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This course was not the average college course. It wasn’t geared towards teaching us information that we will never use. It wasn’t geared towards us passing a test. There was not memorization that required staying up all night reading term after term. This course was one that was geared towards developing positive work habits and increasing the understanding out how to utilize resources and our own brains in school and in life.

The biggest thing that I gained in technology is the use of google. Before this course I did not even have a gmail account! Now I have the calendars on my computer and my phone synced. I have used spreadsheets on google. Many resources that google provides are extremely beneficial to the user. It just took a push for me to start using them. Also, the library resources are extremely valuable. I already had a basic understanding of how to use them, but this class furthered that understanding.

I learned about myself that I am a procrastinator. I also learned that in order to succeed you must know things about yourself, both positive and negative. The fact that I accepted my procrastination helped me in school. I started going to the library more. This let me procrastinate, which I enjoy very much, and still work effectively. I also learned what type of work I want to do when I am older. I do not want to be a number cruncher. I want to work with people in a variety of settings. I also learned, not just from this class, but from all my other classes as well, that hard work is necessary. Freshman year I slacked a little bit, but my grades did not really dip below where I wanted it to be. Then my Fisher classes really started. My work ethic at the end of the semester compared to the beginning is night and day. I learned that if I work hard, I have a spot in the business school.

My most meaningful experience in this course was the google. I have already explained this. To further elaborate, though, I am always using my computer and phone. Yes, they are distractions, but they are also resources. Google simplifies the resource aspect of both. It leads to better organization, better fact finding, and an overall better academic and social experience.

There are many things that I learned in this course and just throughout this semester that I will continue to use for many many years in my life. First off, I learned that work ethic prevails. I will not fall behind and procrastinate things like I did this semester. This was a learning experience that I will no longer fall victim to. I also learned a lot about myself. I work better in groups and I need to understand things, not memorize. I also learned that I am capable given the effort. I cannot take this for granted. Maximizing ones potential is extremely important. Why would people not want to be the best they can be? Balance is also something I learned. If I am going to be staying up until 3 am, why would I do nothing productive from 9-3? I should do something productive from 9-12, then hang from 12-3.

Anyway, this class was good for many reasons. One of which is the GPA booster. Another is that I am more confident in my abilities to do well in class post taking the course compared to before. I have an increased understanding of myself and what it takes to be a good student.

This module focused heavily on using resources such as google and the Ohio State Library databases. Google really is an amazing tool. There are so many different types of searches. There are broad searches that can give a summary about a topic. Or there are much more narrow searches that can provide very specific information. Often google will give either type of information based on key words. If I typed into google “NBA Salary Cap” I would get an article with a ton of hits that is very broad. But if I typed “Bird rights section of the NBA salary cap” I would get a very specific article on Bird rights. Google really is an amazing tool that helps students academically, but also helps everyone just become more knowledgable.

One part of the Ohio State library website that is great is the ability to quickly and correctly get the citations for the sources. Avoiding plagiarism is something college professors (rightfully) put so much emphasis on. Often times, though, plagiarism does not involve intent. Students can plagiarize without attempting to do so. This can occur if the student incorrectly sites sources. Even with tools like as easybib and other websites, it still can be confusing. Having the citations already done is great.

I have always been pretty good with the computer, but this module opened up my horizons in regards to obtaining information via the internet.

Reading and note taking go hand in hand. This course has the objective of improving our study skills. Therefore, most of this blog will focus on textbook reading and note taking. When reading textbooks, the material may be a little dry. But the information can be extremely important. Therefore note taking brings on that much more importance. Tools to take notes better when reading a textbook include the concept of scanning, reading regularly, writing key points, and keeping organized. Scanning is the concept of reading a passage while looking for important facts. This is quality over quantity. When scanning, bold words can be useful. The main thing when reading a textbook is learning the key points. Generally, the extremely specific stuff is less important. Reading regularly is important because it keeps you sharp. Reading is also much easier when you are used to it. When you don’t read for a while, it becomes very difficult to just pick it up. As for writing key points, this brings me back to scanning. Often times the bold words of a textbook are far more important than the other material. Lastly, keeping organized is very important. When reading notes weeks after you took them, it is important to locate information effectively. The notes should not be confusing.

Reading can also be a hobby. I plan on incorporating reading into my life this summer. Reading for fun will help when you have to read for school. It can also keep you sharp, entertain you, and work out your brain. These are all very important.

Reading is an extremely valuable, yet under appreciated, life skill. It helps academically, but also just intellectually. Reading boring textbooks all the way through entertaining books, reading will never leave the world. This video says cutting through the clutter can be effective. Quality over quantity. Also, attitude is important. Practice makes perfect. One of the most important reading tips is the use of a dictionary. Often times I read over words I do not know the meaning of, and I am too lazy to look it up! Looking it up will expand my understanding of the entire passage! Lastly, reading should be fun. Picking things to read that peak one’s interest is a good idea. This also makes it easier to do the last tip in the video; read for half an hour every day. If you are bored, you aren’t reading daily.

This topic is important to me because over the past few years I have become less interested in reading. I have been planning on starting to read again this summer, but it is not easy. This video gave me some tips, along with some motivation. Reading really is good for your mind. It improves critical thinking, vocabulary, and the ability to read in the future. I now understand how to become a better reader because of this video.

The internet is a tool that is very useful to almost everyone. But at the same time, many people do not realize how much they can actually do with the internet. We all know about the ability to get the news, go on social media, play games, and communicate, but there is actually so much more we can do in regards to school. There are study sites, like quizlet.com, that offer features students cannot obtain without the internet. Flashcards by hand are quickly becoming outdated due to sites like this. Also, the availability of information is remarkable. There are databases that contain all types of information available on the OSU library website. The information can be peer reviewed articles, newspaper articles, research articles, etc.

Performing tasks with the internet just makes things easier, more efficient, and more effective. For example, scheduling classes would be a pain in the butt without the use of the schedule planner. This service allows students to enter the classes they want, and what times they don’t want classes, and it will show you every schedule that fits your criteria.

Bibliographies are also made more efficiently on the internet. These pesky, yet necessary, documents are not only annoying to make, but often can lose students points on assignments. Using websites to create bibliographies, they are more organized, will not lose students points, and take less time.

In this day and age technology is becoming more and more important. With that, communication is becoming more technologically based. With email, texting, and other forms of technological communication students are being faced with many different circumstances surrounding school. First off, communicating with professors is much easier. People used to have to go to office hours just to get in touch with a professor. Now, every student or faculty member is just a click away. Emails can be cluttering to a professor, though. Therefore, students should be formal and precise. Do not bore the professor with too much talk. In emails to professors, the substance of the email should be emphasized. On the other hand, when emailing students in a group, slang may or may not be tolerated. Each circumstance is different.

Also, on the internet information is made more available. There are so many resources ranging from library databases to blogs like this one. Blogs are more informal, but often are more informative. The reason blogs are written is because they reflect on actual topics of interest. Some of the academic information isn’t really something many students have a genuine interest in. It is used more in regards to specific assignments. This is ok, though. All different types of information are available and can be used in numerous different capacities.

The internet is an expanding world full of formal and informal resources to people and students from all different demographics and situations. I love informal blogs about sports. I know people who love fashion blogs. I even know people who write for fashion blogs as a resume builder to get a job in the fashion industry after college. The internet covers all different types of information as well as communication, and as a technologically advanced generation, students now should be well prepared to deal with technology, especially since the technological world is expanding so quickly.

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