When I need to think through something and plan, I write things down. I write down lists of what I could decide on, questions I have, things to consider--basically anything remotely related that I think of gets written down. When I was trying to figure out the logistics of my program (and everything that entailed), it was no different.
I even went to visit my advisor. Since I live within driving distance of the campus and she is also within driving distance, I was able to meet with her on campus one day before the start of my program. I had a list of questions that I took in with me. Now, mind you, I had done some research on the program and MLIS programs at other schools before applying at the campus where I now attend. And I was working full-time--as I am now--so I knew I couldn't speed through my program as fast as I would like. When I took my first steps on the campus on my way to her office, I already had a general idea of how I expected my program to go (which I find hilarious because I've drifted somewhat from my original plan).
So here are the questions I asked my advisor on that summer afternoon and her responses:
1. Which of the 200, 202, and 204 classes should I plan to take my first semester if I only plan to take one of them? Take 200. It will fulfill the writing requirement.
2. Is there a limit to the amount of time that a student can take to finish the MLIS degree? 7 years.
3. Regarding internships, are they a mandatory part of the program? If so, can I consider my current position as librarian for internship credit? They are not required. There is a database of internship opportunities. One credit is equal to 45 hours in an internship. There may be weekend internship opportunities. (I don't know if this was before virtual internships, but those work well for those with full-time positions or that won't be able to be on-site due to geography.)
4. Can students exceed the 43 unit requirement for the program? No.
5. In your experience, how often should online students plan to be "online"? Approx. how many times a week do students typically log on? To be successful, plan on logging on every day. Also, be active on the discussion forum!
6. How accelerated are the summer courses? 10 weeks instead of 14 or 15 weeks.
7. Does the schedule of summer courses change from year to year or are there some courses that are always offered at this time? Check the class rotation list.
8. Do the "seminar" classes work any different than the other classes? No, they are done the same.
9. Can students who have earned their MLIS degree from the SJSU program come back and take other courses offered after they graduate? No. (This was before the department began offering the Post Master's Certificate Program.)
Some other advice my advisor gave me was to follow the new student checklist and read it carefully. She suggested becoming organized by using a calendar for important things and logging in frequently. She also mentioned scholarships available through the school and possible grants from ALA. The last piece of advice she gave me was to get involved. Being a distance student is hard (we are so isolated at times it seems), and getting involved in the program or the school in some way can help to build connections. Joining and participating in some of the student organizations--SLISConnect, ALASC (ALA Student Chapter), etc.--would be great experience and are ways to build your resume. I ended up becoming the Student Representative on one of the department's governance committees and got to help with the self-assessment for the program for next year's accreditation!
To all my new students, we all have questions when we first begin. Don't hesitate to ask yours!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
To the New Online Student -- How Do You Do It?
For the new online student, becoming a student in a virtual classroom--while still keeping up life and work obligations--may seem like a huge undertaking. Back when I first started my online program I was worried that I wouldn't be able to handle school on top of everything else I had to do, despite my determination to succeed. For many of us that enter this MLIS program, we aren't coming in fresh off the BA/BS boat; it's been some time since we last were in school, be it a few years or even a few decades. We have jobs that we can't leave for school because, let's admit it, we need that paycheck. We have families that all require time from our day. And sometimes we just need to take a break and spend an hour or two reading, playing another couple rounds of Mario Kart, gardening, crafting, cooking, walking, or whatever else it is that we enjoy. So in our already busy lives, is it even possible to do it all? Today, I can tell you IT CAN BE DONE!
Three big things come to mind when I think of how I made it all work for me: motivation, organization, and scheduling. Motivation is what keeps me going, the drive to check in with my course several times a week (and sometimes at least once a day) and complete all reading and assignments on time. The amount of reading you'll do varies from course to course. Some have a lot of reading--textbook, articles, additional content--and some have less just because of the nature of the course content (such as LIBR 240, where you learn how to code in HTML and CSS). The assignments also vary from class to class. Some classes have several papers or assignments due over the course of the semester. Others have one big project that you work cumulatively on over the entire semester. Finding a way to stay motivated will help you to stay on top of everything you need to do. My motivation is getting my diploma in May of next year (which will open doors and give me more options of where I can take my career from here). Why are you in this program? What do you hope to do after you finish? Answering these questions can help you find a reason to be motivated and do your best.
But motivation isn't all you need. There's a lot to keep track of: deadlines, readings, assignments, lectures, discussions, etc. Online students also would do well to find a way to stay organized. I use my calendar in Outlook to record class lectures and deadlines, and set up reminders so that I don't forget them. Each course gets a binder or manila folder (depending on how much I have to keep track of) where I can put the course syllabus, articles (I'm someone that needs to print them out so I can highlight and write on them), assignment descriptions, and any other notes I may have. I use post-its to mark important sections in my textbooks. If I'm feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work it seems like I have to do for an assignment, I make a to-do list and break it down into smaller tasks; each task I accomplish gets checked off and I'm much less likely to forget something. I log into my course site regularly to make sure that I don't miss important information. It sounds like a lot of work (and it is!), but doing some work each day helps to keep it all under control and prevent you from falling behind. Courses seem to go by really fast, so it's hard to catch up if you fall behind.
Scheduling your time can work really well to make sure you're giving everything (including job and life) enough time and attention. For me, I would schedule time to work on school during my lunch hour, at night when I get home from my job, and on the weekends. Sometimes I find other opportunities to work on school; but even if I don't, I know I have enough time for course work because I've scheduled it in. I also schedule time to do something fun--I need breaks/downtime, too! My scheduling method is really informal (I tend to just note down general times), and others may find that they need to put together a day-by-day calendar where they can fill in exact times for things. This is fine, but keep in mind that things can change; assignment deadlines could be pushed back, readings could be switched around, or unexpected things in life could come up--all of which might affect your schedule. So schedule away, but be flexible.
There is a learning period when jumping into an online program. You're not necessarily going to get everything perfectly balanced when you first start. Find your groove, be as organized as you need to be, build a schedule that works for you, and stay motivated!
Three big things come to mind when I think of how I made it all work for me: motivation, organization, and scheduling. Motivation is what keeps me going, the drive to check in with my course several times a week (and sometimes at least once a day) and complete all reading and assignments on time. The amount of reading you'll do varies from course to course. Some have a lot of reading--textbook, articles, additional content--and some have less just because of the nature of the course content (such as LIBR 240, where you learn how to code in HTML and CSS). The assignments also vary from class to class. Some classes have several papers or assignments due over the course of the semester. Others have one big project that you work cumulatively on over the entire semester. Finding a way to stay motivated will help you to stay on top of everything you need to do. My motivation is getting my diploma in May of next year (which will open doors and give me more options of where I can take my career from here). Why are you in this program? What do you hope to do after you finish? Answering these questions can help you find a reason to be motivated and do your best.
But motivation isn't all you need. There's a lot to keep track of: deadlines, readings, assignments, lectures, discussions, etc. Online students also would do well to find a way to stay organized. I use my calendar in Outlook to record class lectures and deadlines, and set up reminders so that I don't forget them. Each course gets a binder or manila folder (depending on how much I have to keep track of) where I can put the course syllabus, articles (I'm someone that needs to print them out so I can highlight and write on them), assignment descriptions, and any other notes I may have. I use post-its to mark important sections in my textbooks. If I'm feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work it seems like I have to do for an assignment, I make a to-do list and break it down into smaller tasks; each task I accomplish gets checked off and I'm much less likely to forget something. I log into my course site regularly to make sure that I don't miss important information. It sounds like a lot of work (and it is!), but doing some work each day helps to keep it all under control and prevent you from falling behind. Courses seem to go by really fast, so it's hard to catch up if you fall behind.
Scheduling your time can work really well to make sure you're giving everything (including job and life) enough time and attention. For me, I would schedule time to work on school during my lunch hour, at night when I get home from my job, and on the weekends. Sometimes I find other opportunities to work on school; but even if I don't, I know I have enough time for course work because I've scheduled it in. I also schedule time to do something fun--I need breaks/downtime, too! My scheduling method is really informal (I tend to just note down general times), and others may find that they need to put together a day-by-day calendar where they can fill in exact times for things. This is fine, but keep in mind that things can change; assignment deadlines could be pushed back, readings could be switched around, or unexpected things in life could come up--all of which might affect your schedule. So schedule away, but be flexible.
There is a learning period when jumping into an online program. You're not necessarily going to get everything perfectly balanced when you first start. Find your groove, be as organized as you need to be, build a schedule that works for you, and stay motivated!
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Pork Tenderloin With Apricot Jam
I love apricot jam. It is the one jam that I always have in my fridge. I don't even need to make anything to eat with it; just a small piece of sliced bread from the bag is enough for me. My mom makes the best homemade apricot jam, and I just got two jars from her over the weekend. I had a pork tenderloin that I had been meaning to cook, and what could go better with pork than apricot jam? Okay, you may have another preference, but I like combining sweet substances with pork (for example, bacon tastes outstanding with maple syrup).
So here is a recipe for making a pork tenderloin with apricot jam. And even better, it's for a slow cooker.
What you'll need:
1 pork tenderloin, about 2 lbs. (can be frozen)
2 c. baby carrots
1 med. red onion, thinly sliced
1 c. chicken stock
1 jar apricot preserves*
2 Tbs. Dijon mustard
1 large spring of fresh thyme
Salt and pepper
What you'll need to do:
1. Place the onions and carrots into the bottom of a slow cooker (not sure how big it needs to be, but mine is at least 4 quarts).
2. Season the pork loin with salt and pepper and place on top of the carrots and onions. If using a frozen pork loin that's on the large size, you may have to partially thaw it in order to fit it into the slow cooker.
3. Mix the chicken stock, apricot preserves, and Dijon mustard together. Pour over the pork loin and add the sprig of thyme.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. If using a frozen or partially frozen pork loin, increase cooking time by 1-2 hours.
*There are jars of different sizes out there, so find one that is at least 12-14 oz. Otherwise, you'll not be able to taste much apricot.
You may need to add more salt and pepper to the dish before eating it. I found that I needed more than what I seasoned my pork loin with; I got a mostly sweet flavor, rather than a balance between sweet and salty that I prefer. You can serve this with rice (my preference) or potatoes. Or just use a couple thick slabs of bread to soak up the sauce!
So here is a recipe for making a pork tenderloin with apricot jam. And even better, it's for a slow cooker.
What you'll need:
1 pork tenderloin, about 2 lbs. (can be frozen)
2 c. baby carrots
1 med. red onion, thinly sliced
1 c. chicken stock
1 jar apricot preserves*
2 Tbs. Dijon mustard
1 large spring of fresh thyme
Salt and pepper
What you'll need to do:
1. Place the onions and carrots into the bottom of a slow cooker (not sure how big it needs to be, but mine is at least 4 quarts).
2. Season the pork loin with salt and pepper and place on top of the carrots and onions. If using a frozen pork loin that's on the large size, you may have to partially thaw it in order to fit it into the slow cooker.
3. Mix the chicken stock, apricot preserves, and Dijon mustard together. Pour over the pork loin and add the sprig of thyme.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. If using a frozen or partially frozen pork loin, increase cooking time by 1-2 hours.
*There are jars of different sizes out there, so find one that is at least 12-14 oz. Otherwise, you'll not be able to taste much apricot.
You may need to add more salt and pepper to the dish before eating it. I found that I needed more than what I seasoned my pork loin with; I got a mostly sweet flavor, rather than a balance between sweet and salty that I prefer. You can serve this with rice (my preference) or potatoes. Or just use a couple thick slabs of bread to soak up the sauce!
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