Muddiest Point

I did not have any trouble understanding the directions for the summary assignment. I felt the assignment was straightforward and detailed. I appreciate the clarity. The one suggestion I would make is that, in addition to reading the essays, perhaps we could have read some examples of summaries to be even more certain of the task at hand.

College Pressures

I really enjoyed reading William Zinnser's "College Pressures." It brought a smile to my face to read his observations of students and their behavior. As a non-traditional student, I have encountered a different set of obstacles than most students. I have walked in the shoes of the younger students before. Several years ago I mainly faced parental pressures. As described in "College Pressures" my parents paid for my schooling and I, in turn, had certain expectations to meet. I did not have direction and was not sure of what I wanted to do. I dropped out of school because I was weary of wasting my time and my parent's money.

Fast forward to modern day. I am married with four children and my own bills to pay. I am not only expected to be a good student, but also a wife, a mother, a daughter, a teacher, a cook, a maid, a taxi driver, a financial bookkeeper, and the list goes on. There is much pressure on women of my age (30) to be everything to everyone and to do a perfect job maintaining a perfect balance. In my situation, the mommy club looks down on me for striving to improve my education and do something good for myself. After all, my world should only revolve around my children. On the other hand, I do not quite fit in with the successful women club either because I decided to stay home with my young children for so long instead of accomplishing a career. 

I also face challenges with my six-year-old, who has autism. He receives therapy for speech, motor skills, and social skills. Some days are really good and some days are bad and all he needs is for me to hold him and try to understand what he is feeling. On those bad days, there is not much schoolwork that gets done as his behaviors exhaust both of us. I found a paper he colored for me at school yesterday. It was me and him with his arms stretched out hugging me. Below, he wrote, "I love my mom." Those are the sweet moments I hold dear.

I welcome challenges because they help me grow and appreciate the areas in which I have succeeded and failed. The older I become, the less I am worried about change. Change is one of the only constants life offers. It helps us to gain wisdom as we adapt to new experiences.

The way I try to alleviate my college pressures is to stay ahead in assignments so that if something arises, I can be prepared to deal with it instead of stressing because I have a project due. I also maintain a positive attitude always so that I do not defeat myself.

Challenging Course Instructor

I have always tried to maintain a positive attitude towards every class I am involved in. This is the best way for me to achieve success instead of dwelling on difficult concepts and instructors who are not clear in their communication. There will always be classes that are less than desirable. One I recall, in particular, was a math course I took years ago at Allen County Community College. Let me begin by stating that math and I have never been friends. It was the start of the semester and I was not understanding the material entirely.  The teacher seemed unavailable to the students so I got no help with that avenue. I was sitting in class waiting for the results of the first test to be handed back. When I received my grade, I hung my head and looked at the test trying to comprehend my mistakes. The instructor began discussing the problems and the solutions. I listened while still looking down at the test. He thought I was not paying attention. His perception caused him to scold me in front of all the class with these words, "Heather, if you would pay attention more in class perhaps you would not have received the grade you did." I was very upset and told him that I didn't belong in a class with a rude instructor. I walked out, dropped the class, and filed a complaint. It was a bad experience. I took the class again the next semester with a different instructor and received an A. I knew I had done the right thing by dropping the first course.

Thoughts about "On Keeping a Notebook" by Joan Didion

"On Keeping a Notebook" by Joan Didion was insightful, though somewhat slow and unorganized. The essay indeed reflects the manner in which thoughts flow and, therefore, adds validity to the structure. As the literature states, the notion of keeping a notebook holds different meanings. Didion writes, "So the point of my keeping a notebook has never been, nor is it now, to have an accurate factual record of what I have been doing or thinking" (page 77). Also, Didion reflects on moments in her life and makes this observation, "It is a good idea, then, to keep in touch, and I suppose that keeping in touch is what notebooks are all about" (page 81). She used her notebook to record things she saw around her that she felt held importance. I believe less people today keep a tangible journal. Notebooks have been replaced by social computer networks such as Facebook and Twitter. I do not keep a notebook, but I do however have a Facebook account that I utilize to stay connected to others and to post about important observations in my life. Just like a notebook, my Facebook postings have special meaning to me, but not necessarily to all the readers. Other users post things that they deem relevant. The words of Didion sum up the desire behind keeping a notebook, "But our notebooks give us away, for however dutifully we record what we see around us, the common denominator of all we see is always, transparently, shamelessly, the implacable "I," (page 79).

Introduction

Hello! I am new to the blog concept so please practice patience with me. My name is Heather. I am considered a junior at Washburn. I am working to achieve a bachelor of science in nursing degree. I have lived in Overbrook, which is south of Topeka, for seven years. I have been married for eleven years and have four children, ages 9, 6, 4, and 3. Online classes are ideal for my busy lifestyle.
I am taking this course because it is a requirement for my major. I have always enjoyed expressing ideas through writing and am looking forward to a great class!