I say after finishing finals every semester, but I can’t believe the semester is actually over.  Gone are the days of developmental bio, plant bio, physics I, biotech I and IV, advanced stats, and bio seminar.  It’s hard to believe it’s all over.

I can say with confidence that I’ve learned a lot of really important, life-long skills this semester.  From biology seminar, I learned how to properly dissect a primary research paper.  I put in a ton of hours working on the two papers we spent half of the semester on.  There were times that I thought I’d never get the hang of it, but eventually, I did.  I now have the skills that are required to tackle any major primary scientific research paper, which is a skill that I will use for the rest of my career in biology.  From developmental biology, I became a lot better at understanding molecular biology; I’m still not a “molec pro,” but I feel much more competent while talking about things like transcription factors.  Biotech I and IV and plant bio increased my knowledge of lab-based research, and physics and advanced stats reminded me that, though I don’t like to admit it, math and numbers are a major, important component of biology and biological research.

All in all, I had a good semester.  There were definitely days of “I can’t do this” and “Why did I ever choose this major?”, but overall, I feel like this semester has helped me to think about applying what I’ve learned thus far in my major to everyday life in research and biology.

It’s weird to think that the semester’s over.  But hey, I have a lot of rest to catch up on over Christmas break.  Because when we return, it will be time for classes that are just as challenging – if not more challenging – than this past semester’s classes.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Everyone!!

To date, I think I’ve highlighted each class that I’m currently taking , excepting advanced statistics.  For a third-year biology major like me, it is sort of strange to be in advanced statistics, which is a 300-level math class.  Dr. Newton is helpful and fun, and I’ve made some friends in the class, but it’s still strange to be among a group of people who’ve all taken calculus 3 and “diff-e-q” (whatever that is) and a bunch of other math classes with fancy names.

But last week was, for me, probably one of the most interesting weeks I’ve had in that class.  You see, we use a computer-based program called Minitab on which we run statistical analyses.  Last week – yes, just one week before the end of the semester – I realized that the statistician’s term “reponse” parallels the biologist’s term “dependent variable” and that the statistician’s “predictor” is the same as the biologist’s “independent variable.”  I had been reading along and comprehending the material all semester long while we were doing problems about the diets of “gummy ewes” and various types of beets in Australia, but it never really clicked until last week.  Well, better late than never right?!

Though I probably won’t use Minitab or some of the math-based skills I learned from advanced statistics, I think it was still worth taking this class.  I was exposed to the methods that statisticians will use to analyze my future research-based data, and I made some friends along the way. 

You say “toe-may-toe,” I say “toe-maah-toe.”  You say “reponse,” I say “dependent variable.”  It’s really all the same in the end.

What has seemed like the longest, most difficult semester of my life…is finally coming to an end! As my final day of Thanksgiving break is beginning, I am realizing that once I get back I only have two weeks left! That’s just crazy! Although two weeks is a short time, I do have a lot to get done within that time, so I can’t be blinded by how close winter break is, I need to plow through the rest of the work and not just quit! Even knowing the amount of work these next two weeks are going to be, I still find it hard not to be excited. After I finish my final exam on Thursday December 6th, I will have five weeks of no classes! I’m sure after about two weeks it will begin to feel too long, but five weeks off sounds great right about now!

Winter break is so close! … Yet so far…

It’s hard to believe the semester is almost over, but it is undeniably coming to an end. And while I enjoy not having classes and homework, I have to say that I miss being at Fontbonne during breaks! Because, honestly, academics is only one part of Fontbonne. I would have to admit that it is the most important part, but regardless – there is so much more.

Whether you play a sport, are involved in a club, or just like being social, Fontbonne has a lot to offer. While we may not have the same caliber of activities or events as other larger schools, our Activities Board tries hard to produce things that students will enjoy. Watching basketball games, serving in the community, going bowling with friends – no matter how you choose to get involved at Fontbonne, it is worth your while if you make the effort!

It’s official – after a two-day-before-Thanksgiving “week” of school, we have six days until the end of the semester. As usual, things are getting pretty hectic around campus.

That’s why I was so excited to be able to go bowling with a close friend and fellow blogger, Sean. Last night, Fontbonne sponsored a bowling night at Tropicana Lanes (which is located in, well, I think it’s still considered to be Clayton…). Anyway, Sean and I had a great time. I’m not very good at bowling, and he didn’t necessarily bowl a perfect game, either. But it was just fun to go out, eat some pizza, spend some time with friends, and knock some pins down. It was really quite therapeutic in a strange way (especially when I thought of the pins as all of the homework assignments that I still need to complete before the semester ends).

All in all, I’m so happy that I was able to go bowling. But after seeing my scores, I think I’d better just stick with biology.

~ Taking a Much-Needed Break from Bowling ~

These past weeks have been quite stressful on me. I could let things get to me, be upset, or have a mental breakdown. OR I can make myself to-do lists, and I can have the mindset of I CAN DO THIS. Once you tell yourself you can’t do something, then you won’t. It is not hard to back away and be a coward. It is hard to stand up, say you can do something, and study your butt off to meet the grades that you need. This thinking really applies to my life right now. I would love to just go off and hide in a corner and not do anything, but that is not possible. There is only a little over a week left in this school year, and it is time to finish what I have started. Until then, I will be studying, doing what is right, and counting down the hours until summer. Only 229 left! (I think… I was never good at math.)

I made it. I can (almost) officially say that I survived a full year of Organic Chemistry Lab. I didn’t catch anything on fire, make anything explode, break anything expensive, or have to use the safety shower (Although I came pretty close to using the safety shower after spilling acid on my leg. Instead I had to sit on the counter with my legs in the sink.). This, and the fact that tonight was my last official lab of the school year, is a cause for celebration. Actually, the fact that the official countdown I have on the dry-erase board in my room says “13 days” (when really it should be 11 school days, counting today (I think I’ve left it at thirteen days simply because the fact that seeing that number and knowing that it’s wrong makes me feel super optimistic)) until summer break is a reason to celebrate. So. Without further delay, here’s my list of the Best of the 2011-2012 School Year.

The Best of the 2011-2012 School Year:

1. Best Class: Oooh, this is going to have to be a tie between Organic Chem and Food Science.
2. Best and Proudest Accomplishment: Training in the freezing cold winter for my first half marathon (I’m already registered for my next…super excited!) and crossing the finish line months later.
3. Best Decision I Made: Deciding to add a minor in Chemistry at the end of first semester, and then, just a few weeks ago during registration, deciding to add another minor in Biology (because honestly, the bio department has some of the nicest, hardest working students I know of here. And also, being able to say, “I’m a double minor” sounds kind of awesome.)
4. Best Secret Talents that I developed that I Never Knew I Possessed: Making really bad science jokes and creating unique peanut butter sandwich combinations (see #6).
5. Best Professor: Hmmm…I’m going to have to go with Dr. Smith on this one.
6. Best Way to Fuel Up Before a 4.5 Hour Chemistry Lab: An apple and organic peanut butter sandwich (Because I’d rather not degrade my peanut butter by using high-fructose corn syrup-containing jelly on my sandwiches. Yuck.).
7. Best Way to Recover after a 4.5 Hour Chemistry Lab (Because Let’s Face It, By Then You’re Ravenous): A bowl of organic granola topped with organic skim milk and fresh fruit (Yes, I am a dietetics major, thank you.)
8. Best Must-Have Accessory: Cool glasses.
9. Best Memory: Going for runs on my weekends at home in the crisp autumn air, taking in the perfectly blue sky and fall foliage with the gorgeous songs from the Best Album stuck in my head.
10. Best Album (Which I Will Forever Associate With My Sophomore Year): M83’s “Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming”

Of course, there were several bad moments, too. I’ve never experienced more school-related stress than what I endured last semester. I nearly made myself sick over my first chemistry test, and I called home crying at least once a week during first semester because I had so much homework to do. Plus, trying to come up with meals for myself to eat when all I have in my room is a microwave and a fridge is no easy task (I like to know exactly what I’m eating by preparing it myself. You don’t exactly get that in the cafeteria. It’s a bit too shady for somebody as obsessed with healthy eating as me.).

All in all, it’s been quite the (for lack of a better word) interesting year. I’ve met some people I never talked to before. I’ve done some things that most normal people wouldn’t do (see #2 and #3). I think I’ve come to learn a lot about who I am now and who it is I hope to be someday. While my ideas for what I want to do with my life are still expanding, I’m totally stoked for whatever it is I ultimately decide to do. And with the end of this school year slowly coming, I think it’s safe to say that I’ve finally found myself on the path to doing some pretty awesome stuff!

Well, on that note, I suppose I better get started on my homework.

Have a great weekend everyone!

-Carly

“Midnight City” by M83

Well, we all knew it was coming! The semester is ending! Finals are here and people are leaving. This will be the last blog for the year so I hope you enjoyed it, and I look forward to seeing you next semester. I hope your holidays are filled with shopping, happiness, and family. Merry Christmas! See you in January, with new classes and stress in tow!

First off, I am just shocked by how fast this first semester has flown by. And it’s been a great one. There were some things I wished I could have been involved with, but maybe next semester will pay up for that

There were also many things that I’ve learned and enjoyed. In my classes, I learned about mythology, design, art history, and drawing. I’m already an artsy person but I increased my skills and intellect. For events, I think the International Bazaar was the best. Or the Balloon Race before that. The Shalom House volunteer event was pretty inspiring, too. Oh, I loved the Adoption Panel as well. Basically, I’m just SO so so happy to have been involved!

So, I wish everyone a great and merry winter break! Keep yourselves warm and cozy, play snowball fights, and stuff up on food!

Happy Holidays

I can’t believe it. I have a to-do list hanging above my desk, and as I continue to cross items off of it slowly but surely, I become more and more aware of the fact that these are the last few assignments I have to do for the semester. After that, I’m finished with turning stuff in, and all I have to do is take my finals. And of course, these last, what, ten days?, are going to by far be the worst. Trying to motivate myself to do anything productive after being home for break is proving to be pretty hard, and trying to stay awake in organic lecture is even harder still (that’s the earliest morning class I have this semester, and it always makes me so sleepy).

I wish I had something more enlightening to say, but, as my homework is not going to do itself (unfortunately), I better get back to work…*Sigh*

Good luck during this last full week of classes!

-Carly

“Raw Spectacle” by Miracle Fortress (I seriously need to stop listening to this song…)