First Week of School

So I've been trying to update my blog for a few days now but I couldn't because my computer was messed up (I'll get more to that story later though).


This past week seemed like the longest week of my life! It all started on Monday with qualifying exams for the PhD program. They are the ACS exams for each area of chemistry (biochem, physical, inorganic, organic, and analytical) and they are quite hard. USC makes you take 2 of the 5 exams and they want you to pass them but you don't have to. I tried my hardest but I'm not worried because we have to make B's in our classes which is the other way to qualify for the program. The 2 exams were stretched over Monday and Tuesday.


We've also had faculty presentations everyday at 5 to learn about the different research groups here. After listening to the different teachers, we'll set up interviews and then pick a lab to join. I'm excited about some of the research I've been hearing and I'm starting my interviews soon.


Wednesday we got our TA schedule and I met with the teacher I'm going to be working for. I will be teaching 3 general chemistry labs. I also have to attend the class for the labs and grade papers. It seems like it's going to be a lot of work so I'm really going to have to manage my time. I did luck up with a really great teacher, Dr. Goode, to work for. He's really nice and really helpful since this is my first year. He also happens to know Dr. Schmidt, who is the teacher I prepped for at Georgia Southern.


Thursday classes started but luckily I don't have any of my classes on Tuesday or Thursday. I did however, get to run around trying to figure out my whole parking and financial situations. If I start walking around campus everyday then I won't have to go to the gym. It is so big and there are hills everywhere. 


My first day of classes was really on Friday and it ended up being such a long and draining day! I don't really know what I was expecting but my classes are going to be SO hard! I'm taking 2 biochem classes and one organic class. I am completely terrible at organic but a lot of biochem is mixed with organic so I feel like it would be a good idea to review now. The tests in the organic class are going to be on Saturday which is the worst thing EVER. It's torture to think that on a Saturday I'll be stuck inside trying to pass a test! (Hello Graduate School)
Anyways, we also had some boring safety hazard seminar to go to on Friday. It lasted for 2 and 1/2 hours. Added with the faculty presentations I ended up being at school for a total of 12 hours. ON A FRIDAY! So to get rid of some stress some of the first years went down to a place called Five Points here (it's a street with a lot of restaurants and bars) and had a lot of fun. 


Saturday we all went floating down the river. It was so much fun! It took around 3-4 hours and there were even "rapids" to go down. The end of the trip was rushed because it started to storm but it was still funny because we all had to get out of the water and run with tubes and coolers in hand back to the car. 


Today was a complete fail. I woke up around 11 am and decided to get my computer looked at because it hasn't been working for a few days. I took it to Best Buy where one of the geeks (not my term...it's what they call the guys that work in the geek squad) told me that my computer has been infected with a virus and it would cost $200 just for him to fix it. Luckily, I do have an anti-virus system on my computer so my parents told me to call customer service. They were able to fix the problem, but it was 6 hours and $170 later. Computers are too expensive to be so crappy! 


So now I have to get started on studying for my classes so I don't get behind. I really hope my weeks aren't as long as this last one because it will take FOREVER to get my PhD! I'm really getting homesick and missing everyone that means the most. I wish I could see everyone so pls feel free to come visit!!! 


Oh. and...Chemistry Fact #2-
Avocados don't ripen while they are still attached to the tree that it grows on. It only ripens after many days of being "picked." This is why when we buy avocados at the store, they are too green and hard. If you love avocados and don't feel like waiting a few days for one to ripen, simply place it in a paper bag with an apple or a banana. Apples and bananas give off ethylene gas which speeds up the ripening process. It should only take 1-2 days for the avocado to ripen at room temperature. 
Also, don't put the avocados in the fridge. The cold temps really slow down the ripening process :)