"I came to college having gotten through high school with good grades, but I really wasn’t taught how to write or think critically. I got a lousy grade on my first college English paper, but the professor was kind enough to sit down with me and show me where I’d gone wrong. It was a long meeting, but my next paper was a little better, and the next a little better, and at some point I realized, “Hey, I can write!” Now I’m proud to say that my law school acceptance letter included a personal note from the admissions officer saying how impressed he was with my application essay."
-Dena,
Editor, Legal Publishing
The best thing you can ever do for yourself is, never give up. If you want to learn something bad enough or do something, just do it. Our world we live in would not be around, if the great inventors just gave up every time something failed. Einstein failed hundreds of time, but kept trying. Never let others put you down and make you feel less than them. If I am sitting in a classroom, I am there because I want to learn, not to waste space. I respect all the students in the classroom for the same reason. Many times I have been frustrated with my writing, and others have pointed out my mistakes, but you can’t fix something if you don’t know what’s wrong. I have learned not to get offended when I get my papers back. I take them seriously. I know those are the items I need to correct, that I didn’t see. Stay on course and keep trying, you will be a better person for it. April C.
ReplyDeleteNice post. In high school I couldn't wait to get out of there. I would always sleep and sit in the back corner. Now that I'm in college I try to sit up front and stay awake and pay attention during class.
DeleteApril,
DeleteThis is a fantastic post. It can be hard to get feedback sometimes, when it isn't what you had hoped for or wanted. But, you're right. Life is all about growth. Even your teachers get comments on our writing and our teaching ability regularly. We can use that information to help us become better.
I agree giving up should never be an option. The only way to succeed is to keep improving on your mistakes.
DeleteI couldn't agree more with you April. There will be obstacles at every corner, but you have to find a way to get around it, and keep trying.
Delete-Hareer Amiri
You said it perfectly!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say quittin school is even an option. You know how "some" people say schools for fools. Well you know them people aint gonna get no where fast. But damn just think," why do people keep it pushin then right?" schools all about frustration. Seriously, like during that essay earlier today. But oh well like I said gotta keep it pushing through the doubts and negativities, how else are we suppose to get where we need to be right?-----PatB.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a funny topic. So I had to comment :)
people say, " schools for fools" c'mon don't you think that's ironic? Haha #PatB.
ReplyDeleteThe best professor's I ever had, were the ones that showed their the human side of teaching and gave the extra attention. We are all students in the game of life. If nobody shows us how to do something correctly, we just drift through life never knowing how to correct our errors. All it takes is someone just teaching us. That is why its important to not get fustrated. April C.
ReplyDeleteI agree, well said.
Delete@April C.
I agree too! I have a few teachers that I remember for that exact reason. That is what I strive to be you all.
Deletei was reading some of these old posts and i caught this one. i agree with it too cuz some of the other teachers, excuse me for saying, but some of their methods are lame. on the other hand, there are a hand full of professors that actually help and enthusiastically connect with the students on campus. i mean if you dont like your teacher you'd probably have a tough time with understanding or even participating in class right?
DeleteThat's exactly how I felt in School. I was taught to do the bare minimum just to get by. High School is suppose to "teach" you to get ready for college, but it really doesn't. Last semester my professor really helped me adjust to college so I know where people are coming from in this situation.
ReplyDeleteDesalle J.
I'm sorry to hear that you didn't feel prepared for college. But, I'm glad that your professor last semester helped you out.
DeleteI agree with all these posts. You can never give up. No matter what comes someones way good or bad, we just need to learn and keep moving forward.
ReplyDeleteI have never had the idea of quitting school.Yeah i get tired and frustrated in school but i have to do what i gotta do. Getting an education will make me have a great paying job in the future. And thats exactly what i want.
ReplyDeleteZully V
Yes, I sometimes get that feeling and attitude. Sometimes I self teach myself like programing languages, and math but somethings can't be self taught easily like English and other things.
DeleteMichael S.
i agree with zully. coming with a positive attitude and getting over with what you have to finish makes you always a better person.
DeleteIt shows motivation and encouragement to continue school. Students must practice writing to improve their grammar, and transition skills. Analytical thinking will improve our brain's abstract, and memory thinking.
ReplyDeleteLisandro
You're right - it requires A LOT of motivation and commitment.
DeletePeople say they'll quit school, but would they really want to risk that opportunity they're experiencing. Going to school is a plus, your going to get more education and it'll benefit you later on in life once you reach your goals. I just like how she didn't give up at all and she kept at it. You'll face tons of obstacles in your life but you have to find a way to overcome those and go extra and beyond to accomplish what you need to get done. Cyrus I
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more, Cyrus. You have a very good point. School is a plus and will benefit you in life.
DeleteExcellent point, Cyrus. You're absolutely right that there will be obstacles that come before every accomplishment. You get to the gold by pushing those and hanging on, even when it's tough.
DeleteI don't feel that way yet, but sometimes if its more than I can handle I just get out. Even though I dropped out of the class I still learned something in class. I can recall I only dropped out on two classes. In high school I dropped out in photography because I didn't what to buy or rent a film camera. This year I dropped out in English 48 because it's a very demanding class. I felt like I should stay but my parents decided its over my head due to my English disables.
ReplyDeleteMichael S.
I can definitely relate to Dena. Every semester of college, I come in with a brand new attitude of school and how excited I am to get the semester going. This year, is a new attitude of mine. I believe it's a part of growing up as well. There were days when I wanted to stop going to class not realizing how hard it will hit me in the long run. So i've kept the mentality that I pay for school and education will always be important no matter what age you are.
ReplyDeleteI've always felt like giving up..Especially when it came down to my first year of College and half way into this class I can definately say I've gained a lot of knowledge about writing I have learned more here than back in highschool and I feel like I am improving a lot(:
ReplyDeleteJasmine J
It is funny how I should say I should quit school and just work for rest of my life. You know after 25 years being absent from college... I am sure glad to be back in college and seeing what I am doing wrong and hoping this will change my perspective in writing and reading in English. I dont realized till now since the school started. I have noticed myself taking the time actually to read and write in outline or some kind of letters and seeing the mistakes I have made compare to today. I dont think I want to quit college ever. It is amazing what college can do for you.
ReplyDeleteErica
DeleteGreat post, Erica! I'm glad that what you're learning in our class can apply to other areas of your life.
Deleteyou remind me of my mom. a very hard worker woman that never gives um.my mom went back to school for her finish her education and she's very happy. "ITS NEVER TOO LATE TO BE BACK IN SCHOOL!"
DeleteI agree with all of these posts. From my personal experience if you come into school with a good attitude and excited you are going to do well. However, if you start the semester off on a bad note you are probably not going to do great. It's always important to give it your all because if you hold back you never know how far you could have gone if you didn't hold back.
ReplyDeleteI used to be like that senior year in high school. Everyone had
ReplyDelete4-5 classes,early release, and/or late start and I was one of the seniors who had 6 classes. I wanted to be able to have fun senior year, I wanted to slack off. At some point, it had hit me and I wanted to drop all my classes, and I didn't want to go to college. But I came to realize that some people in this world can't go to college, because they cannot afford it, or it's just not for them. I felt like I was taking everything for granted, when I should be thankful for what I already have. So I gave this another chance, and went through my senior year and graduated. I couldn't have been more thankful and thrilled that I'm finally in college and get to expierence another whole world. Sure, you'll feel exhausted, overwhelmed, stressed, but that just means you're doing everything exactly how you're supposed to do. You just have to keep your head up high.
-Hareer Amiri
ive alwasy felt like giving up but i alwasy calm mylsef down and start thinking about my future and i need school for a good future
ReplyDeleteWish i would of listed to my mother about getting an education earlier. Im almost thirty and haven't been in school in 2005. Feels like im too too behind but cant give up now.
ReplyDeleteI have gave up college once before I ever joined the army but I was a little punk kid and thought I knew everything. Now that I am back in school I find it alot easier to get things accoplisched Becaues it what I really want.
ReplyDelete-Nicholas Coulter-
coming from another country, i don't think i ever felt like that. there where many times teachers would come and help me. I did have problems at the beginning on how to write but i always improved my skills by the years pass.
ReplyDeleteEvery day this semester I felt overwhelmed in all my classes. I didn't think it was going to be so difficult. Although I didn't count on some stressful things that happened to me at the beginning and middle of the semester. I don't want to quit but I just feel so lost.
ReplyDeleteMelody
Yeah espically in High school. I eventually woke up and realized when I was so many credits behind over the years. One regret I have was not taking it serious. Now that Im in college, i give my all to try and suceed in my classes.
ReplyDeleteDesalle J.
Quitting school hasn't really been an option for me because of my parents enforcing it. But I have had many thoughts about doing it. What drives me everyday is my determination to finish and know in the end I will have a good job and be well off.
ReplyDeleteJosh