Basically what that does is allow me to split my Full-Time status between two schools, in this case UNM and CNM. I can take classes at CNM which count toward my credits at UNM so that I can get my Financial Aid through UNM. The only catch was that the classes at CNM had to directly transfer to UNM under the degree I was studying. For that reason I ended up adding a Science endorsement to my UNM program. Basically for the Math endorsement I just needed math classes anymore. Since they stack, prerequisite-wise, there was no way I could fill out the credits I would have needed at CNM. Just to note, though, I could have taken whatever classes I felt like at UNM, even if they weren't toward my degree. That's what I'm doing partially this term. I filled up with all the classes I needed but still needed some credits at UNM, so this term I'm also taking an Intro to Special Ed. course. It's not needed for my degree, but I figure it's supplemental instead of just fully an elective.
It goes without saying that that whole process has been a real pain in the behind. With the Consortium I have to go and tell my Advisor at the College of Education what classes I'm taking so she can check if they transfer from CNM and to get her signature. Then I have to go to CNM to get them to fill out the Financial Aid information. Then I have to go back to UNM to turn it in at their Financial Aid office. It's not so hard after the first couple of terms, but it's still a run-around. Besides that I really thing that it's a messed up system where they don't consider you and adult until you've theoretically graduated. According to their model, if a student enrolls at UNM right out of high school they should have attained their degree by the time they're 23. Then it doesn't matter anymore if they are finally considered Residents if their parents live out of state. It strikes me in particular because I've been considered a Resident at CNM for the last four years. All it took was for me to show them bank statements or a lease contract which served as proof of me actually living here in New Mexico (Albuquerque) for at least one year. Here I am, just passed the five year anniversary of living here and I'm just now finally being recognized as a Resident by UNM (or at least as of January 23, 2012). I think that shows a pretty big chink in the education system when it gets harder and more expensive to attend a state school for ridiculous reasons. After all, it is Resident and Out-of-State tuition, not "are you still reliant on your parents" tuition, or "Adult/ Not Adult" tuition. If I've lived in a place long enough, I should qualify. But anyway…..
Later on this term (probably around February) I'll ask the UNM people if there's any paper work for me to fill out so that I can get Resident tuition starting next Fall. In the mean time, I'm taking quite a bit of Science classes again. I'm taking the lab to go with the Geology class I took at UNM last term. I'm also taking the Chemistry and Physics labs at CNM to go with the lecture classes I took for those courses last term. The reason I didn't couple the classes with the labs was because of credit limits. If I had taken the labs at UNM they would have pushed me into Out-of-State tuition. CNM doesn't offer the Geology lab, and the Chemistry and Physics labs filled up right away. So I'm finishing up the Sciences from last term, but also adding a Science (with lab) this term at CNM. I keep forgetting the actual name, but I think it's something along the lines of Microbiology and Cellular Biology, or something similar, a Biology in any case. Along with those Science classes and the Special Education class I'll also be repeating Precalculus, at UNM this time. There is no reason for me to not get an 'A' in that darn class.
I'm feeling pretty excited about some of my classes this term. Even though they're mostly Science again, I feel like I should do really well in most of them since they are labs for lectures I've passed. I got an 'A' in Geology so there's no reason I shouldn't get one in the lab for it. It's even taught by my lecture instructor from last term. I did surprisingly well in Chemistry ('B') so I think I'll do pretty good in the lab as well. I could have done better in Physics ('C') but I figure I know the material better than I would have last term, and I'm taking the lab with a really fun and informative Physics instructor (Mary Odom). It's my only Thursday class too, so I'll be able to have a good time with it without stressing about what's next. The only Science that's new for me this term is the Biology class. Since it's a bit more advanced than Bio 1 I'm a little nervous, but I'm hoping that with putting in more study that it'll make a difference. I also have the same lab and lecture instructor, so hopefully that will help. Precalculus should not be so difficult this time. First time I bombed it because I was on a depressive spin-out. Second time I missed some interfaces online for tests and quizzes, so I got a 'D' even though I got a 'B' on the Final. Third time I took it with the most avoided instructor at CNM. Though I went in figuring that I knew what I was talking about, her tests never seemed to match up with the homework or bookwork. This time, however, I will get that 'A.' Otherwise I have an online Intro to Special Education course. So far I've done really well with Education courses, I've received an 'A' in all of them. I'm optimistic about this one, and I think it'll be really interesting.
Aside from the regular academic aspect of the upcoming term, Sam is also going back to school. Her classes are basically online (though some may require her to come in from time to time) but she is planning on coming in to school with me and Byron every now and again to study and be able to spend some time with me. On those days where it's convenient we've talked about her coming in and studying while I'm in class and then us going out for lunch. That's something I'm really looking forward to. In a lot of ways it'll be neat to have my life with Sam more integrated with my school life. It's been a bit of a wedge since the two have been so separated, not in small part due to me. All in all it should be a really good, fun, and interesting term though.