Fall Textbooks

I don't know about you, but I get anxious when textbook buying time rolls around. I don't want to dedicate a small fortune to books I'll read for 16 or so weeks. So, I rent as many as humanly possible via Chegg.com. They somewhat make you feel like an environmentalist, since every time you rent a book, they plant a tree... somewhere. I don't care if they do a cartwheel every time I rent a book; when you can use a book for the semester for $23 and the bookstore is selling the same exact book for $107 used, that's more money I get to keep in my pocket.

I found out about Chegg after the semester where I spent a whopping $647 on books, when I happened to be outside and someone walked by toting the ubiquitous bright-orange Chegg box. I remembered the name, checked it out and the following semester, only spent $250 on books for 6 classes (one wasn't available at Chegg, so it ended up being about $80 at the bookstore).

I'm still waiting for the fall textbook list to come out (which was supposed to be today, but isn't.) Go here, and keep an eye on it until books are posted. Rent them, order them online, whatever; just don't wait til the last moment, or else you'll be stuck paying the bookstore's prices.

Edit: I emailed about the fall book list, and it's UP!

Ohhh Summer

Okay, since my last post was prior to spring break, I should likely fill in a few gaps:

1. Widener Law was small, but the civil procedure class I attended was a lot of fun, and got valuable info from both traditional and nontraditional students alike. Not counting that one out.

2. The prospect of dealing with DC traffic on a daily basis made me reconsider law schools in the immediate DC area. It's not completely out by any means, but it doesn't excite me like I used to be excited about DC. Still one of my favorite cities though.

3. Visited Gettysburg. Came in supremely handy to solidify the battles there (and in the area as a whole, since we drove through MD and VA via the "scenic route"). Ended up with a B+ in Civil War and Reconstruction... but that could also be because of the Gettysburg "lucky pencil".

4. Went to the US Supreme Court. Way smaller than I thought. Loved it though. Snapped a pic of Chief Justice Warren Burger for Professor Meddaugh. Also got a lucky pencil there.

Finals and papers came and went. Did well, with my only B's being in history. Still not my "all-A" standard, but I'll take it. Dr. Frederick's exams are difficult, only because there is just SO much information to digest before it (and I suck at dates and names, so I get them all mixed up sometimes.)

I have the summer off. Yes, I know I registered for a summer class, but I had to drop it due to severe lack of funds since I spent money set aside for said class on fixing a plumbing leak in my basement. Sometimes, you just have to suck it up and stay for another semester. So, graduation in Spring 2011. Not too shabby. Gives me some time to get my GPA up a few tenths of a point.

GPA for last term: 3.70 I'll still take it.

Next semester is chock full of General Ed requirements so that I can graduate a "well-rounded" individual:

Police & Society (CJ minor... I tried to switch in juvenile justice for this, but can't since it's a core element)

American Corrections (CJ minor)

Human Biology

Human Biology Lab

Living Well (phys ed at 40.. that should be exciting)

Poli Sci capstone

Ancient Greece

This leaves me with a whopping six credits to graduate. I know I have to take a political theory class. I'm pretty sure that I don't have to take anything as far as my major is concerned, but I'll probably take psych and law if it is offered in the spring... and the rest shall be classes that I wanted to take because they sounded interesting, but I didn't take because I had to take a core class. Spring shall be time to have a bit of fun, class-wise.

Took the LSAT a few weeks ago, get results on Monday the 28th. It was pretty brutal, so I hope I did okay.

3 weeks!

The kids start school in THREE weeks (count'em!) It hasn't seemed like summer has been here very much at all, and all too quickly, it's gone!

I've been wrapping up my project for my internship. It has been the albatross of my summer, and I really can't wait to get back to the books once again. I'm sure I'll look back on that statement and wonder what the heck I was thinking, but there it is.

I emailed all of my professors today to get info on the required books of the semester, since I rent them from Chegg.com. I still need to get a commuter parking pass, since my current one expires at the beginning of the semester... lets see... new notebooks, another assignment planner, and I'm going to break down and order a Mac Mini, since my laptop keeps crashing when I run Word (try writing a paper on that!) I'd bring said laptop in to Computer Services, but I can't live without it for a few days, especially since this project is due in a matter of weeks. I also need to put money on my Pitt Card so I can get my daily cup of Starbucks from the cafe (and sometimes lunch, since I practically live on campus all week.) It also comes in really handy when you need something from the Panther Shop and forgot your wallet at home... which I do about three times a week.

Well, I'm off to make lists for the kids' school supplies and clothes and whatnot.