In this class, I am looking forward to improving my writing and analyzation skills. While I think I have a pretty good background in writing from my high school English classes, I still think there is a lot of room to improve. I most look forward to analyzing texts because I think that is one of my weakest areas that I need to improve on. I am excited for class discussions and small group discussions, especially about a text, because there is always something other people think of when reading a text that I completely miss.
I think an obstacle that I can foresee is managing my time when I start working my part-time job. As of right now, I am doing pretty good with managing my time, but when I have another task to add on top of school, I will have to learn how to manage my time better. I have never worked a job while going to school, so it’s going to be a learning experience that will take me a couple of weeks to adjust to. I also think that having the freedom of online school may also cause me to procrastinate more, but I plan on avoiding that by using my agenda book and calendar to keep track of my assignments. I have always been diligent about writing my assignments down in my agenda book, but after going over the syllabi in my classes, I realized I should write down assignments that are due a couple weeks ahead so I don’t forget about it until the week it is due. I think the weekly schedule will greatly help with my organization and will help me feel less overwhelmed by all my assignments.
One of the things I think an instructor can do to help me excel is to be encouraging during class discussions. Sometimes I get nervous saying an idea or thought on the topic being discussed, so encouragement would help me feel less nervous. I also appreciate comments on my writing because I know they will only help me improve. Overall, from this course, I hope to improve my writing and analyzation skills. I also hope to get to know my classmates better and to have a good first semester in college.
I also agree that the freedom online school affords is good and bad. While we do have more time, we also have more opportunities to possibly miss assignments. I am also trying to develop a schedule during this time of relative inactivity, which is not likely to last.
I definitely agree that small group discussions are very helpful in analyzing texts and getting the most insight from them. I am the opposite to you in that writing is one my weakest areas and I largely prefer analyzing texts. However, I strive to improve my writing and your point about other people’s comments really stood out to me. Having comments can help me see what needs improvement and what is working well. I look forward to getting to know you and we can help each other navigate through this first semester!
I have a similar obstacle to you. College is a new step in life, and compared to high school I think it will require more hard work and time management. Time management is a skill that I need improvement on. I know I will have to make sacrifices for my education, but at the same time staying mentally healthy is also important to me. It will be difficult, but I think having a planner and keeping track of my assignments would be helpful.
I feel for you when you say you are say that the time management is going to be a problem because I already see it for myself, I too work a part time job and then more but I have noticed that when you give yourself a certain window of time to do a task typically you will complete the task in the window.
Hi Hanna,
I will endeavor to give you positive encouragement to speak up in class—this should be a learning community where all the members should feel free to try out new thoughts without fear of being shut down or made to feel “wrong.”
Time management is absolutely essential for success in college, and you are on the right track realizing that you will need to keep a look out for things that are due in a few weeks as well as in the next few days. I suggest adding “start work” dates in your planner to help you break larger assignments into smaller, more manageable tasks.