Staying Motivated for Finals

I've been doing this for 3 years now: 6 semesters and 2 terms.

Unlike previous semesters, I have been crawling to the finish line this year. (Senioritis.) Seriously, yesterday I told myself that I did NOT care AT ALL about my finals.

Well, I found a good (but of course, not the BEST) motivator: money. Even though I have been accepted into pharmacy school, I still need a scholarship for spring term next year. That's an extra $1,200. It'd be nice to get that through an academic scholarship, so I can still save for pharmacy school.

What does my GPA need to be to get a Spring scholarship? 3.77

My GPA is 3.79 right now.

How much does one semester (mine right now is 16 credits) change that GPA? Well, including this semester, I will have 110 credits. So, 16 credits of 110 is about 14.5% of that. Based on the weight of this semester's GPA, I need to get at least a 3.65 this semester to qualify for a full-tuition spring scholarship.
Calculation: 3.79 (Cumulative GPA) x 0.8545 (Weight of Cumulative GPA) + A x 0.14545 (Weight of this semester's GPA) = 3.77
A=3.65

(Just in case finals go terribly wrong, I would need to get a 2.49 to get a half-tuition scholarship. A 2.49 would be B- in all of my classes. In this case, next semester I would need to earn an extra $600 to pay for spring classes).

Okay, so then I calculate the likelihood of the grades in my classes. There's a lot more to this, but here are some tips...
(1) Guess you are going to do either the same as you did on your midterms or worse on the final. I'm sorry, this is probably discouraging, but it's realistic. Trust me, I even studied 18 hours for a Chem final my freshman year and this theory still held true.
(2) Don't forget to add in predicted scores for other assignments. Don't give yourself 100% on these assignments, even if they're easy points. Usually I take off at least 2 points, because hey, I'm not perfect. Plus it covers picky TAs and/or teachers.

With all of these calculations, here's what I have...
For an A in Com Nut, I need to get a 91% on the final. This is what I got on the midterm, so it's doable. I studied approx. 5-6 hours for it. I'll probably study 6-7 hours.
For an A in Biochem, I need to get an 88.5% on the final. I did better than this on most midterms, so it's doable. I usually study about 9 hours for each Biochem test, so I'll study about that much for the final.
For an A- in Nut Biochem, I need to get an 88.5% on the final. This one could be trickier because I'm not as familiar with the material (I missed classes for interviews and work). I'm going to need to study about 10-12 hours for this one.
For an A- in Physics, I need to get at least a 77% on the final. This could be really difficult or really easy, since the final is entirely conceptual. I tend to do better on the math problems, not conceptual. This is my least priority class because it's not required for Regis University or my major. Haha.
For a B+ in Philosophy, I need to get an 88% on the final. Likelihood? Medium. I would need to study quite a bit though. About 10 hours.

Then to plan finals week, I am going to prioritize the finals that are scheduled and/or require the most studying. Because by the end of the week, I do not want to be studying 12 hours for one test.

And this is how I do finals.

People say I'm smart. I always tell them it's because I can plan well. This is an example of my planning.

And now, I am a lot more motivated to study for finals because (a) I know it will make my future financially easier, (b) the hours of studying are doable and (c) there's room for error.

Thanksgiving Break Goals

I would like to set some goals on this Thanksgiving break: (UPDATED. If crossed out, DONE.)

•  Catch up in Biochem. That means study the class notes. Do the reading. Answer the hw problems I had. Correct my test. Study for upcoming test. 7 hours. (Update: 2.5/7 hrs)
•  Catch up in Physics. Do the HW. Do the reading. I'd say about 5 hours. (4.3/5 hours)
•  Nutritional Biochem. Catch up on reading. Prep for quizzes. Look over class notes. 4 hours. (2.75/4). Still have some catching up to do. 
•  Philosophy. Catch up on reading. Send Dallin notes. 3 hours. (1.5/3). Only have half a chapter left. 
•  Run everyday for an hour and text Jordan.  
•  Finish my U of U application (and possibly WSU). 2 hours. Only needed one. 
•  Have a great time in SLC with Chantelle on Thurs!
•  Work. 14 hours. (13.25/14).  :) Rounding up. 
•  Chores at home. Laundry & clean room & clean dishes & get groceries. 3 hours. (2/3)
•  Write in blog. This totally counts. 
•  Write my two best friends: Helena and Eleise.
•  Watch a movie.
• Plan out gifts! 

Goals for this week:

• Biochem. Answer the HW problems I had. Correct test. Study for upcoming test. Group study. (10 hours)
• Nutritional Biochem. Prep for quizzes (finish reading). Look over class notes. Talk to Dr. Parker. (4 hours)
• Philosophy. Finish reading. (1 hour)
• Community Nutrition. Email about not being in class on Thurs. Analyze the survey data. Do a demonstration. Finish write-up. (6 hours)
• Physics. Talk to professor about missing class. Talk to TA to get class notes. Study with Steph. Study for test. (10 hours)
• Visit sisters! 
• Write two best friends. 

Working through College

Walking down the stairs out of church today, I had a lot on my mind. There were people I needed to talk to, assignments to complete, and finances to sort out.

While I was filling out my tithing slip, I stopped to listen to what was happening. All around me there were people standing around chatting and laughing with each other. It was one of those moments were I just wanted to pause time and enjoy their happiness. I felt like I was part of something that truly makes me happy, because I am surrounded by people with the inclination of natural affection. 

Moments like this happen everyday and I have been meaning to pour my words and thoughts onto this blog. Many little distractions have gotten in my way, but alas, I found the time. 

I have spent much time reflecting on my experiences these last three years in Provo. Tonight I want to focus on the unique job opportunities that have come my way. 

First, student caller and leadership member at the Telefund. 

This is a picture of my friend Collin and I during a photoshoot at the Telefund. This place was a miracle of a job! I learned so much about myself here. I learned how to connect with people from all different backgrounds--on the phones and also on the calling floor. This job strengthened my testimony of charity and Jesus Christ. I love this place still! 

Second job, prostate cancer research assistant. 

This job has been extremely difficult, yet rewarding. I have learned problem solving skills and leadership ability. My research professor has been a great example of mercy and wisdom. Who ever thought that I would be researching cancer as an undergraduate student?

Third job, river rafting guide. 

Thanks to my friend Dani Brading, I met the Hazard family. They are amazing! I worked for them on the Provo river and got my captain's license. The second picture is the Westwater trip we did in September on the Colorado. I got to meet people that love the outdoors as much as I do, and they taught me to continue this passion throughout my life. And to be proactive about it. 

Now, I have been offered a job at Sundance, a local ski resort as a retail specialist!

When I interviewed for this job, it was awesome! I felt like I wasn't trying to fit the job, I was seeing if the job fit me. The people were so sweet. It was really a miracle! How I will focus on my school work next semester, well...that's another issue. But, I feel extremely lucky to have this resort so close to my apartment. 

If you would have told me 3 years ago, as a senior in high school that I would be a student leadership member at a call center, a cancer research assistant, a rafting guide, and a ski resort worker, I would have laughed in your face and called you crazy. It's really funny how life turns out like that. Especially because these places have offered me happiness I never imagined for myself. God works in mysterious ways.