Let me start my reflection by saying that this is my last college-required assignment. It is exciting and sad at the same time. Right now, I simply cannot absorb the fact that tonight there will be no homework, no studying for finals, no presentations, no school. In this respect, it is really great that we have had an opportunity to take a class where we could just think and express our ideas about different things: things that may seem irrelevant at first sight but at the same time are much more important than grades and all the hassle that makes up “school.” Our prolonged discussion of failure and success is still fresh in my mind and gets me inspired every time I think about it. Personally, the most important thing I learnt from this class is that it is ok to fail sometimes. Being honor students, we are used to perfectionism in everything we do; we have high expectations and are very unforgiving of ourselves. At least I know I am. And at times throughout the class I felt that my idea or my project is not as good as I would want it to be. It really frustrated me that because of long working hours and other classes I couldn’t give it my all. Nevertheless, when I look at Milestone 3, I can’t help being a little proud of my Pet Hugger. Somehow, by the end of the semester my idea shaped itself and now it exists in a perceptible form of a 4-minute video. I am glad that I had decided to pursue something I am truly interested in. I don’t think I would have enjoyed the class as much if I chose a project just for the sake of passing the class.
Also, I found the atmosphere of open discussion and friendly feedback prevailing in the classroom to be very stimulating. If I could go back to late January when I was just starting the class, the advice I would give myself would be not to worry so much about everything and to just enjoy the creation process.
