Unit 10 The End of the Road

With the end of class drawing near and my paper handed in, I am now breathing a sigh of relief.  I am now somewhat comfortable in passing along a little advice to somewhat who now faces writing a paper.  First of all, don't panic choose a topic that you feel comfortable with.  Second let your peers review it and don't feel they are being harsh, they are just seeing it from a fresh set of eyes.  Don't be afraid to revise your work, rewrite, revamp.  Do what it takes to make it just right. 

For me personally, I will continue to work on my writing for a very long time.  I always have someone else proof read my work and read it out loud to see how it flows.  Do whatever works for you as long as it works for you.

Best of luck in your future endeavors!

Christi G.

Unit 9

Do you feel nervous, accomplished, or just plain tired?

When I think about this question, I think it's a mix of all three.  At first I was very nervous about writing another paper.  Then as I got into the research I was really excited about writing it.  Now as we near the end of the class I am just worn out between work, the holidays and putting the final tweaks on the paper I feel like there just isn't enough hours in the day to get everything done.  I can honestly say I have really enjoyed this class and will miss everyone in it.

What other topics would you like to research?

I would really love to do some research on trauma statistics.  It may be because of the field I currently work in but I believe for myself it would be interesting to know more about the breakdown of these statistics.  I do get to see many different types within the EMS field with car accidents, falls, domestic disputes, hunting accidents and assaults. But I do believe many of these have an underlying cause and this may be something worth digging into.

Have a great week and good luck to all.
Christi.

Unit 8

I can believe it's been 8 weeks already wow how time has flown by.  I really couldn't decide on which topic to write this week so I figured to incorporate all of them in some way.  At time I found myself struggling to keep up between working and reading for other classes.  I honestly didn't think I'd ever get my paper written, I found myself waking up at 4am just to get responses posted.  But as time went on I found ways to work things into my day.

When it comes to anyone responding to my blog, it doesn't bother me if no one comments.  I was nervous about this at first but I've come to enjoy it now.  It serves as a release if you will, I just may continue this blog after the class is over.  I may need to do a bit more with the pictures and things maybe some housekeeping but overall I'm happy I had the chance to work on it.

Christi

Week 7-How do you feel about peer reviews? What have your experiences with them been like?

Speaking from a personal point of view peer reviews in the past have always made me nervous.  But as I have come to learn, I was looking at it from the negative point of view.  Whether it be in life or in your writing, you take what someone has to say and incorporate it either your writing or your life.  This doesn't mean that the way you were operating was in the wrong, it just means you may need to make some adjustments in your style. When I have written papers in the past, I take into consideration what a peer has said and look at it from their point of view without becoming negative.

Unit 6 - My Last Six Weeks

Well, the last six weeks have been interesting and the last two have been somewhat stress filled.  With the advent of the holidays just beginning and here in Wisconsin deer hunting just getting underway, my life went from 0 to 120 in no time flat.  With school everything seems to be going well with the exception of my paper, I'm just not happy with the way it looks now that I am trying to put together all of my notes.  I keep writing and rewriting them over and over.  I will spend today fine tuning it all.  Lucky for me my husband and one child who still lives at home have been more than supportive and helpful, they have chipped in with everyday things.  As for deer hunting and the holidays, I have already had one holiday dinner with my one daughter and only have to manage to pull off one more dinner and many, many shifts on the ambulance through the nine day deer season.  If nothing else I will have plenty of time for reading and writing.

Enough babbling for now
Christi

Unit 5 Academic Challenges

When thinking about what challenges I have faced up to this point with schooling I would have to say it would be find the time to fit everything in.  When I first started online schooling I was excited because I thought I would have enough time to work and take care of my family.  My first term I decided to take three classes, I quickly learned that it was more work than I thought.  My next term I decided two classes would be enough, this gave me enough time to work and spend time with my family. I quickly learned time management, I have also learned that early morning works best for me to get work done when I am at home.  I can honestly say I was a little gun shy when it came to taking a math class because that was a subject that I wasn't very comfortable with.  But now that I've been through it, I am proud to say with the help of the instructors and the math labs it was easier than I could have imagined.  At this point I have managed to figure out how to balance out work, home and school with time left over just to sit.

Christi G.

Unit 4-Plagiarism

After doing the reading and even before I still feel it is important to always cite your work if you use information that is not your own concept.  I guess because I have been out of school for many years I had never given it much thought because I didn't write many papers. I find myself being more critical of work that I used to let slide by.  Although my current job doesn't require much talent when it comes to writing I do have to write a visual story and would prefer to have it my own each time rather than copy someone elses.  Unfortunately I can not cite on a run report for an ambulance.

Online Student-Unit 3

Being and online student has given me the freedom to continue to work and support my family.   I have found this environment also works out better for me because I am an older student.  I have tried the traditional class room setting and noticed that for me it didn't work out.  Kaplan offers the flexibility needed for working parents who need to continue working while continuing on with there lives.  I have been here for 4 terms now and loving every minute.

Week Two

Well I guess I'll figure out this class time by the end of it.  I keep forgetting that class in now Thursdays not Wednesdays and I don't have to rush home anymore.  It's also an hour later than I'm used to.  At least now I have a little more time with the family and extra time to do some reading.  I think this blogging may work out well.

Christi

The Rural Me

I am a transplant to Wisconsin now here just about 16 years.  I am originally from the East Coast and I must admit I don't miss it much except for the family I have left behind.  I have three daughter from my first marriage 21,18 and 17 and three from my second but honestly there ages escape me and they would probably get upset if I posted them.   I moved here with my first husband and we separated after 6 months of being here.  I worked in computers for 10 years and hold and Associates Degree in Computer Science but found I wasn't enjoying my career.  I had always been involved in heath care in some form or another and found the pull of EMS overwhelming and made the jump.  Now here I sit 6 years later planning for the day when I can no longer work on the ambulance and wish to work in facility for the patient.

I've rambled enough for now

Christi