Month: November 2018

Personal Development

Over this first semester I have learned how to study better which helped reduce stress. Towards the beginning and middle of the semester I didn’t  know how to study correctly because I would do fine in high school just by quickly reviewing the material. This, along with a more difficult course load gave me more stress than I had usually experienced. It even lead to me getting multiple sties throughout the semester.

It was during one of my survey classes in the middle of the semester that I learned how to study in a way where I was actively learning. A presenter from the Denis Learning Center came and gave a presentation on studying and test taking skills. I found it very helpful and tried out some of the studying tips she suggested.

The main one that really helped me was setting up a 5-7 day plan to spread out my studying. You use the first day to prepare review materials. The next day you review the hardest material from the class using what you prepared the day before and once you’re finished, you prepare the material for the next day. The next day you practice the next hardest topic, review previous material, and prepare material for the next day. By the end you have reviewed the hardest material for about 5-7 days and the easiest for 1. I did this for my math midterm and I felt very prepared for the test. I did very well and plan to use this study method for my finals for this semester and onward.

This plan helped me because it made me have a set time to study which made me more motivated to start studying. Having materials that  prevented my from putting it off for not knowing what to review. It also prevented me from just studying the easy material because I wouldn’t have to put as much effort. This studying plan helped me become a more organised and successful student.

 

STEP Expo

I had heard of this program at a Morrill Scholars meeting where some of the mentors were talking about the opportunity to submit a proposal to receive $2000 to participate in something you are interested in. Therefore, on Thursday, November 1st I attended the STEP Expo to see what students had done this year. Students were able to choose from six categories which were creative/artistic endeavors, internships, leadership, service-learning/community service, education abroad, and undergraduate research.

One of the mentors that was at the scholars meeting was there and had focused on creative endeavors to pursue her passion for photography and travel. She used her funding in order to travel the United States and take pictures of monuments and other famous locations. I thought this was a great experience and she was able to combine travel and something artistic.

After the expo I decided to look into the requirements to participate and found out that all second year students are enrolled in the program when they apply for eligible housing. You can chose to opt out but, if you choose to participate you meet with STEP Faculty to create a proposal and must complete professional development co-curriculars.

I look forward for next year to be able to do do this. I would certainly like to do something in creative endeavors,internships, or study abroad. It would be great if I could be able to do one and incorporate travel and therefore incorporate the study abroad option with one of the others like how my Morrill Scholars mentor did.