Final blog post

As the end approaches, I'm weirdly glad we have this assignment so I can look back and reflect on all the work I've done this spring term. I hated almost everything about English spring term but it was nice to explore a topic of interest and learn a lot about myself as a student and also, a person. I think over the pay 6 or so weeks a lot has come clear to me about my learning preferences and that will only help me in the future.1. What are the next steps for continuing to work on the project? Do you think you will keep working on it? Why or why not?It may be bad to say, but I'm really over my project. These last 3 weeks have been like pulling teeth for me. I learned I think enough to settle my curiosity. I got to realize this is the side of nonprofits I no longer want to persue in the future. I always believed not donating all the money was a choice but it almost wasn't an option for most charities. When I saw the vicious cycle it goes through I saw the unloyal charities would have a hard time ever becoming loyal. 2. What was your favorite part of this term’s work?I truly loved the ability to explore something of interest. I don't think I had enough curiosity to explore this topic in my free time. I enjoyed how for a whole term we can focus on something of choice, which is not something we get to do very often. I also liked the schedule and the fact we could set as many restrictions or guidelines as we wanted. Something I struggled in within senior seminar was the fact we rarely got guidance in assignments. It was hard to go into a seminar blind but with this project we had as much guidance as we wanted or not because we were the leaders of our classes each day. 3. What was your least favorite?My least favorite part about the project was the length. 6 weeks is a long time to be work on something for around 100 minutes 5 times a week. I lost interest in my topic after week 3 and wanted to just switch and move on. The struggle was almost finding things to do to keep me "busy" if I finished early one day. The reading was also very dry for me. My two books were strictly discussing financials with no plot, only tips. For me, it seemed dull and boring so it forced me to skim and only pick out what was really necessary. Another one of my least favorite parts was also the independance. I like the idea of the independance and choosing a topic, but I don't like working alone with no direction. It caused me stress and confusion and definitely have me a problem when it came to motivation. Having things to hand in day after day forced me to do everything and I need that. I know I had my own calendar but it's not the same as giving it to someone else so it reaches their expectations. 4. What piece of advice would you give to next year’s Senior Seminar students when they design their spring term projects?A. Take it seriously, although it's senior spring, it's your whole term of work so choose something your interested in not just something that's easy.B. Follow your calendar. I'm someone who does well with deadlines so I never really had a problem with meeting my goals until I had an issue with the charities. It set me back but my calendar helped me to see the bigger picture and replan my scheduling. Also, if your someone who doesn't work with deadlines well, work on it now. 6 weeks goes way faster than you think and you don't want to be throwing something together last minute that you were suppose to be working on all term (because the teaches I'll know).C. Have fun with the freedom! Take advantage of the lack of guidance and direction and explore a median of art you never have before or present your information in a new way. This term is suppose to help you realize who you are as a student, so explore and let yourself try new things.  5.What was the most important “truth” you learned about your own working process?I learned that I work well within guidance. I like having a teacher tell me how long a paper should be and I like knowing exactly what to prepare for. Work blocks alone was almost saddening and I had no desire to do things. Human contact within my education is very important to me as a student. I feel the need to collaborate with others and listen to ideas to inspire some of my own. I learned I should work completely independently, not in a classroom with some of my good friends because my mind won't be on my work, it'll be what I just saw on Facebook and have to tell them after class. I also learned I like the classroom setting. I think I strive in areas where I can ask specific questions and test the water before I have to answer with confidence. By putting my work out over the last term, it was honestly scary. It was a vulnerable move and made us all uncomfortable. I think the best thing about what I learned though was the classroom setting helps me. Next year when I can choose to go into a lecture or seminar, I know seminar would be good because I can collaborate with others. 6.What was the most important “truth” you learned about yourself?The most important truth I learned about myself is that I need a goal. I learned when I see an "end sight" I have all the determination I need to get what I need to get done, done. I know I have always been a hard worker but this term I realized that I have what it takes to make work I'm proud of 100% of the time. I realized with time and effort I can produce something I'm confident in showing my peers and family. I think this was good to realize about myself because it gives me the confidence I will need in the future. Whether it's pitching an idea to a boss or just going in for a job interview, I can say I worked as hard as I possibly good and show up with confidence. Because I have always lacked confidence within every aspect of my life this is exciting for me. I'm ending my spring term with high honors and I basically only had projects. Despite hating the fact I had projects, I set my mind to it and I achieved and I think I needed to do that to show myself what's truly possible for me. Over all, I can say I had a successful senior spring English term and I am a proud student of the work I produced.