Thursday, October 20, 2011

Test Results

Well, I finally got my test scores back.  I say finally because it took my Interpersonal Communication teacher 1 1/2 weeks too finish grading the tests!  Okay, so, here it is:  On my Spanish test I got 96%, on my Interpersonal Communication test I got 93%, and on my Science test I got......... 100%!  Yay!  The Science teacher laid it out for us again about who got what.  5 As, 4 Bs, 7 Cs, 5 Ds, and 7 Fs.  And only one person got 100%.  I felt a little bit honored, but it did make me a bit of a target.  News got around about who it was who got 100%.  One of them asked me, "What's your secret?"  I explained my studying techniques and the girl next to her gasped and said something to the effect that, "So you have to do flashcards all weekend instead of going out."  Gee, I don't study THAT much.  But I guess I let them down.  There is no easy secret.  It just comes from studying, and that's how you do it.

In my Interpersonal Communication class we watched a film called The Station Agent.  It's about a dwarf and his life experiences and how he befriends some people.  Well after the movie, and in conjunction with an article we had to read, we came to a discussion of hurtful words, and how some commonly used words can be very hurtful to some people.  Among them were retarded and midget.  The word midget has a history in sideshows, which is why it is so hurtful, the correct terms being dwarf or little people.  I included the word ma'am.  I hate that word.  I don't think anyone should ever use it.  It's very hurtful.  But the teacher insisted that some people like to be called ma'am.  She didn't say who, though.  I've never met anyone who likes to be called ma'am.  What do you think?  Is there anyone who likes to be called ma'am?  Anyhoo, at least I tried, and got it out there.

We also talked about "totalizing" others.  This is where you attribute a whole host of characteristics to someone based on only one piece of information about that person, and it's usually negative.  I mentioned that homeless people are "totalized."  As I volunteered at a soup kitchen for four years, I can definitely say that homeless people have to take it from everyone.  People just don't have nice things to say or think about homeless people.  Just because they're homeless doesn't mean they're worthless.  They don't deserve to be treated worse than anyone else.  There are certainly people with homes who present well who are rotten to the core--not only homeless people, and not always homeless people.  Some of them have just had hard lives--lives that most people wouldn't deal well with.  Where's the compassion?  Homeless people are just as dynamic, intelligent, and worthwhile as anyone, just less fortunate.  Okay, I'll get off my soapbox.  Just had to get that out of my system.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Test Week

This past week was test week.  Not formally, but it sure seemed like it.  I had 3 tests out of my four classes.  Spanish, Science, and Interpersonal Communications.  I feel pretty confident about my Spanish And Science tests.  On my last Spanish test I got an A, and on my last Science test I got a B.  I'm hoping for two As this time.  And as for my Interpersonal Communications class, I'm not sure what to expect.  This is the first Interpersonal Communications test that I've taken, and it was all essays.  I'm not sure how the teacher will grade.  But I do hope I get an A, as tests are 50% of the grade.

In my last Science test, the teacher laid it out for us how the students did.  3 As, 5 Bs, 4 Cs, 6 Ds, and 10 Fs.  So while it was possible to get an A on the test, it was very difficult.  The guy next to me got an F.  He told me that if he got another F, he was going to drop the class.  I hope he doesn't get another F.  If he decides to stay, I was going to suggest to him that we study together after class and see if he can bring his grade up.  Who knows, it might help me too.  Science is a tough class.  It's practically like learning a new language as so many of the words and terms are new to me.  There's a lot to understand.  Our last test was on mitosis and meiosis and the male and female reproductive systems, as well as hormonal controls.  Through all this, though, I know I have my readers, and that means a lot to me.  Thank you for reading and for your support. :)