Real World Mom

While I’m sad to see summer come to an end, I am very excited about starting school on Wednesday!

I’ve got everything ready to go, from my financial aid (thank goodness!) to my notebooks and pens.

Nervous doesn’t accurately explain what I feel. I know once I’m there that I’ll be fine. I just have to stay calm enough to reach that point!

The kids are not as optimistic as I am about going back to school. (Although I think “B” is more excited than she is willing to admit.)

While we’re on the subject of back to school, I was recently made aware of The Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s BackPack Program. There are many children that rely on the free and reduced lunch programs at school, but do not have enough food to eat at home on the weekends. The BackPack Program provides backpacks full of food to those children who have the potential to go hungry over the weekend. To make a donation to this important cause, visit their website or donation page.

I wish everyone a safe and smooth transition into their school days!

Recently, I became aware of a website that makes shopping for back to school supplies super easy! EZ School Supplies offers a wide range of quality items–and they’re delivered right to your door!

Oh how I wish this website was around when all four of my kids were in school! Some years, the four of them would be spread out over three different schools, with multiple teachers and a variety of required materials. Driving from store to store to store, trying to find everything was like a full-time job!

If your school is registered with EZ School Supplies, they will receive a 10% donation when you shop! Teachers can also publish their own supply lists, so that you can simply log in, and order what your child needs.

As an additional perk for my readers, EZ School Supplies is offering a 10% discount when you use this promo code: EZMB065.

The folks at EZ School Supplies sent me a sampling of their items so that I could see the quality for myself. I was quite impressed! The prices are reasonable, and, really, when you add in the convenience factor, how can you go wrong? Go check ‘em out, and tell them Real World Mom sent ya!

Real World Mom is now a college student!

About 26 new students gathered in the lounge for orientation. I have to admit, I felt completely out of my element at first. Of those 26 people, I’m sure I was the only one old enough to drink!

We were taken on a tour of the campus–which probably would have been more enjoyable had it not been so hot and humid–but I found it helpful.

Finally, we went to a lecture hall to meet advisors and begin scheduling our classes.

Being the anal detail-oriented person that I am, I already had my ideal schedule worked out, as well as a back-up to that.  Unfortunately, none of my classes were available at any of the times I wanted.  So, I did the best I could.

I’ll be taking three classes on-campus and two more online.  Hopefully I’ve set it up so that my work hours won’t be affected too much.  We shall see!

On Thursday, I’m going back to spend some time in the Financial Aid Office.  Originally, it seemed that my financial aid award would fully cover my tuition and books.  I found out yesterday that isn’t quite the case.  So, I have to go and see what, if anything, can be done.

I’m off to lay in the sun for a bit while it’s still sunny!

Tomorrow (Monday), is my orientation and registration at school. I will tour the campus and then register for my classes (fingers crossed the courses/days/times I want are still available). After that, I will be an official college student!

I’m planning to take six courses this semester, three of which will be online (at least that’s the plan). It’s great that this college offers so many of it’s classes off-site. It will make my life much easier by allowing me to fit those subjects in around work, my other classes, and, of course, blogging!

This is such a huge step for me. I’m excited and terrified!

For a very long time, I didn’t think that going to college was an option for me. And, the older I got, the hazier that dream became. Until I met someone who encouraged me to begin believing in myself–and my dreams–again. If it weren’t for him, the idea of going to school would be no more than a distant memory by now.

He helped me to see and understand that I could do this. When I was unsure of something, he would guide me through it. The times I allowed myself to doubt or falter, he’d either lovingly encourage me or lovingly kick me in the ass.

For all of this, and so much more, I thank him, from the bottom of my heart.

I also have to thank my friends and family for helping me reach this point in my life–including so many of you! When I wrote of my indecision about going to college (here), I received a lot of comments and emails from you, full of support, encouragement, and similar experiences. You truly made a difference!

Janice: I doubt you realize how much of a part you played in my decision, but I have to wonder if I’d be doing this if it weren’t for you too. I love ya, Honey!

Took my college placement test last week.  As expected, I did crappy on the math portion.  So, I have to take two–count ‘em, two–extra math classes to catch my butt up to speed.  I’m planning on taking the first one in the fall semester and the second one during winter break.  Then, I’ll take the last class in the spring semester and be finished with math!

My orientation/registration appointment is on July 7, and I can’t wait!  I’ll be an official college student then! 

In other news…

Real World Mom continues to sport this “interim look”, due to the fact that I still haven’t decided on a new theme.  I have, however, narrowed it down to three options.  One of them would take a lot of tweaking, so if I choose that one, Tim will have a new project on his to-do list!

Work still sucks ass, but, thanks to a scheduling adjustment, it may now actually be bearable–for the most part.  “Gnatalie” and I have come to an unspoken understanding, so I no longer dread working with her.  Unfortunately, there is another “semi-manager” who is a major pain in the ass.  Seriously, this chick brings the morale of everyone around her down.  I haven’t quite figured out the best way to handle her…yet.

Tomorrow (Monday) is a big day for me. I’m going to take my placement test for college.

I know I’m going to screw up big-time on the math portion. For one thing, math and I never got along all that well. Sure, I can add and subtract (especially when we’re talking about percent-off sales!), but beyond that, my head tends to start hurting! Also, it’s been a long, freaking time since I did any ‘real’ math. I graduated from high school 22 years ago! Ugh.

The worst that can happen is I’ll score poorly on the test and be forced required to take a refresher course (or two), that will cost money and won’t give me any credits.

Then again, the best thing that could happen is a miracle, and I’ll somehow squeak by on the low-end of passing!

In any case, wish me luck! I’ll let you all know how it goes!

My daughter is a middle school student, and has just completed the third quarter of seventh grade. Once again, she earned honor roll! She has been on the honor roll every marking period since starting middle school. An accomplishment she is proud of, and, of course, so am I! Out of my four children, she is the only one who has done this, so I thought it might be interesting to interview her, and try to get a better understanding of just how she manages to do so well in school.

Q: How many times have you earned honor roll?
A: Seven so far.

Q: What is your secret to making honor roll so consistently?
A: Work hard at it; hand in work on time; pay attention in class; study; do my best.

Q: Is there any advice you can give other students who would like to be on the honor roll?
A: The kids in my class talk a lot, so I would say pay attention and hand in your work on time.

Q: How much time do you spend on homework each day?
A: For the most part, about 45 minutes.

Q: What do you like about being an honor roll student?
A: That teachers give me more respect than if I was a bad student, and I feel proud of myself.

Q: What are your goals for seventh grade?
A: I want to do well and get honor roll.

Q: What are your long-term goals?
A: To succeed, to get somewhere. I want to go to college and become an elementary school teacher. My older brother inspired me to be a teacher, along with the teachers I’ve liked and who were nice to me.

Q: What is your favorite subject in school?
A: English and math. I like math because I will need it for the rest of my life. I like English because I like to read and write.

Q: What is your least favorite subject?
A: Science. I don’t feel I get anything from it.

Q: How much do you think about school?
A: It depends what is going on–tests coming up, etc.

Q: How often to do you think about getting good grades?
A: A lot!

Q: What do you like best about school?
A: To learn.

Q: Least?
A: Waking up early.

Q: Any advice to teachers?
A: Don’t be mean. Make learning fun with hands-on type things, like drawing, etc.

Q: Do you have a lot of friends?
A: I wouldn’t say I’m popular, but I have as many as I need.

Q: What’s your favorite food?
A: Pancakes!

Q: Your favorite color?
A: Purple.

Q: Favorite holiday?
A: Christmas.

Congratulations, B, on being such an excellent student!  I’m very proud of you!  You are the best daughter a mom could ever hope to have–and you are such a caring, intelligent and loving young lady all rolled into one! I love you very much!!