On July 1, I’ll be ending my two-month term break at WGU, which I began in May. I didn’t reach my goal of finding a part-time job during that time, but I think I’ll be starting something up in July; before August, I hope.
If we’re not looking at that, though, these two months have been good for me. Lots of time for rest, creative writing, and learning how to cook up some dishes at home. And recently, I’ve been updated on the financial aid status, so it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders for the time being. I can dedicate a little more time each week to my studies over working.
Nonetheless, I still have to create a “game plan” for the upcoming term. I have a good idea of what’s going to happen, but I’ll need to speak to my program mentor (who’s wonderful!) about whether or not I’ll be switching over to the new degree plan for Computer Science: I’ve done the two Java software classes (C482 and C195; Software I and II, respectively) so I don’t have to take the new versions of those classes, which have been broken down into two classes each. The main thing that I’m concerned about is whether or not I’ll take the CompTIA Project+, which is in the degree plan that I have right now. The new degree plan seems to have swapped out Project+ with LPI Essentials, a foundational certification on Linux concepts, and a class on version control. In total, those two classes are worth four credits, which was how much the Project+ (project management) class was.
For the most part, though, I’m not worried. If it comes to asking for a term extension, I’ll do that. I feel refreshed after this term break, and then progressing through app/Academy Open’s curriculum has been reinforcing some concepts too… it’ll just be syntax specific to different programming languages that I’ll need to remember.
The Plan
Here are the classes I’ll need to do in order to finish my degree, that are shared by both degree plans:
- C949 – Data Structures and Algorithms I
- C950 – Data Structures and Algorithms II
- C191 – Operating Systems for Programmers
- C188 – Software Engineering (in the new plan, it’s numbered D284)
- C846 – Business of IT, Applications (the ITIL exam)
- D191 – Advanced Data Management (in the new plan, it’s numbered D326)
- C951 – Introduction to AI
- C857 – Software Quality Assurance (in the new plan, it’s numbered D480)
- C964 – Computer Science Capstone
If I stay with the old degree plan, I’ll add on C176 – Project Management, which is the class that has you take the CompTIA Project+ exam. The total here would be ten classes.
If I move to the new one, I’ll add these on:
- D197 – Version Control
- D281 – Linux Foundations
Which brings my total up to eleven classes left to do, but from what I’ve heard, version control isn’t too hard. Linux seems to have an emphasis on knowing the commands like the back of your hands; not too fond of that considering I could just do man <insert command here>, but it is what it is. It might be good to drill some of the stuff into memory.
Assignments for the Courses
WGU has a model where you must pass (equivalent to a “B” or a 3.0) an assignment or a group of assignments. If I’m being honest, sometimes they’re challenging, especially for the objective assessments (the exams). The courses where you have to complete a project have a bit more leeway, but in evaluation, they may grade very close to the rubric; anything that can go under scrutiny will be!
Certifications
- C176 – Project Management/Project+ (if staying in old degree plan)
- C846 – Business of IT, Applications/ITIL
- D281 – Linux Foundations/LPI Linux Essentials (if moving to new degree plan)
Exams (Objective Assessments)
- C949 – Data Structures and Algorithms I
- C191 – Operating Systems for Programmers
- C857/(D480) – Software (Design, and) Quality Assurance
Projects/Papers (Performance Assessments)
- D197 – Version Control (if moving to new degree plan)
- C950 – Data Structures and Algorithms II
- C188/D284 – Software Engineering
- D191/D326 – Advanced Data Management
- C951 – Introduction to AI
- C964 – Computer Science Capstone
About a week later… (June 28, 2023):
I have contacted my program mentor about whether or not I get placed into the new program. Most of what I saw related to it has been that the student is trying to switch in the middle of a term or joining on/after June 2023 (which is when the curriculum change took effect). By default, I will stay in the same one, but I asked if I can be moved to the new one. It may take a little bit of time, and potentially delay, but if it’s by a few days, I’m not worried. It’ll help motivate me to make use of my time.
A few days later… (July 1, 2023):
Today, I would’ve started my second term, but I put in a request to change to the computer science program that has the Linux and version control classes, so I’ll most likely start at the end of next week or the week after. I think I can push myself to finish the rest of the classes (and if it comes to needing it, I’ll put in a request to extend the term by one month).
In a few days I’ll chat with one of the senior program mentors about switching to the new program, and then try to schedule an appointment with my regular mentor to approve some classes for this term.
Another few days later (July 7, 2023):
The request was put through and I have successfully migrated over to the newer computer science program! I am very excited to start.
My List of Courses
So for this term, these are the classes I’ll be doing:
- D197 – Version Control
- D281 – Linux Foundations
- C949 – DSA1
- C950 – DSA2
- C191 – OS for Programmers
- D336 – Business of IT, Applications
- D284 – Software Engineering
- D326 – Adv. Data Management
- C951 – Intro to AI
- D480 – Software QA
- C964 – Capstone
I’ll do my best to provide my experience with each one. I think it’ll be a great way for me to reflect back on my learning journey, and to give myself (and others!) additional resources for help.
These course numbers reflect the ones in the newer CS degree plan.
I’ll try to remember to tag all of these upcoming WGU posts with “Term 2” and “WGU”. They’ll definitely be under the WGU category.
But I’m gonna be out for most of the day tomorrow, and be exhausted by the end of the day. I think I could probably go through Version Control quickly, since I’ve been going through the app/Academy Open’s curriculum on and off, which requires me to do some Git/GitHub action. Toting along the laptop as well as my actual tower… at the moment I’m finishing up this post on the laptop while I wait for the laundry to finish up, and I already miss the larger screen I have for my desktop, and having an actual mouse to use.
That being said, I’m working, so even if it feels slower for me to use the laptop, I’ll get used to it. It’s an older Macbook; it takes about a week of daily use for me to get familiar with the commands and shortcuts. Any moment I can give to working through these courses, I will. But I honestly think that the passion, curiosity, and most of all, discipline, will carry me through.
