Final Post

            For the last few weeks of class, we were told to read readings of our choice to blog about. Even though the freedom to choose was a nice change from every other class, I did not complete the assignment as well as I would have liked to. Reading something of my choice and personal interested would have been much more interesting and much easier to write about. Although I was excited to find something to read, I had no time for reading on the side, apart from all of the other reading I had to do for my classes this semester. For the blogging, I wrote about readings we completed in two of my classes, because I did find them very interesting, but they were not something separate I chose for personal interest. This idea seems fun and enjoyable, but I felt I would not have the time to in order to achieve the success I wanted this semester. This assignment did increase my motivation to read, but not during the assignment. As I did not feel I had the time, I am motivated to read something of my choice as soon as I am done with my first year, which is something I never do. I hope reading for my personal interest will stick, and continue to help me achieve academic success.

"Support Online Piracy"

In Micah White’s article, “Support Online Piracy,” he discusses the pros of the controversial topic of piracy. Many view this act as stealing, but White approaches the crime from another aspect. He argues that piracy can be a good thing for the public, contrary to what most think. Online piracy is a great way for many underground artists and filmmakers to get their names out. It’s a great way for viewers to see more than just what large companies pay to produce. The most popular forms of online piracy are the distribution of music and movies. Personally, I have used sites and viewed and downloaded both videos and music, and I support the ideas. Regardless of free distribution, companies will still make money, and more people will be able to participate in the entertainment industry. 

"Coding in Pictures: The Social Network"

In my English class, we are discussing social networking and recently viewed the movie “The Social Network.” I have seen the movie before, and it is definitely one of my favorite movies. Before seeing the film, I had little interest and thought a movie about Facebook must be very boring. However, the movie describes the making of the social networking website with an exciting story line. “Coding in Pictures: The Social Network” by Jim Emerson is an article that discusses the many ways the director of the social network captivates the audience, and I find this subject very interesting. Emerson reveals the techniques the movie uses to keep the audience interested and to describe the history of the topic in a dramatic way. The characters of the story are portrayed in certain ways, and reveal likeliness to each other in ways not noticed by viewers. Throughout the film, the main character and creator of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, is portrayed as an arrogant know-it-all, although he was not described that way in real life. The director wanted the audience to connect more to Mark in the movie, and give a more dramatic account. Another technique the director of “The Social Network” used is called “tilt-shift photography.” With this way of filming, the director shows off a scene by recording from farther distances and speeding up the clips. The effect of this way of filming leads to more dramatic scenes and a bigger picture of the object. I find all of this use in the movie very fascinating.

Keeping Focused

            As the end of my second semester in my first year at the University of Virginia, it is getting very hard to remain focused in classes and studying. I have an increasing amount of distractions and just cannot wait to be done for the year. It’s really hard to believe that my first year in college is almost complete; it went by way too fast. I hope my future years in schooling will be as beneficial and fun as this past year has been. I have learned a lot, and need to do my best to finish the year out better than I finished my first semester. To ensure my success, I will try to study more and go to all of my classes for the remainder of the year. I want to get the best grades that I can, and to do this I need to study harder and for more amounts of time. I really enjoy going to UVa, so I need to make sure I finish off the semester and get out of academic probation. With summer break less than a month away, I need to just do my best while I am still here. I will continue to do this and get good grades, ending my first year the best that I can.

"The Monochrome Society"

After reading an excerpt from “The Monochrome Society” by Amitai Etzioni, I thought about society in ways that I never have before. The author argues that the society is not a “rainbow society” with many colors and races differing in ideas and aspirations. In fact, Etzioni challenges the thoughts of most observers when saying that today’s society is much more monochromatic than most believe, in that most of Americans, regardless of what ethnicity, have similar American values and aspirations. As time continues, society will become less and less discriminative and separate, the author believes.

I can relate to this reading by Etzioni because I witness this multicultural society every day. Although the author writes that society is much less multicultural than many believe, I have a hard time believing Etzioni. I agree that society is becoming more accepting and equal, but race and ethnicity will always be an aspect of citizens. Behind many races, there is a history that cannot just be forgotten, and feelings will always remains as history is remembered. Working towards equality is beneficial and inevitable for America’s future, but our multicultural society will always be multicolored. 

Three Important Steps in Achieving Academic Success

If I could tell someone three things I would recommend to be most important in achieving academic success, I would say keeping up with work and readings, staying motivated, and attending and engaging in all classes. Keeping up with work and readings is very important to learning in college. With large amounts of work and time necessary to devote to reading and doing homework, not falling behind is essential to success. Staying motivated is another important aspect to achieving academic success in college. With motivation, completing work and prioritizing is much easier. Time management and motivation go hand-in-hand, and both are great ways to make learning easier. The third recommendation I would give is to attend and actively participate in all classes. It is much easier for one to learn while participating than to passively attend classes and discussions. By following these three recommendations, I feel one would be able to achieve academic success. 

"How Schools Really Matter"

For my Sociology class I am taking this semester, I have a lot of reading that I find relative to many aspects of my life. I read many very interesting things of all different topics, but currently I am reading about the education and schools. I last read “How Schools Really Matter” by Douglas B. Downey and Benjamin G. Gibbs. The article discusses the importance of education and schooling in, not only the lives of younger children, but also all children. It is becoming increasingly more important to receive a higher degree of education to succeed to today’s society. About ten years ago, it was necessary to obtain a bachelor’s degree in college; however, as society has grown and evolved, it is now crucial to earn higher than a bachelor’s degree, such as a master’s. I can relate to this change in society because I am currently a college student, and in order to compete in the work world with my generation, I must receive a higher degree.

Goals and Motivation

Earlier in the semester, I enacted five goals for myself to better my academic success this semester at the University of Virginia. So far, these goals have been perfect for my growth and success. I can keep up with them and I am interested in maintaining the answers to my goals. I continue to report on my status every week for each of the five goals. I can clearly remember and recount my goals, which is also a sign that these specifics are helping me throughout this current semester. For example, one of my goals was to try and get 8 hours of sleep every night. Not only do I record how many hours of sleep I get each night, but also I now sleep more because I am trying to meet this goal. I always think of it when I am about to go to sleep.

            My academic success is largely a part of motivation, as well. I have struggled with this aspect as I usually have little motivation to complete what I need to academically. However, after creating these five goals I am more motivated to finish my work and stay on track with the five records. Currently, my motivation is dropping because I have reached the middle of the semester, but I plan to change this immediately. I need to keep motivated and finish this semester to my best ability.

Reading Habits

            I usually tend to read slowly, and I dislike this very much. I easily fall behind in my readings for classes because it takes so long for me to complete the assignments. I try my best to begin my reading as early as possible, ensuring that I complete what is due on time, but this is rarely the case. When reading, I also very easily get off task as my mind wanders. I think about something else and end up having to go back and re-read over what I just read, in order to actually understand it. I plan on working to improve my reading habits and to increase my speed especially. With motivation, I will be more able to read faster and sooner than I normally do now. Because reading is such an important aspect to learning in college, it is crucial that I fix my bad habits now, so I can work on them and improve for the future. I need to look at reading as a fun assignment, and just realize how important it is to my success in academics.

            Currently, I am behind on my readings for my classes this semester. I have a test in the next couple of days and it would be much easier on myself if I had completed the reading when I was supposed to. I plan on doing this for the remainder of the semester, and in doing so, giving myself the best chance I can to do better than I did my first semester. 

To-Do List

            For this coming week before spring break, I want to get as much done as I can, and ensure a break with as little work as possible. The only in-class exam I had this week was this morning, but I do have a take home test to complete before Friday for EDIS 2890. Along with the take home test, I have homework to complete for math by Friday before I leave to go home. I plan to attend all of my classes this week, and it is necessary I attend my discussion section for Sociology Friday morning, as it was not cancelled because of break. I have some reading to also catch up on during the week, but I hope to get all caught up and be ready to continue working hard when I return from spring break the week after next.

Fixed Mindset Vs. Growth Mindset

Success in academics can be affected by many general factors as well as personal techniques. In Dweck’s book, she discusses the importance of one’s mindset in relation to their own personal success. There are two opposing mindsets: you can have either a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. A fixed mindset is the more limiting of the two, as it is not the encouraged mindset to have. Someone with a fixed mindset is focused on short-term successes and failures. They are not concerned with learning, but with showing they are already intelligent. A failure to someone with a fixed mindset can seem life lasting, and can even reflect an identity. On the other hand, one with a growth mindset is much better off in academics, and even life. This person is interested in not only succeeding, but in learning. Students with a growth mindset do better in school than students with a fixed mindset. The long-term benefits go to those with a growth mindset.

            Personally, I find myself as more of having a growth mindset. I was more of a fixed mindset student in the past, but have changed for the better. Working to learn and grow is better in the long run, and along the way I may still succeed. I will not be put down by failures, but be encouraged to try harder next time.

Mindset

In order to optimistically view academics, it is important to have the correct mindset. The new book assigned for my academic achievement class discusses this task. When thinking of intelligence and the type of person you are, many people believe these do not chance, or are unchangeable. I, on the other hand, believe that it is very possible and necessary to change your intelligence or who you are. Intelligence is constantly changing, as learning something new is adding on, and increasing intelligence. Also, you can better yourself as a person in many ways. Believing that you can change yourself as a person and your mind is an optimistic and beneficial way of thinking. This mindset is necessary for growth.

With the importance of mindset comes the way you approach obstacles. Depending on the obstacle, there are many things I can do to get my mind off of the problem or complete the obstacle. I usually, whenever faced with a problem, try to finish whatever the task may be as soon as possible. If I put off what I need to do, I can procrastinate for a long time. In coping with an obstacle that I cannot simply complete, there are a couple things I may do. I like to talk to friends or family, or really just anyone I can speak to about what I am feeling. Sometimes I turn to work or fun when faced with a problem; I can just find something to do to get it off my mind for the time being. I may go for a run, or work on homework, or play some kind of game, even. I like to keep optimistic when face with obstacles, and complete them with my best ability.

My Personal Action Plan

            After finishing my first book assigned for my academic achievement course I’m currently taking, I have learned many things in relation to academic success. By learning this material and writing personal action statements for each chapter, I am now ready to devise my personal action plan and a few semester goals.

            From Lipsky’s book, I learned how crucial time management can be to succeed in academics at a university. Managing my time is something that I have been working on, and now using weekly planners and to-do lists, I reduced procrastination greatly and get my work done much sooner now. Choosing a suitable study location is something I have just recently been changing. I have come to find that studying in my room is much more distracting than studying at the library. Listening in class is also very important, and I now know how to listen selectively and attentively and take the best notes that I can. When it comes to class readings, I understand the assignments much better now with many helpful reading and note-taking techniques. Using memory tools has recently helped greatly with my studying. I get more sleep at night and review notes immediately after class. Finally, test preparation for myself has changed the most. I begin studying for the test much sooner than I used too. I also make review guides and study with others more frequently. Hopefully all of this work and change will pay off, and help me succeed at my second semester.

Test Taking

Taking exams at the University of Virginia has proved to be a very difficult task for myself. Even if I have felt prepared for a test, when it comes to actually taking it I have a hard time. Starting my second semester, I want to try new techniques and better prepare for exams, and get the grades I want and deserve for my second semester.

            I have recently come to find there are many strategies you can use to improve your test taking abilities. To succeed in test taking, one step is to prepare well with the material. Teaching others is a great way to make sure you know the material, and also helps you see what you don’t know so well. Making practice tests and study guides is also very helpful. Test anxiety is a very common problem with test taking, and even though I feel I do not normal get anxious about upcoming tests, I can take away knowledge with ways to make testing more relaxed. Positive and optimistic thinking helps, not only in test performance, but life as a positive outlook enhances your success. Finally, when it comes to the actual exam and preparation, studying is the best thing o do. This semester I am studying much more frequently and spread out, hoping to improve my performance at UVa.

Enhancing Memory

            Your memory is crucial to success in academics at a college level, and there are actually many ways you can enhance and better your memory. Prior to my current EDIS class, I had never really thought about my memory or working to help my memory at all. I felt I had a good enough memory and that there wasn’t much I could do to make it better. However, as I have learned from the class readings, I can take a few steps in bettering my memory. The first—which I have always had a problem with—is getting an adequate amount of sleep at night. I normally stay up too late even if I have to wake up early. It is good for your memory to get more sleep, and I am going to work on this area. Also, as a kinesthetic learner, there are many tips to help me remember what I read and learn. I can find a fun way to remember information by acting it out or turning it into some kind of game. Making questions and study guides will help to keep information in my longer-term memory, as well as working in groups or with others. Breaking reading and studying into chunks instead of long sittings is very helpful in keeping you attentive. Teaching the information I need to learn is also a helpful tool in both learning and finding weaknesses in the area. Now with many new techniques and tools, I can work on enhancing my memory.

Dealing with Distractions

            Regardless of where you are studying, what you are studying, or the level at which you are studying, you will always have to deal with some kind of distraction. Distractions are definitely one of the biggest problems to students at all levels. I know that personally, I am constantly fighting many types of distractions each and every day.

            There are two types of distractions: internal distractions and external distractions. Internal distractions originate from within you and happen solely because of your own self. Examples include daydreaming and a lack of motivation.

On the other hand, external distractions come from a source outside of you, and include the TV, a computer, and other people. I deal with many of both types of distractions daily. I always find myself daydreaming and my mind wandering away from my work. Sometimes it is very hard to focus, and I just decide to be lazy. Also, the constant external distractions all around me make for an even greater problem. I would say that external distractions are much more of a problem to myself than internal distractions. I find that external distractions actually take me away from my work and end up leading to more internal distractions. With motivation and hard work, I still find time to complete my reading and work, even with the many distractions. However, distractions are still a time-hindering problem.

Reading Outside of Class

            Studies have shown that the amount of time a college student should study is about 2-3 hours per credit hours, each week. So for myself, I should be studying 45 hours per week outside of class, because I am taking 15 credit hours. All together, I am tackling a 60-hour workweek as a college student. As 40 hours of work a week is considered a full-time job, I definitely feel I am working as a full-time student.

As I have found lately, using calendars and to-do lists greatly helps to decrease the stress I carry with academics, especially with reading outside of class. Using these lists with scheduled slots of time actually saves more time for later. I have come to find that this is a great way to increase my performance and the amount of work I complete.

With the five classes I am taking this semester, I have a lot of assigned reading and time I must take to complete the reading outside of class. My Astronomy class requires the most time spent reading, in which I need to read at least 6 hours for the class each week; it is also necessary to read for 6 hours for my Sociology class. My three remaining classes require about 8 more hours spent reading outside of class time. To complete these assignments, I find most of the time I read to be immediately after my classes for the day. I usually spend about 3 hours after classes everyday to read and continue completing class work before I lose my motivation for the day. I like to read in the library and study lounge in my dorm, but also because I have a single room, I am able to complete much of my reading in my room before I go to sleep and even on the weekends.

My Learning Style

            After taking a learning style placement test, I have come to find that my particular learning style is kinesthetic. As a kinesthetic learner, I prefer to learn by doing. I learn best through hands-on activities and doing actual, physical things related to the subject we are learning. Pictures and visual aids, as well as real-life scenarios, all enhance my ability to understand.

            I am very happy that I had the opportunity to take this assessment and understand the way in which I learn best. I had never heard of a kinesthetic learner prior to taking the placement, but I can see and believe that this is the way I learn best. I always felt myself as close to a visual learner, but not exactly. From this test, I see that this is exactly what I am. Now knowing what aids my comprehension, I can better the way I learn and take notes in my classes. I can use this new knowledge to teach myself through the right techniques and with the correct tools. Learning can only get easier from here.

Off To a Good Start

As I didn't perform too well my first semester, it is crucial that I get better grades during my second semester at the University of Virginia. I have changed many bad habits and I have come to find focusing mainly on school is a lot easier that I thought it would be! I am already off to a good start, and I plan on just getting better throughout the remainder of the year. I am also happy with my enrollment in EDIS 2890. It's an academic performance class, and I know it's going to help me this semester.

Academic Success

Academic success is vital to every college student’s future. As a first year student at the University of Virginia, I am striving for success in academics in hope of procuring a bright, and also successful, future.

I feel I have many strengths as a student, such as an interest in learning and a drive for success, and I have always remained at the top of my class in high school. However, I have found learning at the University of Virginia to be much more difficult for myself. I can succeed as a student if I stick to my studies and keep up with my readings and work. I face the common challenges many other first year students face: falling behind on reading, not studying the necessary amount, and reserving my education as my top priority.

            After completing my first semester at UVa unsatisfied, I am going to make many changes for the second semester. For example, I am enrolled in a strategic learning class to guide me to better note taking and lecture comprehension. I am better dedicated to studying and getting higher grades this semester.

            If I can change some bad study habits and work harder, my second semester at college should end much more rewarding than the first. Succeeding in school academics is very important to myself and my future, and would be the first major step to a bright, successful future.