16I

Football In The Snow?

http://www.foodwinecook.com/1861/football-snow-and-food/

 Apparently whenever it snow the quad turns into a football field. People from Hickerson, Wilkinson, and Chase hall all came out to play some football on Saturday. Me and my teammate Nicki watched from inside. It was one of the funniest games I have watched in a very long time. THey were playing tackle and most of the players didn't have on cleats. Everyone was sliding everywhere. Some players were acting like it was a championship game which made it even more hilarious to watch. After they all were done everyone was soaked. Someone tried to hug me but I ran. They played hard and had fun. We all took a group trip to conn after. It was fun and I made some new friends.

16V

Look It Up

Freedom. Something I've been wanting since I was younger. Having freedom is awesome and all but I missed my home even if I'm 18 and my parents still set rules. 

My definition of Freedom is be able to do what you want when you want. 

The actual definition

free·dom

  [free-duhm]  Show IPA

noun

1.

the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinementor under physical restraint

This definition is better than mine but pretty much along the same lines.

Two new words I learned this week are 

pi·quant

  [pee-kuhnt, -kahnt, pee-kahnt]  Show IPA

adjective

1.

agreeably pungent or sharp in taste or flavor; pleasantly bitingor tart:

os·ten·ta·tious

  [os-ten-tey-shuhs, -tuhn-]  Show IPA

adjective

1.

characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show inan attempt to impress others:

(www.dictionary.com)

16A&B

Self Reflection

http://mshabazz33.wordpress.com/2013/08/18/being-a-better-you-self-reflection/

This semester started off rough but got easier each day of my survival. Yes I said survival. Your first year experience is based in perseverance. Only the strong can survive being away from home for such a long time. It flew by very quickly. Although most of the things people of told me about college weren't true. All the scary stories about dorms, the food, and the professors were all crap. The first semester is what you make of it. Which is exactly what I did.

The first semester has taught me a lot about myself. The most important thing I learned is that I can be independent. I have always had a sense of independence since I am an only child. I learned that I can truly manage my time very well. I'm still learning since its only the first semester. There's another semester ahead of me. Especially since it's cold outside now. I have to stay war and healthy.

My biggest challenges were starting off the semester with preseason and going straight into classes then starting our traveling. It was hard to deal with all of that in the matter of two weeks. After a while I got use to it. At first these challenges were what seemed like impossible to face but I became good friend with a teammate who live way farther away than me. It just made me realized how good I had it. I could go home whenever I wanted but she had to wait until Christmas.

My biggest achievement was being able to handle all the choices of going out or staying in. I knew some nights I had to do work instead of going out to party or even going to a friends room in my dorm hall.

Sone new habits I have learned are to study in my common room instead of in my own room. It's a lot more helpful and less distracting. In my room I can be distracted by anything. So moving to a new area is so much better. I have been to my professors office hours and made an appointment at the writing center. Both of these things were helpful. I was nervous at first but got over it. This upcoming semester I plan to ask more question when I need help and find people in my class to study with.

I have been very successful with my work in all my course. Sometimes I did slack off a little but in the end I always made sure everything was done. A good majority of my time this semester went towards work and volleyball. The result of this was great. Although we were traveling a lot there was always wifi on our buss going to games or even in the hotels we stayed at. My teammates would always try and help each other with homework regardless of how hard it was.

My grades were okay this semester they could've been better. They went up and down in some classes but others stayed the same. I realized that classes I had low grades in I had no business having that grade. I tried to bring up all my grades and the end of the semester especially since my coach was disappointed. Every class I took I learned so much that I never had known before. Some were interesting others were boring. Although I took as much information from them as I could. To maximize my learning I know I can take more classes that capture my interest but until then I can just make the best out of any class.

My goals at the begginning of the semester have been met. I was mainly focused on time management. I wanted to be focused on work and volleyball. I also wanted to have a social life. It all worked out. Not exactly how I pictured to but it did. I am where I hoped I would be at this point in my college career. Now that I know what to expect I feel like I'll be even better next semester.

http://grow.gardenmediagroup.com/blog/bid/296193/PR-Case-Study-Defining-Goals-and-Objectives

My goals for next semester are basically the same as the first. Spring season starts back up when we get back to school and so do our 6am practices. I am not looking forward to those at all. I know I can't be late for one or my whole team will suffer. I want to get my work done since we wont have study tables next semester. Also since it will be getting warm eventually I know I'm going to want to be out and about not doing work. Once the snow is gone my happiness will be back. That means I'll think of doing everything but school work. Next semester my grades will be better. Next semester I will get more invovled on campus. Next semester I won't let volleyball be the excuse of me not having a social life.

INQ Final

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWis0nIQqWI

15A

Video Drafts

http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/font-bros-rough-draft-font-by-harolds-fonts

Everyone's draft in class had a creative idea. No ones was the same. Although they were all good and creative they all were lacking college level thinking. Some videos had typos and others didn't relate to their topic. I learned to put in more skits that explain the problem. I want there to be more skits and to make the video but I have to make sure I give a college level solution to the problem.

The video as to have a little humor in it but still be a college level project. All the videos that made everyone laugh were the ones with the positive feedback. Everyone wanted to watch my video a second time. I know that humor had to be a part of it. Although that was just the introduction I know the rest of the video has to be very informing. 

To the revision I will include three short skits to present the problems. After presenting the problems I will search a solution or interview and RA or a hall director. Also maybe look up the statistics of how many people in college switch their roommate at any time in the year.

Another thing people told me to add were bloopers. They always lighten up the mood of the video at the end. I want to make it memorable and fun. The statistics might be hard to find but it's manageable. Also I have to make catches people's attention from the second it starts. I don't viewer to be bored.

15V

Look It Up

au·ton·o·my

  [aw-ton-uh-mee]  Show IPA

noun, plural au·ton·o·mies.

1.

independence or freedom, as of the will or one's actions: the autonomy of the individual.

2.

the state or condition of having independence or freedom, or of being autonomous; self-government, or the right of self-government

I have personally never heard of this word before but it explain a first year college experience.This word has a lot to do with our independence as college students. When we're in college we have to make our own choices. It's a very new experience that's harder than it actually seems. College is basically our future. So choices we make now are most important. 

Hegemony: the domination of culture by one particular cultural group, resulting in the empowerment of certain cultural beliefs, values and practices over others. 

Marginalized Culture: cultures that don't belong to mainstream culture.  

These are two terms that I learn in my media studies class. We need to know what these terms for our midterm that on the 16th. We are making a presentation on something that negatively influenced by media. For example being addicted to social networks, texting and driving, or teen pregnancy.

15I

Love Your D.D.

This Wednesday the DARC, which stands for Drug and Alcohol Resources Center, had a mock crash outside of Chase Hall at 7pm. At first I thought someones car was being towed through campus but it was actually for dramatic effect. DARC wanted people to notice there program. On my way to the basketball game me and my teammate stopped by. The crash seemed so real it was kind of frightening. They really emphasized that people need to have a designated driver at all times. Although most teens aren't even of age to drink we should all know they'll do it anyways. The event was informing and an eye opener. I think they should have a lot more events on campus like his one.

15B

Study Time

In order to be prepared for finals I first wrote out the schedule with all the times that my finals are.  This gave me a clear schedule to use when planning how to study.  Before studying, I organized all of the work for each class I have a final for.  I got out my materials for each course and figured out what the most important topics were in each course.  My archaeology final is first so I began studying for that one first.  I went through the old tests I took for the class and looked over each one and focused on the topics that I was not as knowledgable on.  Once I improved on the weaker topics, I went over the topics I was better on.   My next final will be math, which will be kind of long.  I will take a similar approach to studying math as I did with archaeology.  Again, I will look over all of the old tests I took and focus on the topics I wasn't as good at.  I will redo the problems that I got wrong and try to get the right answer the second time around.  My teacher is also having a study session that I will attend to ask any questions that I have.  My last final is media and I will be able to look back through my textbook and read the summary of each chapter to refresh myself and look through the vocabulary again.  In order to have a successful finish to the semester, I will keep a detailed schedule of the studying I have to do each day.  I will also make sure to get a good night's sleep each day and eat good foods before I have a final in order to keep focused through each final.

14V

Look It Up

in·vest·ment

  [in-vest-muhnt]  Show IPA

noun

1.

the investing of money or capital in order to gain profitablereturns, as interest, income, or appreciation in value.

(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/investment?s=t)

Investment is an essential part of a college life. You have to invest yourself in a lot of things to get your work done. Even though when you hear the word investment you think of money that's not always the case. Your time has to go into to things in order to get the results you want. Without investment nothing will get done. 

in·du·bi·ta·ble

  [in-doo-bi-tuh-buhl, -dyoo-]  Show IPA

adjective

that cannot be doubted; patently evident or certain; unquestionable.

(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Indubitably)

strag·gle

  [strag-uhl]  Show IPA

verb (used without object), strag·gled, strag·gling.

1.

to stray from the road, course, or line of march.

Two new words aI learned this week were indubitably and straggler. My friend Nicki called me a straggler because I was walking to slow. I did not undersatnd what she meant but now I know it means you're falling behind. A kid in one of my classes always says the word indubitably but, he uses it in the wrong context.

14I

Season's Greetings

http://www.businessinsider.com/what-not-to-buy-on-black-friday-2013-11

It would be fun they said. The sales are amazing they said. Black Friday was probably the craziest experience of my life. There were a lot of good deals. Everything was fifty percent off. Urban Outfitters line wrapped around the entire store. Although there deals were the best it was like hell waiting in that line. Forever 21 was a little crazy but the line went really fast. Also going shopping in the guy section is good for me since I don't have to worry about the length of my arms. I'm just glad that everything fit me. Black Friday was an experience I'll never forget.

14A

Relax Your Mind

This break I plan on relaxing as much as I can because finals are going to be stressful. it's my first time experiencing finals so I know I'm going to be overreacting to everything. But I want to start preparing myself now so I know how to clam down. I have anxiety problems so being nervous isn't fun for me. 

So far I've been spending a lot of time with my parents and friends. Seeing my friends from back home is the best. I think they really haven't missed me but they always talk about how they think about me when I'm gone. A lot of my friends from back home are younger than me so they ask me my advice about a lot of things. They love that I'm home in another two weeks so they can get some help with their applications. Helping them makes me feel better. It lightens my mood to know I'm helping them with their stress.

Seeing the loves of my life is always a great time. Since I'm an only child my parents have been counting the days for me to come home. I know they enjoy me out the house but I know they were starting to miss me when it came close to Thanksgiving. Me, my mom and my cousin went black Friday shopping and made out like bandits. Going on Thursday night was the smartest decision. Not a lot of people were there and the sales were amazing.

Another thing I plan on doing to relax is take a bath with one of my bath bombs I got from Lush. Lush is a store in the Westfarm's mall that sales of kinds of natural items for your body. I bought the cocoa butter bath bomb. It's suppose to make your skin extra smooth. 

14B

Issaac Smith

The "What I'm thankful for" speech can get old really quick. We've been writing about that since we were in grade school. But sometimes it's necessary to reflect on what we're thankful. Especially in my generation. We take a lot of things for granted.

I complain about school almost everyday but I'm thankful to further my education because one person I know couldn't. My friend Issaac was murdered five days before graduation. It took the school by surprise. It was the second day of finals and I woke up to my aunt talking about someone from New Britain being killed. Never did I expect it to be a friend. I looked on Instagram there were pictures of people with Issaac everywhere simply saying "R.I.P.". I ran to my mother and started balling my eyes out. Just the thought of us having an empty chair at graduation was heart breaking. 

Issaac was the boy in school with a hot tempter but everyone loved him. Even if he got into an argument with you he would make sure he'd apologize and everything would be okay. He had the most beautiful smile and the best personality.

With the loss of a friend who just wanted to graduate and better his life I'm thankful for the simple things. I am thankful for the stress that comes along with going to school. I am thankful for being able to have a tough professor. I am thankful for my roommate problems. I am thankful for the days I wake up and don't feel like going to class because I get to see another day. All these struggles are just resulting in me getting a degree to have a good life. 

Issaac and I had a class together whenever he missed it he would always ask me for the work. At one point in the semester he was in a situation that he missed our class for three weeks. He caught up on all the work in 2 weeks. He missed lunch, stayed after school, and even asked me for help. The whole school year all he talked about was graduating and what he planned on doing in his future. I'm thankful for working on my future. Issaac is my motivation. I will always remember him and he will always be with me through my school struggles. I know I have to keep going no matter what.

INQ Final

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOd0qHw9zc0

13B

http://www.josephbraun.com/photography/9-lessons-on-creativity/

All of my college courses have taught me that you have to think outside the box and this requires me to apply creativity to my work.  I can also take the techniques I used on my first video and expand on them to make them more creative and interesting in my second video.  I will take the critiques from my first video and make the aspects that were dull into more unique and exciting pieces of my second video.

One exciting piece I'm looking forward to working on is the skit. I will create different scenarios that roommates have gone through and give the solutions to them. But first I will ask my peers how they would solve the issue then I'll ask an RA or Hall Director how the situation should properly be handled.

Also using different types of comedy aspects like Professor Guarino said. I want to make the video funny yet informative.

13A

College Level Thinking

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Austin-College-Thinking-Green/111694488846099

When thinking about my next video it is essential to use college level thinking. Making a video about roommate problems is not possible without college level thinking. Having a roommate is a college experience. With past problems that me and my roommate have had I can easily make a video that displays a high level of thinking.  In order to make this video at a college level I will apply the skills that I have learned in my classes thus far.

First, I will take the skills that I have learned in media about critical thinking.  We learned that you have to think outside the box and from different perspectives.  These things will help me get into an intellectual mindset while working on this project.  I have also learned that time management is an important skill in college and I will apply that when working on this project.  I will plan out the project so I will not be rushed and have time to look it over thoroughly.  I have also learned a lot about computers in my COM 205 class that will be very useful to this video project.  We have made multiple presentations that allowed me to gain experience making professional looking projects.  I will use the experience I gained in this class to make my video look very professional.

College level thinking is something will be a necessity for this project to get an A. I will not make the same mistakes I did the first time such as grammatical errors, bad transitions, and cutting off the text. Although this video has a different structure and motive I have to learn from my mistakes and improve my skills on this next video. The critique from my peers will help to improve the quality of my rough draft and make my final video look very professional.  

13V

Look It Up

pur·pose

pur·posed, pur·pos·ing.

noun

1.

the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.

(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/purpose?s=t)

The word purpose has been an important part of our class discussion this week in INQ. We discussed the purpose of a liberal arts education. We came to a conclusion that it's a better way to help students learn. Students will learn something in school and not think about it once they get home. We also discussed the purpose of innovation, investment, and initiative. Everything that we do in life has a purpose. Without purpose we would have no motivation to do things. Without motivation there would be no initiative, innovation or investment. All these things that we've been discussing in class are all coming together.

Two new words I learned this week were Reciprocity and Toulmin Argument. Reciprocity means the relation or policy in commercial dealings between countries by which corresponding advantagesor privileges are granted by each country to the citizens of the other. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/reciprocity). Toulmin argument is a helpful way to come up with ideas or to test arguments.

13I

Volleyballin'

http://www.northeast10.org/landing/index

     This Friday my friends and I went to UNH to see the Northeast 10 Conference semi finals.  It was much different to go watch a volleyball game instead of being on the court.  It made me miss being on the court during the season but the game was very fun to watch.  The UNH students were very loud and it made for a loud and exciting atmosphere in the gym.  Each game was very close so it kept the match interesting.  The UNH students also had a band that was very fun to listen to.  There were also a few girls from my volleyball team there so we got a chance to hangout.  It was really nice to see them because I haven't gotten to hangout with them in  about a week.
      I think that it is good to go watch other teams play because you can learn a lot about the game of volleyball.  The UNH team had the conference player of the year on their team so I was able to watch her play and pick up on things to make my volleyball skills better.  Both of these teams were very good so I was able to gain more volleyball knowledge by watching them play.  

12V

Look It Up

http://4vector.com/free-vector/look-it-up-clip-art-107415

Interdisciplinary Perspective: combining or involving two or more academic disciplines or fields of study/ a technique of depicting volumes and spatial relationships on a flat surface. (Dictioncary.com)

My interpretation of this word is the way our critical thinking class and inquiry class are related.  The topics in both of these classes are similar and can be easily intertwined.  Inquiry class requires a lot of critical thinking and the skills taught in inquiry are used often in inquiry class.  Interdisciplinary perspective can also be observed when a student combines two fields together to create a major.  For example, someone could combine public health and biology to create a pre-medical oriented major.

In archaeology I learned the two terms archaeozoology and archaeobotany.  Archaezoology is the study of materials that answer the question whether animals were hunted or scavenged.  Archaeobotany is the study of the prehistoric use of plants, which includes the contribution of medicinal uses, ritual uses, dietary needs, and a domestication.

12A

Think Outside The Box

"There will not be fixed careers. The liberal arts teaches you to think out side the box."(Rebecca Chopp  President Of Swathmore College) Liberal Arts is are those subjects or skills that in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free person to know in order to take an active part in civic life. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_arts_education)

Liberal Arts in an education that its a more optimistic learning process. The value of a liberal arts education is everything. You learn to try and fail but not to accept it. You learn skills that can be used in real life situations. You learn to preserver and have motivation.

A liberal arts education provides students to add quality to their character. It helps them become more well rounded. A normal education does prepare you for your job and the field that you will be working in but it doesn't prepare you for the stress. If your boss tell you to do something and you don't quite understand you're not going to tell him you quit. You have to ask a question to understand what you're doing, get help from other people, and work hard at completing the task.

A specific degree does allow you to know your field very well but getting that degree you should experience different classes. This is what Southern does. They have tiers that is required. Its like every tier has a different category to fulfill with 8 classes as a choice. It has nothing to do with your major but it's good to think outside of what you know. It's a good thing even though I'm a social work major. I love my media class. It's interesting talking a media molds our perspective on everything we see. I can always change my minor to a media study if i like it that much. Also other classes cause you to see if you really want to major in the field you chose. Being 17 or 18 and choosing what you're going to do for the rest of your life is a big decision.

Liberal arts allows you to think outside the box and think critically. It's probable the better way to educate someone.

12B
More Homework, More Problems!

http://chillicon.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/rants-of-a-frustrated-final-year-student/

"What does less homework, shorter school days, and no tests do to education?". This is a clever question that was asked in class based off our readings for the week. The question arose from a discussion about the importance of a liberal arts education.

Homework and test are an essential part of learning. If you're in a class where your teacher doesn't check your homework are you really going to do it? No you think you're just wasting your time. Yes teachers should assign homework but if they do't check they shouldn't get mad when they find out they're students don't do it. They were a student once too they should know. Although a teacher might not check the homework but they give a test every week. The only way you're going to pass is if you do the homework and the readings that were assigned. Take 2 hours out of your day to do your homework or fail the class? It's your choice.

In my generation kids see something that's difficult and won't even try to do it. They don't even bother to ask for help. A liberal arts education doesn't let kids feel as though they're failing because they're actually taught to try. They learn that failing it okay but accepting failure is something not to do.

The question that i brought up in the beginning was actually answered but they were all different. Some people agreed to shorten a school day some didn't. I personally agreed to it. My school had 8 periods so you were doing the same thing every single day. It gets tedious after awhile. You want something different. When you're in college you, you're never in the same class for two semester it always changes up. But the no homework thing is a dumb idea. Not giving students homework means they will not even think to look at what they learned during the day. It would defeat the purpose of even teaching them a concept that you want them to understand on there own.

I would love not to take another test in my life but I know that's not going to happen. Taking test is a very hard thing to do, but it's something you'll have to deal with. Students just have to learn how to have better studying habits.

12I

Before Halloween my friends and I went to support my friend Austin in his exhibition game again Uconn. He wanted us to make him a poster. Unfortunately we had forgot to make it the night before so an hour before we had to get onto the bus we rushed to make it. It came out really god. He loved it and has it hanging up on his wall. Other than the poster the game was exciting. Uconn atmosphere in their gym is incredible. They have so much school spirit. Our section cheered at team but my little group of four people were the loudest. We made it fun. It was an experience I'll never forget.

10A

http://vustudents.ning.com/forum/topics/current-papers-pattern-and-questions-mid-term-papers-spring-2012?commentId=3783342%3AComment%3A1261355

Starting the video was probably the hardest step to do. I;m honestly glad I got to learn how to work with iMovie. In the future if I ever have to make another movie I know what to and better and what changes to makes.

I successfully interviewed everyone that needed to do. But I only put 4 interviews in the video because it would've been over six minutes. The people I interviewed were all credible sources and knew what they were talking about. My teammate and my friend Austin who are both freshmen athletes stressed the fact that we have study hall to help us with our work. That whole week all I was doing was my video in study hall. I t was a lot of work but it was all with it.

Some of my videos weren't clear. I'm still trying to figure out why they were do blurry. Also Austin spoke very quietly in his video. It was really hard to hear, but you can never rely on technology to be perfect. On the positive side unlike everyone else my video only took 30 minutes to finalize and upload to youtube. It was quick and easy.

I used the advice my professor gave me and started with a good intro to catch people's attention. The pep rally that all the athletes had to attend was so fun. I was thinking that it would be boring but it was an event that I'll never forget. The video was a funny one. Comedy is something that usually catches people's attention pretty quickly.

I think I deserve at least a B+. My video was creative but the reason why I don't deserve an A is because it was posted on private which means my professor couldn't view it on time. If I could add something it would be an interview with an upper class men to share their freshmen athlete experience.

10I

A Research Paper.. What's The First Step?

http://www.customessayhelp.com/blog/research-paper/top-4-tips-how-to-write-a-research-paper/

In addition to being a student athlete, we are required to do mandatory study table time and attend workshops that are held throughout the week.  This week I attended part two of a workshop on Wednesday that provided tips about how to write a research paper.  The first step in writing a research paper is creating a plan and starting early so you are not rushed trying to finish it.  Then you can start your research and notecards.  The best way to take notecards is to put them in piles according to subject.  Once the notecards are finished, you create an outline for the paper.  Next, you can write a rough draft according to the outline you made.  After the first rough draft is written, there should be three revisions.  The first revision is reading through the paper and making sure the organization makes sense and there is enough information.  The next revision is reading through and looking for grammar and spelling errors.  The final revision is having someone else read your paper through and having them correct the errors they find.  This workshop was very helpful because I am currently working on a research paper for my archaeology class and these steps will make it much easier to complete.

9A

Think Outside Box

http://austhink.com/critical/pages/teaching.html

Think outside the box is something a teacher always told us since we were at a young age. All the time we were told to dig deeper and explore our ideas to make them better. The proper term is called critical thinking. Our generation is so lazy that everyone just looks everything up on the internet to get their answers. Even other people's critical thinking. Critical is just taking that extra step.

One way to start of an analysis of something is to just expand your ideas and make your sub points more specific. Someone who is a deep thinker or critical thinker remembers what they learned a lot easier. I think that they can break down things a lot faster so it's easier for them to comprehend.

With that said at Southern we are required to take to critical thinking courses during the first semester. Inquiry really requires us to be critical thinkers. We always have readings and take notes on them. Most people probably take basic notes for them to summarize what the reading was about so they can refresh their memories.While others ask questions to ask the teacher in class, analyze what the speaker is saying, and breaks it down. These are the real thinkers. The ones who take that extra step to excel in what they do.

Media also involves us to think critically because of the Aristotle terms that we use. You have to be a critical thinker to comprehend the proofs and persuasive terms he created to execute them the right way. Logos, ethos, and pathos sound very easy until you actually get into the details.

Critical thinking is a necessary skill to have in college. There's no way around it. With practice it gets better. But every teacher will require you to answer something with this skill at some time.