Academic Plan

Here at Butler I am taking classes to eventually transfer to a university and get into Pharmacy School. Right now I am on KU's Pre-Pharmacy curriculum; after I complete the requirements I have to take the PCAT test and score high on it to be eligible. This website explains the steps to becoming a pharmacist. The last two years in high school I took four classes (Speech, Lit & Comp, College Algebra, and Calculus) and got college credit for them so now I have room to take my art classes on the side. These classes aren't necessarily going to any degree but they are for my enjoyment and provide an extra source for money with the scholarship. After I leave Butler and complete all of my Pre-Pharmacy classes I can start an intership at different places. Some places offer a program where they pay for the tuition in Pharmacy School if one works for them for a set number of years. Others will take someone after they complete school and have a higher starting salary. This is a link that explains Walmart's intership program. Walgreen's intership is a little different and this is their link. I am one of the college students that knows what I want to do and what classes I am required to take but there are many students who are undecided on a career and what direction they should be going. Different websites help these students to find what they are good at and what jobs would be good for their strengths. This website is about career decision making and it includes a checklist for career searching and frequently asked questions and answers to these questions.

Community Service

One issue that is concerning the nation currently is animal abuse. The most recent case that was all over the news is Mike Vick's case of dog fighting which is a form of animal cruelty. Animal abuse can be so graphic sometimes that people don't want to think about it but the people that are committing this crime in large masses cause people to open their eyes about this issue. Each state has its own rules relating to animal abuse. Some states call it a felony, some call it a misdemeanor. Many states are starting to take action and impose stricter laws. Some states like Nevada require counseling or psychological treatment for a child who committs animal cruelty. Arkansas is trying to increase their animal cruelty laws from a maximum fine of $1,000 and a year in jail to a Class D felony which means fines up to $10,000 and six years in jail for adult offenders. The main opposition to these actions is the complaint of laws being to vague. Contrary to this a vague law allows judges to decide with a series of cases what exaclty is animal cruelty and what isn't. Many laws are built up in this fashion. One case where offenders were not prosecuted was when two adults beat two of their dogs to death with aluminum bats because they were worried the dogs barking would cause them to be evicted. They were not prosecuted because it was argued that the dogs were killed instantly and they did not suffer while being beaten. It was said that because the dogs were killed instantly it would b the same as killing the dogs through injection. We can all take action through the community to help keep stories like these from happening. One way to help is to volunteer at a local animal shelter to help the animals that are being abused. El Dorado has a local animal shelter where pets can be rescued and put up for adoption. Another way is to keep an eye out for dogs that look mistreated and to get it reported as soon as possible. ASPCA is a nation wide organization that is a society created to prevent cruelty to animals. There are steps to reporting animal cruelty in different places. This website describes ways to file a report in different states. On ASPCA's website you can do anything from finding information about adoption to starting your own shelter. The reason most of the stricter laws are passed in different states is because of action from people. By going out and showing support for stricter laws we can get them passed and help to stop animal cruelty.

Time Management

When I left for Butler I gained more responsibilites since I am living on my own. Academically I have to take hard classes and keep very good grades to be able to be eligible to go to Pharmacy School. I also have the responsibility of being on the softball team; which is like my job. It is paying for my school which is what a job would do. I have to work practices, games, and study halls into my schedule. Also I have a committment to my family to go home and visit them on occassion. I will go home for holidays, birthdays, or some other event. Because I usually go home on the weekends I have to learn to manage time between family and new friends. I didn't come here with very many friends so if I don't stay some weekends to go places I won't ever get close to anyone. Most of the time when I fail to manage my time properly I procrastinate and put things like projects off till the last minute. Instead of working on homework I will hang out with friends or do something else. When all of my responsibilities seem like they are just building up on each other it causes me to stress out and to not enjoy myself. To be able to handle all these things I have to stay very organized and keep track of all my important events that I have to attend. Also by understanding my own lifestyle and how I study I can play time to study and to go out with friends. By studying a little every night I can eliminate the need to cram study for tests or cramming to get projects done. College is a lot different from high school in that there is more flexibility with school work and going to class. I think I have been adjusting pretty well so far to this new kind of time management. Without time management I would not be able to balance all my responsibilities successfully.