Okay, first things first. Let's start with the 5 W's.
Who:
I'm a part time student at Athabasca University, in the Governance, Law and Management program. This is the second leg of my quest to finish a Bachelor's degree. I completed about half of it at Ryerson University in Toronto and then had to transfer due to a move across the country. The transfer credit process is such a pain in the arse, I decided I never wanted to do it again so I applied to AU which is a distance learning university. This way I can complete my program from anywhere, no matter where life takes me.
What:
This blog will follow me as I complete the rest of my degree. I've posted a bit about it on my other blog but not a lot, as that blog is supposed to be about fun, lighthearted stuff and I'm frankly a bit afraid of frightening away the few readers I have by droning on endlessly about school.
Why:
Why a blog? To keep me accountable. Hopefully, to help me study and manage my time better. And hey, maybe some other students will find this and find it useful.
Why 'Studiocracy and Edubabble'? Well, the first part is a combination of student and bureacracy. And I am half student, half bureaucrat (a delightful combination, non?).
Also, completing this degree has been an exercise in bureaucracy in itself - getting through the application process and navigating the academic regulations should have gotten me credit in something - policy analysis perhaps? Considering, I am studying government. (Aside: my program homepage includes a list of possible future career opportunities. #1? Government manager. Yep, pinnacle achieved. Booyah!)
As for Edubabble, well, I'll be babbling about education. Not terribly inventive.
When:
While I technically began the degree in 2004 at Ryerson, and 6 months ago at AU, I've only completed 2 courses so far. Tomorrow, I start my first attempt at full time coursework. The first courses are Administrative Law and Employment Law. Fortunately for me (?), I've listened to about eleventy million hours of legal argument on the subject of administrative law, so it should be pretty straightforward. And, I just so happen to be likethis with one of the country's most eminent employment lawyers. (Srsly, he's on the top 100 list and everything.) After a plug like that, maybe he would consider being my tutor, pro bono.
Where:
I'll work on my courses primarily from home. I'm lucky to have 7 weeks away from work, starting tomorrow, and I'm aiming to complete 5 courses in all, by the end of this summer. 2 are challenges for credit where I review the material and write exams worth 100%, and 3 will be regular courses with readings, assignments, and exams.
I think I am going to structure my days the same-ish, still get up at 6:45 as usual, do a few big chunks of studying with a longish lunch break/visit to the gym and another 'break' for doing house work.
So, there's my introduction. I expect that some (most) of my posts will be super boring and don't really expect to have too many followers but feel free to read along, learn vicariously through me and most importantly, leave me numerous insightful and lengthy comments for me to read when I have student's block.
