I feel much more confident that I can pass my classes now.
My professor for the theory class announced at the end of class today that he is giving one student a make up exam because this student is afraid he is in danger of failing. So, the professor offered this make-up test to everyone else, and considering my score of 46 out of 100 on the first exam, I took him up on the offer.
I also asked if I could meet with him on Tuesday to go over the material and get help with the parts I'm having trouble with. Then I'll take the make-up on Thursday. If I can bring up my score, I'll be in much better shape. And I'm confident I can bring up my score, especially if the professor helps me on Tuesday. It seems like he really wants everyone to pass, if he's giving this one guy a make-up.
Also, I spoke with my database professor after class today to ask how my partner and I did on our programming project. He said he didn't remember our score exactly, but it was either 8 or 9 out of 10, so we're in good shape there. If we do OK on the big project (which we have to present to the TA on Tuesday), we should be in good shape to pass the class.
I just talked to my therapist to change our schedule. The guy helping me at the temp agency is having a really hard time finding positions for me because of my limited availability. But now I'll be available all day Monday, Wednesdays from whenever to 3, and Fridays from 11 to whenever. Before, I was only available from whenever to 1 on Mondays and Wednesdays, and all day Friday. Hopefully this will improve my chances of getting a job, which I sorely need.
I had an appointment with my psychiatrist yesterday. It took some doing, but I convinced him to let me reduce or stop taking some of my medications over winter break, to see if I improve at all. Right now, I think the medicines are just dulling me and making me less able to enjoy life. I've had a terrible time grasping the concepts in my classes at school, and it was never like that before I started taking medication.
I've had various other side effects, like a decline in my ability to type, changes in appetite, no sex drive (though that may just be me), and severe apathy and inability to get interested in things.
My psychiatrist changed me to a different type of the anti-depressant I'm on a couple of weeks ago, but at the same dose, and I've noticed a significant decrease in the number of panic attacks I have. In situations where I would normally have one (like on the busses) I'm having them a lot less often.
I can't say for sure, but I'm doubting that the anti-depressant is doing much for me. What this medicine has done for me, basically, is make me manic (which I'm concerned might be contributing to panic attacks). I'm on an increased dose of the anti-psychotic to counteract the mania, but I'm wondering if it counteracts any effect the medicine might have. So as soon as I'm done with my exams, my psychiatrist has agreed to gradually reduce and maybe stop the anti-depressant. If it turns out that I can't function without it, then I'll start taking it again. But if not, I'm happy to be without it and whatever side-effects it might bring.
As for the anti-psychotic, I think my psychiatrist is very concerned that what happened in 2003 could happen again (I was psychotic for two weeks following a car accident (no physical injuries, just psychological shock)), so I'm not sure he'll let me stop taking that completely. However, I do recall that I was on a lower dose before we started me back on the manic-making anti-depressant, so maybe I can go back to a lower dose if I do well without the anti-depressant.
All in all I feel very good about the future at the moment. I may be able to reduce my medications, I will hopefully be getting a job soon, I feel like I've been given a second chance in the theory class, and I think my partner and I will do well on the big project.
I can't remember if I mentioned this, but the project entails making a global positioning service (just with a web interface, not with actual GPS units). I thought it might be cool to try to integrate our project with Google Maps, and if I can pull it off, that should net us some extra credit. I think it will be really fun to do, if I can do it. I'll be sure to show you guys, if I do.
I'm having a touch of indigestion
so I'll finish up yet another rollerdisco-trademarked loooooooong journal entry. Buh-bye!
My professor for the theory class announced at the end of class today that he is giving one student a make up exam because this student is afraid he is in danger of failing. So, the professor offered this make-up test to everyone else, and considering my score of 46 out of 100 on the first exam, I took him up on the offer.
I also asked if I could meet with him on Tuesday to go over the material and get help with the parts I'm having trouble with. Then I'll take the make-up on Thursday. If I can bring up my score, I'll be in much better shape. And I'm confident I can bring up my score, especially if the professor helps me on Tuesday. It seems like he really wants everyone to pass, if he's giving this one guy a make-up.
Also, I spoke with my database professor after class today to ask how my partner and I did on our programming project. He said he didn't remember our score exactly, but it was either 8 or 9 out of 10, so we're in good shape there. If we do OK on the big project (which we have to present to the TA on Tuesday), we should be in good shape to pass the class.
I just talked to my therapist to change our schedule. The guy helping me at the temp agency is having a really hard time finding positions for me because of my limited availability. But now I'll be available all day Monday, Wednesdays from whenever to 3, and Fridays from 11 to whenever. Before, I was only available from whenever to 1 on Mondays and Wednesdays, and all day Friday. Hopefully this will improve my chances of getting a job, which I sorely need.
I had an appointment with my psychiatrist yesterday. It took some doing, but I convinced him to let me reduce or stop taking some of my medications over winter break, to see if I improve at all. Right now, I think the medicines are just dulling me and making me less able to enjoy life. I've had a terrible time grasping the concepts in my classes at school, and it was never like that before I started taking medication.
I've had various other side effects, like a decline in my ability to type, changes in appetite, no sex drive (though that may just be me), and severe apathy and inability to get interested in things.
My psychiatrist changed me to a different type of the anti-depressant I'm on a couple of weeks ago, but at the same dose, and I've noticed a significant decrease in the number of panic attacks I have. In situations where I would normally have one (like on the busses) I'm having them a lot less often.
I can't say for sure, but I'm doubting that the anti-depressant is doing much for me. What this medicine has done for me, basically, is make me manic (which I'm concerned might be contributing to panic attacks). I'm on an increased dose of the anti-psychotic to counteract the mania, but I'm wondering if it counteracts any effect the medicine might have. So as soon as I'm done with my exams, my psychiatrist has agreed to gradually reduce and maybe stop the anti-depressant. If it turns out that I can't function without it, then I'll start taking it again. But if not, I'm happy to be without it and whatever side-effects it might bring.
As for the anti-psychotic, I think my psychiatrist is very concerned that what happened in 2003 could happen again (I was psychotic for two weeks following a car accident (no physical injuries, just psychological shock)), so I'm not sure he'll let me stop taking that completely. However, I do recall that I was on a lower dose before we started me back on the manic-making anti-depressant, so maybe I can go back to a lower dose if I do well without the anti-depressant.
All in all I feel very good about the future at the moment. I may be able to reduce my medications, I will hopefully be getting a job soon, I feel like I've been given a second chance in the theory class, and I think my partner and I will do well on the big project.
I can't remember if I mentioned this, but the project entails making a global positioning service (just with a web interface, not with actual GPS units). I thought it might be cool to try to integrate our project with Google Maps, and if I can pull it off, that should net us some extra credit. I think it will be really fun to do, if I can do it. I'll be sure to show you guys, if I do.
I'm having a touch of indigestion
so I'll finish up yet another rollerdisco-trademarked loooooooong journal entry. Buh-bye!VIEW 10 of 10 COMMENTS
Its hard to do that when you have to go to work though and i feel guilty calling in jst for having a cold. people at work were like "hey are you losing your voice? NO it sounds like this all the time"
You may have noticed my lack of activity on the site. Anyways, my account is closing today, and I just wanted to say thanks for being a cool online buddy. And good luck with your finals at school.