Pictures of Teacher Cadet!

Here are some other pictures of my classroom and me! Hope you enjoy. They were the best kids and I couldn't have asked for a better experience.

Teaching

As a student, it is easy to see myself in this classroom setting forever. I love it. Like I said in my last post, I love learning and I wish I could continue to learn all of my life. Which, in essence, I will. Ever since I was five years old, I have wanted to be a teacher. Truth be told, I used to sit in my bedroom and pretend that my cats were my students. I would literally take the pencil and put it in their paws and help them write. I would also make my own handouts and pretend to give them tests. Once I began to grow up, my sister and I still used to play school all the time with each other, friends, our barbies, etc. I was a fast learner and I also developed a photographic memory, which helps! Once high school hit, I fell even more deeply in love with school. Not just school however, but Spanish. I loved being able to choose the classes that I wanted to take. I loved being able to enjoy the freedom of being a high school student. I made great friends, I fell in love with a boy for the first time (yikes!), and I learned to love the idea of becoming a teacher. This idea is my motivation key in getting through college. I want to be a teacher. I want to be a Spanish teacher. And I know I will be able to fulfill this dream.

       When I was a senior in high school, I got to take a class called Teacher Cadet. I would go over to Clarkston Elementary everyday after I was finished with my classes, and teach 2nd grade. It was such an intense year. I had to write lesson plans, make up tests, design projects. Most importantly though, I had to teach. I was in charge, the authority figure, the mentor to these kids. It was such a blessing to me. For a lot of the other students who took this class, it was a curse. They hated it and did not want to be teachers anymore. Yet, I wanted it even more.

Here is a picture of me teaching my 2nd grade classroom!

      A few weeks ago, I turned in my teaching application to the University. I was nervous, but I was more excited. I find out in November if I made it in or not! Next post, I will tell all why I love Spanish and how I fell in love with a new language and culture! Until then, adios!

Studying

     Since this blog does have a lot to do with my entire "life of a college student," I thought this would be a good time to post about studying. Family and health are my first two priorities. However, school is right up there. The difference between me and other people may be that I LOVE school. I love the idea of learning new things every day and being able to apply this to the outside world. I have always enjoyed school. When I was five years old, I knew wanted to be a teacher. I loved the idea of having my own students and classroom. Since most of you have probably read my other posts, it may seem I do not have that much free time. It's true, I don't really. But studying is a necessity in college. When I study, I lock myself in my room. I do not watch TV or listen to music. I reread aloud, over and over again, what I am trying to learn or relearn. This semester, I am worried about studying because I feel like I do not have time to, but that is wrong. I think I am starting to just feel overly exhausted. I cannot seem to find that motivation factor that has always been the thing to push me the most.

     Next week, I have two papers due, two quizzes, and one test. For some odd coincidence, ALL of my classes seem to follow the same schedule with due dates. It may seem a little hectic. Yet, I balance out these things. I have already finished my papers, and I have already begun to study for everything. I have learned that if people give themselves enough time to prepare (aka, DO NOT PROCRASTINATE), they can get everything they want finished. I normally do not like group work. Yet when it comes to studying, I actually enjoy working in groups and getting everyone else's feedback of what they think we need to know for the test. I make up my own study guides. I am a dork, and I know it. Yet, I think that is why I still maintain a 4.0 GPA. So, no more complaining on my part. For people who may want to get together for group reading or anything for this class, let me know. I would love to!

    I consider myself a book worm. Next time, I am going to go into detail about why I want to teach and what I want to teach. Have a nice day.

Disadvantages of working while going to school!

So I finally finished my cons list. It actually is not all that bad. Read for yourself!

• Time: Now that I work about 15 hours a week, I barely have free time to hang out with family or friends. I work Tuesdays and Thursdays, and one weekend day. I work until close, which is about 9:30 P.M. So I come home, eat dinner, and go to bed. I do not normally do homework on these nights. That leaves the weekends and Mondays and Wednesdays to do homework. It seems like a lot, but it is not. I never have time to do things on my own, or to relieve stress.
• Social: Like I said, I do not have a lot of time to hang out with friends. My boyfriend and a lot of my best friends go to Central University in Mount Pleasant. I used to be able to go up for a whole weekend, every two or three weeks. Now, I have no time to go because I am either working or studying. It has been a big burden on me because I love spending time with the people I love.
• Slow: Weekdays at work are so slow. No one shops on weekdays so I am given "projects" to do. These projects are not fun at all.
• Food: I no longer get to enjoy a family dinner every night like I used to. My family and I would always cook together and sit down every night to eat together. It is not like that anymore. I miss these things.
• Money: Although the money is great, I always want to spend it! That is not so great. Wherever I am, shopping or at the grocery, I always feel like taking out my debit card and signing my savings away! That's when I have to think SPAIN, SPAIN, SPAIN.
• Stress: I feel I am always busy and am always stressed about getting to work on time, doing homework, studying for a test. I am trying to balance it all out.

Now that you have all seen some of the advantages and disadvantages, I am wondering what you all think. Please comment on how you all feel, whether you are working or not. Personally, I am not sure if a job while going to school is really worth it. I know I can pay for Spain without doing this, but I think having a job helps me balance and only try harder... What are your opinions?
P.S. I found an interesting article on other peoples opinions on working while in college. Click on the link and let me know if you agree/disagree. Thanks :)

Michigan Football

I am still working on my disadvantages post. I am working my first weekend night today and I know it will be full of surprises. Since I am not working until tonight, I am able to watch the Michigan football game. I am a HUGE Michigan fan. One of the biggest probably. Just wanted to say GO BLUE!

Advantages of Working while Attending School...

     Recently, I acquired an after school job. I got this job because I am studying abroad to Spain next summer for three months and again, it is very costly. I have never had a job while going to school and I knew it was going to be challenging. Even after the first two weeks of work, I have learned of several advantages of work.

• Money. Money is needed for just about everything right now. I have my whole school paid for so it is nice to not have to spend money on tuition. I can just save, save, save!! I can also just swipe my debit card whenever it is needed (which some people may look at as good and bad).
• Coworkers. I have met several very friendly people. About six of us work at the same time, either greeting customers or making sure the clothes around the store look nice and clean. I have already gotten to know two of them really well. I plan on getting to know all of them very well. I love meeting new people and making friends.
• Bored. I can no longer ever say that I am bored. I work Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. I work eight hour shifts at a time. The rest of the time I am doing homework or hanging out with my friends or family. I can no longer complain about having nothing to do.
• Discount. I obtain a 15% discount at the store. I can buy clothes and get everything discounted! It is nice because I needed new clothes for school. I get it a lot cheaper than most people.
• Organized. Having a job helps guide me to be even more organized. I have to make sure I have all of my homework and studying done before I go to work.

     These are several advantages of working while going to school. I am still working on my disadvantages list. The pros and cons are definitely not equal.You'll see what I mean in my next post. Until next time, have a good weekend! If you're bored and want to shop, come see my at Papaya at Great Lakes Crossing Mall!

P.S. Great Lakes Crossing is a great mall. There are tons of things to do. Click on the link to the website! You can see all of the shops, restaurants,directions, etc!

Introduction to my College Lifestyle

    I am a junior at the University of Michigan-Flint. I am a Spanish Education major and have fallen in love with this other language. I visited Spain when I was a senior in high school and that was a deal-breaker for me. I knew I wanted to continue my education learning Spanish. I have also always wanted to be a teacher. Looks like I have my life set then right? Well, sort of. I obviously plan to get married someday and start a family. As for right now, however; this is where my life is headed. I used to live on campus in the residential hall. IT IS NOT A DORM. I was told this very many times when living there... clearly there is a difference (not!). I had a great experience there, but my last semester, I was unfortunately not getting along with my roommate's. So I moved back home. This is where I start my journey today. My family is great. I live with my parents, John and Karan Byrd. They have been married for almost 30 years now. My older sister Amanda will be graduating from college this semester. She is on a scholarship to play volleyball at a school in New York! I am now considered a commuter. Let me tell you, it is hard. I have never had my own car. I share a car with my mom. To her, I am sure she thinks the car is now mine. I come to school Monday-Thursday and she also works Monday-Friday. I normally take her to work and pick her up when I get home, but it doesn't always work this way. My dad has had to "sacrifice" time out of his day to come home early and pick her up if I am not available. This gets annoying, but it's life and life is difficult.
     Furthermore, I recently just acquired a part-time job at the mall. I have never had a job while going to school. I usually only work during the summer. I have been a babysitter for the past three years. However, since I am a Spanish major, I am studying abroad next summer for three months, and it is very costly. About $10,000 total. I have made a decision to try and pay for the whole trip on my own and this is why I got a job. I work at the mall. It is only my third day working and I am already worried about balancing school and work. I told my boss I did not want to work more than 20 hours per week and what does she do? She has me working 24 hours. I am nervous to say something to her already, but school is more important to me than most things. I will just have to suck-it-up and say something because if I get rid of anything, it will be the job.
     Now that I have introduced myself, I hope you all learn to enjoy reading about the ups and downs of a college student. Between studying, working, being part of a family, having a boyfriend, trying to spend time with friends, it is hard to get some free time to myself. Hopefully, my emotions will pour out onto this blog and it will be entertaining. For now, this is life. My life. La vida loca!