If there is anything that I regret about my experience as a Skidmore student, its that I wish I realized that 4 years will fly by faster than it may seem.
But then again who takes the end into consideration when the now is so good, right?
#Make the best of every moment.
Best,
Alta
I can not believe I actually forgot to post what my weeks look like this semester.
But before I post my schedule, I must say I was hoping that my last semester of college would be a light one. Unfortunately when I was abroad I took a course in African Drumming and Dancing. The class was great but I was never aware that I was in the wrong section of the course which did not give me credit. So in order to make up for the lost credits I was forced to take on a full 16 credits this semester. These kinds of mix ups often do not cause too much of a problem but for me it kind of did since I added my minor pretty late the 200- level classes I wanted to take conflicted with my 300- level courses. In the end I was left with an interesting course load but less religion courses than I would have liked and more psychology courses that I expected having.
Monday
1:25- 2:20pm Racquet Ball
4:00- 5:20pm Adult Development
6:30- 9:00 Work- Annual Fund
Tuesday
12:40- 2:00pm Applied Psychology
3:40- 5:30pm Feminist Theologies
Wednesday
10:10-1130pm Clinical Psychology
1:25- 2:20pm Racquet Ball
4:00- 5: 20pm Adolescent Development
6:30- 9:00pm Work- Annual Fund
Thursday
11:00- 12:30pm Work- Tour
12:40- 2:00pm Applied Psychology
3:40- 5:30pm Feminist Theologies
Friday
10:10- 11:00am Clinical Psychology
2:45pm- 4:30pm Work- Tour
* Babysitting for the Skidmore College Golf Coach occurs randomly throughout the week.
httpv://youtu.be/vUwifuCbx7U
My friends, including professors, have helped me maintain my sanity. A nice chat or a some chill time in helps to do this. When things get a little out of control, and it has this semester, I will let a professor know and they are often very understanding.
Things are also a bit different for me now that I am a senior because I know what to expect and I am much better at managing my time and understand what are the best study habits for me. If I ever did need any additional help I do understand and know that the right resources such as, Student Academic Services, are available to me.
I do have finals. It seems that most seniors have large papers to complete as opposed to long tests. I have a take home test for one course that is all long answers and can actually be the equivalent of a 10 page paper; A 15 pager + presentation which I finished today; A 15 pagers due Friday; and a 15 pager due Monday. Lastly, a final exam on the 16th. Phew. Just thinking about it makes me sweat. All is going well but maybe you should ask me again later this week.
So earlier this week I registered for my classes for next semester. Let’s take a second to stop and think about this. I just registered for the last time ever at Skidmore. WOW!
Since I am a senior I had the first registration slot, 7am on Monday morning. Freshman year I set my alarm just so I could register on time for my 7am slot. This year I didn’t do that. I registered for 300 level courses and as a senior, with the first time slot I knew there was no way I would not get into the course I wanted. So I glanced at my degree audit which can be accessed on the Skidmore website. The degree audit is basically a review of what you have done at Skidmore and what you need to do as far as fulfilling general requirements and fulfilling requirements for majors and minors. Its cool seeing the check list go from red to green as you fulfill requirements. I realized all I pretty much had to do by this point was finish up my minor with one course. Not too bad. But there were some really good 300 level Psychology course I wanted to take so I may have created a heavier load for my self next semester than necessary. I could not take all the courses I wanted to because two courses I really wanted to take , Christian Scriptures and Clinical Psychology, conflicted. That does not happen often but since I added my minor last semester there are 200 and even 100 level course I want to take and those may conflict with some of the 300 level courses in my major that I want to take. Either way, I got into courses I know I will enjoy; Beginners Racquetball, Applied Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Adult Development, and Feminist Theologies. A total of 16 credits !!
I could not fit the entire degree audit on one page. But this is a sneak peak as to what it looks like. There are different sections on the check lists and you can have an extended look at each by clicking on it.
The red shows that I have not completed 120 credits(for all 4 yrs yrs) And I need to take at least 12 credits worth of 300 level course in all of my senior yr.
Monday* (“Oh no its Monday again!”)
Religion and Culture 11:15- 12:10
Tuesday (“Am I really supposed to get all this done by the end of the week?”)
Evolutionary Psychology 8:10- 9:30
Religion and Culture 11:10- 12:30
Psychology of Religion 2:10- 3:30
God/Body/Beauty 3:40- 5:30
Wrk.Annual Fund 6:30- 9
Wednesday* (Yey, HumpDay!”)
Wrk.Annual Fund 6:30- 9
Thursday (“So Happy Its Thursday; So close!”)
Evolutionary Psychology 8:10- 9:30
Religion and Culture 11:10- 12:30
Psychology of Religion 2:10- 3:30
God/Body/Beauty 3:40- 5:30
Friday* (“THANK GOODNESS ITS FRIDAY!”)
Wrk.Admissions Tour 1- 2:30
Saturday* (“To homework?, or to rest and fun?! “)
Direct Ujima Fashion Show Practice 1- 3
Sunday* (“Wish weekends were longer”)
*There is a great chance that during some part of the time I do not have work or class on this day I am baby sitting for a Skidmore professor or coach.
I have never been good at the whole “about me” thing. I guess I never know how much information is enough. I will try to make this short and sweet.
My name is Altagracia Montilla but many people call me Alta (ALL- TUH).
I am a senior at Skidmore College already experiencing early symptoms of separation anxiety. I am a Psychology major and a Religious Studies minor with post- college plans to attend graduate school for clinical psychology and focus my work on at- risk and troubled youth but not before I spend a year living in Australia, of course.
I was born in Pennsylvania but spent the majority of my life in Bronx, New York. I love NYC, but in many ways I love Saratoga Springs more. I attended the High School of American Studies at Lehman College, a small and very competitive specialized school located at the edge of the Bronx.
I am a realist, yet a daydreamer; an outside the box thinker who envies others who fall farther outside the box. I am extremely social and talkative, the epitome of an extrovert, but also extremely independent. I am an over achiever who enjoys being busy. Aside form the obvious; I love running, reading, potlucks, “feel-good” music, and Australia. I have a younger sister and an older brother, yet I am the oldest. I can sing all the lyrics to every Adele song. I can’t play an instrument and I do not sing well, but I have moves.
At Skidmore I have been the vice president of Raices and president of R.A.C. I was a drummer in Skidieko, a Resident Assistant for my dorm Junior year, and I have directed a fashion show for Ujima. I have worked for dining services, catering services, and now the annual find, and admissions. Outside of the campus I have done work at two separate youth shelters not too far out of Saratoga.
And I think the best part is I still have one more year at Skidmore.