As the penultimate month before this year’s dramatic conclusion, November has been full of learning experiences and life-cherishing moments that will forever impact my existence on this planet. The lessons I’ve learned from Warren College’s mantra of maintaining a “life in balance” have led me one step closer to obtaining self-actualization.
Without much further adieu, here’s the activities I participated in for the month of November:
As the semester system progresses, the workload dramatically increases from week to week, culminating in a few projects and reports due in the following as well as the upcoming weeks. Whereas the start of the semester and in the months of October and September I could finish all the workload for the week in roughly 3 hours, it now takes careful planning and time management to be able to successfully ace all of my courses. Here’s a brief summary of each course activity:
EDSC310: For our group presentation, we decided to go over the top and have a class debate instead of just a simple powerpoint presentation. My wonderful group members Jason, Mark, Carlos, & Lizzie all contributed to making the debate both engaging and successful for the class as a whole.
EDSC320: Not much going on this class, other than the fact my teacher wrote on one of my papers “Please run for President!”. I have a book report and presentation due next week, namely in how my book applies to adolescence (I chose the Hunger Games).
EDSC330: In content area literacy, I’ve learned a variety of skills to use to ensure literacy is promoted within the future history classes in which I teach. I have a sample lesson plan due next week that I better get working on. I plan to make it about exposing media bias within the United States and exposing my students to alternative point of views.
EDSC340: By far the busiest class I am in. Not only do I have a paper due next Monday, I have a disability presentation I have to work on the following week, as well as a documentary due the following week (in which me, Mary, and Jackson will examine the myth of the model minority conducted in interviews as well as representations in the media). Though I disagree with much of the material of the class, I still agree that changes need to be made within the educational system as whole to be more inclusive of minorities. It really appealed to me quite a bit when Professor Henning referenced Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and how important it is for each student to fulfill their most basic of needs to get all the way to the top. I hope to eventually reach the top of that pyramid at some stage in my life.
At the same time, maintaining a healthy balance of school and work is essential to not only ensure my financial obligations are in order, but so I can see a straight path to success. My job at the Loara High School for the Anaheim YMCA is not only easy, but it is also self-gratifying. At the same time, I see a potential gateway to a brighter future, in that I might (*fingers crossed) be teaching CAHSEE English Prep after school by the request of the school’s principal. If I can prove myself to be a sufficient educator, the chances for a potential job is dramatically heightened.
But work and school aside – the fun has been never-ending, not only with the new friends I’ve made in Circle K, but also the pre-established relationships I’ve made in high school and at UCSD. Notable events from this month include Circle K’s Fall Training Conference, Masquerade Ball, Black Friday Shopping, and Visiting San Diego twice in one month. This month has been busier than most, due to the ever needed desire to effectively balance school, work, and play. At the same time I spent the first three weekends not even in the vicinity of Orange County (going to Sonora for FTC, S.D. for Masquerade Ball, and S.D. again to visit my friends). With a week of Thanksgiving break bundled in the middle of the month I was able to increasingly bond for my CSUF friends from Circle K while at the same time continue my community service endeavors In fact, I would encounter two of my students from Loara High school while volunteering for the “We Give Thanks” events. It was slightly awkward to see them in an alternative setting, but made the event slightly more memorable. Here are my top 10 friends for the month of November.
11 months day. 1 left in the year. Though 2012 started off terribly, it will more than likely end on a high note.
