Journal Entry

Friday, October 6, 2000

It's been a particularly busy week with another exam in EMT on Monday, a load of Computer Science exercises and projects (due Tuesday and Thursday, respectively), a rather large essay due in the Writing Seminar on Wednesday, and two full-length afternoon labs in EMT (Wednesday) and Chem (Thursday). Don't forget the homework, lab report, and prelab writeup due as well.

But here I am on the brink of Friday. It's really not even a Friday--it's just a half of one. Our break (called Fall Break here, but really only an overglorified interpretation of having Monday and Tuesday off) begins early afternoon on Friday. My late-afternoon Math/Engineering section has been canceled. Also, won't need to work on Sunday.

I received my Chem prelim back in lab--they did add the 4 points for a 2nd correct answer I seem to have found in a balanced equation. Although in an advanced class, we would be expected to also balance the electrons in such a redox reaction, as basic engineering students there's no way we can be expected to know such things.

I also got my Math prelim score this week. I received an 82/100. The class average was 70/100, and standard deviation (for Andrew and other stats folk) was 12. Meaning, I should be above the "A" line. The average is usually between a B- and a B.

Grades are a little different here, as no letter grades are assigned to exams or projects. Instead, the point total for the semester is compared against the average of the entire course. Usually a class curve of 25/40/25/10% (A/B/C/D) is applied. It differs between departments. Most courses, however, ensure that a 90+% in point total assures an "A," regardless if greater than 25% of the class receive that high of a point total.

If the above paragraph made little or no sense, I apologize. Basically, I won't know my grades until the end of the semester. Check back then for an update :-)

So, this weekend gives me a little bit of a breather. I have been mulling over the idea of doing some form of EMT/EMS things if I got bored, but problems with medical history clearance have surfaced. Apparently, just being a freshman isn't enough (Freshman *must* have current physicals and disease screenings to enroll).

Enjoy the Snapfish pictures! Posted to the "Pics" section.

Until this weekend,

Aaron