14A – Halfway Reflection

1) Tenaciousness is a competency. What are the behaviors that you have used (or developed) to keep up with the requirements of this course? 

One significant behavior that I have used to keep up with the requirements for this course is serious time management. Last semester, I used a planner only listing the due dates of all my assignments but now I have it updated to where I plan out each day and time I do an assignment so I can evenly space out each day I can do the assignments for this class as well as my other classes. It can be overwhelming to stay on top of all the assignments but they're not too hard of assignments to accomplish. Another behavior I have used for this course is paying close attention to the lectures. This class is different from others I've taken where it seems like any tiny piece of info from the lecture or something small that was rarely discussed will end up being a cupcake question but paying close attention to all that was discussed in the lectures has helped me prepare for them.

2) Tenaciousness is also about attitude. Talk about a moment or two when you felt like "giving up." What pulled you through? Do you feel like you've developed a tenacious attitude during the past two months? What experience or experiences most contributed to this?

There was never really a point in this class where I felt like "giving up". The biggest challenge for me was the first Elevator Pitch. Since I live on-campus, it was difficult for me to find a good spot to record without any distracting noise or with good lighting. I also overestimated how good I thought I would do. My initial thought was because I did good in my Public Speaking class, I wouldn't have a problem with this but I went through about more than 30 different takes of recordings because I would either forget my lines or laugh at the camera. What pulled me through was knowing that practice makes perfect and to not quit on this assignment. After multiple retakes, I eventually got my Elevator Pitch right without any major mistakes. Taking small mental breaks in-between assignments has also helped me in getting through other assignments for this course.

3) Three tips. What are three tips you would offer next semester's student about (1) fostering the skills that support tenacity and (2) developing the 'tenacious mindset' ?

Three tips I would offer to a student for next semester would be 

1. Work ahead if you can and don't wait until around the deadline to submit an assignment because you will overload yourself.

2. Take a small 20-30 minute break in-between major assignments you're working on (about every 50-60 minutes). College is important but your mental health shouldn't be compromised as a result. It's ok to take short breaks every once in a while.

3. Always motivate yourself to power through to achieve your goals, whether it be an academic goal or some other personal goal you have.