Joseph Natividad

The Hardest Part Is Over

I had quite an intense Spanish final last night. I had two and a half hours to write a two page essay, translate sentences, remember random vocabulary and other grammar rules, as well as jotting down all the countries and capitals of South America for a minuscule five points of extra credit . I’m glad I got this final over with first because it was the one I was most worried about. I don’t think I got an A in the class but I’ll be completely satisfied with a B grade or even a C something. I plan on taking LTSP2B next quarter, the next step up from this course. Hopefully my plan stays the way I’ve drawn it out but that depends on whether I end up passing this one first.

I had a Computer Science final this morning, which wasn’t too bad. It turned out that all I had to do was review the practice final on the course website and remember all the right answers because the ACTUAL final contained about 80% of those very same questions. I wouldn’t be satisfied with myself if I don’t end up receiving something in the B+ to A- range as my overall grade for the course. CSE3 is a joke and I really want the last laugh to belong to ME.

I have one final left on Thursday for CAT2B, my college’s core writing course. I still have to write a few essays to turn in during the test day, when I’ll have to write another in-class essay based on watching a scene from a film of the professor’s choosing. From that, I’m supposed to relate all the relevant material I can into an essay that spans five pages in a matter of three hours. It won’t be too bad as long as I’m allowed to use my notebook. My constant note-taking during every lecture will finally come in handy.

Tags: CAT, computer science, cse, finals, ltsp, peter john, spanish, ucsd

Coming Home for Christmas

I made it back this past Sunday morning by driving up from La Jolla in the middle of the night and taking BART from Bayfair to El Cerrito. It was definitely much more breezier in the Bay Area than what I have already gotten used to at school down south. My mom made me some familiar home cooked Filipino food (which is always the best treat to come home to). The warm, inviting bed I have slept on for half my life was still there in my room, waiting to fill up its primary occupant.

It feels good to be back at the place I call home with nothing to worry about until the approaching new year. Sleeping as long as I want and not having to worry about whichever essay’s deadline was looming the following morning — this hasn’t happened to me in a long while. All the food stuffed into the fridge and pantry wasn’t so bad either. I’ve been deprived of some good Asian food and rice for too long. Seeing old friends and celebrating my birthday with them was nice and memorable. I didn’t really do anything big; after all, I’m only 19 and getting through my last 360 something days left as a teenager.

The last time I posted on this blog, I was worried about how I did on my finals. To keep my stress level and reason for depression away from all the happiness I am feeling right now, I decided that I am not going to check my grades online until after New Years Day.

Until then, all is well and life is definitely good.

Tags: birthday, christmas, finals, grades, new-year, teenager, ucsd, vacation

Surviving Through Finals

Finals are over and I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. It’s been a stressful week for me — probably one of the most demanding I’ve had so far this schoolyear. I tried so hard to review and prepare myself for each exam and it worked out for me just half the time.

I breezed throught my Music&Film and CAT1B finals but I knew I definitely bombed Calculus when I couldn’t figure out four out of the eight total problems I was staring at on paper. I’ve never failed a class in my life but I think I’ve finally ended that streak. Worst case scenario: I’ll have to retake the class over again next quarter and finish off the last third of the Math10 series over the summer at Cal. That would definitely spoil my plans to apply for seasonal employment after my freshman year is completed in June.

Yesterday, my Economics final didn’t go too well either, though probably not as badly as I did with Calculus. The thought crossed my mind about whether this major isn’t a perfect fit for what I’m capable of. I have doubts and am feeling unsure about my future, but I’m deciding to go through with things for now. I’ll have to wait for my grades after Christmas and then I’ll get a clearer perspective on things. But I’m not feeling completely bothered by this situation. At this rate, I’m still on pace to graduate in four years, which doesn’t sound bad at all.

For now, however, I’m hoping for a miracle that comes in the form of a passing math grade.

Tags: calculus, CAT, Economics, failure, finals, math-10, music-and-film, sixth-college, ucsd

Finals Are Underway for Fall Quarter

I just got out of my Music&Film final less than 10 minutes ago and my self esteem has shot way up as a result of feeling confident that I did pretty well on it. So now the easy part is over and done with and it’s time to come back to earth. I’ve got Calculus and Economics finals within 10 hours of each other starting tomorrow evening and those are keeping me in a mild state of panic.

I’ve been hitting the books, reviewing my notes and slaving through old finals from previous years since last Saturday. I don’t think I’ll ever be completely ready for what lies ahead of me these next few days. My sleeping patterns have been adjusted dramatically but I feel like i have enough energy to last me through the night as long as I end up waking sometime before noon.

Tags: calculus, CAT, Economics, finals, music-and-film, panic, ucsd

A Tradition Worth Clapping For

I’ve completed all my lectures for the Fall 2007 Quarter and have come across a new kind of tradition here at the university: applauding the professors and TA’s for all the work they’ve done.

The effect is startling especially when a giant lecture hall is filled with over 300 students. It’s nothing raucous or spectacular but you feel the sense of respect and gratitude that students have for their professors. The applause generally lasts for almost ten seconds, ceases, and students begin to file out like they usually do.

I don’t have any more regular classes to attend until January but a grueling obstacle lies a few days ahead when I have to take my first batch of finals. The classes that I’m most worried about are Economics and Calculus. I already began reviewing last night and will continue to do so for the rest of the weekend.

Tags: applause, calculus, Economics, finals, lecture, professor