The Business School

Earlier this week I got an e-mail from someone in the application department for Weber State's Business School. Her e-mail said that I still need to apply to the Business School. Now earlier in the semester I went in and talked with Kathy, the Business School Secretary, about what I need to do to get my minor in Business Admin. She told me I needed to register for this online course that consists of a series of applications, essays, and tests. I did that and finished everything way back in February. So here I am thinking everything is great when I get this e-mail. Why on earth did no one tell me I had to fill out another form?

I am sorry, but the Business School's application process is rediculous. When I declared my communication major, all I did was talked to my adviser, tell her what my plan was, she sent me to Virginia and it was done. The Business School makes you write an essay, take a test, fill out all these forms, and that's just to minor. I hate to see what's involved if you are majoring in Business.

If any of you out there are planning on majoring or minoring in business, make sure you start early and ask exactly what you will need to do.

Parenthood

Oh the joys of parenting. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am the Father of two kids. Recently my younger one Kylee, who is almost two, has started copying everything her older brother does. Now this is all well and good except that my son has figured out that she is doing this and so he purposely says things that Mom and Dad don't like him saying. For example....

The other night, while we were eating dinner, my son proceeds to start joking about poop. Well of course Kylee wants in on the fun too so she starts saying it over and over as well. Eventually they could not control their laughter, and mom and dad could not either. It is so hard to be serious with your kids when the things they say and do make you bust a gut. I am convinced that somehow the kids know we are trying not to laugh which in turn encourages them to continue.

Being a parent has taught me a ton! Sometimes I am afraid at what I will learn from them next.

STRESS!

Is it just me, or does the end of a semester seem particularly stressful? I am taking four classes this semester, and in the next two weeks here is what I have to do....

• Write a ten to twelve page paper on a communication theory.
• Write a short three to five page paper for mass communication.
• Create three more blog postings for media writing.
• Take a final exam for mass communication.
• Take a final exam for marketing.
• Write my final news story for media writing.
• Prepare for final quiz in media writing.
• Take final exam for communication theory.
• Do extra credit for media writing (optional, but needed).
  

On top of all of this, I still have to remember that I have a wife who needs my attention, I also have two kids who would love my attention, and I have a job that requires my attention.

Isn't the end of the semester great?

Student Center for Nontraditional Students

I know I have posted a few things about Weber State's nontraditional student center, but today I learned a lot. I met with Debbie Cragun, director for the nontraditional student center, and was pleasantly surprised at what it entails. They offer so many wonderful programs for children. They encourage students with kids to bring them to these activities so the kids can see where mom and dad spend a lot of their time. They offer crafts, activities, bowling, food, day-care, and lots more. Debbie says that she wants students to feel like the nontraditional center is a place where students can come when they don't know who else to talk to. It is located on the third floor of the Union Building and if you are a nontraditional student, I suggest you check it out.

REGISTRATION! AAAAHHHHHH!!!!

Okay, so last Monday I had the wonderful opportunity to register for summer semester. Can I just say for Weber State being more than 50% nontraditional, they sure aren't too accommodating for students who are close to the end of their studies. I still need about 13 classes before I can graduate and of those 13, there were only three offered in the summer. I know summer isn't the most popular time to go to school, but come on, there should still be some options available for those students who do go. Not only were there not many options, but there was nothing offered in the evenings or on-line. Now I have to plead with my boss to let me adjust my work schedule to accommodate the classes that are only offered in the day! What a joke. Only two more semesters, only two more semesters, I just keep telling myself that. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it has been a long tunnel.

Services for Nontrads.

I have been looking further into some of the services and opportunities that are provided to Weber State's nontraditional students...Did you know that there is an actual nontraditional student center?
"The Nontraditional Student Center has a lounge, kitchen, computer lab, study area, and Hourly Childcare Center to help meet the needs of students who are over 25, married/ divorced/widowed, have legal dependents or disabled or a veteran. The center provides free hot drinks daily. Peer mentors are available to help navigate the campus. The mentors plan free events for students to help make the most of their educational experiences at WSU while still balancing family, home, and work."
Is this not awesome? The thing I find the most beneficial is the child-care services that are provided. For three dollars an hour, you can know that your child is safe and well cared for while you attend work, class, or other obligations.
Check out this link for more information!

http://www.weber.edu/nontrad/childcare.html

Happy Birthday to Me!

My birthday was on Thursday, February 25, and how did I spend it you ask? Well, I went to work at 5:00 a.m., came home, ate, finished a couple little homework things, and went to school. Oh the life. I actually had to go to this class too. I guess that's part of being a nontraditional student, sometimes you have to sacrifice. My son, Dallin, gave me a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle T-shirt for my birthday. It was so fun to watch him watch me open the shirt. He got so excited and wants to get one just like it so we can be twins. My wife surprised me with Jazz tickets and so we got to go to the game on Saturday night. They won which was good.

That has been my exciting life this past week. I know this post really doesn't have much to do with being a nontraditional student, but my life is nontraditional. Have a great day!

Funny story:

Yesterday, Sunday, my family and I were heading to my in-laws for dinner. You have to understand that my son is the pickiest eater alive! I am not exaggerating when I say this either. He does not eat anything! Anyway, before we left my son tells me he is going to eat cereal at Grandma's house for dinner. I look at him and say "I don't think so." He turns to me, looks at me with this angry face and says "Dad, I am not talking to you about this." All I could do was laugh. Needless to say, Grandma did end up giving him cereal.

I tell you this story for two reasons. First, it's little experiences like these that make me stop and smile, and appreciate my children. Appreciate them for making me laugh, and for keeping me on my toes. When I feel overwhelmed with work, school, or whatever sometimes the kids are what changes my mood completely.

Second, I am hoping any of you out there may have some ideas of how to help a picky eater stop being so picky. I was watching Dr. Phil the other day (only because he was going to be talking about this very thing), and the only thing he said was "You have to include foods that they will eat along with foods that they don't like." Big help huh? So if there are any great ideas out there from you nontraditional students with kids, please let me know.

So this is my family. This is what makes me a nontraditional student. My beautiful wife has been wonderfully supportive during my educational career. When we got married, I was attending my first year at Weber State with the intention of going into Business. Nearly six years and two kids later, I am still attending Weber, but now my major has changed to Communications. I am currently a senior, and we can actually see the end in sight. It has been a long road, but what a blessing it will be to finally be done.




This is my son Dallin. He is four years old, and attends pre-school. He is one of the most interesting kids in the world, and throughout this blog you will see why. He keeps my wife and I on our toes, and is the reason for much of the laughter in our home.








This is Kylee, she is twenty months old, and pretty much the cutest little girl ever. She has a curious personality, and likes to push our buttons. She is a huge Daddy's girl, and has me wrapped around her little finger. I am positive you will be hearing much more about her throughout this semester.



As I mentioned before, the purpose of this blog is to share a little bit into the life of a nontraditional student. I found some interesting material about Weber State's nontraditional students. Go to this link to check it out!
http://programs.weber.edu/davisnontrad/

Thanks for checking my blog out, and I hope you will find it enjoyable to read throughout this semester. Maybe it will help you see that maybe your life isn't quite as crazy as you think.

Yeah, I did it!

Okay, so it is post one on my blog for the "non" traditional student. My intention for this blog is to share information about and with the nontraditional student. I hope that this information is both insightful and entertaining, and will give others a look at what the nontraditional student calls life. I welcome you, and hope you enjoy.