once you've figured it out there numerous hoops in your way and you have very little time to do it. Take home message: have fun with your classes, but get serious quickly.

Gee, there's a lack of updates

and right when the readers need them most!

To be honest, we're all super busy. Classes end in 2 or 3 weeks, finals are SOON, and workloads are becoming more and more daunting.

Some things I'm considering this week:

1. Weekly op-eds for my Critical Perspective class, plus a paper on A Modest Proposal this week and a paper on Mark Twain next week.
2. A creative project (a short story, for me), plus two more books and STILL trying to figure out Michel Foucault for Sexuality and American Culture.
3. My final group project for CHC, which involves profiling and proposing changes for developing areas of NYC.
4. 3 or 4 more of Freud's works, plus a final, the format of which is still a mystery.
5. A German final in a few weeks.
6. Internship applications for the Fall, which I should submit before I leave for Germany.
7. LEAVING FOR GERMANY IN A MONTH AND A HALF
8. Baking 12 or so dozen cookies for Macaulay Arts Night.

The cookies are sort of unique to me, but this is pretty typical. But it's also fun work. I won't be too burnt out...

Cookies will help.

- Katharine

Allergies, Work, and Allergies

Achoooo!
Achooo!
Achoo!
Oh, how I hate being sick. I suddenly came down with a cold and allergy duo that has been plaguing me for the past several days, and, for some reason, my vitamin C tablets have done nothing for me. That said, it has been a pain trying to get work done... especially reading. The scent of the pages causes me to sneeze and punctuate every other sentence with a slew of "achoos." When will it go away?
It has recently dawned on my that my first year of college is drawing to an end, and quickly at that. The time gently flew by as I basked in the new found freedom and reveled in the continuous company of friends. All this will have to go into a three month stasis come May 28th, which is the day I must pack my belongings and resume life at home, a place in which I now feel out-of-place. I guess I'll just have to get used to the idea. Hopefully, my allergies subside so that I can work in peace and enjoy the remaining of my stay at the Brookdale Dormitory. Happy reading 'til next time.

-Chevon