The whole experience was more casual and friendly than he could have imagined.
Anton's thoughts and apprehensions of the unknown and making assumptions almost caused him to give up. And Noura was God-sent. I feel very proud of Anton and his story is very inspirational.
When you are working toward a goal and sticking to a plan, it’s important to have unconditional cheerleaders in your life as well as folks who keep pushing you to stay on track, especially
This is a great motivator, seeing your hard work come to fruition and having a good team by your side. If a set-back, be it internal or external, comes along you will be more prepared with knowing your strengths and having a great support team.
When encountering change, it helps to remember that decision-making and planning are continuous processes.
This is good advice, most people have a difficult time accepting change as they are comfortable where they are. Accept change and learn to work with it, adapt and adjust so that it works for you in a positive way.
Similarly, you can absolutely be successful in your academic and career life even if you don’t have it all figured out. It will be especially important to keep this in mind as circumstances change or things don’t go according to your original plan.
Sometimes set-backs can make an entire goal just whither away, just knowing that all things will not got to plan, yet we must keep trying is the first step towards success.
build and strengthen their professional networks, leading to further job opportunities. And don’t discount the role of your professors in helping you build your network as well! In addition to providing valuable letters of recommendation for both graduate school and job applications, professors often have well-established professional networks and may be willing to help connect dedicated students with additional opportunities.
Networking is a highly valuable connection that can last for a lifetime.
Review the checklist below and mark each item if you agree. For those you cannot yet answer, consult your instructor, academic advisor, or college website to locate these important details.
This is an excellent Checklist to ensure I am on the right track.
it is tough to anticipate what to expect when you’re new to college. Taking the time to create a plan and to revise it when necessary is essential to making well-informed, mindful decisions.
I find this sentence contradictory. Its tough to anticipate what to expect, yet creating a plan. How will I plan for the unexpected?
Common Functions of Academic Advisors
Advisors can assist in so many ways, and they are an asset in achieving lasting goals while in school.
Alternatively, you may be able to speed up, or accelerate, your timeline to degree by taking courses during summer or winter terms. Or if you take fewer than 15 credits per semester, you can take courses during the summer terms to “make up” those credits and stay on track toward those two- or four-year graduation goals.4
I like that there are several options for PT students to be able to complete their degree in a decent time frame.
Fieldwork and internships provide students with opportunities to practice the skills they’ve learned in the classroom while also introducing them to the values and culture of the organizations and communities in which they hope to be employed.
This is a very good experience to allow the student to see the "real world" aspect of their career field.
Transfer-focused associate’s degrees may be called Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS), or other titles, depending on the focus of study.
What do they mean by "transfer-focused"?
These post-baccalaureate credentials may need to be completed prior to entering a career field, may be obtained as an option to gain competitive advantage for hiring, or may be achieved during the course of an individual’s career to stay current, maintain qualification, or be promoted. To
There's many different options for this credential. I think that's good to have variety, as it is easier to chose a path that fits.
are able to explore different programs without exceeding the total number of credits required to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.
I was not aware that one can have too many credits! I thought the more the better.
Both associate’s degrees and bachelor’s degrees are considered undergraduate degrees, thus students working toward these degrees are often called undergraduates
This is also something I am learning now, I hear the terms and never really knew what they meant.
If you’re planning your associate’s degree, here are some specific questions you may want to research.
I will make note of these questions and meet with my advisor to explore them more, This is a really great resource!
his list of short-term goals looked more like a checklist of tasks than anything.
I thought the same thing! His advisor is very supportive and encouraging, I would feel a bit of anxiety writing this out and thinking of all of the smaller short-term goals to my short term goals.
When you set a long-term goal in any aspect of your life, you are demonstrating a commitment to dedicate time and effort toward making progress in that area.
This is very similar to success; it's a progressive realization of a worth ideal. Commitment, effort, time, and many other disciplines are all required to become successful.
Have you ever put together a jigsaw puzzle? Many people start by looking for the edge and corner pieces to assemble the border. Some will then group pieces with similar colors, while others just try to fit in new pieces as they pick them up. Regardless of strategy, a jigsaw puzzle is most easily solved when people have a picture to reference. When you know what the picture should look like, you can gauge your progress and avoid making mistakes.
This is a great analogy!
Another way to recognize the important influence of values is to consider if you have ever made a decision that you later regretted. Did you reflect on your values prior to making that choice? Sometimes others ask us to do things that are inconsistent with our values.
Regret is that thorn in your side, we often make choices that we know may not be good but maybe it's for a good person or we justify the reasons. Knowing your values is one thing, putting them in practice is another.
“In every single thing you do, you are choosing a direction. Your life is a product of choices.”
This reigns so true, no matter what the choices we make, we are the shapers of our lives, and life is full of never-ending choices. It's just about making the right choice for a successful life.
Student Profile
This short story shows good examples of perseverance and understanding of personal goals. Nort only did they struggle in the beginning of school, they struggled before school, being low income. Despite the set backs they knew what they wanted and did all they could to succeed.
technological advances in the study of the brain
I am very much interested in the human brain, it's a very small yet complex system.
Revisit the questions you answered at the beginning of the chapter, and consider one option you learned in this chapter that might change your answer to one of them.
2 out of 4 changed for the better. I am now armed with information and new skills that I will use from now on. Thank you :-)
Your critical thinking in college will help you succeed in the work you do after your academic journey.
Utilizing ALL of the types of thinking will help me succeed. The more I utilize the better I'll be.
File or trash anything you are not using right at the moment; this daily practice will save you a tremendous amount of time that you could waste looking for papers or articles you saved for later review.
This is a good habit to prevent hoarding.
There you’ll find short videos (limited to 18 minutes) of speaking demonstrations by diverse experts in fields covering all disciplines.
I am interested, however, I do have a specific attention span if someone is just talking and sitting vs. talking and walking around, showing examples/pictures etc. 18 minutes is a long time to sit and watch someone talk with limited movement and engagement. It will all boil down to the topic.
DomainUser .eduUsed by educational institutions (i.e., colleges, universities, school districts); usually reliable sources of information, but individual members of these institutions may be able to create web pages on the site under the official domain that do not reflect the values of the school .com/.bizUsed by commercial or business groups; may be valid, but also may be used to sell products, services, or ideas .govUsed by government agencies; typically valid .orgUsed by organizations, such as nonprofit groups or religious entities; may present information slanted toward a specific denomination or cause. You’ll need to conduct additional research to verify validity. .netOriginally created for networks or groups of people working on the same problem, .net is still a viable option for noncommercial sites such as personal blogs or family websites. You’ll need to conduct additional research to verify validity. Many other domains existResearch the validity of domain names outside these most common ones.
This is new information to me as I was never aware that the ending of a web address and or email had a significance to something very specific.
Maybe you’ve seen any number of posts and memes that inaccurately associate famous people with memorable quotations.
I've learned that the higher social status the person is the more believable they are. It's an unfortunate social stigma that is practiced on a regular basis.
Can you think of a situation in which you reacted to events around you with less than ideal results? How
This has happened to many of us in our lives, it's a basic human emotion that we tend to lose control of.
How well do I understand this material? What else can I do to understand the information better? Is there any element of the task I don’t get yet? What do I need to do now to understand the information more fully? How can I adjust how I study (or read or listen or perform) to get better results moving forward?
It's great to ask ourselves questions, they also help us if needed to ask questions to our professors and peers.
What am I supposed to learn in this situation? What do I already know that might help me learn this information? How should I start to get the most out of this situation? What should I be looking for and anticipating as I read or study or listen?
These are great assessment questions to ask yourself.
a personal example of a habit you may want to change, such as smoking, or an attribute such as patience or perseverance you may want to improve in yourself. Can you determine what steps you may need to undertake to change this habit or to develop a stronger awareness of the need to change?
I tried this on myself with controlling my reactions. Initially I read books on best practices. I watched videos and followed individuals who practiced the art. Then I put what I learned into practice. It takes a lot of time and to have a mind-over-matter attitude and to repeat and know that I am only in control of myself, no one else. It worked!
The famous Greek philosopher Socrates allegedly said, “The unexamined life isn’t worth living.” Examine your thoughts and be aware of them.
One of my favorite quotes from Stoic Epictetus is " It's impossible for one to learn what they think they already know." Learning stops when we think we know-it-all, on the contrast , we never know it all. We are always learning, even when we don't try.
In college especially, thinking about your thinking is crucial so you know what you don't know and how to fix this problem, i.e., what you need to study, how you need to organize your calendar, and so on.
Its critical to recognize this and act so to become a better learner and successful in class as well as the future.
“Becoming aware of your thought processes and using this awareness deliberately is a sign of mature thinking.”
This is an insightful quote
Your significant other wants a birthday present—you have no cash. You have three exams scheduled on a day when you also need to work. Your car needs new tires, an oil change, and gas—you have no cash. (Is there a trend here?) You have to pass a running test for your physical education class, but you’re out of shape.
1- create a gift from items at home; make a homemade meal 2-set aside time for the exams; call out from work (use leave) 3- prioritize; gas, oil change; borrow money 4-plan ahead and exercise a little everyday to get stronger; hire a personal trainer
downfalls—but you can be prepared for unexpected issues to come up and adapt more easily if you plan for multiple solutions.
It's good practice to have a back-up plan than to improvise.
prioritizing needs, shifting other workers off one station onto another temporarily, and dealing with all the people involved, from the injured worker to the impatient patrons.
Sounds like it's time to deligate.
logical action items
What are these? I don't understand. Give an example
Facts are true for everyone, not just those who want to believe in them. For example, mice are animals is a fact; mice make the best pets is an opinion.
Good example or fact and opinion.
Facts are verifiable; opinions are beliefs without supporting evidence.
This statement provides clear contrast of the two; Fact vs Opinion.
Researchers asked questions about the impact of smoking on people’s overall health, conducted regulated experiments, tracked smokers’ reactions, and concluded that smoking did impact health.
A scientific approach using critical thinking.
Informed flexibility, or knowing that parts of the plan may need to change and how those changes can work into the overall goal, is also a recognized element of thinking critically.
Also very similar to analytical thinking.
Consider the following situations and how each one demands your thinking attention. Which do you find most demanding of critical thinking? Why?
You are constantly weighing options, consulting data, gathering opinions, making choices, and then evaluating those decisions, which is a general definition of critical thinking.
Definition of Critical Thinking
thinking through ideas others may not initially support or even understand; thinking can create change and always has.
He didn't allow his professor, which whom he probably had high regards to, limit or stop his brilliant idea. He showed resilience and perseverance.
workers on Ford’s assembly lines still had to think and make sure that the task for which they were responsible was properly constructed, free of defects, and ready to move to the next station; they just did this thinking about their one area of expertise.
Even though they were performing the same task over and over again, they still had to think analytically.
What if you encounter setbacks in any of the steps? Do you have a contingency plan? In the construction industry, engineers called this float, and they deliberately build in extra time and money in case problems arise on the project. This allows them to avoid getting off schedule, for instance if a severe storm makes access to the worksite impossible.
Thinking/planning analytically allows one to have back-up plans.
An organization such as Amazon must use a great deal of thinking and organizing to deliver goods and services.
As well as problem solving. I see analytical thinking as thinking in a way to solve or event prevent a problem.
Think of all the thinking that goes into the logistics of a dinner-and-a-movie date—where to eat, what to watch, who to invite, what to wear, popcorn or candy—when choices and decisions are rapid-fire, but we do it relatively successfully all the time.
Thinking analytically happens when we don't even know it, effortlessly.
When we work out a problem or situation systematically, breaking the whole into its component parts for separate analysis, to come to a solution or a variety of possible solutions, we call that analytical thinking.
Defintion of analytical thinking
If you want to surprise your best friend with a special birthday celebration but are low on funds, you could think of creative ways to make this event one to remember.
Sometimes set-backs bring forth a way to explore creativity more.
a dissemination plan.
What is this?
“Because we’ve always done it that way” is not a valid reason to not try a new approach. It may very well be that the old process is a very good way to do things, but it also may just be that the old, comfortable routine is not as effective and efficient as a new process could be.
Change can and usually is a good thing, and a good learning experience.
The team is a creative mix of engineers, designers, and analysts
All of these brilliant minds and creative professions coming together to build something great in a creative way.
Stay open to different approaches even if you aren’t immediately comfortable with the ideas.
I agree, being uncomfortable means you probably have a grand idea!
Some people naturally seem to think more creatively than others, but we all have the capacity to create and devise.
I feel like the more we immerse ourselves in different experiences the more creative we can be. For instance, a person who's lived in one room and never gone outside and looks out the window vs a person who walks outside everyday and enjoys nature.The person who is active and engages their senses may have an advantage of expanding their creative mind than a person who just stares out a window.
Figure 7.6 You may feel like you cannot come up with new ideas, but even the process of combining and recombining familiar concepts and approaches is a creative act. A kaleidoscope creates a nearly infinite number of new images by repositioning the same pieces of glass.
The creative mind is like a kaleidoscope. I like that concept.
“Creating new out of old or new out of nothing is how we ended up with manned space flight, cell phones, the Constitution, and rap music.”
Creativity shapes our world.
Figure 7.5 Bloom’s Taxonomy is an important learning theory used by psychologists, cognitive scientists, and educators to demonstrate levels of thinking. Many assessments and lessons you’ve seen during your schooling have likely been arranged with Bloom’s in mind. Researchers recently revised it to place creativity -- invention -- as the highest level.
I like how research will change the mindset and old way of thinking.
In what ways could thinking creatively help you be a better student? Write a one-paragraph reflection on that aspect and how you could realistically go about being more creative.
Creativity can help me be a better student by allowing me to use my mind in a different way. Now, I will rely on what makes ME unique and how I will go about solving a problem in my own unique way. I will think outside the box and go beyond the usual ways of learning. For instance, instead of reading about how to grow roses, I will grow some myself.
Which type of thinking do you think is most important for your academic studies?
Before I can answer this question, I must learn about analytical thinking and critical thinking. We've only read about creative thinking.
immerse themselves
This is a good learning tool. It helps to better understand the thing that you're learning, involving yourself as a whole, not just thinking about it, but being about it.
While apps, software programs, thinking games, and thought exercises may help you stretch your brain, don’t let their simplicity fool you into thinking that cultivating an inquisitive, thoughtful mind is easy or automatic.
Don't they aid in cultivating an inquisitive, thoughtful mind? It may not be easy, that may not be the goal is for it to be easy, it's to aid right ? I mean, that's what I would use them for.
Google. The use of this familiar site has become so commonplace as to render the proper name of the company into a verb—to google a topic. Basic
I said this today to a classmate, and then I wondered, what did we say before "Google", look it up? LOL! It made me think for a brief moment.
Do you have a hobby or interest you spend a lot of time thinking about?
Yes! I have MANY interests, not so much hobbies, however I am interested in lots of things. What usually peaks my interest are animals, nature, spirituality, ancient history and philosophy.
It allows you to develop better self-awareness, which will in turn help you build an awareness of your purpose.
I love this! Having a better view of myself which in turn builds on my purpose.
Which apps help you meet the expectations of college? Will you be able to meet the expectations of being responsible for your schedule and assignments?
I already use on of these apps and I'm willing to try out more to see which one best fits my needs & learning style.
Motivation. Being able to stay motivated while studying and balancing all you have to do in your classes will be important for meeting the rest of the components. Deliberate, focused effort. Taking ownership of learning will hinge on the effort that you put into the work. Because most learning in college will take place outside of the classroom, you will need determination to get the work done. And there will be times that the work will be challenging and maybe even boring, but finding a way to get through it when it is not exciting will pay in the long run. Time and task management. You will learn more about strategies for managing your time and the tasks of college in a later chapter, but without the ability to control your calendar, it will be difficult to block out the time to study. Progress tracking. A commitment to learning must include monitoring your learning, knowing not only what you have completed (this is where a good time management strategy can help you track your tasks), but also the quality of the work you have done.
Taking ownership of your learning is one of the many keys to success.
a first-year college student who is going back to school after being out for 20 years)—and to faculty and staff who may work alongside you, mentor you, or supervise your studies. These relationships are important because they will allow you to expand your network, especially as it relates to your career.
This applies to my situation, I do rely heavily on my professors with questions and suggestions as a lot of this experience is very new or outdated for me.
Intellectual adjustment. Experiencing an intellectual “a-ha!” moment is one of the most rewarding parts of college, right up there with moving across the graduation stage with a degree in hand. Prepare to be surprised when you stumble across a fascinating subject or find that a class discussion changes your life. At the very least, through your academic work, you will learn to think differently about the world around you and your place in it.
This is one of my favorite parts of learning, having that "a-ha!" moment. Having a positive life & mind-changing experience and being able to share that with others is a blessing.
There is some debate as to whether a college degree is needed to land a job, and there are certainly jobs that you can get without a college degree. However, there are many reasons that a college degree can give you an edge in the job market.
Living proof here. I've worked many many jobs without a college degree and also missed out on promotional opportunities due to lack of further education.
but on a psychological level we feel more compelled to do something if we tell someone else.
Most agreed!
Rewarding yourself for the completion of tasks or meeting goals is a good way to avoid procrastination. An example of this would be rewarding yourself with the time to watch a movie you would enjoy after you have finished the things you need to do, rather than using the movie to keep yourself from getting things done.
I agree with the reward system, it works.
Putting aside distractions is one of the primary functions of setting priorities.
I find it less distracting to study at a library vs. at home. At home there are so many distractions and escape routes that can lead to procrastination.
a boost of mental urgency.
Some people work well under pressure, and even perform at their best.
like low physical energy,
Sometimes a quick walk outside or take a few steps around the house, or even do a short 10-15 minute exercise; jump-n-jacks, arm circles, jump rope, sit ups, legs lifts. It gets the blood flowing and combats tiredness.
situation. It could be something as simple as a lack of sleep or improper diet.
Sometimes, before tackling an assignment or task, its better to properly fuel and rest the body and mind.
“In college, as an active participant in your own education, what you do and when you do it is largely determined by you.”
This applies to life as well.
were a temporary setback (e.g., temporary loss of transportation, temporary loss of housing, an illness that lasted more than a week, etc.)? What could you do for a backup plan if something did happen?
Most of this is not planned, most people just manage as it comes. Its good to have a plan, however so many set-backs can happen, so we plan for every single kind there is? Sounds impossible
from a financial perspective you should do all you can to graduate as soon as you can.
With so much weighing on a college student , I think it not fair to have this thought of finances lingering over your head. Focusing on classes, studying and just surviving is enough.
Many college administrators that work directly with students are aware that a single mishap or a case of poor time management can set into motion a series of events that can seriously jeopardize a student’s success.
I find this a bit extreme, a SINGLE mishap, just one can send ones success crashing and burning ?
Most instructors are thrilled when they encounter students that want to take ownership of their own learning, and they will gladly become a resourceful guide for you.
So far with my courses, I am getting that impression with most of my professors being eager for students to ask them questions about any and everything, which is very encouraging.
If an exercise seems pointless and possibly unrelated to your long-term goals, you will be much less motivated by the learning activity.
I often ask myself when learning something; how will I apply this in my future career?
purpose and meaning.
These are great motivators.
The main idea with this sort of practice is that you are creating a safe environment where you can make mistakes and learn from them before those mistakes can negatively impact your success in the course.
Also, having a rough draft and asking the professor or colleague to proof read it, and give pointers, is a good idea of catching mistakes and accepting constructive criticism.
the extra grit comes from not wanting to disappoint the person they have connected with.
As a natural people-pleaser , this resonates with me. Also, having someone that is holding you accountable is a strong motivator to keep going.
When you consider the word thinking, does your mind drift toward: School Work Relationships Free time
It depends on the current situation, location and/or state-of-mind. For instance, when I'm driving and listening to music, my mind may drift to think about relationships. When I'm in class, my mind drifts on school and sometimes work if I'm scheduled to work after school. When I don't have school or work I then think about how to plan my day. At a certain time of the day, like at 5pm, I may think about food, what to eat, how much of it, etc. There's never a day or time when I'm not thinking, i think dreaming is a form of thinking, LOL. Our minds just never rest.
Skilled and practiced yogis may be able to get into a state that resembles non-thinking,
Is this considered meditation?
components, get the data I needed, ignore the unimportant information, and run the numbers. Then she had me watch a TED talk with some more information.
Without the assistance of the success counselor they may have given up. These components are key steps in learning .
Psychological reasons for procrastinating
As a person who procrastinates, I want to know the deeper reasons and causes of it.
For discussion: Is the Internet responsible for most of our wasted work time? Read through this article. What do you think? https://openstax.org/l/whowastestime
I read this article and what I took from it was that, yes, the internet is the leading cause for distractions at work, mostly with then millennial generation.
If you set a limit on how much time you spend on each activity, you might find that you can recapture time to do other things.
I like this thought but I don't like it. It makes me feel as though I'm always looking to fill my time with something, in actuality, we are, however just thinking about it feels stressful.
The key is to find which system works best for you.
There is no one-size-fits-all learning system, everyone learns differently and that's the beauty of it all. There are so many learning strategies this book reviews, one or many are bound to fit.
It is a very simple technique that is effective because each day you are finishing tasks and removing them from your list.
I like that it is a small list, just 3 top tasks, while most of us have way more than 3 tasks to accomplish in a day, prioritizing 3 seems manageable and less stressful.
In the following graphic you will find seven methods that highly successful people use to accomplish this.
This chart is VERY useful and a daily reminder to ensure I am on the right track with achieving my goals.
likely, if you were successful at all in meeting the goal, it was because you were motivated by earning the approval of someone or receiving a possible reward, or you were concerned with avoiding something adverse that might happen if you did not do what you were told. From an honest perspective in that situation, your real goal was based on something else, not the meeting of the goal set for you. To
Is that a bad thing though? I mean, in the end, you were successful, no matter the reason. The goal was achieved, end of story. So is it ONLY to be motivated by the goals we set and not have other reasons to achieve a goal?
all the reading, studying, and every assignment you do for that course contributes to the larger goal.
The small tasks add up and contribute to achieving your goal.
Your working environment definitely includes your own state of mind and physical well-being.
These are not tangible, so not only does the working environment include physical visual things it includes the things we cannot see, but what we feel.
sitting up at a desk or table actually increases your typing speed and reduces the number of mistakes. Even the kind of mouse you use can impact how you work, and using one you are comfortable with can make a big difference.
I never thought of this as an issue! Makes sense though.
A large part of ensuring that you can complete tasks on time comes to setting up conditions that will allow you to do the work well. Much of this has to do with the environment where you will do your work. This not only includes physical space such as a work area, but other conditions like being free from distractions and your physical well-being and mental attitude.
I agree, I personally find that where I choose, or am able to complete my work is very important in keeping me focused and lesses distractions.
The moment when you see that something in your plan may become an issue is when to begin readjusting your plan.
There's always room to readjust a plan. Have a plan A, B, C, D, etc.
reading materials ahead of time in order to make the lecture and any complex concepts easier to follow. If
Some professors encourage reading the materials ahead of time, so that if questions do arise, which they will, they can be answered or better understood during the teaching. Even if the reading material is completely foreign, reading ahead of time gives the opportunity to be prepared and better understanding of the material.
stressful, but it is important to not feel overwhelmed by the anxiety of the situation so that you can make a carefully calculated decision based on the value and impact of your choice.
There should be coping techniques when anxiety arises, as it can be debilitating.
Figure 3.9 The Eisenhower Matrix can help organize priorities and ensure that you focus on the correct tasks.
Is this a daily chart ?
this, it is critically important to understand exactly what needs to be done to complete a task before you determine its priority.
Precisely! Or even what the task entails, what is it asking you to do.
at least making decisions based on strictly emotional reactions. It
Its always best to think before reacting, it lessens the chances of mistakes.
Why is prioritization important? What are the steps involved in prioritization? How do I deal with situation where others’ priorities are not the same as my own? What do I do when priorities conflict? What are the best ways to make sure I complete tasks?
These are all great questions to ask yourself and even asking your professor or another aid?
factors that influence the time on task.
So how can one accurately estimate with these factors?
you would not really have any idea how long each chapter might take to read until you looked at them.
I do like this book in an way that each chapter does give you an idea of how long it will take to read.
Food shopping45 minutes30 minutes Drive to work20 minutes20 minutes
I feel like these times will always fluctuate depending in what time of day it is, the weather and your demographics. Its very difficult to put a time on these. And if the person is like me, a store browser, the time will increase immensely OR i will always go over my estimated time. I guess this is why this challenge is important, to ensure we are actively monitoring our times.
If it is going to take you five hours to study for a final exam, you can plan to spread it over five days, with an hour each night, or you can plan on two hours one night and three hours the next.
Its always better to break up studying/learning into small increments. It helps keep the focus going also gives the brain and eyes a rest.
Figure 3.1 Our devices can be helpful tools for managing time, but they can also lead to distraction.
Blessing and a curse all in the same. However, it depends on how one utilizes it. Afterall, we are the only ones in control of our own actions.
Learning for me is easy. I don’t even have to think about it. I have a preferred learning style. If I can't learn something right away, I have difficulty staying with it. I think my teachers are the most significant aspect of my learning.
All of them depend on what I am learning. #1 -3 I've learned about being motivated and interested in what I'm learning which is one of the major aspects of my learning. A preferred learning style is just what it says, how one PREFERS to learn something. I agree that a preference on learning something shouldn't be categorized in a box, however it should just be looked at a a preference by that individual. 4- Somewhat, I believe that teachers are a big part, but the most significant aspect is me.
Given the information presented in this video, why do you think people are attracted to the idea of personal learning styles even though evidence shows they do not actually exist?
I think people want to have a sense of belonging to something.
The first step in dealing with the hidden curriculum is to recognize it and understand how it can influence your learning.
It seems that the hidden curriculum is not helpful to a ne student, I get that it exists, but should it? Can it be avoided?
you should not constrain your own learning activities based on a predetermined model. Neither should you think of yourself as being limited to one set of preferences. Instead,
It is always best to rely on your own self awareness and not a test as we are humans and will change a great deal during our lifetime.
Can the Myers-Briggs test be used to identify personality traits and learning styles?
Yes! I took the test 3 different times and each time was the same result.
Some forms of learning are extremely difficult in activities delivered in one style or another. Subjects like computer programming would be almost impossible to learn using an aural learning style. And, while it is possible to read about a subject such as how to swing a bat or how to do a medical procedure, actually applying that knowledge in a learning environment is difficult if the subject is something that requires a physical skill.
Taking this into account makes sense, as there are so many subjects that one can learn, those subjects may only allow one maybe two learning styles to be active.
Kinesthetic: The student prefers using their body, hands, and sense of touch. An example would be doing something physical, such as examining an object rather than reading about it or looking at an illustration.
I took a test and found that I am a kinesthetic learner. This is very true as I look back on what I've learned and how, it all came down to me actually performing the task.
In the following graphic, based on Dr. Dweck’s research, you can see how many of the components associated with learning are impacted by these two mindsets.
This graphic makes me think of a Pessimist vs. an Optimist mindset.
Which factors other than intelligence do you think have the greatest influence on learning?
I agree that learning takes more than just yourself, it takes a village.
If you find that you sometimes lean toward performance-based goals, do not feel discouraged. Many of the best students tend to initially focus on performance until they begin to see the ways it can restrict their learning. The key to switching to learning-based goals is often simply a matter of first recognizing the difference and seeing how making a change can positively impact your own learning.
I interpret performance based goals as a bad thing, vs learning based goals which is a good thing. We all want to strive for learning-based goals as it seems more beneficial for learning.
When you engage in any learning activity, take the time to understand what you will do with the knowledge once you have attained it.
This is key to learning, what will we do with the new knowledge that we now posses? This is thought provoking.
As a pure survival mechanism it does have its usefulness in that it reminds us to be wary of behaviors that can result in undesirable outcomes.
Sometimes it's not just out own selves that are sabotaging our abilities and mistakes, a lot of the time it is the people around us; our "support" system; parents, co-workers, spouse, if these people are also giving negative bias, it makes it even more difficult to overcome it.
the table below.
I like this table as it puts Motivations into perspective. It answers the "why's" of motivation.
If you are surrounded by people that quit early, before achieving their goals, you may find it acceptable to give up early as well. On the other hand, if your peers are all achievers with grit, you will tend to exhibit grit yourself.
This reminds me of what my mother used to tell me, be careful of the company you keep. And the famous saying "Birds of the same feather stick together."
In other words, your first attempt was not a complete failure, but it did not achieve the end goal, so you try again with a different method.
This is the complete opposite of insanity, which states doing the same thing expecting different results. Its always best to re-try a failure in a different way, sometimes, many different ways. That reminds me of the Disney cartoon movie Meet The Robinsons. The young boy tried his experiment over and over in many different ways until he finally figured it out.
Grit can be defined as personal perseverance toward a task or goal. In learning, it can be thought of as a trait that drives a person to keep trying until they succeed. It is not tied to talent or ability, but is simply a tendency to not give up until something is finished or accomplished.
I also reference this comment to a picture I have hanging in my room, it has a quote that says "Success: A progressive Realization of a Worthy Ideal." We will be successful as long as we see what we are striving for has a purpose.
In essence, it can be said that every time we learn something new we are no longer the same.
I love this statement as it made me think, it's so true! I applied it in thought about every time I learned something, I then adjusted my thoughts, words and actions because of what I learned, be it a good thing or a bad thing.
Analysis Questions: These questions are included throughout each chapter. Consider them “pauses” to help you reflect on what you have read and how to incorporate the information into your own journey.
I enjoy these analysis questions because they give me the opportunity to reflect on my "Why" and look deeper into it which gives it more purpose and helps me understand it better.
Which of the six areas of adjustment do you think will be the least challenging for you, and which do you think will be most challenging? What can you do now to prepare for the more challenging transitions?
With the areas of adjustment, the least challenging for me will be Cultural & Emotional & Financial. Being emersed in a demographic with many different cultures has prepared me to understand and recognize differences and similarities. Emotional, as I feel I have trained myself to have a better grasp of controlling my emotions, and I use many different resources to aid in understanding and recognizing certain emotions, and being able to manage them better. Financial, as I have a good understanding of managing my finances, what the costs are associated with college and I have reached out for support with campus resources. The most challenging for me would be , Academic; learning study strategies and adjusting. Intellectual ; I am not used to engaging in groups and may stray away from group discussions/ projects- I work very well alone. And Social; again, I am a loner and prefer to stay to myself. To prepare for the more challenging transitions, I am challenging myself academically to find different strategies in learning, I am using flash cards which are helpful. For intellectual challenges I am engaging more in intellectual discussions and Social I am also challenging myself by joining a club and groups on campus.
In what ways will earning a college degree be valuable to you now and in the future? Be sure to describe the financial, career, and personal benefits to earning a college degree.
The ways that earning a college degree would be valuable to me now and in the future are 1) Boosting my Self Esteem; having accomplished such a task as earning a degree is a great boost to my self esteem and confidence 2) Extra income; with my degree, I will be able to earn more money and become financially stable 3) Gained Knowledge/Skills; I will learn new skills that will assist me with helping those in need
The key is to be your own best advocate, because no one else is obliged to advocate on your behalf.
This comment stood out to me the most, as it is very true in adult life. As a child, you usually have your parents, guardians and teachers all advocating for you, to prepare your for adulthood and life. As an adult, YOU are your only advocate, and it is up to you to decide what to do with your life.
What learning strategies are the most effective?
I like the learning strategies the most as it personal to me and assists me with having more confidence in/with the way that I learn. They also assist me in creating better habits for learning. I found in this chapter, four(4) learning strategies that are most effective. 1- Motivation: its the key for learning and balancing studying and classes 2-Deliberate, Focused Effort: being the Master of your efforts, taking ownership and determination to get the work done. 3- Time & Task Management : Having a planner, using apps and taking time to plan out and block out study times will aid in the learning process. 4-Progress tracking: keeping track and monitoring what is learned , what is completed and the quality of the assignment is another strategy that I will incorporate daily.