The main big push of the summer seems to be over. I still have a few handfuls of things to wrap up in preparation of school at the end of the month, but things seem, more or less, on track.
Follow-ups: Let’s crush the standing academic issue up front – I retook that Math placement test, and I did really good. Last time, I wasn’t sure what the score was out of, but had guessed 100 points. I can now confirm that, though it’s not a 100 question test. It’s like 25 maximum, but it might spit you out early depending on what mathematical concepts are covered by the spread of questions you get and how you do on them. It does make me a little more self conscience about the 76 I got on the first test, though it shouldn’t. I knew I was behind and that I’d get a retest, and taking it as a gauge ended up being the right move. Anyway, this time, my score jumped to 98.
Fuck yeah.
Thing is, the placement tests are connected to the course catalogue, where I see big yellow and red warnings about what you can and can’t take, and I’ve still got a big yellow warning on the dang Calculus I class I’m trying to take. But it’s not preventing me from taking it? And the test site says I can take it two more times. But why? The test was exactly the same format as the first, and they even made me turn on my webcam and microphone to record myself and show my whole entire tiny dining room. So why? And I’m pretty sure I get nothing for closing the final two points, so why? Did I qualify or not?WHY!?! I should reach out to my advisor.
Health/Fitness: I am firmly staying under 240, and that’s a huge win for me. I’ve also now made it out to 1.8+ miles of unbroken running in a single go, and I’m starting to think about challenging the rest of that second mile. I think there’s a very good chance that I’ll be over 2 miles by the end of the summer. I hadn’t really considered it truly possible, but I think I might be able to finish a 5k by the end of the year. Wouldn’t that be nice?
I slacked on the rest of the stuff. I mean, I still lifted and did some calisthenics, but not as frequently as I should, and I probably under the current challenge level. But that’s fine, it’s been a little bonkers. I’m mostly happy I got to it at all.
One thing worth mentioning is that in my last heart check-up, my Cardiologist described me and my heart health as being “a normal man”, which was a pretty big deal for me. Really had to muster up my hardened, toxic male traits to choke down some tears over that thought. What are you talking about, I wasn’t going to cry. It was just suddenly really dusty in there.
Anyway, so I’ve had a few times that I wasn’t super vigilant about my fluid and salt intake, so I could eat out with friends of family and not worry them and not, myself, be worried. And I was fine. I think I’m going to keep my intake in check for my regular day-to-day, but I think I’m in better shape than I’ve thought, and can probably ease up on my very infrequent outings. We can count that as a bonus “social” entry.
Academics: Actually, since I mentioned it in the follow-ups, I should probably reach out to my advisor soon even if I didn’t have questions about my Math placement.
Man, that Math push was bonkers. But also… I kinda dug it. It was sort of fun, just trying to make sure I understood the materials and continually trying out if I could apply it. I hope school is like that.
Before starting school, I’d like to take some time to do a sort of preview of the semester’s subjects. It’s Calculus I, which I’ve previously mentioned struggling with, and it’s paired with Physics I and its Lab. There’s also English Comp I, which as long as I don’t slack off, shouldn’t be a problem. Also Intro to Engineering Design, which I’m really excited about. And I need one more.
I guess I don’t need one more, but it’s a pretty packed degree, and I don’t want to fall behind. Also, it seems like the typical first year Engineering student course load is like 15-18 credits per semester, and I’m only at 14. Should it be the Chemistry class that pairs with these? Should it be Programming? so it would be nice to pick something else off of the list. Honestly, I should have really gotten on registering for the classes earlier, but I was so worried I wouldn’t be able to do the math!
But other than making sure I’ve got my school ID, parking pass, register for all my classes, pay for them, and like a zillion other tiny things. So I should get on those.
I should really check in with that advisor, huh?
Next Time: I’ll need to make some progress on my list, though.. I haven’t listed the list here. Well, I have it, so next time I’ll say what I’ve gotten done this week and what’s left to do. And gosh, I’d really love to spend some real time playing a video game or otherwise dicking around. And man, I need to spend some serious time on music practice.
You know, I don’t think I’m going to keep this particular format when school starts up. Maybe I will. I don’t know, it’s actually been pretty useful in keeping myself on rails through this ramp up. But this version of the blog was meant to just last until I had something to talk about other than fixing my busted life, and that time has more or less come. But… I did see a few old posts the other day and it was fascinating to see where I was just like, a year ago. So maybe I’ll keep them, but at a much longer cadence. Like monthly or quarterly. I guess it really depends on what school is going to be like. I’d really love to gin up something a little more visual, but that’s another project that I just don’t have time for.