Learning profile

Some of the common themes I have discovered in the reading that the book pushes to help you figure out who you are, and who you want to become. Through discovering things about yourself, by taking surveys and tests. Showing you new ways to think about things you come upon in your life everyday. Making you consider you attitude during different situations in order to help you succeed in what you want to do, in the present and future. The biggest and most interesting chapter of the book was the chapter about prioritizing, because I have an issue sometimes trying to figure out what I should really go to. Since I’m involved with several things sometimes, of which ever once and a while there will be an event that in happening on the same day at the same time. I still kind of struggle to figure out which one I should be at but eventually I figure it out. I think the second thing that I found interesting was some of the career ideas they had in order to look and see if I want the career or job I’m thinking about going into. Of which the idea of possibly shadowing someone what an idea I had never yet, thought about.

My strengths as a learner would probably be the fact that I am good at trying to apply myself to things after I get a little more used to them. An example would be my job as a lifeguard; I might have been a good swimmer before I started the job. But swimming and being a lifeguard are two totally different things. It took me a while to get used to the little things like head neck and back injuries, and rescues... Now after a few years of working at the Pool I can now do a lot more stuff that I really wasn't prepared for when I showed up to work my first year. The activities that came the easiest for me was the listening part, since some of my friends have the opinion that I’m a good listener. One of the skills I think I could help someone with would be the record part of the book since I’ve had a little bit of experience with the new Cornell form of taking notes. I also know what kind of web searches’ you need to do in order to get a template, that all you have to do is print off and write your notes.

My weaknesses as a learner would probably be the fact that I don't adapt to change very well. Because sometimes I get into a pattern and I stick to it, and if feel weird for me to change it. Even if the change is a small thing, it still makes me step back and say "Woo, hold on". Another one of my weaknesses is that I’m not a speedy typer, writer, or reader. When we came up to the speed reader activities, I found myself way bellow where the normal college student was supposed to be at. This could be because I have a habit of read the line of text word per word, which in turn slows me down a lot. I think if I needed to take a course that requires a lot of reading, it would probably help my reading skills, but I find that less than likely to happen. Part of this problem could be the fact that I am an instrumental player, and I have to read the notes, note per note when I sight read a piece of music. Of which if I did learn to read it at more than a single note at a time it would probably help me as a player, and help further my career.

Some of the things I learned while taking this class is that all of us in the course have some of the same opinions, or at least that’s what it seemed like when reading the discussion boards. I learned that some of the material in the book is just kind of thrown out there and not really much example. Through this course I have realized that I do have some time management problems, and some that my reading skills aren't the best in the world. I have known that my reading has always been something needing work. Ever since I was a junior I’ve known that my reading skills have needed work, but what can I really do for it. Since I have such a busy/tight schedule that I have issues picking up a book to read sometimes. I found this chapter a little important to me because of the fact that the book talked about ways that could help me read better and faster.

I found that some of the questions really didn't mean much to me, since most of the time it was basically a summary of the chapter. The discussion boards were interesting, most of the time for me, since I found it interesting to hear what some of the other kids had to say. I didn't like the fact that all of the assignments were all internet projects, I guess I kind of like the classroom setting better than what I do with the online courses. I thought that the course was just boring for me, since I would read the chapters and understand them, but unless someone was there for me to absorb the information, it was pointless to make me know it. The out of the book activities were more informal for me than the online/readings. Ex. would be the speed reader, I learned a little bit by doing that; discovery was another one of those.

I thought it had a lot of information, but I thought it was not what I had hoped from the course. Since when I was told Student orination, I was thinking about like getting to know things about the campus. Of the text book the chapter I thought was the most redundant of them all was the chapter about remembering, because all of the college students today know how to remember things. Especially by making study cards or something like that. I think the part about the careers was very beneficial since I hadn't ever thought about being able to shadow someone, or doing an internship in the career I want to go into. I really don't think that anything needs to be added to the course book. Um... something I think might help you with the course, in the future would be if you were to give the Major assignments either in sections or in a big bulk all at once, like the first couple of weeks into the course. Because some of these blog comments go with some of the chapters in the book.

I think that students in the future should take a second and realize that the sooner you get it started the sooner you get it done. Don't wait until the last week to have to do more than three of these silly blog comments. I know now that this course, if you are taking it online. Probably won't give you the opportunity to have a class room setting. I never got to find out more about the campus, even when taking this course. Even if I have lived in El Dorado all of my life, I still really couldn't tell you where the auto body department is... and so if you have questions about something don't be afraid to ask. Since every time I have asked a question, I have always gotten a decent answer and if they don't know they have the ability to find out. When I think about what a sign will say, is one of the quotes’ I came up with... "Is it the Beginning of the End, or End of the Beginning"? This applies to your learning, your careers, your reading abilities; nothing is the end as long as you head for something new to start, kind of like a pinball; because no matter where you bump into or get caught by you’re always on your way to something bigger and new.

I think the lessons that I learn in this class will help me in future. Especially since I can go look back in the book after the semester is over. I think this next summer I’m going to try to read a lot more than what I am now. I really kind of thought that the book work covered some of the things every one should know for the most part. The new ideas are great; I just think that I will have issues adopting some of the skills into my life, the ones that I didn't know already. Some of them I will work on, in either due time or when I don’t' realize it. I really think that a little bit more interaction with the other students would have helped with me putting some of those traits into my life. Just because I don't take to change very well.

Academic Honesty

Some of the issues I think people are having with the subject of academic honesty are the fact that most of the things we do anymore are internet based. Say like if you are typing a research project for English, most of the facts you get are internet based. Even though most people would attempt to make the paper their own doesn't mean that with one mess up they could accidentally be plagiarizing. Because the meaning of plagiarism is when people copy someone else's work, and claim it as their own. One of the biggest reasons why people do not do their papers and decide to do plagiarism is due to the fact that their time management skills stink, and that they are lazy. Most of the schools have started looking for plagiarism, and now have harsh punishments for doing it, because it is so easy to do. I really don't know what the schools should do other than what they are doing now, which I just a hair away from being expelled from school. One way would be for schools to block the sites mostly used for plagiarism.

Academic Plan

My purpose in coming here to Butler is so that i can gain more skills than what i did have. Become prepared for a four year univerisity when i am done at Butler, while i am able to take advantage of living at home, in order to save money to help pay for the four year university. I wish to graduate Butler with a Associates degree in Music, but it seems like I'm not going to get out of butler for three years if thats what i really want. So I'm really not sure if I want that or if i want to stay here as long as possible, then move on. I plan on studing as a Music Major while here at Butler then I want to switch to like Music ED or something partaining to the music field. I'm not for sure where i would like to go yet after Butler, I havent' decided if i want to go Emporia, Ku, K-state, or WSU; but i think i still have plenty of time to decide at the rate i'm going.

Community Service

The three things that trouble me the most are war, abuse, and unemployment. The least about all of the three are unemployment which i have decided to write about. It is known that a nationally we have approxamately 4.7% where without jobs. The state of kansas reported that their was approxamently 4.3% in September. Butler county reported a 6.1% unemployment rate in 2004, which is about 2 percent more than the national average. I believe that unemployment is kind of a matter of someone not attempting hard enough to get employment. Becuase there is anything from job available at Wal-Mart as a cashier to someone at a fast food joint. Even thought most adults don't think that would a job rigth for them. These are jobs that provide training and growth. Sometimes an adult can find themselves looking for more pay, if they would places like fastfood, thanks to them not having any college experiance or highschool deploma. An Easy way would be for the person to go get a GED or start at a community college level. That way they can gain knowledge and information that will help them with work at the sametiem as working towards there goals. For Knowledge is the key to moving forward, becuase without it the cave man wouldn't have made paint to draw on. Another way for someone to help the unemployment rate is to look at the amount of adults that are taking disablity payments, and see if they are just trying to make a good check or if they are actually trying to get better so they can move on with there lifes.

Butler Resources

I did the essay about the failing classes...

I think he needs to find somewhere quiet where he can study other than his dorm room, since his roommate is causing problems. He isn't going to move out of the room so that you can study, so you might as well move away from him. I think that he needs to get help with fixing some of his time management issues. I also think he needs to tell his parents about everything mentioned in the letter, and tell them that he will worry about the Alma Matter when he transfers to a four year college. And last of all less parting and more studing...

Butler has several things that can help him like... he could find one of several study groups to help him raise his grades, he could attend a regular local drug rehab meeting if he finds he can't quit, and talk to his teachers for more help. Since most of the teachers at butler are more than willing to meet with the students to help, during their planning/office time. I would also check with advising to see if they could give you more referances to help you out with all of these things.

Time management essay...

Time management is one of those areas in my life that i succeed, and still need to work on. Becuase all of the things I do sometimes leaves me wondering when i will get a chance to do something for myself. Sometimes it can be the fact that i have a huge pile of school work or don't have time to do my work due to scholarship activities. The fast pace i have to do my school work can sometimes leave me working in messy piles around the house. Of which ends up in my mother getting onto my case about the junk i have, which in short is just papers that i need to find the chance to organize out. By the end of the day, i end up put some of the homework off until a later time just so i can watch a movie, since the pile of homework just never seems to go away. Which makes me feel like i don't get much to any free time, because i never seem to sit down at all. I think if i tried a little harder to get things done i would probably have a little bit more free time.

Student Connect Essay over college changes...

When I came to college there were several things that I had to change or get use to doing. One of my changes was the fact that I didn’t have to deal with all of the constant drama that happened in high school, which there is little or none in college. The fact the teachers can cover more information in the class; it is a fact that all the kids in the class decided to be in that class and if they don’t want to be in the class they can always drop out of it. Another big change from High School that I have to get used to; is the fact that I have so much free time. Matter of fact in the last two months I have started as a YMCA Advisory board member, and last week I started singing in the church choir. And I still find myself sitting around the house with very little to do. Which has made me start going to the YMCA to work out and start getting back into shape. That would probably be one the biggest changes from High School that I am having to deal with. Because in High School there were several days that I would go to school at about 7:20 and not get home until 9 or later, just because of the fact that i would be so involved. Now in college since i don't have any kind of clubs or anything like that the activities that I'm doing all are for my major. So i still have to find something to fill up some of my free time, but things like the thoughts of picking up a private baritone instructor will help me; since my major right now is Music/Music Ed.