Me: I'm going to tidy the sewing room and finish my son's sweatshirt and then get to work on something from my SWAP list.
Life: Ha! Is that what you think? Well, think again! *hands me a platter heaped with 'to do NOW'*
Don't feel obligated to read the following rant. I just needed to vent, the short version is: I will be lucky to get into the sewing room before the semester starts.
/start rant/
I had orientation for ECSU on 1/2, and that is when I found out just how much of a time crunch I was on to get into the Secondary Education Program next year. They have changed the program from three semesters starting in the Spring to four semesters starting in the Fall. In order to keep my goal of graduating May 2015 I have to start the program next year.
Applications are due 2/15. To apply I must take the Praxis I before then, and early enough so that my scores are available to be included with the application. It takes approximately 30 days to get the scores. So the test must be taken now. I look at the available testing times. The only day that has a testing time early enough so that I can take the test while the kids are at school is 1/7, so that's the day I sign up for. I look at the calendar. Wonderful! Four days to cram/study/review. For a test I have to get a passing score on to enter the program and had originally thought I could take this coming summer.
I start studying and taking practice tests. There is a Reading, Math, and Writing section, and I'll have about an hour to complete each portion. The math is fine, I haven't encountered any issues there, but the reading and writing portions concern me some. The reading comprehension has tricky questions, and the answers are worded so that I frequently find I either don't like any of the answers or more than one of them seem perfect. The writing...oh the writing. There are two parts, a multiple choice and an essay. The multiple choice is basically grammar and diction correction - pick the parts that need corrected or pick the revision that makes most sense - and while I am okay with these in general, I am not exceptional and these sentences are frequently tricky. The essay wouldn't be all that bad either, except I will only have 30 minutes to brainstorm, write, and revise the essay, which I don't find out the topic of until that 30 minute time starts.
During a study break I looked at the old application (the updated one is not available yet) to see what other requirements I had to prepare for. Oh, look - I need three references from professors. If I want to get references I need to give them adequate time to complete them, so I have to start asking now. Fortunately, my first choices have all enthusiastically agreed and I can breathe a little. I just hope the updated application is available soon, so I can give them the form they need to fill out.
I also need to get fingerprinted and have a background check done. But that is no big deal, the service will be provided on campus in a couple of weeks.
So now I just have to pass this test. But I'm not going to freak out (okay, so I did freak out initially, but now I'm calm, cool, collected). Worst case scenario? I don't pass all three portions and I can't enter the program next year. I'll just retake whatever is necessary and add a year to my studies. I had considered doing that anyways...the results of this test will simply decide which path it is that I am meant to take.
/end rant/
Back to studying for me...Hope you all have a splendid day!
Update 1/7/13: I took the test and got my math and reading scores immediately. I just have to wait for the writing score (2-3 weeks before it is available *sigh*). For all three sections the highest possible score is 190. For reading I needed at least 172 and I got 185. For math I needed at least 171 and got 189. I am beyond thrilled with those scores. Unfortunately I did not finish my essay and did not develop it as much as I would have liked - 30 minutes is NOT enough time! I'm crossing my fingers and hoping I got a passing score so I don't have to re-take the writing portion. Now I wait....
Update 1/12/13: For giggles, I checked to see if my scores were available yet - I was told 2-3 weeks so didn't expect them to be - and yet, they were!!! I needed at least 171 on the writing section and I got 179. I PASSED!!! *sigh of relief*
