This is a long one!

One of the first things I did after starting classes again was to check my grade for last quarter, and boy, was I incredibly disappointed. All my grades were a full grade below what I expected to get! I thought I'd get at least a B+ in Bio and Human evo, but nooo, I got a C+. My organic chemistry grade was really low. That worried me straight off the bat because I don't know what this will mean..

I'm sitting in the 7:30 AM 118a (organic chemistry pt 1) class, and I'm actually understanding things I didn't before. The same teacher I had for 118a is teaching 118a again, and the first time I had her, I could not get used to her way of teaching or her accent. It could be that I'm used to her by now, because I'm following her better. Or it could be that the topics are simple for now.

I'm hoping it's because I'm used to how things work around here. Now that I see what kinds of grades my regular effort earns me, I see that it's time to change things up a little and improve some study habits. Or it could be that the subject is way too hard for me and that I needed to sit in all the classes a second time around in order to finally understand. I am more aware of my resources now..

In any case, as one of my New Year's Resolution of 2011 was to do well in my classes, I already set the bar pretty high-- I didn't know things were going to be this hard. It's totally not what I expected. I need a good grade in 118b in order to redeem myself.. but I'm really scared, seeing as 118b is a continuation of 118a, and if I didn't do good in that class.... Well, I decided I can't drop it, because another class I'm taking requires me to take 118b concurrently. I can only press forward for now. If I don't pass 118b, not only will I have invalidated one class, but I'll have to end up retaking three classes!

Let's hope for the best! I'm doing whatever I can.. Attending extra lectures, going to workshops.. I even have supplementary books to help me in case the textbook leaves me scratching my head!

I went to an Organic Chemistry workshop today after buying a Genetics textbook from a student for $50 and met someone new. I noticed her drawing during the teacher, but she also helped me out when I was confused on a concept. We talked for a bit, then parted ways. I might see her again. She seems really nice.

Speaking of which, my mom worries about how I might feel lonely. She called me around 6 PM to ask why I wasn't online. I told her I was standing in line for a basketball game to try and be one of the first 500 people to get a free T-shirt. She asked if I wanted a T-shirt so badly that I'd stand out in the cold like that, but then asked if I went with my housemate. I didn't. She hoped I was having fun at least, otherwise I shouldn't do things like that. I told her that I was-- even if I go alone, I talk to people a lot so it's very easy for me to make quick friends. (Until I lose their name, contact, etc.)

Anyway! The game! Upon entering, it was pretty amazing. I've never seen a basketball game before, so the whole court layout and getting into the stands was already and interesting experience. It was UCD vs UCSB.. and apparently the coach for UCSB used to be at UCD. Even though the announcer told us to give him a warm welcome back... Well.. You can guess we were bewildered why he left! Their team looked pretty good, too.. I never booed, but I sure did cheer! The bad was pretty cool too! School pride right here!

Oh, and I learned something. Next time I do something like this, I should just grab whatever shirt size they have. People were going around handing XX Large and Large shirts, so some people decided to wait for the smaller sizes... and for some reason they never came. I headed down from the stands along with a bunch of other people to complain, and we were informed there was a shortage of shirts. To make it up, however, they'd give us a better Adidas shirt with our school name. It took a very, very long time, though. I was getting really frustrated. Of courrse I was having fun watching the game, but I wasn't going to be happy if I was one of the firsts in line to get a free shirt and didn't get one! I got it in the end, leaving at half-time, and now I'm back here. I wonder who will win! My uni was behind when I left!

All in all, I had a great experience, epiphany (or maybe it was just mere wish-washy thoughts), and met some pretty cool people today. Once again, I wanted to draw, but I didn't get the time to. ^^; I should also learn the Aggie song!