When you eat different kinds of gum for when you study multiple subjects at once, remember which one’s match which and use the same kind to chew again during test time so you can help remember it. This is one of many ways to help memorize information by association, such as chewing gum, repeating things, sensory memorization, and acronyms.
Category Archives: 322
Group 2 Final Hacks
When preparing for finals, a good hack is to write out a detailed schedule for the week before and the week of finals to insure you are prepared. If you enjoy cooking, pretend that it is a prep list.
- Write out when and where your finals are in your calendar with any needed materials you would need for the final.
- For each class write out what concepts/formulas/theories you need to know to be prepared for your finals.
- Write out your work schedule, if you have a job, and plan studying time around that.
- Write out what you’re going to study and when and for how long. Make sure to schedule breaks!
- Be mindful of how you study. i.e. If you work best in the morning make sure to study before work/class.
- Find a consistent quiet spot for studying.
- Remind yourself why you’re in school to help you remain disciplined.
- Plan meal breaks/cooking time.
- Schedule 6-8 hours of sleep each night.
Shorter University
Muhammed Mohamed
English 1102- Weaver
SAR Paper
Date Due: I’m sorry it’s late
mmohamed23@student.gsu.edu
Summary
Shorter University is a Christian university that proudly claims they are “transforming lives through Christ” (Shorter University), and that is their slogan. It’s also the first thing you see on their homepage. The university is looking for students who want a spiritual change in their lives or students who want to go to a Christian university but can’t afford it. The university claims that they change lives for the better spiritually and are very affordable.
Analysis
On their website, Shorter University’s strategies are imagining Ideal Readers. The website pushes the fact that their college will help you reach your fullest potential due to their Christian environment and financial aid. The website is structured so that the ideal readers would benefit the most from it. They target an audience that they believe lacks a spiritual connection, has a strong faith in Christianity, and may not be able to afford college. The website also targets spiritually connected people to christ by promising a “Christ-centered community committed to helping you unlock your fullest potential” (Shorter University). The website also targets people who are easily enticed by rankings and numbers. They provide several rankings that they exceed in many categories compared to other colleges.
Shorter University also promises a highly welcoming student body, faculty, and staff, according to their website. The student body “helps new students feel a part of the Shorter community from the moment they step on campus” (Shorter University). Shorter University is using an audience strategy. The website is written to an audience looking for a Christian college where they can feel at home and be assured that they can afford it. People with less income and strong faith in Christianity are the ideal student for Shorter university’s website.
On the website, there is a section dedicated to their athletics. Shorter University’s ultimate goal and slogan, “transforming lives through Christ” (Shorter University), is also a big part of their athletic department. The website encourages students to be diverse in their interests in athletics. They highly encourage people to do and reassure them “Our student-athletes are held to the same high standards of conduct and academic excellence as non-athletes, further evidence of our commitment to their success” (Shorter University). This is another example of Shorter University using an audience strategy. They have this section on their website for an audience with a strong faith in Christ and who want to pursue a career or athletics. This is also an example of imagining Ideal Readers. In this section of the website, the most likely to be persuaded are the audience who have a strong faith in Christ and want to pursue a career or athletics.
Shorter university’s website is confident that you feel at home if you decide to live on campus. The website claims, “Residence Life at Shorter University is an integral part of your education and university experience… we believe that every corner of the campus can be educative. The lessons learned through relationships and interactions in the residence halls are of immeasurable value” (Shorter University). This is another example of Shorter University using an audience strategy and imagining Ideal Readers. They have this section on their website for an audience who wants the experience of living on campus. This will most likely persuade the people who believe that interactions with people and relationships are essential for a great college experience. This also targets people worried about not having a proper living area surrounded by people of the same faith while in college and people who believe that interactions with people and relationships can be beneficial academically.
Response
I think it’s excellent how Shorter University can link and relate so many topics to faith because, ultimately, it is a Christian university. Their slogan was the first thing that caught my attention was the slogan “transforming lives through Christ” (Shorter University). When I saw that Shorter University feels strongly about deepening their student’s connection with their faith and Christianity because it can make them better students and people, it left me wondering how a student that doesn’t believe in Christianity and has a different faith would feel at this college. The first response to this question would be, “why would they go to a Christian college in the first place” but on their website, they promise “Shorter University admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs…” (Shorter University). Would a student of a different faith feel at home at this college like they promised any student would? I wouldn’t attend this school because I am not a Christian, but I wonder how the experience would be if I did. Religion is a big part of my academic self. I give very high value to my religion, which is why I wouldn’t attend this college because our faiths differ from each other.
Source: University, Shorter University. “Shorter University.” Shorter University, www.shorter.edu. Accessed 3 Mar. 2022.
Prairie View A&M University
Summary
Students should attend the historical astounding Prairie View A&M University HBCU because it’s an educated/loving atmosphere that will allow you to encourage business and personal relationships. They have challenging and engaging curriculum that they have for STEM majors. For example, including biology and energy engineering. Also, the ability to network and expand yourself as a scholar and professional.
Analysis
Prairie View A&M University uses the large rhetorical strategy of Imaging Ideal Readers and the rhetorical style of logos to persuade readers of the phenomenal university. This website corresponds to opportunities and potential to grow while attending PVAMU. Using ideal readers as a rthetorical strategy was a good way to structure the audience as to why it’s the best school for you. This university targets a student who can show leadership and is academically talented. The university explains it provides educational experiences that will prepare graduates for professional practice and a meaningful social service “excellence through imperatives will lead us boldly with imagination and vision.” (PVAMU,16). There mission is to provide high quality educational experience for students completing their bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degrees. PVAMU has a diversity of majors which includes business, engineering, architecture, nursing, and arts of sciences.
The website opens to a slide show with images that includes students sitting down in a group with laptops. Which seems like they are all having a conversation and they are dressed up professionally, the university is applying imaging ideal readers. Additionally looks like PVAMU is looking for students who are interested in business and nursing fields. There academic section is separated by different categories, which are: college of business, college of engineering, college of nursing, and college of arts and sciences. For example, when the website was discussing academic, they explain “provides opportunities for students to participate in experiential learning opportunities that are an essential component of the undergraduate learning experience, through High Impact Practices i.e., research, internships, and service learning.” They explain why these skills are important. The ideal readers are the people who are interested in attending PVAMU college the website is giving out information about the college and what is expected.
Response
Honestly, yes, I would attend Prairie View A&M University. I like the university building designs it provides everything needed for students under that certain department. It is reachable 24hrs a day, 7 days a week making it easier for students to complete things. PVAMU has great history that is the key to the school and the students, faculty and staff motivate each other to keep it alive. Another reason why I would attend is because it is an HBCU. I feel as though I fit right in. I feel like the university caters to our needs and are truly preparing us for the real world. I like how Prairie View during campus events alcohol isn’t permitted, at most colleges students turn to partying and drinking. My values from the list are teamwork, safety, and caring. I chose teamwork because I feel like nothing won’t be as good enough without help from classmates or advice. I chose safety because as a student I wouldn’t want to be on an unsafe campus or neighborhood. Caring because the professors should really care about and take time to make sure they succeed.
Analysis: Case Western Reserve University
Summary:
Case Western Reserve University is a research college located in Cleveland, OH. They pride themselves on real-world, hands-on learning with a strong research spine. While they are known for research, they also offer robust art programs. They target high school graduates from around the world with a strong sense of wanting to create change in the world around them through proven data.
Analysis:
On Case Western Reserve University’s website, they use pathos and ethos to lure graduating high school seniors to attend. They don’t want just any type of student; they want a student that can, “think beyond the possible” (CWRU, “Landing Page”). This will be a necessary way of thinking about one’s future while navigating their way through CWRU’s curriculum, a curriculum that will support students who want to be innovators, trailblazers, healers, scholars, performers, and creators in a researched-based, hands-on way. They display this by having a video on their landing page of students performing their major. Showing prospective students that the current students are learning by doing then stating that, “99% of our undergrads take part in experiential learning, including research, co-ops, and internships” (CWRU, “Landing Page”).
While doing research for this analysis, the university changed its website. An observation that was made from the previous format to the current one is one of integrity through ethos. In the previous format, there was a statement about how the university has a “responsibility to work to eradicate systemic racism” (CWRU, “Landing Page”). Jump to the current format, and you see a diverse student body along with a professor who is a black woman wearing her hair in dreadlocks, which has been used as a form of discrimination. Seeing this on their website is showing prospective students that they can come to the table as their full selves, which will allow them to engage in learning and contributing more deeply.
The student body appears to be a diverse one with an emphasis on learning and being someone that could help with positive change for the future. This is demonstrated on the landing page, where the school highlights five different research projects that have gone on at CWRU and four quotes from a variety of students. Winston K. states, “One of the best things about CWRU is they accept you holistically. CWRU wants you to find what you want to do in life, without added pressure” (CWRU, “Landing Page”). Seeing a student of color talk about being holistically accepted at the school reiterates their ethos of getting rid of systemic racism.
When leaving for college, there are a lot of concerns about what this new chapter is going to look like with the ever-changing social climate that we are in. However, CWRU has set up safety nets for young students. They have programs that allow students to get free shuttles across campus or an escort to lessen the probability of getting attacked. They even have a mobile app called “Rave Guardian” that students can download and link to their student email address to contact campus police in seconds. If you’re a student that likes to make sure you don’t have only one line of defense, then the school offers self-defense classes. Having these programs set in place shows the students that they not only see that there are external fears outside of academia, but they have built programs to empower students to take care of themselves (CRWU, “Health and Safety”).
Case Western Reserve University appeals to high school graduates that want to be humanitarians. You see this in the way they talk about offering different schools of thought from biology to medicine to manufacturing to the arts. How they do things differently is based on the ongoing research that the school is known for, like seeing how different types of acting can improve the mental health of kids or discovering a protein in the gut crucial to healing gut disease. They are sticking to their word of “One breakthrough at a time, we’re helping to build a better world” (CWRU, “Research”).
Response:
After looking over Case Western Reserve University’s website, I could tell that even though I am an older, transfer student, there would be a place for me there because of the school’s humanitarian ethos. Seeing that the school didn’t center itself around Greek life and the school’s sports teams but around the Arts and local food scene gave me the feeling of a more sensible student body.
When analyzing the school’s website, seeing their commitment to research, and teaching the next world leaders, I got the feeling that they are producing a community of people that will hold others accountable through data. Yes, data can be viewed as cold and lifeless, but exposing the students to the local visual and performing art can evoke a more well-rounded student. Also, having a diverse student body, with over 90 different countries represented at the university, will allow the students to experience a culture they may not be used to (CWRU, “Landing Page”).
Before the website change, I found one video on CWRU’s “About Page” that spoke to me as a potential student going into a science field. The video was made by the marketing and communications students, and it showed diverse people in the greater community enjoying local food, entertainment, and camaraderie. This let me know, as someone that enjoys going to plays and farmer’s markets, that I would be about to find like-minded people outside of Greek life and sports groups. If Case Western Reserve University was located in Atlanta, GA, and I was awarded a scholarship, I would apply in a heartbeat.
Works Cited
“Health and Safety.” Case Western Reserve University, 2022, https://case.edu/campus-life/health-and-safety.
“Landing Page.” Case Western Reserve University, 2022, https://case.edu/.
“Research.” Case Western Reserve University, 2022, https://case.edu/cwruresearch.
Pacific Oaks College Website: SAR Project
Keith Slettedahl
Professor Weaver
English 1102-322
5 March 2022
Pacific Oaks College Website: Summary/Analysis/Response (SAR) Project
Summary
Made evident on the school’s website, Pacific Oaks College seeks a compassionate, inclusive, culturally diverse student body concerned with making a difference in the world. Featuring programs focused around education and human development, Pacific Oaks places an overall emphasis on the importance of community, social justice, and cultural intelligence, and it utilizes the small rhetorical strategy of Purpose and the large rhetorical strategy of Kairos to support its altruistic assertions.
Analysis
Throughout its website, Pacific Oaks College uses the small rhetorical strategy of Purpose to persuade prospective students to attend their school. The page lists the school’s four core values as respect, diversity, social justice, and inclusion, and these themes are carried over into all areas of the site to great effect.
One purpose in presenting the school’s information in this way is that it establishes that Pacific Oak’s educational goals are not necessarily geared toward the attainment of individual achievement and worldly success, but rather, they are focused on the power of community and service to others. The site makes this evident when speaking to the bachelor’s and master’s programs offered at Pacific Oaks. Though aspects of career growth are certainly addressed, the text is front-loaded with altruistic concerns, and the bulk of the emphasis is placed on how these degrees will enable one to “serve diverse communities in the fields of human development, education, and related family studies” (POC “Mission Statement”). The site also repeatedly emphasizes the idea that community is what provides the foundation of the Pacific Oaks College educational experience and aims to convey to the reader that he or she can be a part of this powerful community that can positively impact one’s education (POC “Community”). The implication is that through service one is fulfilled, through working together the students are made stronger, and that one will benefit by tapping into the school’s community and “we” first mentality.
Placing great significance on the principles of diversity and inclusion, another purpose found in the website’s rhetorical approach is to let the prospective student know that he or she, regardless of cultural background, is important, valued, and welcomed at Pacific Oaks College. As part of its “Diversity and Inclusion Statement,” the website states, “We encourage everyone to bring their full authentic selves to our community,” and goes on to promise support and advocacy for all its students “regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, nationality, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, or ability (POC “Mission and Values Statements”). Even when mentioning the many benefits of living in Southern California (the school is in Pasadena, CA), just as much attention is given to the area’s remarkable diversity of cultures as to its beaches and nightlife. Throughout the site, the principles of respect and acceptance of others are mentioned repeatedly, and this effectively creates a welcoming atmosphere. Pacific Oaks wants the reader to know that not only is diversity valued at their school, but it is also viewed as the essential component in preparing students to “thrive personally and professionally in a global society” (POC “Mission and Values Statements”).
The final small rhetorical purpose found on the Pacific Oaks website conveys the message that the prospective student is not only valued and important, but also capable of making a real difference in the world. The website reveals that the school’s original goal was to provide a “progressive education that can help the world heal” (POC “History and Impact”), and in its mission statement, declares that Pacific Oaks “prepares students to be culturally intelligent agents of change” (POC). Concepts of “making a difference” and “changing the world” are alluded to all throughout the site, and this strategy effectively connects the reader to a greater purpose and implies that this purpose can be realized by attending Pacific Oaks College.
In addition to the use of the small rhetorical strategy of Purpose, and coming at a time of profound world-wide political, cultural, and social division, Pacific Oaks skillfully uses the large rhetorical strategy of Kairos (the timeliness of a rhetorical act) by placing a significant emphasis on the school’s values of inclusion, cultural intelligence, and social justice. The website heavily emphasizes the school’s rich social justice heritage and involvement with social justice movements during a time when the awareness of and concern about such issues has never been higher and presents to the potential student an educational means to make a difference through numerous social work programs. Also, with the current burgeoning global awareness of the importance of cultural sensitivity, Pacific Oaks effectively accentuates their progressive approach to teaching and learning by referencing their “anti-bias curriculum and culturally-centered academic programs” (POC “Social Justice and Diversity”), and stating, “everyone in our classrooms is both student and teacher. Students relate subjects to their own personal experiences” (POC “About”). These examples illustrate to the reader that Pacific Oaks is forward thinking, in touch with the cultural concerns of today, and that ultimately, one’s own unique life experience will be valued and considered at their school. Furthermore, the website addresses what is perhaps the most important and polarizing issues of our time: sexual orientation and gender identity. Plainly, Pacific Oaks declares that “there is a light in each person that is to be honored in everyone,” and that all are welcome at their school “regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression (POC “Mission and Values Statement”). Whether or not the timeliness in the addressing of these issues was intentional or coincidental is unclear. Either way, Pacific Oaks College persuasively presents a picture of a progressive institution with its finger placed firmly on the pulse of today’s cultural and societal concerns.
Response
Would I go to this college? In a word, yes. I randomly picked Pasadena’s Pacific Oaks College from a list of Southern California schools because, having lived in or near Pasadena for most of my life, I was surprised and intrigued by the fact that I was unaware of its existence. I’m glad I did because I learned a lot about the school and found many reasons why I would consider attending. For one, as I mentioned, it is in my hometown. Georgia is fine and all, but home is home. (Sigh). But I digress. More important than location, however, is the fact that the school’s overall ethos resonates deeply with me, particularly the spiritual-leaning Quaker values of community, equality, and peace that the school was founded on. In fact, the main reason I went back to college at my advanced age was to study psychology with the primary goal being that I could maybe serve humanity in some small way, so Pacific Oak’s offering of degrees in various Psychology and Human Development programs, as well as the school’s emphasis on making a difference, is right up my alley.
From the list of values in our free writing inventory I chose “spirituality,” “compassion,” and “making a difference.” When trying to pick one to tie into this paper, I realized that the three are inseparable, and in fact, you cannot have one without a combination of all three. Going further, I thought about what the word “education” means to me and found that, I could not separate that word from the list either. Is there really a true education without spirituality, compassion, and making a difference? Transversely, is true compassion possible without some form of education? I found it quite interesting that in Cathy Davidson’s “The New Education” talk, she addressed studies done at Google that proved that the most valued skills found in their employees were not technological in nature, but rather, how nice they were and how well they were able to communicate and collaborate with others (Cathy Davidson). This rings true with me, and as is clearly seen in the school’s dedication to inclusion and community, with Pacific Oaks College as well. In my opinion, any type of education that does not address our inherent interdependence is doomed to fail. Now, more than ever, education needs to be addressed from a more holistic perspective, and Pacific Oaks seems devoted to doing just that.
Works Cited
Pacific Oaks College Website. 2022. https://www.pacificoaks.edu/locations/pasadena/
Cathy Davidson: “The New Education” 3.1.18. YouTube, uploaded by Santa Cruz Arts,
Lectures, and Entertainment, 11 May 2020, Cathy Davidson: “The New Education” 3.1.18
College Website Analysis
Ranup Katwal
3/9/2022
Professor Weaver
English 1102-322
Summary
RMIT is a college for technology, design, and enterprise, being a top 250 university worldwide, their ideal student is someone who wants to make a “difference.”, and is passionate about learning. with more than 20+ different courses with more branches, RMIT seems promising for someone looking to get higher education.
Strategies “purpose” form APATSARC, and imagining ideal readers from “Large Rhetorical Strategy” is used throughout the website.
Analysis
The website shows a few things, but the most attractive among them is “RMIT is a global university of technology, design, and enterprise” (RMIT – Home Page) this shows the purpose of the website, which is to look for ideal students and persons who are interested in what they have to offer. it also lists that it’s “top 250 universities worldwide” (RMIT – Home Page), and with over “97,000 students from 230+ different countries” (RMIT – Home Page), this uses the strategy “Imagining ideal readers”, readers don’t have to be overly experienced to understand the information provided by the website. A little below courses are listed well-designed user interfaces, this also uses one of the strategies listed above because it’s simple to look at and understand what each user interface is for, this helps looks for “ideal” students, who are looking for specific occupations they might be interested in learning about. The website also offers a “Kickstart 2022 with a range of student benefits” (RMIT – Home Page), “with dedicated social programs and more”(RMIT – Home Page), strategy purpose is being used here to convince you that their support team/new year student experience is good.
One of the things to notice is that the website overall doesn’t use that many words, no matter what button is clicked the information provided is simple and easy to read, so it can be said that the whole website is based around “imagining ideal readers” which is focused on just readers and not advanced readers meaning anyone can read the information without much thinking, also means that more people get persuaded since the website reaches out to any reader, not just advanced, this is also the use of strategy purpose. When clicking the study button, a small text that talks about how the university offers “study online now and on-campus later” (RMIT – Study with us), narrows down to purpose, what does the author want? You and your money.
The university promises “experience you’ll never forget”(RMIT – Student Life), “help you make friends” (RMIT – Student Life), “feel at home” (RMIT – Student Life), “skills and knowledge to make you employable anywhere in the world”(RMIT – study experience), “practical training”, “courses delivered by experts at the top of their fields” (RMIT), and much more, what more can you ask for? This seems like a place where a student can accumulate a lot of knowledge in the field they’re pursuing (purpose is used because it persuades the readers/convinces them that the university offers a lot to help them succeed/exceed their academic goals), not only locally but the website also convinces you globally, under the tab global opportunities, it talks about how “Studying overseas is an enriching and rewarding experience” (RMIT) although true, but what do they want? Your money, and for you to apply to their university. The university also claims how it can help build “global networks and boost career opportunities” (RMIT) and help land that dream job.
While browsing the website it states that the university is offering 10% off on tuition fees to anyone who isn’t able to come to “Australia due to border restrictions” (RMIT – Study with us), a coincidence? I think not, also uses strategy purpose, that’s because although they can transfer to college where they live the website convinces them to stay at their college because the tuition fees are reduced by 10%, 10% of $10 maybe $1 but 10% of $20,000 is $2,000, and that’s a lot. RMIT also has study support to help students with “Peer mentoring” (RMIT – study-support), “One-on-one consultations” (RMIT – study-support), “24/7 study help with your assignments and course work” (RMIT study-support), and many more, this is obviously trying to get you to apply, strategy purpose is also being used here because their main purpose stays the same and that’s to get as many students as possible. The university also helps with health/mental health and emergency crisis, also convinces their university to be the best option.
Response
Would I go to this college? YES!! I’d totally go there because, they offer so much, it almost feels like too good to be true, although I say I’d go, it would be unrealistic since it costs a lot of money and is so far away. Had that not been the problem, had I a big sum of money, and distance reduced I’d totally go.
On my values inventory, I chose confidence, and curiosity, which looking back fits my response perfectly because I’m confident that I’d go to the university if it weren’t for the fact, big distance, and lack of money. As for curiosity although I don’t talk often, I’m quite curious, I’d be more than happy to experience if that university lives up to its name. The university offers just too much for it to be perfect. One of the things I’m extremely curious about is “24/7 study help with your assignments” (RMIT), if you think about it there’s no way that their service is that good right? Imagine you wake up at 3-4 am and go to the help section, there isn’t a 100% guaranteed that someone’s there to help is there. This sounds way too good to be true, so if I were to go to this university, I’d probably be curious and test if their service is as good as they claim it to be.
Works Cited
RMIT. “Study Support.” RMIT University, https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/study-support.
Academic Profile For Keith Stettedahl
My partner Keith Stettedahl like myself, is a first-generation college student. Keith is a musician, and his major is psychology. He attended some junior college for a while straight out of high school, but he enjoyed playing music more. Since he moved here from his hometown Los Angeles, He has been trying to find what piques his interest and Georgia State University is where he landed. He describes himself as a perfectionist and a very prepared person. He takes pride in his willingness to learn, and his genuine interest in the material. I am going to go into detail about who Keith is as a student, what are the motivations behind his success, what his expectations were and if they were met.
Keith went to a good high school
and did well all the way up until his senior year. He began partying and making music during his last year of high school and slacked off. College was not really on his radar and his family was not really pushing the idea. After graduating he enrolled into a junior college, but he was more interested in music, so he took that route. Keith’s major is psychology, but he is not sure if he wants to pursue the major and he has no definite plans he just wants to learn new things.
Keith is a slightly untraditional student, so the things that motivate him may be different than the average student coming right out of high school going into college. He has a loving family that motivates him to be successful in college. Keith is also motivated by his genuine willingness to learn and his authentic interest in the material. He appreciates learning more than he did when he was younger. He feels in high school he did work for the sake of getting a grade, but in college he has a real interest in the subjects and assignments. When coming into secondary education Keith looked at it as an adventure which made him enthusiastic to learn.
Before coming to Georgia state University, Keith had not been in an educational setting since 1993. He did not know what to expect, especially starting school in the middle of a pandemic. He expressed how the learning curve is completely different than what he expected. He had never even used Microsoft software before starting at GSU. Although the transition was different than what he was used to, he has learned a lot about himself as a student. He has learned that he enjoys learning and he loves the atmosphere of professors and students. Coming into an unfamiliar environment he did not know what to expect but he always had a positive mindset to be present and to do an excellent job.
Being a first-generation college student is tricky. You do not really have a lot of people around you to guide you through the process. This is not because they do not want to, but because they do not know how to. This just means you do not have that voice in your ear telling you to fill out applications, do community service and join extra-curricular activities to boost your chances of acceptance. When you finally get through the process of enrolling and getting accepted you still have a lot of adapting to do, especially if you have been out of school for some time. Eventually you get the hang of it and start to enjoy learning new things and it opens the curiosity in you. This is what happened in Keith’s story, he had been out so long that he is still adjusting to simultaneously being an adult and a student. He is learning new things about himself every day.
Madison Przybylski
I didn’t get to Talk with Madison That much, so the information I’m about to share won’t be much.
Madison is a First Generation College Student from her family, although her dad went to college to study in the medical fields, he had to drop out due to lack of financial aid, this was the case for many people in the previous generation, unlike us who are given education for basically free, only wealthy would have a chance at college, Growing up as a first-generation college student isn’t always easy since there is a lack of passive guidance(your parents), this, however, can be countered if you talk to people and ask for help, but Madison was an introvert, during her early academics, Madison didn’t reach out for help, she didn’t thrive for more than what was needed to pass the class(someone prusing education shouldn’t be doing this), Madison later came to the realization after entering college, that a person must give it all they have in order to succeded in learning, Madison currently works, and goes to college at the same time, she may not have much time to study but there’s a saying that “your biggest disadvantage is your biggest advantage”, i hope she can grow academically, and use what she has learned as a student to teach her future students, since she’s pursing education major.
To sum it up, When evaluating a person’s true academic self we must look at their growth over time, instead of the time they’ve spent in academics, in madison’s case her academic self only really grew after coming to college, since her k-12 academics were spent without any real goal for academics(she didn’t have a passion to learn more), Evaluation of academic self is different for different people, for example, a prodigy might have an academic growth from pre-k all the up to higher education(Ph.D.) which a normal person would have a graph that rarely goes up, in most cases it goes up until k-12 then goes down exponentially starting from college, this is due to the fact that students in lower education(k-12) aren’t taught meta-cognition, well not in the true sense(there’re only taught the first level which is to remember).
Say What’s up to Nebyou!
Taken by Nebyou on January 6, 2022
Hello everyone, I would like to introduce my partner Nebyou Tesfaye. He is 19 years old and went to Tucker High School. He graduated in 2021. His favorite subject is math. To make math easier, he would find easy ways to remember rules. His hobbies include music, anime, gaming, and origami.
He came to Georgia State University (GSU) because it’s close, affordable and the scenery is great. His major is computer science. Ultimately, he wants to become a Technician or work in information technology. In interacting with people at school, Nebyou believes communication and social skills are key. One aspect of school he enjoys the most is the diversity and different perspectives.
Nebyou believes his learning abilities aren’t up to the standards that he desires. He wishes to improve them. More accurately in time management and studying. He feels that he needs to focus on working out his life and balance his work life as he grows into a more capable adult. He considers himself to have creative versatility. That means you approve of people because they have a variety of skills. He also has personal resilience. Being individually resilient involves behaviors, thoughts, and actions that promote personal wellbeing and mental health. He is able to withstand, adapt to, and recover from stress, and misfortune. Also, continue or return to a state of mental health wellbeing by using effective strategies.
Nebyou also would describe himself as very ambitious. Being ambitious means, you have a desire to achieve particular goals. Ambition motivates you to stay up late studying and defer partying to increase your chances to be successful. Ambition in life is very important because it will guide your future goals and achievements. It motivates you to aspire for excellence in all you do.
Another aspect that he thinks is key to his academic self is being organized. He believes being organized makes life a little easier. Keeping your homework and important class information sorted out by subject. Also, Nebyou believes that having a clean space leads to a clean mind. Furthermore, he tries to maintain a neat and orderly study area, it promotes attentiveness and improves your performance.
When it comes to Covid, for Nebyou it was a crazy experience. Covid forced him to study on his own and he never knew how to properly self-study. As a result, his grades dropped. He felt he couldn’t take the class seriously without having to come into a classroom daily. He was accustomed to laying in bed playing video games. In addition to his education, Covid was difficult for him in general, for him and his family. His family lost close relatives and loved ones. The isolation was difficult. He squabbled with his sisters a lot because they couldn’t leave their house. Regarding the article, we read in class (COVID-Era College: Are Students Satisfied?), Nebyou felt it was an interesting article. He agrees Covid was a hard time for everyone and no one was prepared for it. Also, he felt college rules didn’t help those students that needed help. Often students did not technically qualify for services based on arbitrary rules. I agree with Nebyou that students did not know how to adapt when the virus hit. Ms. Ezarik accentuated students that were even torn on whether they anticipated common COVID mitigation strategies.
In conclusion, my interview reveals that Nebyou is still trying to figure out how to deal with college and just life in general. Life is always unexpected. No matter what life throws at you if work hard you will always succeed. Success in school and education should be every student’s number one priority. In reality, no one ever wants to go to school, no one enjoys it, but we know that it must be done. In the end, Nebyou and I agree, with anything and everything you want to accomplish, hard work pays off.
Works Cited
Nebyou Tesfaye, Pair interview transcript, January 2022
Ezarik, Melissa. Student Experiences during COVID and Campus Reopening Concerns, https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2021/03/24/student-experiences-during-covid-and-campus-reopening-concerns.