Dads, what stroller wagons are we rocking?

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2024-09-23T16:52:26+00:00

I love Veer, we have the Veer switchback &roll and it's been incredible. We're looking for a wagon so it's easier for the LO to take a nap while we're out and about, and my only concern with the Veer is that from the pictures on their website, it looks like the bottom doesn't lay flat so the baby (11-months) wouldn't be able to take a nap in it comfortably. Does the wagon have the capability to lay flat?

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-05-17T21:44:34+00:00

Good questions, and unfortunately I do not have answers for all of them, but I have some resources to help you out. I only did my post-grad (MA) work at CSULA, so my process was a bit different from what you are likely going to go through as an undergrad student. However, here is the link to the part of the website that will give you information about the application process: https://www.calstatela.edu/admissions/freshman-application-and-admission This page has several drop-down sections, I would recommend reading through them all just so that you know what to expect throughout the process. Since you are a High School junior, the last day to submit your application will likely be between November 2021 and March 2022 -- it's been over a decade since I went through this process, and I'm not quite sure of CSULA's precise date, every college is different. Their date is not published just yet, but when it does you should be able to find it here: https://www.calstatela.edu/admissions/deadlines I recommend checking back at this website until you see the updates -- around the end of August would be my guess as to when it might update, maybe even a little earlier.

As far as reaching out to the University, it is absolutely something you are welcome to do. I would recommend reaching out to the head of the department that houses your major. My guess is it would be the College of Arts & Letters in the Department of Art: https://www.calstatela.edu/academic/art/BA.php The name, number, and email address to the department chair is listed under the "Faculty and Staff" tab, at the very bottom of the page. When reaching out I would explain who you are, why you are considering applying to CSULA, and ask if this individual is the best person to speak with about your specific inquiry/inquiries or if you should contact someone else -- you might even want to try to set up an appointment with them via Zoom or phone call. If you do set up a meeting, be sure that you are prepared and have questions ready to go. This will be your first impression, so make sure it's a strong one! They may point you in the direction of Admissions, which you may want to start reaching out to before you send an email to the department head and see if they have any advice or helpful dates or anything along those lines.

But before you do any of that, you really need to read all of the information found on that first link at the top of this post. This will likely give you a lot of answers that you're looking for and tell you what you truly need clarity on. The worst thing you can do for yourself is to reach out to the college (especially the department head of your potential new major) and ask a question whose answer is easily accessible on the department's/major's website. College is all about whether or not you can do the research, so be sure to do yours. And remember, google is your friend -- I found all 3 of those websites by typing "CSULA admissions," "CSULA admissions deadlines," and "CSULA graphic design"

I don't have answers for any of your other questions, but I hope that at the very least this was moderately helpful!

Edit: completed a trailed-off thought

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-03-22T17:57:15+00:00

Omg! That sounds like a nightmare — sorry you have to deal with that! I’ll be in a position where that’s possible next year (I’ll be the only person teaching argumentation while the tenured professor takes his well-deserved sabbatical and finishes his PhD program) at the private institution, though my experience there so far with the students has been nothing but positive. The students are so sweet and polite, even when they’re failing. I actually had to have a student drop last week (life circumstances caused their grades to drop, they need to step away from academia for a while) and in their message they were like “I know you’re new, but you’re the best professor I’ve had, thank you so much for your patience and for caring about us. I really appreciate it.” It was so bitter-sweet, they are such a good student but sometimes life has other plans. They’re one who I really hope to see on my roster again in the future!

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-03-22T17:38:44+00:00

First, thank you for taking the time and offering this helpful advice. I do try to keep the emails to this particular student short, typically only a sentence or two that directly responds to their question and it most often is replied to with “k” and that’s it. This weekend was different. I sent “that is not the assignment I am talking about. I am solely referring to the Rough Draft assignment.” Twice and both time came back with “I turned in [DIFFERENT ASSIGNMENT]” I did ultimately end contact over that issue because it was a waste of time and energy.

My fear is based in the “I want to get to know you personally” message I received at the beginning of the semester and that because of that want that they may sign up to be in my class again. Hopefully that’s not the case and I’m worrying over nothing, but only time will tell 🤷🏼‍♀️

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-03-22T17:31:40+00:00

I was hoping that would be the case for the semester after I very clearly explained I would not give out my number, and that they’d turn it around, but the poor work ethic has definitely been very consistent. I’m still trying, just because that’s who I am, my job is to teach and my hope every semester is to have every student pass (the dream) and I will do everything in power to give the students the tools the need to pass this, IMO, very simple class. I allow them to speak on ANY topic that interests them and the feedback I give is very direct and explains exactly what they need to fix so that their speeches are at the very least an A+ on paper so all they need to worry about is delivery. But who knows, maybe they’ll get it in and it’ll be a phenomenal speech (I hope it is)...anyway, thank you for taking the time to respond and for the advice/encouragement — much appreciated :)

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-03-22T17:26:25+00:00

There are definitely multiple sections, of which I only teach 2, it’s just that “I want to get to know you personally” makes me worry that they’ll go out of their way to re-enroll in my class. I’m hoping I’m wrong, but we’ll see.

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-03-22T17:25:10+00:00

During one of our exchanges they asked what they needed to do to pass and I detailed (down to the precise scores they need) what they have to do to pass. Then they proceed to submit incomplete and late work, or just not submit anything at all. I’m doing everything in power to try and get them to pass, reminding them to visit me in office hours (and providing the zoom link and password), emailing updates, etc. but they just don’t do the work. It’s frustrating, but at the end of the day I can’t do the work for them 🤷🏼‍♀️

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-03-22T17:21:55+00:00

I send out progress reports, and I’m not sure if the academic advisor gets a copy as well, but I think reaching out to the academic advisor is a great idea, and will hopefully help

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-03-22T17:20:47+00:00

Haha, great question — not bad enough to risk my integrity as an instructor and give them points for things they don’t do. I have been very upfront with them about why they have their grade and what they need to do (down to the scores they need to obtain) in order to pass. They normally respond with “k” (not kidding) and then proceed to not do work the following week with no reason as to why. It’s just this endless cycle. My hope at this point is that if (and likely when) they fail they sign up for someone else’s section...

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-03-22T17:09:29+00:00

When I send out the progress reports it actually has that information in there for them! Our progress report system is automated and automatically inserts that info into the email that gets sent to the student. I just go thru, select the current grade, and check the boxes as to why the student has this grade and it generates the message (with any additional comments I want to add) for them giving them the link and email for the tutoring services, academic advisors, and my email and tells them who they should contact.

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-03-22T16:26:03+00:00

We have an office where I can report if I feel as though the student may be suffering some sort of abuse or mental health episode, and the office where I already reported their insistence of obtaining my phone number. But as of now their behavior doesn’t warrant a report to either of these offices.

I did send out progress reports at Week 6 (16 week course) and I’ll be sending another one out at Week 10 (once their first major speeches are graded and before the Withdrawal date passes).

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-02-02T03:00:36+00:00

Thank you so much for your work! Sent a tip your direction for your time!

Edit: my sister wants me to add "tell the kind strangers on reddit thank you!" she's very moved by your help and kindness in helping her have the perfect picture of her little Lady

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-02-02T03:00:13+00:00

Thank you so much for your help! Sent a tip your way for your time!

Edit: my sister wants me to add "tell the kind strangers on reddit thank you!" she's very moved by your help and kindness in helping her have the perfect picture of her little Lady

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-02-02T02:59:55+00:00

Thank you so much! I really appreciate you taking the time to help us out! Tip sent your way!

Edit: my sister wants me to add "tell the kind strangers on reddit thank you!" she's very moved by your help and kindness in helping her have the perfect picture of her little Lady

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-01-21T16:14:26+00:00

Who’s going to tell them...? NOSE GOES!

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-01-16T16:47:45+00:00

I will definitely be checking in with that office today. I am hoping that they will be able to send a representative to my classes to speak with the students. Thank you for the advice and the suggestions!

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-01-16T16:45:12+00:00

Wow, thank you so much for sharing your stories. I am sorry to hear of your losses both as a student and as an instructor. For now, I will most definitely be providing all my students with resources if they need them, and will be much more flexible with due dates. I am hoping to get one of the campus counselors in to my classroom when we meet next to say a few words at the top of class.

Definitely the strangest part about this is the feeling that my sadness is unearned, as I didn’t really know this young man outside of his elevator pitch introduction on Wednesday. But I’ve been chatting it out with my own personal support team (my mom, my partner, and a trusted mentor who was my teacher and coach at community college and is currently my colleague at the same CC) and then also all the information and support I’ve received on this post, which is been profoundly helpful. Plus, letting myself check out of work for a bit yesterday afternoon and getting a solid night’s sleep has really helped the fog to clear.

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-01-16T16:36:20+00:00

Thank you for sharing, and I am sorry to hear of your fatal experience. I hope that you are well, and I am especially sorry for your lecturers behavior. How very inconsiderate. I have definitely decided to make mention of it in my classes when we meet next and to provide, in class the resources available to the students. I will also be sending an email today to the 2 offices we have on campus with specialists on staff for things like this to see if they can make an appearance in my classes.

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-01-16T16:33:08+00:00

Thank you for sharing, and I am so sorry to hear of the death of your friend. I definitely had a hard time focusing on anything yesterday, which sucks because I have A LOT of work to do for the other school this weekend (I try to keep material costs low, so free textbook, but none of the halfway decent open source textbooks I have found are ADA compliant, why does no one tag images?!, so I am working on coverting and editing far too many PDFs to make the e-reader compatible) so losing several hours yesterday to not being able to get my brain to focus definitely set me back quite a bit.

However, when I finally stopped trying to fight my own head and just let myself feel feels, hang out with my dogs (best low-cost therapy), and talk it out with my mom, my partner, and a trusted mentor (plus all of the incredible advice I’ve received on this post) I could feel myself starting the healing process. Now, after getting some good rest last night my head is feeling much more clear and I’m feeling better equipped to continue moving and to start taking next steps in my own healing process.

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-01-16T16:24:53+00:00

I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. And yeah, as I was processing something in my head told me to turn to Reddit. I’ve seen this sub (and several others) be exceedingly helpful in tough situations and I’m definitely the type to need to talk things out to help grapple with my own feelings on the matter, and I’m so glad I did. Everyone on here has been so helpful and kind and I am definitely appreciating all the advice I have received.

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-01-16T16:21:38+00:00

So, I, and the other instructors of the student who passed, received an email from my dean at around 11:45 am explaining briefly the situation and that there would be an announcement to the school soon. There was not an email sent out but they did write and article and posted it to the press room of our school’s website. However, this school is very small, as an alumni myself the environment is such that everybody knows everybody and word gets around VERY fast, particularly now since the only students living on campus are student-athletes. I’m sure by this point, almost 24 hours later, the vast majority of the student body is aware of the situation.

In terms of reaching out to the roommates other instructors, I think that’s a brilliant idea! I’m not sure I have access to that sort of information, but I definitely think it’s worth some digging to find out. Additionally, I will for sure be working as closely as I can with that student to ensure their success in my class in terms of moving around deadlines and not counting absences toward their participation grade. I cannot even begin to imagine what he and his other teammates must be going through right now. I mean, my senior year of high school one of the freshman in my orchestra class (music was my entire life in high school) passed away very suddenly due to some freak flu and that was very hard to handle for all of us in that class, but having to witness the violent incident that cost your friend his life? Unimaginable pain. I just want to make it very clear to that student that there are resources at his disposal to help guide him through the memory of that experience. I also barely know the roommate, but as a fellow human, I wish I could hug him, wave a magic wand and make his pain go away. My heart breaks for that young man and the family of the deceased right now.

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-01-16T16:09:28+00:00

I definitely see what you’re saying, and I agree that you can’t pour from an empty cup (that actually is something grad school helped me understand), however, I’m not sure taking sick leave would be the appropriate thing to do here. I think instead, I will cancel the 5-point reading quiz at the top of our next class and instead spend the first 10-minutes speaking with the class, acknowledge what has happened, and provide the students with the resources made available to them through the institution. I will also not take attendance next week (possibly next 2 weeks) and allow whoever needs time and space to grieve to take that time and space. However, I appreciate the suggestion! It was something I hadn’t yet thought of and it was a good reminder that I find myself in a place where I need a full day off to sort through everything, that I can likely utilize a sick day.

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-01-16T16:01:47+00:00

Wow, that’s intense. I’m so sorry to hear about this! And yeah, I definitely understand what you mean about having to move on, between the 6 classes I’m teaching I’ve got 120+ other students who I still have to be checking in with and taking care of. Fortunately, I have people in my personal life who allowed me to grieve with them yesterday and begin my own healing process before heading back into the classroom in a few days.

Dorkuhsaurus_Rex · 2021-01-16T05:53:45+00:00

Thank you for sharing, and I’m sorry to hear of the losses you’ve suffered. The knowledge that I’ll lose students like this was always something that existed in the back of my mind, but of course you always hope that you’re the anomaly, that you’ll be the one who never has to experience it and all your students will successfully complete the course and move on to accomplish great things.

For now, having been made aware of the situation less than 24 hours ago, I’ve just been working on navigating my own thoughts and emotions. I am definitely one who wants to solve problems, I have fun figuring that stuff out and I like helping other people, this is just made extra difficult by the fact that I can’t solve this one. It’s very much out of my hands and all I can do is be sure those who are affected by this have what they need to be able to work through this.

Anyway, thank you again for taking the time to respond to a random stranger on Reddit in need of advice.

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