Last blog post

I have really enjoyed writing these blog posts. I can say that I have learned from them, and I enjoyed reading everyone else's first year experience. I did enjoy my first year here at Stanislaus, but there were some challenges. I will compare my Fall and spring Semester. My Fall semester was more relaxed, I took had a lot of breaks in between my classes, and I went to the library a lot!  I had my routine and I constantly followed it. My classes ended at 10:50 am, and then the rest of the day I was free to do what I wanted. The downside to getting out of school early, was that I had an 8:00 am class Monday through Thursday. I would wake up at 6:30 am every morning, and that was a nightmare, because I would sleep like at 12:00 am or 1:00 am. That was really bad for my mental health! My Classes in the fall were relatively easy, and I got really good grades. I just wish that I would have taken fifteen units to get ahead since I had so much time left over. I was really dumb that I listened to the people at  student orientation when they said to take it slow! NO. They just want to keep us here longer at this school! I am trying to finish faster. My Spring semester was a little more challenging. I did not have that many breaks between my classes, and I did not spend that much time in the library. I found myself working on the computer lab  a lot, due to constantly being assigned essays from all classes. I am even writing a Statistical report for my Math class! Computers are very important tool for the college students. Without computers everything would not be as efficient. I feel more stressed out this semester, and I know that it is going to be worse. This first year at Stanislaus has been very rewarding. I am glad that I chose to go to this school. I have truly enjoyed writing these blogs, because they have shown me how to express my ideas, and write about my first year experience. I have also enjoyed reading everyone’s blog because they are interesting, funny and share important topics that are relevant to us college students that go through the same struggles.

Why did I choose Stanislaus state

I have many reasons for choosing Stanislaus State where I decided to pursue my academic career. I had applied for to four schools, Fresno state, Chico state, Humboldt, and Stanislaus. Fresno was about an hour and a half from Turlock, Chico is about three hours away, Humboldt is six hours away, and Stanislaus since Turlock is my hometown, I am just nine minutes away. I made the decision to go to school here in Turlock for numerous reasons.The main reason is that there are good programs that offered here. I found that the school does have very good facilities, I just wish that the internet would work better. I also think the campus is very beautiful, I love the trees during the fall time, and the geese and ducks that are walking around. The Geese are cute, but one hissed at me, when I walked by it. I got so scared, and sped up my walking.  The professors here are really nice, and help me understand the material.I chose Stanislaus, because I am saving SO much money, because I do not stay in the dorms. I can use that money to make other payments, such as credit card bills, car insurance, etc. Commuting every day does add up especially gas, but it is worth it. Don’t get me wrong, I would like to have the college experience, such as staying in dorms, but I do not like sharing my room, I need privacy. I also chose Stanislaus, because it is an affordable school. I can agree that Fresno, Humboldt, and Chico are affordable as well, but I was also planning to go to a private university in Utah, and I would have to pay twice as much for that school. I might decide to go there for graduate school, but right now I will just focus on my undergrad. This is an amazing school, I am glad I chose to go here!

Methods for studying for school work

There are some study methods that some students feel that work, and then there are study methods that students feel that are ineffective. Whenever I decide to study I go to my room, or a quiet location where I can concentrate. I usually do not use music to concentrate, but when I do I choose music that does not have any words, meaning instrumental. I can go for classical music, but the melodies will also distract me, so I decide to choose “Concentration Music” which only has a faint sound that will be relaxing, but not too overwhelming. When I am learning definitions or memorizing specific terms, I decide to write on note cards the old school way, but if that is too much writing , I decide to go on Quizlet which has great resources for studying. It quizzes you my mix and matching definitions, and has information on all types of topics. It is a great learning resource. For math I decide to go to KhanAcademy.org. Khan academy has more subjects such as, computer science, Science and Engineering! It is really helpful when you need help on a certain topic, because it will only concentrate on what you need help on. I have known about these resources for some time, and they have helped me review basic math skills that I had forgotten about. I know that these websites are not for everyone, because everyone learns differently.  I bet mostly everyone has heard about these two popular resources. On the internet there are even more resources than these two that I had mentioned here. So, feel free to explore more helpful websites and let me know if you know any other studying website, or study methods I can use.

The Pros and Cons of study groups

I usually do not study with groups, but when I do, I learn new things about myself, and my group members. The pros of studying with groups are that we are able to ask group members questions and vice versa. We can share our notes, and clarify any questions that we  had about the homework assignments. We are also able to share study techniques, and quiz each  other on the study guide questions. We will all gain a greater sense of understanding, and will feel confident on the material. The Cons of Study groups will be that we will get distracted, and begin talking with each other about things that are not related to school. Trust me, that has happened before, it was in the  library study room, and I was with my two cousins and we would not stop talking about stupid stuff, and then we would watch YouTube videos. Then my cousin jokingly said that it was my fault for him not being productive, since I had arrived I was the one who “ruined” the studying atmosphere. Now I know that it is not a good idea to study with my cousins, because I will never get anything finished! I think it is good to study with people that make you comfortable and are willing to help. In high school  nobody really did any study groups, because the material that was taught was not as challenging as high school, and everyone just cared about socializing. In class we were placed in groups and had to study the material, so it was not as enjoyable, because our groups were formed by the teacher. Not everyone can study in groups, some people find that studying alone helps them understand the material better.  

Stuff that I no longer have time for now that I am in University

When it is the middle of the semester and professors begin to assign the students group essays, presentations, midterms and homework, I begin to realize that I do not have time for the hobbies that I used to do before I began University. I used to read a lot of novels on the internet, and would also select books from my personal library. I used to be an avid reader, which helped me academically, especially when I was younger. One time I had finished three books in a month, but I would read them one by one until they were completed. No, I did not rush through the books, I am actually a fast reader. It is not my style to read two novels at the same time, I have no idea why, I think I will get distracted. I will admit I was such a nerd and I loved to read a lot in the fifth and sixth grade. Now in college I am finding myself not having time to read novels that I would enjoy, because I am reading things that I am assigned to read. I do not want to say that what my professors assign me to read is always boring, but sometimes, I am extremely bored to death when I read their assignments. I am just being very honest. One of my other hobbies would be playing the violin. I used to play the violin since sixth grade, but now I have lost the time to continue improving my skills. I had actually found myself looking to purchase a new violin, because it would cost more to repair my old one. I do not want to forget the scales, notes, and techniques that I had known for more than five years. I will definitely continue practicing the violin in summer vacation.

The effects of Consumerism

As the weeks go by, I am realizing that the semester is almost done! I have found myself in various situations where I am procrastinating, but each time I motivate myself to get better grades, so I quit my procrastinating tendencies. In my sociology class, we were assigned to watch a video called, The Story of Stuff, which explains the process of how we get our items, and how we as consumers make a lot of harm in our society by purchasing a lot of products, and then disposing them carelessly on our earth. The author’s perspective on the impact of globalization is described when she talks about the Distribution process,and how she talks about the radio shack radio that she purchased and when she wondered where all the items in the radio came from. In the video she mentions that, “The metal was probably mined in South Africa, the petroleum was probably drilled in Iraq, the plastics were probably produced in China, and maybe the whole thing was assembled by some 15 year old in a maquiladora in Mexico”(Story of Stuff). Globalization from all countries all help to make one item is  like a group effort. She believes that the globalization between the countries is bad, because it affects the people in a negative way, such as, “Kids in the Congo paid with their future—30% of the kids in parts of the Congo now have had to drop out of school to mine coltan,41 a metal we need for our disposable electronics”(Story of stuff).For our country to receive certain parts to make a  simple product, the people in other poor countries are receiving low wages while companies externalize the cost. This video made me realize that we as consumers are making bad choices regarding the things that we purchase. We need to recycle more and find effective ways to get rid of the waste that we produce.We only have one earth, it is important that we take care of it, and make smart choices about where we dispose of the products that we use.

Stressing out

I am feeling overwhelmed, because I have so many assignments this week! To make me less stressed out, I prepared the past week by breaking down each assignment and essay into small sections so that it would not be too much work. I find that this strategy works, because I am aware that I getting it done slowly, and I focus on what is important. I have a group essay for communications class due on Tuesday. I am feeling uneasy about it, because some of my group members are still working on their section and I have not seen what their writing progress is. On Monday,  I have the essay two rough draft due for English, and a Sociology exam. On Tuesday, I have a Statistics exam and I have to turn in my group essay for communications. Once Monday and Tuesday are done, I will feel a bit more relieved, now that the rest of the week will not be as busy. I feel like this semester is going by really quick now that we are in the month of April. I planned to relax and enjoy my summer, but I will be taking summer courses that will help me do something productive in the summer. I am mostly trying to finish my general ed classes due to the fact that I will have to take them anyway, so might as well take them in the summer. I wish that there would be more emphasis on major classes than general ed classes. I must agree that general ed classes help those who are undeclared choose a major that they are interested in. At least I have transfer credit from the AP classes I took in high school.