Summertime School

My summer semester ended on the 23rd of June, leaving me more than two weeks off between semesters.  This is a nice change.  Plus, my final grade was posted yesterday; I managed a B+ in my Introduction to Earth Sciences Geology course.  This fulfills my final lab science requirement for graduation; that part is still a bit of a way off.  I have my fall semester lined up, and it is a bit of a doozy.

–Kiyoshi “The Prototype”
Your #1 Canadian eh?
Respect the Technique, Triangle Army

It’s Over

Or is it?  It’s not actually over, but I have a semester break again finally.  This semester was different from the past few; it was stressful but didn’t leave me feeling drained and sick afterwards.  Rather, the bulk of the semester was little things that had to be kept up with each week that contributed to stress.  Fortunately the stress paid off with good marks and a GPA boost, along with a spot on the Sport Science Student Council, and a sponsorship to attend a Physical Health Education (PHE) conference in the fall.  It has been busy, but worth it.

And now to enjoy my free time until May 5th.

–Kiyoshi “The Prototype”
Your #1 Canadian eh?
Respect the Technique, Triangle Army

The First Week … ish

I was planning on a “first week back” post after the first week of the Fall semester, but it ended up being a different first “week” than what I’ve associated with “normal.”

• I have two Biology labs now.  Fun.  Right now there’s a huge difference in the skills required: I have a couple of weeks of microscope stuff that Anatomy & Physiology I has already run me through, but on the flip side Anatomy & Physiology II has thrown us in the deep end.
• We had our “Violent Intruder Drill”, which I thought was usually in October.  This one was less terrible than the last two I’ve sat through.
• We had an unexpected fire alarm.  Even this early in the semester, we took our sweet time evacuating.  Hooray for the burning alternative?
• I’ve completed my first Fieldwork session, and with the schedule I can accommodate, I have plenty of leeway in my hours.  I hope my next Fieldwork placements allow such scheduling ease.
• I could have waited until I had my first quizzes, but by that point I wouldn’t get something up until October.  First month is more like it.
• I’ve missed an alarm already — user error — but had a cat as backup.
• I’ve experienced first-hand what happens when the parkade closes and your car is still inside.

So there is my first extended week.  Maybe the semester won’t get any worse.

–Kiyoshi “The Prototype”
Your #1 Canadian eh?
Respect the Technique, Triangle Army

2015.5 Goals Update

Now, the .5 is for “half”, not for the month it is published in, just thought I would clear that up.

Back to the goals!

Still to-do/long-term from 2014:

• earn my purple belt in BJJ
• research the time and cost for becoming a Registered Massage Therapist (to supplement BA and MA)
• re-start my running exercise, re-time my 1-mile, 5k, and 10k times
• improve upon my 1-mile, 5k, and 10k times

New short- and long-term for 2015 and beyond:

• earn my diploma in Sport Science
• enter the Bachelor of Physical Education and Coaching program
• graduate with my Bachelor’s degree

Because bullet points tend to mess with me in terms of getting the format correct, I will simply make each one a new heading and list the updates below!

1. Earn my diploma in Sport Science: my original plan was to get an interdisciplinary diploma, as the requirements were broad and forgiving.  But given the courses I have taken, I am two courses away from completing the Kinesiology specialization.  Those two remaining courses are required for my BPEC graduation as well, so it is a Win-Win situation.

2. Enter the Bachelor of Physical Education and Coaching program: the BPEC program accepts applications in the beginning of each year for the fall semester.  Deadline application is April 1st, with some applicants being accepted as early as March 1st.  Conditional acceptances are given as well, which is what I received.  The conditions were:

• Program deposit paid by April 6 2015 (Completed)
• Background check paid and submitted by April 15 2015 (Completed)
• BIOL 1109 Human Anatomy & Physiology I completed with a minimum of C-, final grade to be submitted by April 30 2015 (Completed)
• BIOL 1209 Human Anatomy & Physiology II completed with a minimum of C-, final grade to be submitted by December 19 2015 (Pending)

3. Graduate with my Bachelor’s degree: this goal will be two more years or so, depending on if I can get into certain courses and successfully complete them on the first try.  I don’t anticipate a lot of problems – at least, no problems that can’t be solved with proper studying.

Now let us readjust those goals.

Short- and long-term for 2015 and beyond:

• earn my purple, brown, and black belts in BJJ
• research the time and cost for becoming a Registered Massage Therapist (to supplement BA and MA)
• re-start my running exercise, re-time my 1-mile, 5k, and 10k times
• improve upon my 1-mile, 5k, and 10k times
• earn my Sport Science diploma, Kinesiology specialization
• enter the Bachelor of Physical Education and Coaching program
• graduate with my Bachelor’s degree

New for 2015 and beyond:

• research institutes for Master’s degrees in Science of Kinesiology or Sport Psychology
• continue coaching the NWSS Hyacks
• complete rough draft of paper on BJJ for peer review and editing

Yes, it seems as though I am merely adding more goals without striking any off, but I am also painting these goals in broad strokes.  I have a running list of courses that I have taken followed by the courses I have yet to take.  It helps me stay organized and provides some direction when it comes time for course registration.  I may upload it as a progress report, currently it is on paper so I can better manage it and myself.

Do you have any updates on your goals?  Any new ones set?  Comment below!

–Kiyoshi “The Prototype”
Your #1 Canadian eh?
Respect the Technique, Triangle Army

 

Requirements

The summer semester is long over, and the fall semester has begun, marking my fourth semester in college.  Thus far I’ve taken a veritable mish-mash of courses, essentially just whatever I could get my hands on.  Near the end of the winter semester I started to track and plan what courses I would need, and now I have a better understanding.  Technically I’m juggling a diploma course and a degree at the same time, with slightly different requirements.  The Sport Science diploma requires 18-30 credits in Sport Science courses, plus 24-36 credits in electives, and 6 credits in English.

The BPEC degree also requires 6 English credits, 60 credits in Sport Science courses, 12 credits in Applied Methods courses, 27 elective credits, 3 Philosophy credits, 3 Math credits, 9 Science credits, and 8 Fieldwork and Portfolio credits.  I’ll have to juggle some of my electives around, but I can make it happen.  The Academic Advisers at Douglas College have thus far been prompt and helpful with their answers.  I’m sure they don’t hate that I’ve organized all of my questions  Just one or two more things to clear up, and I should be good until I’m nearly done my diploma.

Apart from writing down what courses I must take, I’ve also written down some of the electives and made note of what sounds interesting.  I’ve also asked former and fellow students what courses they enjoyed and added them to the list.  I’ll have to see how well I manage four courses plus a lab this semester, and if it goes well then I should be able to hit up another four in the winter, and possibly do the summer semester again.  I don’t look forward to the summer hours of the cafeteria, for whatever reason the Tim Horton’s closes about halfway through the semester and leaves us all stranded in an ocean of caffeine withdrawal.

The research has also gleaned some other interesting information: I must obtain two separate NCCP certifications, my basic C-level First Aid and CPR, my BCRPA certification, and my High Five certification for Childhood Development.  I foresee a busy summer going for those.

–Kiyoshi “The Prototype”
Your #1 Canadian eh?