The Final

The final essay that concludes the course is the "This I Believe" essay. This essay allows me to share my core belief and explain why I believe it. I am excited to write this essay because it is more personal and the approach allows me to share my belief with my classmates and allows me to voice a belief that truly means something to me. I am thankful for this chance and very excited.

My Final Thoughts

My first thoughts from the start of the course to the very end have changed. I was not happy about the amount of work I was recieving. Now, in a strange way I am. The work kept me focused and kept me learning new things. The readings could be tuff at the time, but I got threw them and actually understood them. This course has taught me a lot, it taught me how to think out side the box and write in different styles from what I was use to. Overall, the course was not a blow off one and I am very happy I took it because I have learned so much from all I have done within my com 101 class.

The Final Portfoio

Earlier today I finished putting together my entire portfolio and as tuff as it was creating it, I was very happy that it was hard. If it was not hard for me, I would have been lazy and not have put my all in the readings, essays and revision of my essays. I am thankful that I had the chance to do a portfolio and revise my essays, because I have learned more about my writing than I have ever before.

Revision

This weekend I re-read all my essays to see what I could improve. I am suprised of the changes I caught that needed to be done now that I must of missed before. Revision is defintly a great tool to better your writing, and helps me learn from my mistakes for the next time!

Writing Center

For the first time I went to the writing center. The experience was very positive. The guy who read my essay said I had an interesting way of writing and he liked it. At first, I was dreading to go because I did not have time. Finally, I went and I realized I should've went earlier because it was really helpful and I am going to take the advice and use it to better my essay.

Final Meeting

I had a meeting with Mr. McGuire today and it was probably the most helpful one yet. I just finished my collage essay and had it revised and now understand how to make it better. The meeting was very beneficial to me and now I know how to better my collage. So im hoping the final product will be successful.

Coming Along

Im finally starting to understand the research project, and I am actually coming along. Im still confused on how to put everything togehter but once I sit done and actually focus and put my bits and pieces of writing, everything should be okay then.

Research Project

Going to the lab on Tuesday was very beneficial to me because it helped me to better understand what the essential task is and how to complete it the right way. Talking with my teacher and the librarian, I was able to develop a question and ways of approaching it. The session of learning how to use the Moraine Valley resource sight was great because it gave me good websites to use and how to access them from home! The visit was very beneficial.

The Portfolio Process

When I first found out that a portfolio was going to be assigned I dreaded it and was upset because I didnt understand the point. After reading the essays and connecting life experiences to them and writing the connection helped me further understand that the portfolio was to advance my writing skills. In the end, the portfolio process was beneficial to me and helped me learn what to do and how to come about my portfolio the next time. I understand now why we had to make a portfolio and in the long run, it was worth it.

Whole class workshop 2

The second whole class workshop was more beneficial to me because it helped me to better understand the third major paper and how to write it and explaining exactly how the portfolio should be put together and will be graded was a major help for me to actually get it all done the right way and the way that I was proud of!

Classroom Workshop

I thought the classroom workshop was a great idea because after reading the three essays and everyone disscussing them helped me to think of ways to better my essay. I thought it was great for the writers as well because they recieved a lot of advice on ways to make their essay stronger! I have never done a workshop before but being apart of one for the first time was beneficial!

The Message

The video first caught my attention because of the intense beat of the background music. I thought the students concept was to get their message across and they did it in a interesting way and different way. Instead of talking out loud and discussing their messages they wrote them down. Following from one message to another kept my attention because I wanted to read what the students had to say because I could relate to some of them and wanted to know what the next had to say. I think if the students would’ve took a different approach on getting their message across by doing the usual talking, it would’ve lost my attention because it wouldn’t of been as effective. The following of written messages and how they either related to one another or differed was interesting to me because they got straight to the point and talked about real things that happen with students and classes and even life.

Binta & tbe Great Idea Viewing Guide & Questions

1. I didn’t really expect the great idea to be what it was because the film focused more on the importance of children going to school. However, the great idea was not a surprise because the basic idea was to better the country and its people and that’s what the idea was about.

2. Binta's father's great idea is to adopt a child from Tubab to better the county and help them grow. I think its a great idea because its mixing two different countries and their customs to learn and better not only their own, but eachothers.

3. Soda's father doesn’t want her to go to school because he feels that women need only to get married, clean and cook. I think his fear is that tradition will be lost if women start going to school, especially his daughter Soda. I don’t know anyone quite like him, thank goodness. Soda wants to go to school because she wants to learn, read and make something of herself. Her mother supports her because she understands her daughter and wants her to go far in life.

4. The customs and ways of life may be lost and they would be changing the countries ways and traditions.

5. Western people might learn that Binta's society is driven and self made. Their traditions are real and inviting and the Western people might take well to that because it can be inspiring.

6. I think that an educational system would establish national identity because the people make up the national identity and an effective educational system is what makes the people intelligent, capable and strong. I think that competitive value system is between women and their role in education because the women are expected to be wives, cook and clean. They are not really encouraged to have an education, but the educational system changes that.

7. The film made me think about how fortunate we really are and how we really need to open our eyes and appreciate the lifestyle we live and the education we have. We also need to pay attention to other countries and what it is like for them. I feel that everyone, no matter what race, religion or where you live deserves the same education and the necessities and materials to help advance learning. This film was really interesting and touching on how life really is in other countries. I think that education is very important and we are very fortunate.

WHO AM I?

Who am I? I remeber when I had to constantly ask my self that during my junior high and early high school years. However I knew who I wasn't, and from that I developed my own answer on who I am. I am an intelligent, honest and respectful young woman. I am very outspoken, blunt and down to earth. I have gone through so much in my 18 years; perhaps more than a person will go through in a lifetime. I am determined to be all I can be and so much more. I strive to do my very best and achieve beyond that if possible. I am the one people turn to for comfort, advice and to talk to about anything. My highschool experience established my way with people and taught me how to handle situations. Also, it made me strong enough not to care what others thought of me. I am not taking this class because it is required; I am taking it because I love writing. I have always had an interest in English and writing about what was interesting to me. College is expected of me, but it was my choice and I decided to go. This decision has made my parents very proud of me because I am doing something productive with my life. College is the key to success and will help me find the career that is best for me. Also, I am very family orientated and last summer I lost my mother. It took the worst thing that could ever happen to wake me up and realize the right and wrong in my life. When I lost my mother, it made me more focused on my school work than I have ever been. My life choices and decisions are now smarter and without regret. Ill be everything she taught me and want her to know I am alright. My schooling has made me who I am today through experience. The classes I took,the people I have met and what I have learned all helped me become who I am today, a better person. It truly was a worthy experience and a bumpy ride, but I got through it. No matter what happens in life, the situations and experience builds your character. Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. I am only human and I can only be me. However, I am someone you will never forget, I promise you that.