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.