Update!!

Hi Everyone!!

I just want to update you all!! I apologize that it has been a while since I blogged, my family and I have experienced tragedies over the past three months. We are all doing better and we are thankful to have the Lord in our lives and of course to have each other.

Over the month of December, my husband and I went back to Minnesota to see family and celebrate Christmas! We had an amazing time! It was a well needed vacation, you probably all know what I mean. We spent time playing in the snow, snowboarding, and tubing while we were there. We enjoyed all of the family Christmas parties and spending time with everyone!! If everything goes as planned, we will be living in Minnesota by the end of this summer!! This is very exciting for us; however, it will be difficult to leave everyone here. I have already started applying to several different jobs in the criminal justice system including police departments, law firms, and sheriff's departments. Although I have not quite decided what I actually would like to do! I know and it's so close to graduation already! I am interested in so many different areas of the system! I have recently decided that I may apply with private investigation firms and possibly get my private investigator's license. In contrast, I may just continue to work in a law firm, preferably criminal because I already have a great deal of experience in a civil law firm, while attending law school. Wow! So many different options with this degree. I'll let you all know when I have made my final decision.

I'd like to give you all an update on how my semester interning at the law firm finished. It was an awesome experience where I learned and will continue to learn many things about our law. I have developed myriad skills while interning here. I successfully completed the internship. Moreover, I will continue to work for this law firm until I graduate. My experience with the firm will be valuable to place on career applications. Furthermore, my supervisor can write me a recommendation letter for any career path that I choose to take.

The last semester begins tomorrow!! I can't believe that it's such a short time until graduation! I have a full schedule consisting of the following five courses:

CRJ 441: Prevention of Criminal and Delinquent Behavior
CRJ 442: Community Relations/Justice System
CRJ 461: Domestic Violence
FAS 331: Marriage/Family Relationships
PGS 101: Introduction to Psychology

I set out my classes so that I would be able to choose any two elective classes that I desired for my final semester. The courses that I chose were FAS 331 and PGS 101. I chose FAS 331 because I heard it was a good class. I also thought that would enjoy and gain a lot from it at the same time. I haven't taken psychology yet; therefore, I signed up for the class because I wanted to take it before I graduate.

I will attend classes Monday nights and all day Tuesdays and Thursdays. I will work Mondays during the day, Wednesdays, Fridays and sometimes on the weekends.

Time management is key to being a successful student while managing a job and being married. From my personal experience, I have found that utilizing time gaps between classes for studying and homework is very valuable. I just find a quiet place to work and I always seem to get a lot accomplished. In addition, I study and complete homework during the weekend and when I have any other spare time during the week. I utilize study groups for every class! I believe forming study groups is vital to doing well in many classes. If I am ever having trouble in any of my classes, I email my professor and meet with them during their office hours to get help which has been beneficial to my grade.

If any of you have any questions or concerns at all about the courses, study habits or school in general feel free to email me at scrable@asu.edu and I will get back to you just as soon as I can.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!!

Stacey