The end of the school year has brought some interesting things to mind, one of which is the ability to apply one's self to the task at hand. Throughout the year I had to do this to keep up with my courses and honed that skill more than I ever had before. Sometimes it was hard because I wasn't very interested in what I needed to do, but I still applied myself and got it done, eventually. I even finished one of my classes a month early!
Then there are my brothers, who had a lot more time on their hands than I did, yet did nearly all their coursework in about a week, the last week or two that they could. They were driving me insane. While I guess they did apply themselves in a different way, it sure caused them a whole lot more stress than if they had done it earlier.
While I know that some people work better under pressure (I know at times I do), I would rather get my stuff done and be able to do other things instead of putting it off and having it weigh on my mind or completely forget it to be reminded of it at the last second. I know that I'm not perfect at it, or else this post would not have been written on the last day of the month, but I try to work on it, and get into whatever it is that I need to do.
I seem to have a real problem of distractions, especially when I'm working on the computer. Even if I am trying to apply myself I can get distracted by thinking I need to look up something, or I haven't really applied myself and I check the news or watch a video from my favorite YouTube channel. The internet is a blessing, but it can also be a curse, depending on how you control your time on it. The problem gets worse if I'm not really into what I'm doing, or don't really know how to proceed. While writing this post I have checked the news, watched YouTube videos, checked my email, and read my previous blog posts, mostly because I knew I wanted to write on this topic, but didn't know where to take it.
I think that one of the biggest enemies to application is procrastination. You think that you can do something later, and then you realize that you put it off to the last minute and you just have to get it done, you can't really put yourself into it anymore. I am so glad that I did something earlier this week that had to be done by the end of the week. I got it done, had fun with it, and I don't have to worry about it anymore, I can put my mind to other things, like writing.
I think that one thing that comes from applying yourself is that you learn something from it. It becomes part of you. The projects I've done that I really applied myself and put part of myself into have stuck better than the ones where I just went through the motions. Projects that I got excited over or had a lot of fun doing have stuck better than the ones that I just had to do to move on in the course. Think about how this principle fits into the definition of the word apply, as in applying a coat of paint. I have found it interesting.
You don't even have to really enjoy something to apply yourself to it, you may want a skill, but it might not be the most pleasant experience to gain that skill. For instance, I decided almost two years ago that I wanted to learn how to type. My sister got a learn to type program/game for school, and I started using it too. It was definitely geared to younger kids, but I still found it useful. I didn't master typing from that program, in fact, I didn't go through the whole thing, I got stuck on the shift key and couldn't get past it, but I learned which fingers press which keys, and I started using the home row method while typing other things. It has been very frustrating at times, and sometimes I have to look at the keyboard still, but I usually keep my fingers where they belong now, instead of only using my index fingers. While writing this post I have tried not to look at the keyboard, and succeeded for the most part. I should probably see what my WPM (Words per Minute) is now, and maybe see if I can finish that game now. It's been a slow process, and I'm still nowhere near proficient, but I'm glad that I've worked on this skill.
Hey, look at that! I finally applied myself to this post and it got written really fast and I enjoyed it too! What's something that you have applied yourself to that you're proud of? Leave me a comment!
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Friday, May 31, 2013
Friday, March 1, 2013
Resolutions
So, I should have written this post last month, but I didn't. There's a resolution I need to work on. I like the new way I'm doing resolutions this year. The past few years I've tried to review if I worked toward a resolution or not every so often, and this year I'm still doing that, but I'm also not setting as many goals to meet, but things to work on. At the end of the year I'll review, like I do every year, but instead of checking off whether I did it or not, I'll rate myself on how well I did it.
For instance, because right now I'm terrible about going to bed at a decent hour, I have a resolution to "Get on a better sleep schedule and keep it." If I start going to bed better and keep doing that, I'll give myself a 10. If I start doing that late in the year, I'll probably give myself a 9-7. If I start mid-year and stop in October, I'll give myself a 7-5. If I occasionally go to bed well throughout the year, I'll give myself a 4-2 for effort. If I fail epically, I give myself a 1 (lowest possible) and try again next year.
Using this format I can see how well I did things, and either congratulate myself, or determine I need to work on it again the next year. I did this rating system for last year's resolutions, and for the most part, if it was under 5 I put it back on my list, or decided that it wasn't really a priority anymore. Some resolutions I might have done 'well' on I revised and made more specific because I felt that resolution didn't help me as much as I had anticipated. I like this version much better than a check or X system because then I can recognize that I made an effort on that resolution, and if a resolution isn't exactly something that you can 'accomplish' then you can rate on how well you improved yourself.
For instance, last year I resolved to work on my writing skills. I didn't do much until after summer, when the classes I was taking required me to improve them, but in my mind they still improved immensely. I gave myself a 7 and decided that it didn't need to be a resolution again this year, I had done most of what I had intended to do. If anything I revised it and changed it this year to "Blog monthly (at least)." I gave myself a specific thing to do, not just a vague goal. Granted, I got off to a rocky start, but at least I can still aim for a 9 (because perfection is out of reach at this point) but I don't have to say 'Oh well, failed that one! Guess I won't even try anymore the rest of the year.' I can still try to achieve a high score, it just won't be perfect.
I like to be somewhat specific in my resolutions, and I'm learning when it needs to be more specific. What does 'Get organized' mean? Use 'organize/clean ___name of location___' instead, it will be easier to measure. Put the name of a room or a specific shelf, not 'the house,' start with small chunks and as you get better you can make bigger goals without totally overwhelming yourself. For several years I've resolved to "Write in journal regularly," but found that evidently 'regularly' was equating to once a month. I still technically was doing it, but it defeated the point. This year I finally woke up and changed it to "Write in journal weekly (at least)" and have managed to stick to it so far.
This year I actually have the least amount of resolutions that I have since I started. I decided I was going to work on fewer things a little harder. I have 9 this year, last year I had 16 (17 if you count the "Survive Dec 21st" one I jokingly made). I think it makes it a little more achievable, and you have less to try to focus on. I also prioritize my resolutions and then (try to) run through them in my head every night and see how I did on each of them that day. Because I go in order of priority, if I fall asleep before I make it through the list I at least reviewed on how I did on the most important ones (which sometimes equates to "go to bed better, nope! Zzzz).
If you haven't made any resolutions for this year you still can, only two months have passed so far, that still leaves 10 months in the year, why wait that long to make goals to improve yourself? If you need to, resolve to write next year's resolutions in December, I've done that before, and the knowledge that I resolved to do that helped me make sure I got some written the next year. I've gotten to the point I don't need that anymore, but it made sure I kept going and made it so I had to remember what I had resolved. Oh, and make sure you write them down and put them in a place you will remember where they are, you won't remember them otherwise. It took me a few weeks to memorize my list, (I wasn't working on it that hard) and I find every now and then that I wasn't remembering exactly what I wrote down, I was changing the words so it meant something slightly different.
If anyone has more tips on resolutions, please post them in the comments! (because I have so many people reading my blog :-P)
Happy resolution keeping!
For instance, because right now I'm terrible about going to bed at a decent hour, I have a resolution to "Get on a better sleep schedule and keep it." If I start going to bed better and keep doing that, I'll give myself a 10. If I start doing that late in the year, I'll probably give myself a 9-7. If I start mid-year and stop in October, I'll give myself a 7-5. If I occasionally go to bed well throughout the year, I'll give myself a 4-2 for effort. If I fail epically, I give myself a 1 (lowest possible) and try again next year.
Using this format I can see how well I did things, and either congratulate myself, or determine I need to work on it again the next year. I did this rating system for last year's resolutions, and for the most part, if it was under 5 I put it back on my list, or decided that it wasn't really a priority anymore. Some resolutions I might have done 'well' on I revised and made more specific because I felt that resolution didn't help me as much as I had anticipated. I like this version much better than a check or X system because then I can recognize that I made an effort on that resolution, and if a resolution isn't exactly something that you can 'accomplish' then you can rate on how well you improved yourself.
For instance, last year I resolved to work on my writing skills. I didn't do much until after summer, when the classes I was taking required me to improve them, but in my mind they still improved immensely. I gave myself a 7 and decided that it didn't need to be a resolution again this year, I had done most of what I had intended to do. If anything I revised it and changed it this year to "Blog monthly (at least)." I gave myself a specific thing to do, not just a vague goal. Granted, I got off to a rocky start, but at least I can still aim for a 9 (because perfection is out of reach at this point) but I don't have to say 'Oh well, failed that one! Guess I won't even try anymore the rest of the year.' I can still try to achieve a high score, it just won't be perfect.
I like to be somewhat specific in my resolutions, and I'm learning when it needs to be more specific. What does 'Get organized' mean? Use 'organize/clean ___name of location___' instead, it will be easier to measure. Put the name of a room or a specific shelf, not 'the house,' start with small chunks and as you get better you can make bigger goals without totally overwhelming yourself. For several years I've resolved to "Write in journal regularly," but found that evidently 'regularly' was equating to once a month. I still technically was doing it, but it defeated the point. This year I finally woke up and changed it to "Write in journal weekly (at least)" and have managed to stick to it so far.
This year I actually have the least amount of resolutions that I have since I started. I decided I was going to work on fewer things a little harder. I have 9 this year, last year I had 16 (17 if you count the "Survive Dec 21st" one I jokingly made). I think it makes it a little more achievable, and you have less to try to focus on. I also prioritize my resolutions and then (try to) run through them in my head every night and see how I did on each of them that day. Because I go in order of priority, if I fall asleep before I make it through the list I at least reviewed on how I did on the most important ones (which sometimes equates to "go to bed better, nope! Zzzz).
If you haven't made any resolutions for this year you still can, only two months have passed so far, that still leaves 10 months in the year, why wait that long to make goals to improve yourself? If you need to, resolve to write next year's resolutions in December, I've done that before, and the knowledge that I resolved to do that helped me make sure I got some written the next year. I've gotten to the point I don't need that anymore, but it made sure I kept going and made it so I had to remember what I had resolved. Oh, and make sure you write them down and put them in a place you will remember where they are, you won't remember them otherwise. It took me a few weeks to memorize my list, (I wasn't working on it that hard) and I find every now and then that I wasn't remembering exactly what I wrote down, I was changing the words so it meant something slightly different.
If anyone has more tips on resolutions, please post them in the comments! (because I have so many people reading my blog :-P)
Happy resolution keeping!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
The Thought-Provoking Sherlock Holmes
Last Sunday I watched the last episode of season 2 of the BBC Masterpiece series Sherlock. It is a modern day Sherlock Holmes, which makes it extremely interesting. At the end of the episode, Sherlock's life is at stake to save his friends. (Sorry to those of you whom that last sentence was a shock in any way) It ended so dramatically, and there was such a mystery at the end, I was excited for days about it. I was thinking about the amazing acting, the mystery, why I only watch British television, how they don't start filming for next season until January (so I've heard), and why people will risk their lives for different things.
That last thought was actually the first one that came to mind. For some reason this thought keeps coming back to me over and over again. I can think of it in many different ways: bravery, self-sacrifice, and courage in the face of death. Why will people risk their lives for something? I can think of several examples.
A while ago I had the opportunity to see the opera The Magic Flute, at one point, Tamino, one of the main characters, has to be blindfolded to start a series of unknown trials in order to marry the girl he loves. His new-found friend, Papageno, is terrified and tries (unsuccessfully) to resist. The actor who portrayed Tamino stood there, waiting to be blindfolded. There was fear in his eyes. (Kudos to the actor for great acting!) That struck something in me, and it keeps coming up every now and then. There are several examples in the scriptures of this same thing, being willing to go through something that might involve death. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego and the fiery furnace, Daniel and the lions' den, Abinadi and king Noah and his priests, Alma and Amulek preaching to the people of Ammonihah, Joseph Smith, and many others. Sherlock Holmes even risks his life several times in the original cases. I'm going to read The Final Problem today, and wanted to post beforehand, so I didn't have something else to think about, as I know the basic idea of what happens at the end, but not the details. I don't know why I keep thinking about this, I'm just glad I have an eternal perspective and know there is life after death. I know this is one reason the people in the scriptures were able to do what they did, which makes me wonder what the fictional characters would be thinking.
I went to a cemetery where my great-grandparents are buried on Monday, and had some interesting thoughts. It didn't seem creepy like people normally picture cemeteries, it was peaceful, and almost, happy. I was talking about it with my parents afterwords, and they said it was because I had an eternal perspective, and I have more friends than enemies there. I also thought it was odd that even though I was standing at my great-grandparents' grave, I didn't feel connected there. I figured out later that it is also because I have an eternal perspective, and even though their bodies are there, their spirits aren't necessarily.
As I've been thinking, I started to wonder why it is I pretty much only watch British TV, I like some of the Masterpiece series, (others are just weird in my opinion) and I like Doctor Who. I know there is other British TV, but this is what I chose to watch through my PBS station. I think a lot of it has to do with the values in the shows. In Doctor Who, the Doctor is always battling evil, in Sherlock, pretty much the same thing. (although for different reasons) They also are clean for the most part. (one of the Sherlock episodes was kind of iffy) They have a nice blend of funny and serious. They also are not violent for the sake of being violent, they only fight when they have to. (which is one reason I heard Jackie Chan is retiring from action movies, but that's another story) They also are not very gory, Sherlock does have some blood, but I can't think of a time off the top of my head when Doctor Who does. Thinking about it further, they both have incredibly intelligent title characters, and their friends who try to keep up. I think another aspect of it is, I don't find the need to watch TV all the time, and so I pick and choose what I watch, and these are the shows I pick. I actually don't watch Doctor Who very much anymore because it is on at an inconvenient time.
I started reading the original cases after watching the show, partially to relieve my mind of the mystery left at the end of the show, but also because the show piqued my interest into the books. They are really quite interesting. I find it is kind of fun to find similarities between Holmes and I. Some I have noticed are: We both play violin, (although he plays much better than I do!) when we are busy, we don't eat until we are starving and really need something, or are forced to have a break, and evidently we both think it is handy to have a pistol in some situations. Funny story! I was getting ready to go on a hike, and as I was filling up a water bottle I was thinking: "What else should I grab to be prepared? Watson, would you grab a pistol? What?!?" I have no idea why I thought that I might need a pistol, I must have been reading too much Sherlock Holmes.
Something else I have noticed while reading is how much of the character of the language is seeping into how I write, think, and talk. I am glad is is more refined. I get excited whenever I need to pull out the dictionary to find out what an unfamiliar word means. I love to expand me vocabulary! It has really gotten me back into reading. I had hit a dearth and wasn't reading very much. The ironic thing is it was partially my schoolwork that was preventing me. I am really glad to be reading again!
Ah well, (there's that character seeping out!) I should stop rambling now and read. The first case I read today is supposedly the one that introduces Mycroft. I'm excited!
That last thought was actually the first one that came to mind. For some reason this thought keeps coming back to me over and over again. I can think of it in many different ways: bravery, self-sacrifice, and courage in the face of death. Why will people risk their lives for something? I can think of several examples.
A while ago I had the opportunity to see the opera The Magic Flute, at one point, Tamino, one of the main characters, has to be blindfolded to start a series of unknown trials in order to marry the girl he loves. His new-found friend, Papageno, is terrified and tries (unsuccessfully) to resist. The actor who portrayed Tamino stood there, waiting to be blindfolded. There was fear in his eyes. (Kudos to the actor for great acting!) That struck something in me, and it keeps coming up every now and then. There are several examples in the scriptures of this same thing, being willing to go through something that might involve death. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego and the fiery furnace, Daniel and the lions' den, Abinadi and king Noah and his priests, Alma and Amulek preaching to the people of Ammonihah, Joseph Smith, and many others. Sherlock Holmes even risks his life several times in the original cases. I'm going to read The Final Problem today, and wanted to post beforehand, so I didn't have something else to think about, as I know the basic idea of what happens at the end, but not the details. I don't know why I keep thinking about this, I'm just glad I have an eternal perspective and know there is life after death. I know this is one reason the people in the scriptures were able to do what they did, which makes me wonder what the fictional characters would be thinking.
I went to a cemetery where my great-grandparents are buried on Monday, and had some interesting thoughts. It didn't seem creepy like people normally picture cemeteries, it was peaceful, and almost, happy. I was talking about it with my parents afterwords, and they said it was because I had an eternal perspective, and I have more friends than enemies there. I also thought it was odd that even though I was standing at my great-grandparents' grave, I didn't feel connected there. I figured out later that it is also because I have an eternal perspective, and even though their bodies are there, their spirits aren't necessarily.
As I've been thinking, I started to wonder why it is I pretty much only watch British TV, I like some of the Masterpiece series, (others are just weird in my opinion) and I like Doctor Who. I know there is other British TV, but this is what I chose to watch through my PBS station. I think a lot of it has to do with the values in the shows. In Doctor Who, the Doctor is always battling evil, in Sherlock, pretty much the same thing. (although for different reasons) They also are clean for the most part. (one of the Sherlock episodes was kind of iffy) They have a nice blend of funny and serious. They also are not violent for the sake of being violent, they only fight when they have to. (which is one reason I heard Jackie Chan is retiring from action movies, but that's another story) They also are not very gory, Sherlock does have some blood, but I can't think of a time off the top of my head when Doctor Who does. Thinking about it further, they both have incredibly intelligent title characters, and their friends who try to keep up. I think another aspect of it is, I don't find the need to watch TV all the time, and so I pick and choose what I watch, and these are the shows I pick. I actually don't watch Doctor Who very much anymore because it is on at an inconvenient time.
I started reading the original cases after watching the show, partially to relieve my mind of the mystery left at the end of the show, but also because the show piqued my interest into the books. They are really quite interesting. I find it is kind of fun to find similarities between Holmes and I. Some I have noticed are: We both play violin, (although he plays much better than I do!) when we are busy, we don't eat until we are starving and really need something, or are forced to have a break, and evidently we both think it is handy to have a pistol in some situations. Funny story! I was getting ready to go on a hike, and as I was filling up a water bottle I was thinking: "What else should I grab to be prepared? Watson, would you grab a pistol? What?!?" I have no idea why I thought that I might need a pistol, I must have been reading too much Sherlock Holmes.
Something else I have noticed while reading is how much of the character of the language is seeping into how I write, think, and talk. I am glad is is more refined. I get excited whenever I need to pull out the dictionary to find out what an unfamiliar word means. I love to expand me vocabulary! It has really gotten me back into reading. I had hit a dearth and wasn't reading very much. The ironic thing is it was partially my schoolwork that was preventing me. I am really glad to be reading again!
Ah well, (there's that character seeping out!) I should stop rambling now and read. The first case I read today is supposedly the one that introduces Mycroft. I'm excited!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Higher Education
With graduation here, I'm getting some of the most annoying questions asked of me over and over again. "How do you graduate?" and "What are you doing for college?"
The problem here is there are so many options, I don't know!
The question that needs more answering here is the college question. Depending on that answer, we can continue onto the graduation question. I know it's kind of backwards, but that's how it has to be done because what you want to do later determines what you have to do now to get there.
Right now, I'm leaning towards not going to college and entering the workforce instead. This is a whole lot cheaper, and honestly, I don't know that college is worth it. That is a lot of time, energy, and money to spend. And what do you get for it? A piece of paper and facts pounded into your head. The question is, how much are those facts and piece of paper worth? I'm thinking, not as much as they cost. How far does a degree really get you now days? Unemployment among college graduates is rising. That makes it really difficult to pay off student debt.
How much of that information could you learn, filtering out the stuff you didn't want to learn, from reading? If you want to learn about something, I would like to re-write a common phrase: there's a BOOK for that! You know, those things with pages? That you turn, and the paper has words on it? Yeah, those things! You can learn so many things from books. You just need to know what ones to read, and how to read them. Fictional literature can be educational if you know how to read and apply it. Here are some things that can help in this endeavor:
A colloquium group helps you see things you may not have noticed or paid much attention to while reading, and helps you expand those ideas you had while reading. I started participating in a colloquium group with adults when I was twelve. It was an amazing thing. Even when we got off topic, there were still great thoughts being shared. I learned some things I would not have without doing that. A colloquium group is not the same as a book group. You discuss ideas from books or articles as opposed to story lines. You have a moderator that keeps the discussion moving, and talk about the how, the why, what the author was trying to get at, and other like minded things. I wish I had the opportunity to do this now that I'm more mature and understand things better.
A mentor is another useful resource. A mentor can guide you to what books you should read, ask you questions about what you are reading to get you thinking, give you assignments to apply what you are learning or to learn more, and be there to ask questions of to help you understand something you are not grasping.
Another thing I have found useful is writing. I have been enamored by something this past week and a half, (which I should be posting about tomorrow, or I will not be happy with myself!) and had just started writing in my journal again just before the inciting incident. It has been so useful to write down what I've been thinking and in so doing it has made me think more, and my thoughts have been more organized. It has also helped me think more critically, and has made me come to some realizations. I filled almost a quarter of my journal in a week with how much I have been writing in it. It is interesting because I have been reading an older English book, (about turn of the century) some of the characterization of the language has seeped into what I write. Because I think faster than I write, It makes me think more about what I am writing. Then of course sometimes I think much faster than I am writing, and leave out something, and then I have to add an addendum to what I wrote because it doesn't make sense without it. And then there are those times you leave what you are writing for a moment, but are still thinking about what you were writing, and then when you come back you can't remember what you decided as you were gone that you were going to write! Like right now. That is so annoying. Ah, that's what it was. Writing is also helpful because you keep a record of what you have learned and what you were thinking. Then you can come back to it at some later point.
One thing I think affects your learning is what music you listen to while you are reading/learning. I find listening to classical music helps me think, doesn't distract me, and keeps me from getting distracted form outside influences. When I listen to my pop music, (about 80s or older, I don't care for the stuff from this decade) I find it harder to concentrate. (So what does that indicate about my brother listening to "The Song that Doesn't End" while doing math?)
A combination of these things is what I think you need for a higher education. For some people, they can get this at a college, and it will be worth it to them. You need to prayerfully decide what is best for you. Right now, I think what is best for me is to work, use the resources I have listed above, and take some free courses from MIT as described here. I value learning and education, but I don't know that I need to spend thousands of dollars on expensive college classes. I can spend that money on other things, such as necessities and books, not get into deep debt, and do things for little or no cost.
The problem here is there are so many options, I don't know!
The question that needs more answering here is the college question. Depending on that answer, we can continue onto the graduation question. I know it's kind of backwards, but that's how it has to be done because what you want to do later determines what you have to do now to get there.
Right now, I'm leaning towards not going to college and entering the workforce instead. This is a whole lot cheaper, and honestly, I don't know that college is worth it. That is a lot of time, energy, and money to spend. And what do you get for it? A piece of paper and facts pounded into your head. The question is, how much are those facts and piece of paper worth? I'm thinking, not as much as they cost. How far does a degree really get you now days? Unemployment among college graduates is rising. That makes it really difficult to pay off student debt.
How much of that information could you learn, filtering out the stuff you didn't want to learn, from reading? If you want to learn about something, I would like to re-write a common phrase: there's a BOOK for that! You know, those things with pages? That you turn, and the paper has words on it? Yeah, those things! You can learn so many things from books. You just need to know what ones to read, and how to read them. Fictional literature can be educational if you know how to read and apply it. Here are some things that can help in this endeavor:
A colloquium group helps you see things you may not have noticed or paid much attention to while reading, and helps you expand those ideas you had while reading. I started participating in a colloquium group with adults when I was twelve. It was an amazing thing. Even when we got off topic, there were still great thoughts being shared. I learned some things I would not have without doing that. A colloquium group is not the same as a book group. You discuss ideas from books or articles as opposed to story lines. You have a moderator that keeps the discussion moving, and talk about the how, the why, what the author was trying to get at, and other like minded things. I wish I had the opportunity to do this now that I'm more mature and understand things better.
A mentor is another useful resource. A mentor can guide you to what books you should read, ask you questions about what you are reading to get you thinking, give you assignments to apply what you are learning or to learn more, and be there to ask questions of to help you understand something you are not grasping.
Another thing I have found useful is writing. I have been enamored by something this past week and a half, (which I should be posting about tomorrow, or I will not be happy with myself!) and had just started writing in my journal again just before the inciting incident. It has been so useful to write down what I've been thinking and in so doing it has made me think more, and my thoughts have been more organized. It has also helped me think more critically, and has made me come to some realizations. I filled almost a quarter of my journal in a week with how much I have been writing in it. It is interesting because I have been reading an older English book, (about turn of the century) some of the characterization of the language has seeped into what I write. Because I think faster than I write, It makes me think more about what I am writing. Then of course sometimes I think much faster than I am writing, and leave out something, and then I have to add an addendum to what I wrote because it doesn't make sense without it. And then there are those times you leave what you are writing for a moment, but are still thinking about what you were writing, and then when you come back you can't remember what you decided as you were gone that you were going to write! Like right now. That is so annoying. Ah, that's what it was. Writing is also helpful because you keep a record of what you have learned and what you were thinking. Then you can come back to it at some later point.
One thing I think affects your learning is what music you listen to while you are reading/learning. I find listening to classical music helps me think, doesn't distract me, and keeps me from getting distracted form outside influences. When I listen to my pop music, (about 80s or older, I don't care for the stuff from this decade) I find it harder to concentrate. (So what does that indicate about my brother listening to "The Song that Doesn't End" while doing math?)
A combination of these things is what I think you need for a higher education. For some people, they can get this at a college, and it will be worth it to them. You need to prayerfully decide what is best for you. Right now, I think what is best for me is to work, use the resources I have listed above, and take some free courses from MIT as described here. I value learning and education, but I don't know that I need to spend thousands of dollars on expensive college classes. I can spend that money on other things, such as necessities and books, not get into deep debt, and do things for little or no cost.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Dedication
I have been taking a theater class at our local theater. I found out that at the start of the new semester, my class of three is being combined with another class that is supposedly the same age, that is at a different time. The problem is, it's not really the same age, but a younger class (at least for me), and I can't make it with the new time.
It is just another thing I have done where I have been dedicated to something, and then left in the dust. Although this is probably one of the worst situations I have been in. I have been involved in several things it seems that I have put a lot of time and energy into, and others have not which caused problems. I think part of the problem is people don't want to be dedicated to something, or they are really busy with other things so they can't be dedicated to it.
One person in my class pretty much dropped out the week we had our first performance. They never really seemed dedicated to the class, it was just something they were doing. Fortunately one of my teachers realized this might be a problem and had someone else learn their lines a few days before the performance. This left us with three people total in our class. The other people in my class wanted to do a full production of a play next semester, and we knew it wasn't going to work with three people. We looked at our options, and ultimately it was decided by the teachers to combine classes. I am left in the dust. Merry Christmas.
I had thought hard about taking this sort of class before the semester started. I had originally wanted to take a Shakespeare class, but I was the only one to sign up. I wasn't sure I wanted to do this class because I hadn't done musical theater in a long time. I don't like to sign up for lots of things, and before now I didn't know why. I think the answer is I am always dedicated to the things I do, and in my subconscious want to make sure I can still be dedicated to the new thing, as well as what I am already doing.
There have been several times I have been in a play and everyone has been told to memorize lines for next week, and then the next week I am the only one with anything memorized. I know being able to memorize easily is a contributing factor, but it still always surprises me.
Now I have to find something else to do for next semester.
It is just another thing I have done where I have been dedicated to something, and then left in the dust. Although this is probably one of the worst situations I have been in. I have been involved in several things it seems that I have put a lot of time and energy into, and others have not which caused problems. I think part of the problem is people don't want to be dedicated to something, or they are really busy with other things so they can't be dedicated to it.
One person in my class pretty much dropped out the week we had our first performance. They never really seemed dedicated to the class, it was just something they were doing. Fortunately one of my teachers realized this might be a problem and had someone else learn their lines a few days before the performance. This left us with three people total in our class. The other people in my class wanted to do a full production of a play next semester, and we knew it wasn't going to work with three people. We looked at our options, and ultimately it was decided by the teachers to combine classes. I am left in the dust. Merry Christmas.
I had thought hard about taking this sort of class before the semester started. I had originally wanted to take a Shakespeare class, but I was the only one to sign up. I wasn't sure I wanted to do this class because I hadn't done musical theater in a long time. I don't like to sign up for lots of things, and before now I didn't know why. I think the answer is I am always dedicated to the things I do, and in my subconscious want to make sure I can still be dedicated to the new thing, as well as what I am already doing.
There have been several times I have been in a play and everyone has been told to memorize lines for next week, and then the next week I am the only one with anything memorized. I know being able to memorize easily is a contributing factor, but it still always surprises me.
Now I have to find something else to do for next semester.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Refinement and Etiquette
This last weekend I had the opportunity to attend an etiquette simulation. I know when most people hear etiquette they think of table manners. There is so much more to it than that! I think one of the first places I heard the word etiquette was when I was learning to play tennis as a child, such as not walking behind someone while they are playing as it can be distracting.
The way etiquette was described at this event is making sure those around you feel comfortable and valued. This is made much easier if you can remember who you are, and who everyone else is, children of God. I know some girls have a hard time accepting chivalry, they need to remember who they are, and why boys want to respect them. Everyone has the opportunity to be kings and queens. In a nutshell, the word king came about originally came about from the word gen which changed into kin. This word was the base for the verb kinning which was shortened to the noun king. The first kings were the leaders of a family. The duties of kings and queens are to be givers and protectors of life. chivalry is one way men fulfill their kingly duties.
We had a class on language which I found very interesting and eye-opening. I don't use foul language, and that wasn't really brought up, what was more brought up was how we use language, and what we are actually saying. The thought was brought up about sarcasm, and how we shouldn't use language that degrades people, even if we don't mean it, and the people to whom we are talking know it. The topic was also brought up about how some of the common slang language today is oxymoronic. Such as when you might say "dude, that was sick!" or "that was wicked!" As one person pointed out, we are calling evil good, and good evil. That really stuck out to me.
Another class we had was on critical conversations, and how they may affect things, and how to handle them well. How we need to talk things out instead of bursting out in anger or giving the silent treatment.
One class I thought was really interesting was a class on body language, and how we can read other people's body language to figure out how we can make them comfortable. Such things as watching their body language to see how comfortable they are with how close we are. Also how to have a general idea of how and what a person may be thinking about by looking at their eyes. That made me think about how I may be thinking or feeling. Also how I need to look people in the eyes more often when I am talking to them so it doesn't seem like I am disinterested. For whatever reason I find it awkward to look people in the face when I am talking to them. Something I need to work on.
At the end we talked about general etiquette rules. It was really cool to hear guys' opinions on some of the rules. It was also cool to hear about some of their experiences over the couple days of the simulation. One topic that was brought up was standing up whenever a girl walks into a room or to or from the table. It will be interesting to see what my brother does at Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow as he also attended the simulation.
One person at my table at our banquet made the comment to the effect of 'imagine if everyone could be like we are tonight.' I agree with her, society is going downhill fast. A return to proper etiquette and refinement I believe would help solve a lot of the world's problems.
I will probably write more about this later, I just wanted to start really blogging and this had just happened.
The way etiquette was described at this event is making sure those around you feel comfortable and valued. This is made much easier if you can remember who you are, and who everyone else is, children of God. I know some girls have a hard time accepting chivalry, they need to remember who they are, and why boys want to respect them. Everyone has the opportunity to be kings and queens. In a nutshell, the word king came about originally came about from the word gen which changed into kin. This word was the base for the verb kinning which was shortened to the noun king. The first kings were the leaders of a family. The duties of kings and queens are to be givers and protectors of life. chivalry is one way men fulfill their kingly duties.
We had a class on language which I found very interesting and eye-opening. I don't use foul language, and that wasn't really brought up, what was more brought up was how we use language, and what we are actually saying. The thought was brought up about sarcasm, and how we shouldn't use language that degrades people, even if we don't mean it, and the people to whom we are talking know it. The topic was also brought up about how some of the common slang language today is oxymoronic. Such as when you might say "dude, that was sick!" or "that was wicked!" As one person pointed out, we are calling evil good, and good evil. That really stuck out to me.
Another class we had was on critical conversations, and how they may affect things, and how to handle them well. How we need to talk things out instead of bursting out in anger or giving the silent treatment.
One class I thought was really interesting was a class on body language, and how we can read other people's body language to figure out how we can make them comfortable. Such things as watching their body language to see how comfortable they are with how close we are. Also how to have a general idea of how and what a person may be thinking about by looking at their eyes. That made me think about how I may be thinking or feeling. Also how I need to look people in the eyes more often when I am talking to them so it doesn't seem like I am disinterested. For whatever reason I find it awkward to look people in the face when I am talking to them. Something I need to work on.
At the end we talked about general etiquette rules. It was really cool to hear guys' opinions on some of the rules. It was also cool to hear about some of their experiences over the couple days of the simulation. One topic that was brought up was standing up whenever a girl walks into a room or to or from the table. It will be interesting to see what my brother does at Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow as he also attended the simulation.
One person at my table at our banquet made the comment to the effect of 'imagine if everyone could be like we are tonight.' I agree with her, society is going downhill fast. A return to proper etiquette and refinement I believe would help solve a lot of the world's problems.
I will probably write more about this later, I just wanted to start really blogging and this had just happened.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Swiss Railroad on Google Street View
You can read more about it here.
(Picture is not of the Swiss line)
What I Have Learned in My Computer Literacy Course
Here are some things I've learned while doing Computer Literacy:
How to re-size images proportionately in Openoffice.org Impress and Draw.
How to add an image to a presentation without having to have the image file on the computer you are viewing the presentation.How to add my Google Calender to my email/calender program.
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