The Major... a "Major" Issue

This past year, I reevaluated my life and what I wanted to do with the rest of it, especially employment-wise. I can not be a lifeguard and swim instructor forever, as it can be rough on your body, not to mention the wages are tough to live on. Researching nearby colleges, I decided on Kennesaw State for several reasons. Although I have shied away from bigger colleges in the past, I thought that the size would be an advantage this time around. What really drew me into KSU was the variety and number of majors/programs available, both online and traditional. Location was also a huge advantage because I moved to Kennesaw this past summer. Several co-workers mentioned their experiences here, and I thought why not? I will give it a chance!

So far, I am not regretting my decision! It is my first semester and overall, I am enjoying my time back in school, minor frustrations aside. One of the main reasons why I chose KSU was because it had a German major and a Geography major. Not as many colleges anymore have geography or even German as a full major. Anthropology is also a minor curiosity of mine.

Currently, I am choosing between German and Geography for my major. The introduction classes in both are going well and have been very engaging. I plan to talk to heads of both departments to talk about more of the in-depth sides of the programs and their requirements. I am possibly interested in a career or a way that would somehow combine both. That is why I also plan to talk to Career Services.

Lastly, the whole “major” issue has been difficult in the past. I, like several others in this class, have switched several times. The first time I attended school, I tried art and sociology. Art I could not enjoy as a career because my muse does not exactly work on cue. Sociology still fascinates me, again, though, the career side gave me trouble. Many sociology jobs seem to need a graduate degree, and that is way out of my mind right now. Communication did not work either because my introverted, somewhat shy personality does not match it at all.

I am hoping that KSU becomes more like my home, and that after this semester or next, I at last will have a firmer plan in mind!

#2: Everyday Research

Taking a glance back at daily life, it is easy to see how much I rely on researching. Modern technology, like several others have mentioned, make it much easier and faster to get your requested information. Apps and websites are very plentiful, and books are still around as well. To choose reliable sources for non-academic use, I look things such as popularity/reviews, when it was last updated, and if possible, test for accuracy. In academic searches, I look first for an author. If nobody wants to claim it, then it may not be trustworthy. It must be current, non-biased, and simple enough to navigate.

Each workday, I get up with enough time to check the weather, so I know what to expect that day and what clothes to wear. I have an Accu-Weather based app, or I check online on their website. The Weather Channel is a decent backup. One of my favorite aspects of current technology is the easy use and availability of GPS and map apps. Google Maps is my most commonly used and trusted app. When I moved down to Georgia, I was grateful for this because I do not always remember directions easily. It is used a lot during rush hour, especially between work and school drives. That way, I know which ways to definitely avoid. Sometimes GA 511 is a good backup if there are major accidents happening. I also look up hours that services are open, such as the Library, pools, and stores. To unwind, I listen to songs and videos on Youtube or catch up with the news using CNN, Time, or other similar sites. I do keep a tumblr blog just for pure fun and the occasional rant.

Academically, I first use D2L to look up my assignments. I tend to start at the Library’s databases, especially if I know the general subject of my paper or assignment. Others, such as the music paper, are more specific and require Google searches to narrow down the less reliable sources. For news-oriented information, I go to CNN, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, among others.

Looking back, it was very interesting to see how much researching I really do each day, even if it was not academic. With current technology, updated websites, and smartphones, it is becoming an automatic, almost reflexive way of life. Although I do not always like being tied to all of this tech, I do appreciate the good information it provides.