My Tests are Done!

I found out I passed 5 out of 6 placement exams and I came really close to passing the one I didn't. So my advisor said I could retake that test before next semester instead of retaking the class. I didn't study for that one, so I'm positive that if I study for it, I will pass it. Six tests covering all the chemistry you learned from your undergraduate degree is just too much to study for at once. Anyhow, I'm really happy at how many I passed. I was taking the tests with a bunch of people who hardly passed any of their tests the first time. This kind of puts me ahead of the curve since I don't have to retake classes and most people do. I feel great about it. I have 4 whole days to goof off before my semester starts!

This semester I am taking a bio-organic class and a structure determination class. So exciting! I am so stoked to start. It turns out that I have to go around and interview at least four professors about their research before I pick one. I've already decided on Dr. Tius, but it can't hurt to hear about what other people in the department are doing. Next week I'm going to see if I can get those interviews out of the way so I can start research with Dr. Tius. I'm going to interview Dr. Vicic (a smart, personable guy working on organometallic reactions), Dr. Jarrett (working on bio-inoganic and bio-organic reactions which I have very little interest in), and Dr. Hemscheidt (the department head and nice, but authoritative, German guy working on natural products organic chemistry). I will get Dr. Tius' signature since I've already talked to him. Again, so excited!

I was looking at my schedule, and it looks so empty compared to my previous semesters. I only have classes Tuesday and Thursday, plus I will TA a class. I don't know which lab I will be TA-ing yet but am excited to find out today or tomorrow. That will take up about 4 more hours a week, probably on a weekday afternoon. Anyhow, I should have plenty of time for research when I start.

I'm hoping the bio-organic class I'm taking isn't too far above me since I don't really know any microbiology, which is part of what it's about I think. Bio was never a favorite subject, but that's because it wasn't tied to chemistry and was way too schizophrenic going from area to area. This class will bring together the parts of bio I actually find interesting, and hopefully it will explain those curvy-line depictions of enzymes/proteins/?? that I've never understood. I want to understand them though because they have a big impact on the pharmaceutical industry. So I'm most excited about that class. It feels like a new chapter in my life :) I have a degree and so far, I'm loving grad school. I hope the feeling lasts. I will finally be doing research that I have a stake in and learning new things and building on the knowledge I have and be part of a group of grad students who really care about their classes and research.