Before I present Part 3 of my shuttle memories, I wanted to go back a bit. Part 1 and part 2 were posted previously, and in part 2 I discussed some of my middle school / junior high school experiences. I think it's important to mention that during those years, my school was already preparing me for high school and college to come.
Along the way, I also learned what high school courses I would need to prepare for an engineering major. Basically, 4+ years of math, 4+ years of science, meet the State requirements for graduation (4 years of English, 2+ years of foreign language...).
I think it might have been my high school, in a pre-enrollment presentation, that talked about Nebraska's Academic Honors diploma.
So by the time I started my Freshman year of high school, I had a pretty good plan of study already worked out. I adjusted it some, as time went on. Worked band in, as I got back into music. Considered doing chorus for a year. Thought about starting a second foreign language.
This kind of planning proved *critical* when we moved, and moved again. Indiana's state requirements were a little bit different from Nebraska's, but not in the basics: Math, Science, English, foreign language.
Proper prior planning also came in another area. I think I mentioned that I started babysitting about the time I was 12. Before I started babysitting as a business, working for other families, I took at least two different babysitting courses (IIRC, one by 4-H and the other from the American Red Cross), and Infant/Child CPR.
My first CPR class, they pointed out that simply by taking the class, we were making a decision to help people.
Now, I haven't *stayed* certified the entire 20-mumble years since that time. Sometimes I was, sometimes the cert lapsed and I didn't take another course for a while. But for a layperson, a non-medical professional, I still try to stay alert to medical news in the mainstream media. And when my workplace asked for volunteers to maintain first aid & CPR training, I stepped forward.
Knowing what to do makes a huge difference. Training helps get through the initial "freeze" and "panic" phases, and move on to "think this through" and "useful action."
So when the tornado sirens went off while I was babysitting, I got the kids in the basement. Found, plugged in, and turned on a radio down there. By the time the parents called, I was looking for their candles & a flashlight.
Twenty-mumble years later... When my son got sick last weekend, I mostly knew what to do. There's about two things that, with hindsight, I probably could have done differently and "better," but for the most part that training / instinct was right on. We got to the ER in a timely manner, everything worked out fine. (He is well now.)
My CPR / First Aid certifications have expired again. It's time to look for another course.
Along the way, I also learned what high school courses I would need to prepare for an engineering major. Basically, 4+ years of math, 4+ years of science, meet the State requirements for graduation (4 years of English, 2+ years of foreign language...).
I think it might have been my high school, in a pre-enrollment presentation, that talked about Nebraska's Academic Honors diploma.
So by the time I started my Freshman year of high school, I had a pretty good plan of study already worked out. I adjusted it some, as time went on. Worked band in, as I got back into music. Considered doing chorus for a year. Thought about starting a second foreign language.
This kind of planning proved *critical* when we moved, and moved again. Indiana's state requirements were a little bit different from Nebraska's, but not in the basics: Math, Science, English, foreign language.
Proper prior planning also came in another area. I think I mentioned that I started babysitting about the time I was 12. Before I started babysitting as a business, working for other families, I took at least two different babysitting courses (IIRC, one by 4-H and the other from the American Red Cross), and Infant/Child CPR.
My first CPR class, they pointed out that simply by taking the class, we were making a decision to help people.
Now, I haven't *stayed* certified the entire 20-mumble years since that time. Sometimes I was, sometimes the cert lapsed and I didn't take another course for a while. But for a layperson, a non-medical professional, I still try to stay alert to medical news in the mainstream media. And when my workplace asked for volunteers to maintain first aid & CPR training, I stepped forward.
Knowing what to do makes a huge difference. Training helps get through the initial "freeze" and "panic" phases, and move on to "think this through" and "useful action."
So when the tornado sirens went off while I was babysitting, I got the kids in the basement. Found, plugged in, and turned on a radio down there. By the time the parents called, I was looking for their candles & a flashlight.
Twenty-mumble years later... When my son got sick last weekend, I mostly knew what to do. There's about two things that, with hindsight, I probably could have done differently and "better," but for the most part that training / instinct was right on. We got to the ER in a timely manner, everything worked out fine. (He is well now.)
My CPR / First Aid certifications have expired again. It's time to look for another course.
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