Reflections Week 12

1. My eyes were opened to the world of blogging, which I had heard of, but never endeavored before. I learned how to create a blog, make it personal, and share my thoughts on it.

2. Reading Emerson’s “Self-reliance” essay allowed me to see how un-self-reliant I was, and to strive to start thinking "outside the box" and speaking my opinion.

3. Reading Emerson’s “American Scholar” essay struck me with the notion that today, it is especially important that myself and my fellow students to take initiative to be a “Man-thinking” and not just a “thinking man. One of the ways we can do this is by filtering out dangerous material, and in society today, this is truly important because there are so many ideas being pushed on students from mentors and friends.

4. Reading Thoreau’s essay “Walden” and then analyzing his essay by discussing what a full life means to me from a selfish viewpoint, presented me with a clearer understanding of Throeau’s idea to abandon everything to find true happiness. When I abandoned everything, I came to the realization and was reminded that my life would mean nothing without the people I love.

5. My group members seemed to have a good grasp on what their lives complete and while I was trying to find what made my life complete in my essay, I instead found bits and pieces of advice and wisdom through reading theirs. My eyes were opened and I was reminded how through other’s writings, one can learn so much about the person, and derive vast wisdom.

6. When I struggled to write my essay on Nature, I discovered a personal flaw, communicating my voice. Sometimes I focus so much on the “eloquent” wording, that my message becomes marred and indirect.

7. In reviewing and commenting on my own blog posts for week eight, I was able to read how my voice has changed since the beginning of the semester. It seems I am constantly finding a stronger voice every week, something I have struggled with.

8. When asked to write an essay on modern slavery issues, I found out startling statistics concerning sweatshops present in AMERICA. I was shocked to learn how much forced labor occurs in our country, right under our noses. Though this assignment was less thought provoking internally for me, it was very eye opening and inspired a personal awareness.

9. After reading my group member’s essays on modern slavery, I was impressed at the opinions stated and wished that I had taken more of a passion and stated more of an opinion in my essay. There were also several interesting beliefs in the class discussion, which I tried to participate in more so because it dealt with an issue close to my heart, the fight for religion.

10. When reflecting back over the semester and the errata I would correct if I were to take this class again, it came down to one single, simple word: time. Time management is one of my biggest downfalls and this week I was able to acknowledge this through Franklin’s essay and strive to manage my time better so that I will have more time to consider the assignment, state my opinion and voice it correctly.