Famous Last Words: An Ode to Dead Week

Oh Dead Week, how I wish you were actually dead... Instead us students are forced to slave away on assignments, presentations, lab reports, papers, studying for quizzes, and exams! I am always amazed at how many things I have due during dead week or assigned during dead week. It is understandable from the professors point of view that they would want to utilize every week we are in class. However, according to the OU handbook we are not supposed to be taught new material and we are not to have anything worth more than 10% of our final grade! I know several friends who are struggling with assignments and exams this week that are either just at 10% or equal more than that. It is unfair for us students to have to constantly deal with professors who are unwilling to understand that students have a busy schedule to prepare for the exams the following week. Particularly for those of us in 18+ credit hours. I have a friend who has 7 finals this semester, but has 2 papers they have to turn in this week before they can begin studying! As much as I am glad to see the end of this semester, this week will be a challenging one to get through!

The truth behind dead week

Improvements!

I have really enjoyed this class and can say that there are few improvements I would make. However, one thing that I have been thinking about is making the week's assignments all due on the last Sunday. Personally, I have been very busy this semester so trying to make sure everything was done on a Monday or Tuesday evening was a bit stressful. So, something to consider would be making it so that all assignments were due the last Sunday with a guide of what a student could be doing throughout the week to stay on track!

I also really wish that we had more opportunities to post with our own voice, such as with Famous Last Words posts. I really enjoyed being able to post a little bit about myself and what was going on, as well as about anything that interested me. I think that adding a few more options for that would be nice!

Tech Tip: Google Timer

Okay people this is amazing and you should definitely use it! Who would have thought that a simple timer could have been so helpful?! At first I wasn't sure how this was going to go, but I really liked it. It was easy to use and very straight forward. I used this timer to take a break from writing a paper earlier today and it worked like a charm! I will definitely be using this in the future (*cough cough Finals week*) to stay focused and more productive.

Famous Last Words: Oh Christmas Tree

This week has been exceptionally hectic. I have had a quiz, exam, or project due in all of the classes I am taking this semester. Unfortunately that left zero time for decorating a Christmas tree, my absolute favorite part of the season. I am hoping that this weekend I will manage to at least dig the tree out of the attack with my dad. Decorations will probably have to wait until after finals.
Next week is my interview with Mayo Clinic and I am starting to get nervous about that. This will be my third interview for PT schools, and it doesn't seem to get any easier! We finally booked a hotel and car to drive up to Rochester, MN. As I sit here we are watching A Charlie Brown Christmas, which is one of my favorite Christmas specials on TV.
I am excited to be done with this semester because it has definitely been a difficult one. I am in 19 hours and working roughly 20 hours a week, something I will not be repeating! However, this semester is also bittersweet because it means that my Senior year of college is halfway through. I think that I will miss a lot of things that come with the college experience, but will be glad to be done with school for a while!

Me the evening of December 16th

Portfolio Guide

Jonathon and the Monkey King

• Jonathon and Mr. Piddles are at it again on another adventure! Where will they go this time? Click and find out!

Mr. Piddles and Hanuman 

• Mr. Piddles is home all alone, where could he possibly end up? Read this story and you'll find out! 

Grammi Ronni and Jonathon are Back in Action

• This story gives some more information about Jonathon's life! What could he and Mr. Piddles be up to this time? 

Jonathon and Mr. Piddles Meet the Neighborhood

• Jonathon and Mr. Piddles meet some kids from Grammy Ronni's neighborhood. What could possibly go wrong? Find out in this story!

Gwendolyn and the Garden

• Gwendolyn needs some vegetables from Grammy Ronni's garden, but isn't that stealing? Find out what happens by reading!

Jonathon and Mr. Piddles Meet a Water Sprite

•  Jonathon and Mr. Piddles set out to find Mr. Hanuman,but what happens when they find a water sprite instead? Read this story and you'll find out!