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My Final Reflection

As I begin my college journey fresh out of high school not knowing what lies

ahead in my future. I have gained a lot of knowledge through my first fall semester at

Oxnard College. And along the way I have picked up some habits that have made me

more successful throughout the semester…

Even though the semester was tough at the beginning being that I just graduated

highschool and jumped to a place full of new random things and people. I feel as though I

was very persistent. Although there were multiple times I wanted to just drop a class or

just rot in my bed and just give up. But I still had fought through getting all the

assignments that I had missed turned in. And just kept trying to motivate myself that in

the end it would be all worth the stress and hard work. So I eventually got back on track

with my classes and felt so relieved and also realized that if I try hard enough I can get

through any problem I get into.

Another effective habit I have used and was helpful was the managing impulsivity

habit. When I had started college I was kind of just slacking off not thinking that many

professors start their courses immediately and not take their time in the beginning of the

class. But I had gotten behind and was so stressed and wanted to give up once again. But

my brother always told me and helped me feel more relaxed and have a clear mind to

organize all the work that was missing and get it done. And I was able to get the work all

finished and out of the way, making me realize that If I plan more ahead of time and

work on it immediately and not just wait until the last minute and stress about it.

A method I had also used during the semester was applying past knowledge to

problems or situations I have dealt with. For example in my communications class isa
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class where we are set to create scripts to give a speech to the rest of the class. And I had

always struggled with talking to people, especially in front of a class. So my first speech

was so embarrassing I would stutter and misread word due to the fact that I was so

nervous but after I was able to convince myself that It was not so bad and that everyone

else wasn't even paying attention to me and that they were all worried about their own

speech they needed to give. So the rest of the speeches I've done and performed were way

better and clearer and I had gained more confidence.

Being a person of adventures and exploring and trying new things is what I live

for in life so I would say I used the taking responsible risks habit to be successful. And

being open minded really helped me enjoy many things I would not have thought were

possible to be enjoyable. For example I never expected myself to be able to finish up

essays that were 2 pages long or even longer. But When I took English 101 it helped me

better understand the basics of essay writing and I got the hang of it and actually was able

to finish a whole research paper all by myself.

Whenever I would struggle with an assignment rather than being in english or any

of my classes in general. The habit of thinking interdependently was a habit that just let

me understand the assignments better. Especially when the professor would go over

examples or review a classmate's work, it gave me a better idea on what I should do on

my own. As well as when we were told to get with someone in class and review each

other's work we are able to give each other feedback on the work making my work more

efficient and gives it more perspective.

I've always considered myself a very open minded person and especially when

being open to learning new things. And I am a decent honest person but I can admit when
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I am wrong or when I have done wrong in a situation. For example when I first began

college I was not doing the best and could admit that I was not putting in as much effort I

should have been. But now I have bettered and fixed some sort of schedule to get my

work done when I am able to.

Now that we have covered habits I used to be successful during the semester there

are three habits I chose that I can work more on. For example, thinking flexibly could

have made me more successful because it could have allowed me to be more efficient for

my classmates and peer reviews. Or even when storytelling it would have made my

stories way more interesting that it was already made to be.

Another habit that I could work on more is questioning and problem posing would

have made my work more interesting or even look more professional because there

would have been more information for the readers especially in my research paper. As

well as finding problems I am facing and solving them because I feel as though I lack

problem solving skills.

My last habit that I can work on is responding with wonderment and awe because

who does not like thinking positively. I feel when it comes to school I feel stressed just

thinking of the work but I never think about the possibilities and where it will lead me.

And that I need to look at school in a bigger picture because this place is what will take

me and guide me to my future and just possibly thinking like that will please me.

I have considered taking another English class and in fact have already selected a

course. But overall as the semester ends and all the greater knowledge I have gained

throughout my courses at Oxnard college I am curious and ready for what lays ahead in

life…