I need some help making a decision about my Env. Hist. Final

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Ok. Where shall I start?

I am in my last semester at the community college I am going to, and I am enrolled in an environmental history class. And we have now come to the time for the instructor to hand out the final. But this final is composed of 5 essays of about 2 pages each.
There are eight essay questions on the test, and we students have to pick four. The first question is worth 50 points and is required for all students, and four other questions worth 20 points apiece. All in all, the paper is worth 120 points.

I have two weeks in order to get this final done. But I am in a debate as to how much I can actually get done. There are a few points I would like to bring up.

First, the person who was originally the instructor was forcibly retired halfway through the semester due to differences with the administration and because of cost-cutting measures. The adjunct who replaced him knows very little about environmental history. He basically spent the first 3-4 weeks after he came in playing movies while deciding what he was going to teach. When he finally did begin teaching, he condensed his lectures to 12 1-hour segments. He also had us write 1 paper based off of one showing of a movie.

Second, the class is an elective (i.e. not a General Education requirement), so I will have 64 credits at the end of the semester (Environmental history included with 3 of those credits), so if I fail or get a lower grade, the most I can lose is about 3 credits, and I will still be above the 60-credit threshold (61 credits) needed to graduate. Also, failing the class or getting a D will not affect the Gen Ed requirements.

Third, I was looking at a list of classes down at Boise State (the college I am transferring to) and the class is not on there. So my being in the Environmental history class may be futile, because the credits probably will not transfer.

Fourth, the teacher went through the notes he gave for lecture so fast that I could not listen to to them or write them down. The instructor said he would give the notes out, but he kept delaying and delaying. He said he would hand them out next Monday over the computer system, but he assigned the final this week and I have until May 8 to complete the final. So, I am waiting and losing valuable writing time.

I already have 2 other assignments I have 100's on, and some extra credit.

So, the evidence and arguments have been presented, and I will lay out 4 possible courses of action. You must render a verdict. I will give you three choices, please choose one and explain your opinion.

First, I choose to do all of the essays, beginning tomorrow. My game plan for achieving this is to write out the responses this week and type them next week. This may happen, but the two week deadline is too little for me. Also, I have no notes to go on.
My dad advocates this because he tells me that I need a good report card to show to the vocational rehabilitation people down in Idaho. It is the "ganbare" (Japanese for endurance) option, as he calls it.

Second, I choose to do all of the essays after I get the notes on Monday, but the time will already be running down. I need more time to compose a response. I would intersperse the handwritten response on M and W with typing on T, Th, and F. I have two classes in the morning on M and W with 1 afternoon class, so there is practically no time to compose or do serious typing.

Third, I do as many essays as I can, starting with the 50-pointer, and then focusing on the 20-point essays. I worry that he may fail me if I don't get done with all of the essays. Under any circumstances, this will lower my letter grade.

Fourth, I will not do the essay, and fail. Absolutely unlikely, that is practically a suicide wish.

I am a hardworking student, and I am studying hard.

So all being said, what do you think I should do?

Any flaws in my planning?

What would you do?

Am I being weak or just stupid? After all this is college.

Start working on them now, revise as necessary once you get the notes.

Why do you have to handwrite them before typing? I always type my papers directly.

I don't see how 5 essays in 2 weeks is particularly hard. You wrote out the fairly lengthy OP on this thread, and it doesn't seem to have caused you concern at it's length.

If the notes are really important, then I'd probably start on the 20 pointers without them, and work on the 50 pointer when you get the notes.

It depends on the school, but I would think the credits would transfer, as generic elective credits, if nothing else.

Get the notes.

Outline the answers to each paper.

Then start writing the papers. Get them all done, complete the class, and take pride in your accomplishment. Forget the grades. This is about how you choose to tackle obstacles in your life.

I would say that if you need considerable time to form your responses to the essay, and you are hardworking and study hard, then using what you know to start on the essays without the notes seems to be your best bet. As Orwell said, fill in once you get the notes. However, if the notes never come and you have delayed in writing due to your lack of notes, then it will be too late. Better to get something down now. Also, whether or not the credits will transfer is not what you should be considering. If you get a low grade it will lower your GPA and that transfers! And if this class is going to benefit you in your future career or satisfy a personal interest in environmental history then complete the course with your best effort for yourself!

Good Luck.