College is hard!

Here's UTA's impressive new Engineering Research Building.

Hello all!  Steven Long here.  For those few parties interested to know, UT Arlington posted my final grades from the Spring semester today.

Now, to really grasp the significance here, one must understand the full situation.  You see, I am attending UTA thanks to a combination of federal grant money, loans and a scholarship.  All three of these items are dependant upon my maintaining a GPA greater than 2.0.  Unfortunately I was met with disaster last Fall and managed to fail both classes I took.  The reasons for this are many, and I will spare you the gory details, but the main point is that I thought re-taking a course would replace the previous failing grade.  At UTA this is not the case.  I only have a thin window of time in which I can appeal to have a grade dropped from my GPA.  Are you following this?  So my GPA is abysmal.  Furthermore, I am stuck with the confounded grade until the next Fall semester starts.

Long explanation abbreviated, I need to bring my GPA up to par in order to continue receiving my scholarship and grant.  Also I need a certain GPA to register for classes next semester or I am on "academic probation."  In other words, they think I need to chill out and get my junk together.  But when series of calculus classes are involved, taking a break is a bad idea. 

At any rate, My grades are as follows:

Class Description Units Grading Grade Grade Points CE 1104 INTRO TO ENGR 1.00 Graded B 3.000 ENGL 2309 WORLD LIT 3.00 Graded A 12.000 MATH 1426 CALCULUS I 4.00 Graded C 8.000

Let me translate:  World Literature:  Great! Engineering:  Good enough! Calculus:  Eh. . .  I think it is important to note here that Cal I has about a 30% pass rate.  Therefore a C in calculus is exceptional and I am happy with it.  However, I needed a B in order to bring my GPA up.  So what shall I do?  Now I must submit a formal appeal to the powers that be and the long paper trail continues.  Sigh. Alright, enough of this!  We do other stuff too, you know. Here Jennifer is modeling a lovely hat from the Scottish festival we attended.  Looking good! And this is Jennifer showing her sensitive side.  Aaaw!  Yes, she is still working at the animal clinic and yes she still loves aminals!  And this birdie loves her back. And as for me?  Well, I am still frollicking and running.  I am running in another wacky obstacle race on June 16.  I am working hard and feeling swell and Ellie is my personal trainer.  Thanks Ellie!