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Module 7 Blog Reflection

Throughout the Maintaining Motivation module, the most important thing I learned was to put random thoughts on paper when studying. The video How to Avoid Distractions and Stay Focused While Studying – 5 Practical Tips! mentioned to write out thoughts you have on a piece of paper near by while studying so those thoughts do not linger over your head and create an even bigger distraction. I had never thought of doing this and I do find myself becoming distracted with my thoughts most often so I think this will be really useful in my future studies. The link to the video is provided below if you would like to see the other tips from the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAv0ko2pelE&feature=emb_title

Deep breathing is something I have done for several years now. As talked about in the module, this is something I already have put into play in my activities when I am feeling stressed. This works out for me very well because I always calm down and am able to refocus on the task at hand after finishing my breathing exercises. This is something that I would recommend all students try because it really does work and takes 2 minutes to get yourself back on track. Deep breathing is also good for you in general so I have attached a link to a video that can help teach you about deep breathing below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYQsRBNYdPk&feature=youtu.be

Something that I could use in the future from the module that I don’t already do is taking intentional breaks. Often times I find myself studying for hours and then taking one real long break and getting off track. If I were to set a timer to take an intentional 5 minute break every now and then to get up and stretch, I could probably retain more information and feel less overwhelmed at the end of my day. I hope to use this for my upcoming finals and in my future courses as well.

Module 6 Blog Reflection

The most useful thing I learned from the Searching and Researching module is that there is a big difference between those two terms (searching and researching). Before this module, I used to use these terms interchangeably and had no idea that there was a difference. The key is that searching leads you to a right answer, whereas researching typically has no right or wrong answer allowing the researching to form and educated opinion on the subject. One specific thing from this module that I already put into play is the concept of using databases for research purposes. I have used some of the OSU library links in previous classes to use databases and get evidence based articles for assignments and projects. The Boolean logic is something I can incorporate into my future studies. By paying attention and properly using the words “and” and/or “or” you can create a search to find exactly what you need or even broaden the search topic. There is a very great video in the module that explains the Boolean Logic in more detail. I have attached it below for reference on how to use this trick when it comes to researching.

Advice I would give to students is to review your articles in depth before choosing which one works best. Review the reliability, quality, and utility to ensure you have the best possible source for what you need. When checking the author, make sure that if they have a PhD, to check and see what their PhD is in just to make sure the author is reliable. The source should only be a few years old and should have reviews and links to other resources for citations to see where the information came from. Overall, my biggest advice is not to use the first article you find unless you have reviewed it and it is reliable, a good quality and user friendly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ9kfmpBtHE

Module 5 Blog Reflection

The Module 5, Web-Enhanced Listening and Viewing Strategies content really allowed me to think about my study habits and see some areas for improvement. Out of all the content, the most useful thing I learned from this module would be that taking notes on paper is said to be better for retaining information versus taking notes on a tablet or computer. I am fortunate enough to have been in the first class of OSU student to receive the iPads so I do take a lot of notes with that device. Learning that I am better off handwriting my notes will allow me to study better for my exams which are coming up in just a short few weeks. With my iPad I typically take my notes in lecture on the iPad itself. Then I handwrite extra notes before the exams to study. So I already use this tip in my studies now but it could be improved. Based on the content learned in this chapter, I should start to incorporate handwriting on a pen and paper during class.

Ideas from this module that I could use in the future include using active listening when taking notes. Sometimes I feel I am just struggling to write down everything the professor says and I do not completely comprehend all the content. The article, How to Take Notes: 3 Effective Note-Taking Techniques (link provided below) gives great advice and a few pointers that I will start to use this semester. Such as, mind-mapping. This will allow me to jot down all my thoughts and then make connections between them to really understand the content. I would give the advice to students to look at the article link in this discussion to see the things that you should really write down in a lecture so you do not get any access information. The way you take notes does not matter, as long as you have what is important and it works for you is what counts.

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/featured/advice-for-students-taking-notes-that-work.html 

Module 4 Blog Reflection

As a third year here at Ohio State, I often find myself getting tired of being assigned so many articles to read. I get bored and think they won’t help me and honestly I don’t read all of them because they seem like a waste of time. So the most important think I’ve learned from this module came from the article How Do You Read to Learn? This article breaks down the importance of reading an article and allows individuals to make connections to really learn the content. I tend to forget what I just read so sometimes I find myself having to go back however, if I just follow the 4 steps of active reading (Preparing, reading, capturing key ideas, and reviewing) I will be able to make more connections and really learn the content provided. So I found this article to be extremely useful in this module. https://open.lib.umn.edu/collegesuccess/chapter/5-2-how-do-you-read-to-learn/

Something that I already use from the module is Quizlet which is a study resource that was mentioned. I love this resource and have been using it for years. It allows me to make key ideas into flashcards then quiz myself before my exams. Quizlet works out very well for me usually because while I am making my study sets, I am studying the content and then when I go to review the flashcards, I already have a basis in my head from making them. I want to start using the online tool Bubbl.us. This resource seems really cool and I think would allow me to make connections between different topics within a course allowing me to further my understanding.

My advice to students is to find an online resource for studying that works for you. There are so many different options out there that one is bound to work for you and help you see improvement. So keep looking and trying new things until you become comfortable with the resources that work for you.

Module 3 Reflection

After watching module 3, the most useful thing I learned was all the different tips to prevent procrastination. I feel that we all procrastinate at something in whether it’s school work, cleaning, working out, etc. One tip that I already use from the module is breaking big tasks into smaller tasks to make an assignment less tedious. This works out really well because I feel that I do not have as much stress for large assignments. Another helpful trick I learned came from the 3 Powerful Techniques To Beat Procrastination video. The video explained that if you have a task that needs to be completed, an easy way to do so is to sit down and think 3 simple questions. (1) Where are you? (2) What do you want to do? (3) How will you feel after doing it? These questions help make it easy to see that you can complete the task if you have motivation and an end goal in mind. I have attached the link to the video so you can go check it out for more useful advice on beating your procrastination habits.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA8D1cGW5Qk&feature=youtu.be

Based on what I learned throughout this module is that you can stop procrastinating by just changing a few minor habits. I would suggest to all students to read the Forbes article (link attached below) for help with procrastination. You can stop procrastinating and you can feel less stressed if you just incorporate some of these great tips into your life. A big one I have found is to stop multitasking. Once I focus on just one task, I find myself getting a whole lot more accomplished and doing the task better. So once you find some tricks that can work for you, try them out. One is bound to help you stop procrastinating and get your work done in a timely manner so you can have more time to yourself.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2017/04/13/14-ways-you-can-overcome-procrastination/?sh=4eb8637117df 

Module 2 Blog Reflection

In module 2, “Communicating and Collaborating on the Web”, the most useful thing I learned was about an RSS (Really Simple Syndication). An RSS is a website that you sign up for that allows you to add your favorite blogs and news sources to it so when you’re subscribed to them, the RSS notifies you when new content is available.  This is extremely useful and something I did not know ahead of time. I can use this in the future to save time and filter out other news/blog sources I do not necessarily care for. For more information of RSS, check out this video which explains the concept really well  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0klgLsSxGsU&feature=youtu.be

My biggest advice to all of us students from this module was the section about emailing professors. I feel that I am very lucky to have been taught the proper way to reach out to faculty and this is something that is extremely valuable and important for success in certain courses. Making sure to address your professor how they prefer is important. Typically on the first day the professors will comment how they would like to be addressed so it is important to take note of that when they do incase you do need to reach out to them. Sometimes, you can even see how they would like to be addressed by the way they sign emails and announcements. If you are not sure how to address them, the article 18 Etiquette Tips for E-mailing Your Professor has great recommendations. For example, the article states, “The safest way to start is with ‘Dear Professor So and So’ (using their last name). That way you won’t be getting into the issue of whether the prof has a Ph.D. or not, and you won’t seem sexist when you address your female-professor as ‘Ms.’ or, worse yet, ‘Mrs. This and That'” (Hyman and Jacobs, 2010). I think this is a great tip for everyone and can help build good relationships with your professors. If you’d like more tips I will attach the link below. Overall, having a formal email and a good start to communicating with your professors if key to doing well and getting help as needed.

https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/professors-guide/2010/09/30/18-etiquette-tips-for-e-mailing-your-professor