Week 3: Famous Last Words - Busy Already

(Image Information: A Football on a Field

U.S. Department of Agriculture Source: Flickr)

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Well, this semester has already started out pretty crazy. From the end of Howdy Week, until now, I have been fully submerged in trying to get a handle on my classes this semester, assignments, and upcoming classes.

I am, however, really looking forward to the rest of the semester in this class, especially now that I have decided upon my Storybook Project (go check out my Topic Research post). 

Having been in this class before, I can really say that this has got to be one of my favorite class formats. And, I am looking forward to the readings this semester. There have been a lot of books that still have yet to be checked off on my bucket list, and some of them will this semester as I'll get the opportunity to read them in this class! I am so excited!

The next two weeks of September are going to be crazy with tests in several of my classes, but this semester, I seem to be the least stressed than I ever have been before. The classes I am taking are pretty manageable (which I guess is a blessing having knocked out so many classes with AP credits).

So, I guess I am just enjoying my last year here at OU. And.. football, of course. I am still in awe after watching yesterday's game, and cannot wait for the rest of the season to continue. I remember going to the OU vs OSU game last year and leaving after 3rd quarter because we were being beaten so badly. But, boy, did we show them this time. Our defense has definitely kicked it up a notch, and wow, I am so proud to be a Sooner.

I don't have to go to work this week, as I am preparing for some tests I have next week (which is so nice!). But, it doesn't mean I get a break. I'll just be studying instead. So, I am looking forward to the assignments this week as really this class is my break time because I really enjoy the material, and am always looking forward to what's happening next.

Learning Challenge: The Importance of Sleep

(Image Information: No Sleep Records Logo

Chris Hansen Source: Wikipedia)

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I read the article "Why Sleeping May Be More Important Than Studying" by Katrina Schwartz (found here) and was amazed by the information provided.

I knew sleep was important, but I never really knew the scientific reasonings behind why it was so important. I knew REM was a phase that we all fell into while we slept, but I also didn't know this was the time our minds took the time to organize all we did the day before.

Before I even started college, my cousin told me that that was his key to being successful in college: when he was tired, he would go to sleep. He found no point in staying up all night because it was only detrimental.

Coming into college I had this misconception about all nighters. And, it wasn't until I realized how bad I performed during the day without sleep that I realized I am not one of those people who can stay up all night prior to an exam.

This past summer, I fell into a routine of sleeping 8 hours, working out, and studying. It was the best routine for me because I woke up every day ready to learn more, and information was being absorbed. Now that the semester has started, I have to force myself to stop what I'm doing when it reaches 11 PM, and just go to bed. I know that there won't be any good coming out of me staying up till 2 AM, when I should be sleeping instead.

Time management is key to college, and sleep is one of the best things in the world, right? How could we give up on that?! 

Tech Tip: Reverse Google Image Search

(Picture of Buddha unharmed by demons

Asia Society Source: Wikipedia)

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I am amazed! I had no idea that such a feature existed like this! Who knew that at a click of your mouse you could search where an image came from to find out more?! This is so cool!

Topic Research

(Image Information: Ghost Story

NPH Source: Wikipedia)

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With Halloween coming up, I decided to go ahead and do the project of using the OU Ghost Stories.

They're also giving Ghost Tours this month, so I will definitely take advantage of that in order to write my stories.

These stories will tie together this theme: a Freshman student arriving at OU and the scary experiences he or she faces on campus. 

I will be looking into purchasing the book by Jeff Provine, so for now, I have provided a link to his website that gives an overview of some the stories he talks about in his books that I am thinking would work. 

Here are the stories I am thinking to use:

1. Cate Center (link to Jeff's website here)

A freshman doesn't know what's headed his/her way when they find out that this normal-looking cafeteria is actually the place where someone was beheaded. Find out more as the story unravels and the experience that this freshman faces.

2. Holmberg Hall (link to Jeff's website here)

Thinking to be a part of University Sing, this naive freshman is unaware of the ghosts alive and prowling the halls of Holmberg Hall. This story will be about the secrets of Holmberg Hall that no freshman has ever seen. 

3. Ellison Hall (link to Jeff's website here)

Known to all as the College of Arts and Sciences, this story will be about the freshman student visiting his/her college for an advising appointment, but discovering much more than his next semester's schedule.

Feedback Strategies

(Image Information: 360 Degree Feedback

Jurgen Apello Source: Flickr)

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The two articles I read were "Be a Mirror" by Gravity Goldberg (found here) and "What Kinds of Messages Help Kids Grow?" by Deborah Farmer Kris (found here). 

Both of these articles were really interesting as they provided more specific examples of better types of feedback. In "Be a Mirror", the main takeaway was that we shouldn't use feedback like "I like how..." but more of "When you...". This really struck out to me, because in the past, I have usually given feedback with using personal pronouns. I can see how this might be ineffective in trying to show someone what THEY did well. I definitely will keep this in mind as I continue through the semester in this class.

However, what was interesting was the examples show in "What Kinds of Messages Help Kids Grow?" which talked about how adults shouldn't be telling kids "Great job" but "I like how...". This type of feedback shows children that adult approval is being given with what the child did and that they should adhere to what the adult desires. I do agree that feedback should be more specific in telling a kid what they did well in, but shouldn't be taken as a way to show approval or disapproval by a parent as every kid has his or her own idea of what is an accomplishment for themselves.

These are articles that not only show how important our word choices can be, but also how important feedback can be in all aspects of life. 

Reading Notes: Aesop's Fables Part A

(Image Information: Bunny

Clker-Free-Vector-Images Source: Pixabay)

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In Part A of Aesop's Fables, I really took notice of the "take-away" messages of each fable. These were the most important part for me in the stories. Each and every one of these fables were short, simple, and very strong in delivering the messages they planned to give. 

However, there were two takeaway messages in the "Hares" fables that I particularly took interest in. The story of "The Hares and the Frogs" by Jacobs delivered the message that "there is always someone worse off than yourself". When thinking about the comparison in terms of feedback, I realized that this was a message that was important to think about. When rewriting this story, I would like to incorporate this message in a more positive way because the wording currently is very negative. The story of "The Hares and the Frogs" by Crane delivers the message that "our own are not the only troubles" and this is a mentality that I feel like we often forget. We all have our troubles, but we never take the time to realize that people around us are going through similar things. 

I would like to come up with my own fables that utilize this message in some way. I will still keep the aspect of simple characters and plot line, but give a more human characteristic to the story so that other readers can relate. 

Bibliography: Aesop's Fables "Hares" by Joseph Jacobs, link to reading online.