So much has happened to bring me here! I spent the holidays last December on a furiously paced, two-week study session for the GRE, a test required for anyone applying to grad school. I haven’t taken a standardized test since 1985 so there was a bit of culture shock involved. Everything seems different. First, all test-taking is done on a computer which was new to me. I kinda miss trekking into the test with a couple of #2 pencils and a little pencil sharpener (in case of all systems failure). Second, and most disturbing, is that one must answer each question in order; there is no preceding to the next question until a response is submitted. This meant that my age old testing technique of answering those I know up front, gauging my time and plodding back through the rest of the questions wasn’t a relevant approach to standardized tests anymore. I’d spent my youth perfecting this strategy so I was a bit aghast to have to relearn test taking. It all worked out in the end, and I’m a better-rounded 21st century student now (ha!). In other words, I’m glad that it’s over.

Currently, I’m on spring break and celebrating a 3.77 cumulative gpa. Winter quarter I took Managing Organizational Performance at the Evans School (a required class for the MPA) and Statistics at South Seattle Community College. Next week I start Health and Human Rights, a course shared between International Studies and the Law School at the UW. I will apply this to the International Development Certificate I hope to earn. I will also begin Microeconomics at South Seattle Community College, a preparatory MPA class (along with Statistics) I vowed to take on my Grad School application.

I’m playing with the idea of concurrently earning a Master of Public Health (MPH) along with the MPA. This would add one-year to my studies but greatly strengthen my academic arsenal. As I will be 46 upon graduation, it seems prudent to make myself as capable and skilled as possible. We’ll see how this pans out.

Well, I’m off to finish my last weekend as a civilian before the new quarter starts up. Hope y’all are enjoying this beautiful spring day… I’m gonna do my taxes! Woohoo!

Best,
Tracy

I’ve been meaning to write a TracyGoes2Skool blog/update but there always seems to be homework needing to be done. Alas, today is the day to touch base with you, my wonderful friends and family, who have helped me get here.

Midterm has come and gone and I have cozied into the role as student. People ask me how my studies are going and I always reply, “Fantastic! Truly, education is wasted on the young.” Never have I been so fascinated with my subjects, involved in my readings or dedicated to my homework. I sit front and center each class, attentive and bold with my questions. Not only do I love being in school; I’m in love with school. Everything about it feels right, like when your body is hungry for vitamin C and you take that first slog of orange juice. I crave learning unlike any time in my past; it’s possible my enthusiasm is down-right irritating to be around.

I haven’t hit too many bumps as far as the “returning student” thing goes. I forgot to print my first homework assignment (didn’t have to do that with typewriters!), but I’ve remembered to turn off my phone before each class (another marvel) and enjoy the constant emails from my professors (easier than office hours). Speaking of which, one big change I’ve noticed is emailed reminders of assignments being due; that seems a bit overboard to me, especially when we’ve already been given a syllabus. We, as students, also organize team projects on GoogleDocs which is so much easier than the scraps of paper I remember. I can’t wait to take a jet-pack to my next class.

It’s true that I’m reading at a much slower pace. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m taking the time to comprehend more astutely or simply that the gears have slowed down a bit. Probably a combination between the two. Regardless, I now must schedule definite time to complete my readings. I don’t know how I got by without doing that the first time.

The class schedule has been released for next quarter. I know I’m in the right department because every course strikes me as fascinating. If you ever get a chance, check out the wonderful classes at the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington website. Also check out their events calendar; there is a constant schedule of speakers and symposiums. For instance, today are two free lectures, “State Department: A Life in Foreign Service” with Senior foreign diplomat, Ruth A. Kurzbauer and “Washington Budget & Policy Center,” discussing the post-graduate fellowship program working in influential state policy organizations. Nothing says heaven like free lectures!

Anyways, I’m off to class.

Much love.

Tracy Thompson