During my interview of Samuel Alemu, a first-year student at Georgia State Perimeter College, it was immediately clear that he is a very logical and organized thinker. He has skill in identifying patterns that will lead him to a desired outcome. Because of this, math and physics come easy to him as they consist of plugging in numbers. After analyzing more than just his response to the questions I asked, but how he answered them; I realized that he goes about all areas of his academic life using this same calculated process. Through just his body language alone, one can pick on the fact that he is attentive and precise by nature. His plain act of sitting up straight and listening makes it is apparent that Samuel’s academic self wants to be here which is arguably the core of a successful learner.

Samuel Alemu

            Originally from Ethiopia, Samuel attends GSU as an international student. He described that his views of education shifted as he transitioned from grade school in Ethiopia to college in the United States. From a young age, education to him was paired with competition. He had the mindset that he didn’t do well unless he did better than someone else. Samuel states that “It wasn’t until I saw the value of collaboration that I realized competitiveness in the academic setting was undermining my education” (Alemu. Academic Self IP). He admitted that this was a toxic way of thinking because it blocked him from truly learning. Samuel described that when he got to college, he began to recognize the importance of collaboration. In viewing other students as a resource rather than an obstacle, he started to value feedback. In Dr. Stephen Chew’s video “Developing a Mindset for Successful Learning”, Chew explains 10 Study Strategy Principles. In particular, principle 7 says “Feedback helps you get better” (Chew). Samuel said that this principle stood out the most to him. Getting a second opinion always helps with improvement and better understanding. The idea of appreciating feedback encouraged newfound growth for Samuel’s academic self.

            It is important to note that Samuel’s previous competitive outlook innocently stemmed from his desire to make his family proud. After being asked if he had any mentors, he brought up his uncle who is a software engineer. This inspired him to major in computer science and later he hopes to pursue a career working for Linked In. It is significant that he wants to work for an online platform that aids in helping people find jobs because that is an opportunity to positively impact the future of employment. Simply put, Samuel displays that he has direction and purpose.

            Probably the hardest job for professors, academic advisors, counselors, etc. is trying to get students to realize why they are here (in college). That “why” is the living root that feeds the academic self. It can be described as an individual motivation that never runs dry.

          “Are you passionate about your chosen career path?” I asked him toward the end of the interview. He smiled. There was no hesitation, confusion, or doubt.

Citations:

         Alemu, Samuel. Interview. Conducted by Alyssa Harris. January 24^th, 2022

         Alemu, Samuel. Academic self IP1. January 18^th, 2022  

         Chew, Stephen. Ph.D. Developing a Mindset for Successful Learning. Uploaded by Samford University. March 25, 2015 https://www.samford.edu/departments/academic-success-center/how-to-study

3 years from now, Keith Kearney – Pelsey can see himself being a voice actor or a director. Keith went to Avondale, Medlock, and Laurel Ridge Elementary. After he attended Druid hills middle school and Druid hills high school. As soon as Keith graduated high school he went straight to college because he wanted to continue his craft and career.  Keith chose Georgia State University Perimeter College because he wanted to start off easy at perimeter college and get his associate’s degree in theatre. After he receives his associate’s degree he will be transferring to the Atlanta campus to receive his bachelor’s degree in theatre. He also wants to get all his knowledge in his hometown. Keith’s major is Theatre and his favorite subject is drama. He takes four classes this spring semester and a couple of them are American Government and English composition 1102. 

While interviewing Keith I learned that advisement is the thing about college that baffles him the most. Keith stated, “ I know that advisement helps you get the right classes for your major but they barely have any clue on what they are trying to do “. In his first semester of college, Keith was trying to register for intro to theatre but they gave him art society and culture instead. Keith stated, ” intro to theatre fits my major, not art society and culture”. Keiths three academic words were prepared, focused, and persistent. Keith’s influence on his academic self is one of his high school teachers named Ms.TO. Ms.TO gave him preparation for college and taught him how to become a better student. Keith stated, “ I owe her tons of gratitude for everything she’s done for me”.

Keith does not have a favorite video or article but he does have a small interest in the reading “ COVID -Era college: Are students satisfied?”.The reason why he likes it is because it’s very relatable to him trying to get his education during a pandemic. The article talks about the troubles that college students go through during the pandemic. Keith relates to the article given that he is a first-year college student during the pandemic.

After interviewing Keith I learned the three words that would describe his academic self are prepared, focused, and persistent. His high school teacher, Ms.TO had a huge influence on his academic self. Keith is extremely proud that when it comes down to his academic self he becomes a different person when it comes down to him learning something new or being more productive with the work he is given. All if not most college students go through a lot of struggles, especially first-year college students like Keith. Keith went through struggles with advisement and even the pandemic which is why he relates to the reading “ COVID – Era college: Are students satisfied ?“. In the future, Keith wants to be a voice actor or a director with a bachelor’s degree in theater. 

Citations 

Keith, Kearney – Pesley. Interview. Conducted by Ayanna Cade, 6 February 2022.

Ezarik, Melissa.” Covid – Era College: Are Students Satisfied ?”. March 24 , 2021,  https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2021/03/24/student-experiences-during-covid-and-campus-reopening-concerns?utm_source=pocket_mylist.

Alyssa Harris is an art major at Georgia State Perimeter College, who shared her academic self in the interview we made in English Composition 1102. Alyssa told me that she was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia when she was eight years old. However, being a strong learner, Alyssa did not let the learning disability hold her back in the academic world. She instead believes that if she stays hungry and prepared in the academic environment, she will thrive in her scholarly goals: to broaden her view of the world through knowledge.

Growing up with ADHD and dyslexia, Alyssa used the learning disability to complain when she failed or scored poorly. When Alyssa’s mind saw a failure (cue) it produced a craving for pleasure in which it responded with a reason that she has a learning condition. Because the response satisfied the craving, Alyssa made it a habit. For instance, in her middle school math class, Alyssa used the fact that she has ADHD and dyslexia as a disadvantage for her failure and not understanding math. That belief makes Alyssa satisfied even if she fails. However, deep down Alyssa’s heart knew that was not the case.

However, observing many students in her junior year, Alyssa concluded that she is not the only person with a short concentration span. Alyssa knew that most students lose their attention, often in the lecture. From that point onward, Alyssa’s reward stopped satisfying her craving, which led her to break the habit of complaining. Instead, Alyssa set a belief that staying hungry and being prepared to be the path to a successful academic career.

Embodying that ideology, Alyssa became a better learner who is always hungry to learn new things. In our conversation, Alyssa told me that her eagerness to learn new things commenced increasing from her intuition to broaden her view of the world. Alyssa even brought up an analogy that her mind craves knowledge as her stomach craves chips. As an art major, Alyssa knew that if she learned more, her worldview would grow. Increasing her knowledge in return will lead her to be more creative. Being more creative, Alyssa dreams of becoming the best designer after finishing college.

However, as a full-time worker and student, Alyssa knew that staying hungry would disappear given the shortage of time. Dr. Chew, professor of psychology at Samford University, in his video series “How to Study,” said, “Your level of understanding is a direct result of how hard you prepared” (Chew, Developing a Mindset for Successful Learning). Chew clarifies that the level of understanding something is directly proportional to the level of preparedness. Alyssa also knew that she must plan most of her academic work to be prepared enough. As a strategy, Alyssa primes her school material and starts assignments early to increase her understanding and do the job with the least effort but with greater frequency.

In conclusion, Alyssa Harris, an art major who wants to be a designer finishing college, believes that ADHD or dyslexia is not a disadvantage in her academic setting. Instead, Alyssa thinks that the “doctor was partially wrong;” and that she is “not suffering from anything. . . quite the opposite”: She is “thriving which is the last word [She] chooses to describe [her]self academically.” The fact is for her that being prepared and staying hungry is the key recipe for becoming a successful student. In short, prepared plus hunger will yield triumph in the view of Alyssa’s academic world.

                                Work Cited

 Chew, Stephen.” Developing a Mindset for Successful Learning. “Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 25 Mar 2015

Harris, Alyssa. Interview. Conducted by Samuel Alemu, 26 January 2022

Mizaan Arshad is a student who brings a new meaning to the phrase, “study hard to study harder”.  From her dreams for the future to her biggest motivators, Mizaan gave me thoughtful and thorough answers to every question I asked her. You may be asking, ‘who is she?”, and “what’s so special about her responses?”, well, I’m about to tell you. Welcome to the Academic Profile of Mizaan Arshad.

Mizaan was bullied as a child and often spent time alone. She completed her work and participated in class, but she still felt uncomfortable. Eventually, Mizaan’s family decided to enroll her in an online school, where she would complete her high school coursework in only eight months.

When I asked her why she was motivated to finish so quickly, she responded, “When you’re younger, you’re more ambitious. You have more opportunities, and you have more time. I’m too young to work, and I’m too young to have other things to do, so I feel like I have more energy to put into my education and succeed.”

And succeed, she has. At only fifteen years old, Mizaan has joined Georgia State University’s Honors College. She works hard and has found many different motivations to move forward and receive an education.

The biggest motivator?

The life she says waits for her without education.

“I realize that I’m a minority in many different senses of the word. It’s hard keeping up with studying and assignments, but my background is what pushes me to keep going; it pushes me to prove to people that traditional life is not what I want and not how I have to live,” said Mizaan.

Mizaan has crafted her academic self under insurmountable pressures, and it shows. When I asked what the three words that described her academic self were, she told me that she picked Determined, Focused, and Isolated. These three descriptors are perfectly reflected in the beliefs she shared and the stories she told me during the interview.

Her focus shines through with her ability to complete meaningful work in less than half the time it takes traditionally; even as I write this, she works next to me, focused entirely on the task in front of her.

Her determination was revealed when I asked her about her college journey, specifically, where she would like to take this journey once she graduates with a degree in science.

 “No matter what, I’ve told myself I’m going to an Ivy League. My major is undecided, but it will be something in STEM, definitely … I believe it’s super important to major in something that can go towards your career path,” says Mizaan.

Her Isolation shined through when I asked her how graduating so early influenced the development of her academic self. She answered with this explanation, “To me, my academic self doesn’t describe my social habits. It describes the mindset I bring to school and the purpose of why I’m here. I’m here to learn not to pursue social things. That’s my purpose.”

Not many people finish high school in such a short time, and while Mizaan is proud of this accomplishment, she also explained the downside of graduating so quickly. Her explanation led me to question if any of the class readings or videos helped her combat these struggles. She responded, “Dr. Chew’s ‘How to Study’ series has helped me to understand what I’m doing. It’s difficult keeping up with materials and class prep. This video series gave me a sort of roadmap and helped me get more confident in my time management and my study process.”

Dr. Chew’s study series contains advice that all students can utilize. It introduces methods like deep-level thinking and creating a productive study space. 

Mizaan has shown that she is ready and willing to do whatever she can to stay at the top of her game, but why? What pushes her to remain steadfast? Who builds her determination and helps her remember what awaits at the end of this journey?

When I asked Mizaan who her biggest influence was, she didn’t hesitate to answer, “My mother… she’s so hardworking even without an education. It’s so motivating living with someone who didn’t get the same opportunities yet still wants the best for you.”

Following this, I asked about her mentor, and just as quickly, she answered, “My aunt. She’s shown me how to stay organized, create my schedule, and the best ways to study. She doesn’t help me to be average; She helps me reach for the top and healthily achieve above-average success.”

Mizaan worked hard to get where she is, and the help of those around her has only fueled her resolve. When I asked her about the frustrations she held with college, she responded, “It’s honestly hard to think of any complaints since I’m so thankful to be here,” which is entirely understandable. 

Mizaan Arshad is an anomaly in the best way. She has worked hard to be where she is, and she is not afraid of what is laid before her. Why would she be? Her academic self continues to grow every day, and from this conversation alone, it was evident that the rest of her is growing with it. Determined, focused, Isolated; these words are what Mizaan used to describe her academic self, but let’s add one more: resilient.

                                                                              Mizaan Arshad

Citation

Arshad, Mizaan. Interview. Conducted by Laila Thurman, 24 January 2022.

Chew, Stephen. “How to Study.” How to Get the Most Out of Studying, 25 Mar. 2015, https://www.samford.edu/departments/academic-success-center/how-to-study.

I met and conversed with Trang Nguyen to discover many fascinating aspects of her character. She is from Vietnam, where she went to school for k-12. Based on her intellectual past, she describes her academic self with the words motivation, schedule, and mathematics, using the word mathematics because while it is her favorite subject, it is also one of her skills. After graduating from high school, she decided to choose the US to study abroad, choosing the US for its diversity and the opportunity to experience things outside of her home country, such as people of various cultural backgrounds. 

Photo of Trang Nguyen taken by her boyfriend

This is Trang’s second year at Georgia State, and after graduating, she plans to do an internship in the US for two years and then return to Vietnam to help her country. Her major is Health Science Professions, and after graduating from the 2-year program, she plans to major in Public Health. She says she chose to study at GSU because she has a cousin who used to study at the school leading to her doing more research. She then found out that GSU was suitable because it aligns with her appeal to diversity. The most influential person and her academic mentor is her cousin, who went to GSU and is currently a student in medical school. 

Like all students, Trang is not just a scholar; she is someone caring and sociable. Her major reflects her love for helping people and attraction to work in the health field. Her hobbies include going out with friends and watching one of her favorite TV shows, The Suite Life on Deck; she says, “I often watch it to improve my English.” Overall, I noticed that Trang inside school is in harmony with her personal self , which she plans to develop after Stephen Chew’s lesson on how to study. 

While not captivated by the reading as much, Trang found herself enjoying the lesson on how to study because of the principles she has grasped, such as “successful learning requires planning ahead” and figuring out the reasons for ineffective studying. She has enjoyed her time so at GSU and learning new things but mentions that one frustrating thing about college is difficult professors. However, she is not letting that get in the way of her goals. When you have plans or a vision for yourself like Trang that keeps you determined and likely to accomplish these goals. 

Work Cited 

Nguyen, Trang, Personal Interview, January 2022 

Steven C, Ph.D.; Developing a mindset for successful learning, Samford University, AL