My Journey to Academic Success
I always considered myself an intelligent student, but I hardly ever applied myself. Growing up I had straight A’s and was on the path to a successful education. That, however, is not how my educational path went. Around the beginning of my 11th grade year of high school, I decided to drop out and immediately enter the work force as a full time employee. I liked the freedom and the benefits of bringing home money more than finishing my high school education. Over the next few years I worked, met a man, had a baby, and generally focused on other areas of my life. After my daughter was born, I decided it was time to go back to school. In 2012, I was finally able to return to school and pursue higher education. Knowing
It is imperative for me to make sure I have time for school each day. Since I work full time and have a daughter to take care of, I do not have the time to physically attend school like the average student. Thus, the key was to find a school where I could “attend” class on my own time. Thanks to technology advances over the last decade, online education has become more mainstream. According to a 2012 study, 14% of higher education students were enrolled in fully online programs and 31% took at least one online course (The Growth of Online Education Over the Last Decade). I do the majority of my school work between eight and ten each night after I put my daughter to sleep and before I go to bed. I also get some additional study time during my daughter’s gymnastics practice. Typically her classes are twice a week for a little over an hour each practice. Ultimately my goal is to at least do one or two hours of schoolwork each
One lady in particular caught my attention with her experiences and suggestions for success. She suggested using a calendar for everything you do so you know what you have to do each day. I depend heavily on my calendars, since I have to organize my life as well as my daughter’s life. I have to make sure she makes it to school, gymnastic practice, doctor appointments, and anything else that may arise. Then I have to make sure I get to work on time, attend meetings, go to doctor appointments, and do homework. It is very easy for me to forget something if I don’t write it down. When it comes to paper vs. online calendars, I tend to use mostly online calendars. One of the biggest benefits of online calendars is being able to share them with multiple devices such as a computer, phone, or tablet (Shaw). This is especially beneficial since I am always on the go and typically have access to some form of electronic
My mother was never one to check my agenda or keep my schedule for me; instead, I learned to time manage my life. Between school work, taking care of my dogs, and helping around the house, I managed it all with time to spare for fun and relaxation. I am incredibly thankful for this lesson, as I believe it will be my “one-up” on my college peers.
My philosophy of success, is me growing into the person I want to become and being comfortable with the choices I decide to make in life. Success is not something I can achieve overnight, it’s something I must plan for then proceed to working hard for it as well. Without hard work, there isn’t anything successful about the job I want to get done or the job I wish to get done. Doing anything without hard work and dedication, and expecting the best outcome is not success; it’s mediocrity. Being mediocre/ will only allow me or anyone else to have a ‘Victim’s Mindset.’
For example, organizing my calendar where I have the time blocked out when I am in class, driving, the hours I will be studying, the time that I will spend getting Avery ready for bed and her school work done, etc. by having this all planned out in such detail maybe this will help me stay on track for efficient time management. Also, logging my time and keeping track of where I spend my time can also help me see where I can spend more time doing something more productive. (Chapman,2008) Setting priorities and learning to focus not only what is urgent and important but also activities that are important but might not be urgent, like Avery’s gymnastics or her 4H club meetings. Making a “to do list” would be helpful in helping me remember what needs to be done and what I would like to get done and finding time in my organized calendar to do so. (Chapman, 2008) Also, I should try to avoid multi- tasking, I am a mother which means I am a great multi tasker, I can cook dinner, do laundry, and give a bath all at the same time, although sometime the dinner gets a little burnt. But according to Chapman, multi-tasking is actually not a time saver but rather you lose time when you switch to different tasks. Trying to stick to one task at a time may be helpful in learning more effective time management skills. All of
On any given day, my time regardless of how planned it is by making lists can be thrown off track due to usually a sick child/pet. No matter how hard I try, I know my kids will get sick and they will expect me to take care of. Since I cannot usually control when that will happen, it’s important that I take advantage of what I can control, such looking ahead at assignments that will need my attention to plan adequate time to complete assignments a head of time, instead of waiting till the last minute. When I know what to expect I can make plans. Another
Concrete experience My busy schedule has often made it challenging to meet all of my marital obligations. However, proper time management has enabled me to make the best of a challenging situation. In our home, I have a typed schedule that is printed up each week and placed next to our monthly calendar. Events that are important to our family are printed on the monthly calendar and we try to participate in them together as much as possible. A list of chores that need to be completed on time is also next to the calendar.
Being on a schedule helps me because I’m a forgetful person. If it’s not on the schedule, I might as well have not known. My wife on the other hand loves to just go with it. Living by a schedule is not her thing, which can bring its challenges. This pattern conflict we have makes us different viewpoints on life. Sometimes it can be good because I don’t see something she does, and vice-versa.
A main concern that many students have while attending college is time. Trying to find the time to work, spend time with their family, and go to school can be very stressful for some students. Someone who does not work, or doesn’t have kids might not have an issue with fitting time into their schedule for traditional classes. For the students who do have a busy life might find it harder to attend a traditional classroom, so they have the option of taking online classes and making the classes fit around their time schedule.
I also carry a planner with me, whether I really want to or not. Inside the planner lives my life, my daily plans, my to do lists, and even my own personal due dates. It fuels my need to be doing something every minute of every day. There is always something that I could do, should do. And, maybe I’ll do it later. Because doing something doesn’t mean finishing homework or that essay that really should’ve been written last week. Sometimes, it means pausing to enjoy the mastery of a song, getting caught up on that new television show, or even
Although you don’t need to plan everything in your week out, it is helpful to know where you need to be and what you need to be doing from a high-level perspective. “Time is money”, right? Take this approach into managing your calendar so you can get the important things done with the time you
The true definition of success is the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. Although, many people have different perceptions of success. Success is judged by the individuals themselves. Success can be defined in many ways including: wealth, happiness, fame, etc. Success can be anything from material goods to concepts. It all depends on your concept and how you achieve your goals. You have to have persistence within yourself. Varying on your profession, you will need a certain skill level. Your definition of success can be suitable best for you, but not for others. It is about truly not giving up, reaching your full potential, and self-fulfillment.
come to one 's mind. All I thought as a little girl was what to play with next. Of course school
Have you ever been the new kid? Have you ever been a new kid to 6 different high schools? Well even if you have been the new kid at least once you know how it feels. The first day you walk into a school you have never been too. Everyone is staring at you. Inside you are freaking out, wondering if you are going to walk into the wrong class or be late. We all know there is lunch during school and this is a hard time for a new student.
Today’s generation is like no other. The nation as a whole has completely evolved from past times, with technology being one of the greatest improvements. Traditionally, schooling takes place in a classroom setting, but, with the many modifications in our world’s system, we are able to assimilate more modern means of education, such as online learning. However, with many changes comes differences and requires adjustments. The online learning system has proven to be just as effective as traditional learning, with some minor differences, however, nothing of great significance. A few of those insignificant differences include online learning being convenient, especially for the non-traditional students,
They are often looked upon in a negative light, seen as unstable. There are programs for children who have been classified as emotionally disturbed or for those that are at risk of developing such behavior. Such a classification can affect a child’s ability to learn and ability to do well in school. These children may also have trouble interacting with other children at school. There are many programs that have been developed to help children to adapt to their school surroundings and to succeed in school.
Success is something we all wish to achieve and even though we have different definitions of success, we all want to success in different aspects of our lives. For some success, success is attaining an education, others it's getting a good job, for others it's being wealthy, and others to start and own a business while for others it's having a family of our own and seeing our children prosper. We all have different metrics of measuring success and we all have different goals, but it is part of human instinct to want success, to want to succeed in everything we do no matter how small or big. Success gives us a feeling of development and growth, a sense of gratification that we are no longer where we used to be, but rather