college

Posts Tagged ‘college’

College: Do I still need it?

In Business, Life, Photography on 12 June 2010 tagged audio, CinchCast, college with 3 comments

While I was in the middle of writing this post, I recorded audio of some thoughts on being a Linchpin, publishing (shipping) stuff, and perfection – with a nod to the Due Process Flickr group:

Now, onto the post.

*****

On Wednesday, I met with a Citrus College counselor. This is where I stand:

I have several Cs which are bringing down my GPA to about 2.57.
A few years ago, my GPA would be acceptable to CSU schools. Because of our recent budget crisis, that’s not the case.
It’s not possible to retake classes in which I received a C since that’s technically passing.
I’ve retaken every class possible. There aren’t any Ds, Fs, or withdrawn classes on my record. Academic renewal isn’t needed.
I have my Associates Degree. (Associate in Arts: Social & Behavioral Sciences)

My friend, PJ, tells me I should try Pitzer College or any of the Claremont Colleges. (He graduated from Pitzer.) To paraphrase his advice to me or anyone in college: take classes you’ll actually enjoy or be miserable. Another friend, James¹, suggests to look into the University of La Verne.

They’re private colleges, so funding [is] a lot better than CSU and UC colleges. At La Verne, Undergrad Adult (25+) Tuition and Fees are substantially less expensive – that’s very cool. Regardless, I shouldn’t worry about money because financial aid should help. (See Student Loan Network – no affiliation.)

You already know I love photography. But, people seem to suggest that a major in business or marketing would be more helpful. My internal conflict is committing to a program for a couple of years that I actually like.

I’ve been subscribed to Rangefinder Magazine for almost a year now. I also follow several photographers online. What I’m finding is that a lot of them didn’t major in photography.

Scott Bourne was a Political Science major.
Scott Rinckenberger said, “Not one of us have an education in photography. We had college majors like English, French, Philosophy. You know, those subjects that inevitably prompt your parents to ask just exactly you plan to make a living with that degree. But what we lack in formal training is made up for in a blue collar work ethic, a disdain for convention, and a never ending search for new creative outlets.”
Jessica Claire was an English major.
Sam Abell majored in English and minored in Journalism. He said, “I have given many talks at universities across America to students studying photography. I’m often asked the question ‘What’s the most important thing a photographer can do to prepare for this life?’ and I always say ‘Learn to run a small business.’ John Harrington‘s book is that curriculum. You don’t have to go to college. You don’t have to major in small business administration, but you do have to read John Harrington’s book. This is the bible of running a successful photography business.”
Chase Jarvis didn’t major in photography: “As with all things Jarvis, he took a very roundabout route into photography. He attended college on a soccer scholarship, and though he was majoring in philosophy and premed, it was the passing on of his grandfather that became a life-changing event for him. Jarvis found himself the beneficiary of his grandfather’s camera, and he took it and three accompanying lenses on a postgrad tour of Europe with his then-girlfriend Kate, who’s now his executive producer and his wife. They spent a great deal of time there, living out of bags and traveling from country to country, all the way from Portugal to Sweden to Moscow. Along the way, he taught himself to shoot, and once he returned from Europe, he immediately bailed out on postgrad med school. He had planned to be a doctor, but instead ended up living in Colorado for three years where he started taking pictures of his friends out on the slopes. These friends, as it turned out, were to be the future athletic stars of the extreme-sports lifestyle.”

I have friends with degrees which don’t apply to whatever they’re doing now. They essentially went to school for the experience, friendships and growth of discipline. Nothing wrong with that. I still have a lot of respect for them. (They have a Bachelor’s Degree, while I don’t.)

So, I’m at a crossroads.

After talking to James, I’m highly considering the ULV. For transfer students:

The application deadline for students applying for the fall semester is April 1. Students applying for spring semester should submit their applications by December 1.

My GPA is a bit short, but maybe I can talk to the Dean of Admissions about that. I have several months to think about it, but I’ll be pursuing photography no matter what – you knew that already. (Well, unless the band makes it. Then again, I think “making it” is a different beast than it was before.)

Ultimately, I want to be a Linchpin.

If you have any thoughts or encouragement, please leave a comment or send me an email. If you’re a Debbie Downer, don’t be surprised if I delete your comment. After all, this is my house. Thanks!

Linchpin

Seth Godin. Portfolio Hardcover 2010, Hardcover, 256 pages, $12.97

You may know him as our awesome drummer for The Scarlet Paradigm. He’s a student at the University of La Verne and only has good things to say about it. ↩

Percolating in my head

In Life on 24 January 2010 tagged college, CSS, HTML, PHP, The Scarlet Paradigm with 1 comment

It’s tough not having the same dedication to photography as 2008. After a hectic year (2009) split between college, work, photography, and the band, can you blame me?

I’m going to share what’s happening, then you can heckle me.

The Scarlet Paradigm

We’re trying to “make it.” Not only are we trying to just book more shows¹, but we’re looking to sell merchandise at shows and send our EP to various record labels.

I’d like to design a better theme for the website and get the guys to post to our Twitter/website more often — not just for announcements/shows.

Website geekery

I can dabble and tinker with HTML and CSS, but not very well. Since the band can’t afford to pay a designer, I need to take matters into my own hands. I’m determined to learn these languages, in addition to PHP. It’d also give me something else to add to my résumé.

I’m anxiously waiting for Aaron Brazell to finish the WordPress Bible.

Do you have any websites, articles or books that helped you get started?

I’ve maxed out the number of units I can transfer to a Cal State university. I’ve applied to Cal State LA and Cal Poly Pomona for Fall 2010 and waiting to hear back from them. Until then, I can’t do anything more about it.

Photography

I need to scan and process all my film negatives from Fall 2009 semester at Citrus College, catch up on general photo processing, and create a dedicated portfolio website of my best work. While it would be cool to try and get more photography work, I need to throttle that back and push The Scarlet Paradigm.

Don’t worry, I’m still down to photowalk and try to hang with the Los Angeles Flickr Group whenever I can.

Alright, that’s what up. Follow me on Twitter. Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

In 2009, we played 14 shows — January (2), February (2), March (2), May (1), June (2), July (1), August (2), October (1), November (1). ↩

See ya, Trig, and welcome back, photography

In Life, Photography on 29 May 2009 tagged Citrus College, college, School, Trigonometry with no comments

I studied a solid 12 hours between Monday and Thursday morning. So, I felt really confident about my Trigonometry final yesterday. I really think I aced it. Out of 15 problems, I might’ve missed one or two, max.

Now that Trig is out of the way, I have three weeks without school.

Other than work¹, I need to take some photos whenever I can.

Do you want to be a part of that somehow²? Let’s talk, brainstorm and create some wicked photos.

Still part-time, three days a week. ↩
Perhaps as a model in the photo, or a cool location I should visit. ↩

Away until Thursday

In Life on 26 May 2009 tagged Citrus College, college, School, Trigonometry with 1 comment

I’m nearing the end of Plane Trigonometry at Citrus. Assuming you’re not following me on Twitter (@bryan):

Before the quiz last Thursday, I was at 93% (A) overall. (#)
I got 100% my last test¹.
Thursday’s final is cumulative.

Until Thursday morning, I’ll stay away from the internet² and study in hopes of getting an “A” on my final.

Don’t ask me about my summer class. One thing at a time.

One more thing: Go Lakers.

Test #4 covered Complex Numbers, Trigonometric (Polar) Form of Complex Numbers, and the Product and Quotient Theorems. ↩
Other than at work, of course. ↩

The reason behind my silence

In Life on 6 March 2009 tagged Citrus College, college, School, Trigonometry with no comments

Photo by marymactavish (Flickr)

I’m taking Trigonometry because sine, cosine and tangent are my favorite functions.

Kidding.

Like I said a couple weeks ago, I’m back in school at Citrus College. I’m retaking [Plane] Trigonometry because I flunked it a long time ago.

Why?

My senior year in high school, I took an online course from Bakersfield College – statistics. That fulfilled my math requirement for college.

However, when my college counselors were looking at my transcripts, asking me about when I took stats, they just understood that I took it in high school. The important part? It was a college course.

They insisted I that still needed a math class. I didn’t try to clarify. (How much simpler could it be?) When I took it, I was overwhelmed and failed miserably.

I choked this situation because I didn’t try to explain further. They choked it because they didn’t read carefully.

So, other than raising my GPA so Cal Poly Pomona will accept me, I’m retaking a course that won’t make a difference toward my Computer Information Systems degree.

What else are you taking?

That’s it. I feel slow at grasping the concepts compared to others. So, I’m not taking anything else. When I’m not at school, I’m either doing homework or working.

How about photography?

I still carry my camera everywhere, but I [seriously] photowalk on the weekends if I’m not tired. I’m still open for [natural light] portrait sessions and band photography. Just contact me, m’kay?