My Success Journal: September 2015

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Entry 16

1.
Getting a job
Getting promoted
Getting raises
Passing advance placement art courses
Going to college
Getting a car
Learning to drive

2.
Drawing
Painting
Organizing
Handwriting
Dancing

3.
Applied to jobs

4.
Leaving home
Asking my math professor questions

5.
1. I am signing a lease to my first apartment. I am ready to move out of my parents' house and start a life independent of them. I look around the office and realize that this is part of my new home now and I am excited. I am not going to worry about finances because I have a steady job. I smell room freshener in here as I think about all of the stuff I have packed up. I am excited for next week when I get to move in and finally put away all of my personal belongings and I get to cook in my new place.

Entry 15

1. Pass College Algebra
2.
I would move steadily toward this goal everyday if I reviewed assignments I have completed.
I would move steadily toward this goal everyday if I spent an hour practicing math problems.
I would move steadily toward this goal everyday if I worked on assignments that are due.

3. Because I know that this commitment will keep me on course to my goals, I promise myself that every day for the next 32 days I will take the following action: work on math assignments that are due.

B. If I were a teacher, I would write back to the anonymous student that missed day four: It's okay that you missed a day and don't judge yourself for it. Keeping a commitment is hard but it is for yourself. Learn from that broken promise and continue to work hard at it. You can start over on Day 1, and do even better than you did last time. Giving up after making a mistake doesn't do anything for yourself. I would say to the other student: Even though it is just a homework assignment, it has the power to greatly benefit you. You have the choice to keep up with it or not, but in the end you may find yourself with more success.

Entry 14

1. I got a notepad from Michael's that lists the days of the week horizontally, with a space for a list under each day. I write down in pen my work schedule for each day; this changes every week but once the schedule is released it does not change. I cut sticky notes to a size that fits in the list and write down each homework assignment that I have due for the week. This way, I can move them around between the days if something comes up or I feel it would be better to complete it a different day. I feel calm using this approach because I feel like I have things under control and can get things done.

2. I would benefit from keeping a monthly calendar. I started out the year using a planner where I wrote down all of my known assignments for the semester, however I don't look at it much anymore after using my weekly method. I have tried using a smart phone in the past, but I just really prefer handwriting down my lists and things I have to do. I feel like it helps keep me on track more and it seems more realistic and hands-on. I also like the idea of a next-actions list because I could use that instead of the monthly calendar to keep up with bigger assignments that are due later.

Entry 13

Worked on math homework
Went to Ikea
Took the Chapter 3 test
Took the Jung Typology test
Went to Spanish class
Organized my room
Donated to Goodwill
Did some Speech homework
Played Candy Crush
Took a nap
Watched The Office
Put together something from Ikea
Went to work
Cleaned my room
Went to Starbucks

2.
Important/Urgent: Quadrant 1 -
Important/Not Urgent: Quadrant 2 -
Not Important/Urgent: Quadrant 3 -
Not Important/Not Urgent: Quadrant 4 -

3.
Important/Urgent: Quadrant 1 - Worked on math homework (2 hours), went to work (25 hours), went to Spanish class (2 and a half hours)
Important/Not Urgent: Quadrant 2 - Took the Chapter 4 test (1 hour), Took the Jung Typology test (1 hour), Did speech homework (2 hours), cleaned my room (3 hours), organized my room (1 hour), Put together something from Ikea (2 hours), donated to Goodwill (20 minutes)
Not Important/Urgent: Quadrant 3 - Took a nap (6 hours)
Not Important/Not Urgent: Quadrant 4 - Watched The Office (1 hour), Went to Ikea (3 hours), Went to Starbucks (2 hours), Played candy crush (1 hour)

4. I discovered that I should be a bit more proud of myself that I don't have a crazy amount of things in Quadrant 4. I spend the most time in Quadrant 1 and 2. I spend a lot of time doing certain tasks that are very necessary in my life. I could reach my goals but if I try to manage my time even more it'll probably work out even better. If I am lazy or don't feel like doing homework, that definitely keeps me from doing purposeful actions. I feel good about my discoveries. I think I can make better use of my time by analyzing it. I want to do more of my homework earlier in the week. It gets tough when I have roughly ten assignments a week, trying to balance it between work and classes. Hopefully I can plan my week out with school work where I don't get too overwhelmed.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Concept Map

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Entry 12

1. I am going to graduate with my Bachelorś degree in Digital Media in May of 2018.

2. Diligent, kind, motivated, happy, free, laid-back, determined, courageous

3. Determined, courageous, kind

4. I am a determined, courageous, kind woman.

I am a determined, courageous, kind woman creating my dreams.

I am a determined, courageous, kind woman, and I love life.

5. I am a determined, courageous, kind woman, and I love life.

6. The first quality in my affirmation is determined. I remember being determined when I wanted to save up and buy my iMac. I had to wait a long time in order to do it, and that is when I got my first job. Eventually I saved up the huge sum of money and I purchased it online. When it came in the mail I felt accomplished of achieving that long-term goal of buying something that will help my career in the future.

The second quality is courageous. When I knew I had to get a job I felt courageous. I was very very shy growing up and the prospect of turning in an application and going on interviews deeply haunted me and gave me a lot of anxiety. Despite those fears and feelings I was able to be courageous and I wound up getting a job that I still have today. My life would be very different had I not shown courage to myself.

The third quality is kind. I show kindness to my friends when they are in need, and even when they are not in need. I do not show kindness as often as I would like, but surprising them with smoothies or Starbucks makes their day a little brighter and it helps me realize caring about others before yourself is important.

Entry 11

1. I have just gotten my diploma in the mail of my Bachelorś degree in Digital Media. I am on my way to my internship which I will complete over the summer and have a job already lined up in the fall. I am adding my achievement to my online portfolio which has gained many web sites over the last couple of years that I added to my portfolio. I am very excited and motivated to design more and learn more of my trade. I am in an apartment that is nicely-decorated and I am using my iMac computer that I bought a few years ago that I still love. Some of my friends and classmates have had me design web sites for them and their prospective jobs. I have made my parents proud and can pay them back any money that they have lent me. In my apartment I have candles that smell like vanilla throughout. I cook healthy meals a lot and keep an organized life that goes hand-in-hand with my new web design career. I am deeply happy at getting to enjoy and experience this goal that I have had.

Entry 10

My Life Plan

My dream: Become a Web designer

My life role: Student

My long-term goals in this role: Graduate with my AA by May 2016, transfer to UCF in August 2016, graduate with a Bachelorś in Digital Media by May 2018

My short-term goals in this role: Pass College Algebra with at least a C by December 2015, apply organization and thinking skills from Success Strategies by December 2015, learn something new in Spanish by December 2015, get rid of nerves with Speech by December 2015

2. I have learned how very important it is for me to succeed in this math class. If I do not I will have to repeat it for a third time next semester. This class is the only class I have taken that I have had major trouble in, and one of the only few classes I am going to need for my degree in the future. This is one most important goal in my life right now. I have asked for less hours at work in order to study more math even though my scores are not showing that right now. Hopefully soon they will get higher.

Entry 9

1.

Desired Outcome: Pass my College Algebra class. Value: I will be able to transfer to UCF and not have to take College Algebra ever again, and be able to start my Digital Media degree.
Desired Outcome: Apply ways of thinking that I learn from my Success Strategies class. Value: I will be more organized and positive about life and success.
Desired Outcome: Let go of nerves in my speech class. Value: If I can get through my speech class which I have been dreading to take for years, other things that I dread will become less of a big deal.

2.
Desired Exprience: Have fun with friends. Value: If I enjoy time with friends I will build a better network of people and hopefully succeed more, along with remembering a social life outside of school.
Desired Exprience: Community Value: If I get more involved and use the resources the school has to offer I will be able to better equip myself at my future college and make the most of things.
Desired Exprience: Academic enjoyment Value: I want to be able to enjoy learning and realize that learning is very important in life and continue it throughout my years.

3. 9 x 7 = 63. If I take classes that better suit myself my score can be higher and I will be able to keep myself at a higher motivation.

Popson's Dilemma

Professor Harvey: I think Professor Harvey gave the best advice. I feel it is very true that you can't motivate someone else and that they have to be motivated from themselves. Teachers can help students as much as they can but there is never a guarantee anything will actually work. When they truly want something they will go for it. Everyone has different things that motivate them.

Professor Assante: I don't think this professor gave very great advice. It's hard for me to see how some of my courses are going to help me build my career in the future. Any math teacher could go on and on about why math is important, but very few students will ever start to think that way or believe what that teacher is saying.

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Entry 8

1. I got a 30% on my math quiz last week.

2. IC: You got such a low score because you don't understand math concepts.
IG: I got a really low score, but now I know I need to study harder.

IC: You failed because you procrastinated on the homework.
IG: Next time I will start my homework earlier in the week and take more time on it.

3. ID: You failed because you can't understand the math teacher's accent.
IG: The teacher's accent is strong, so I'm going to take time and try to teach myself math.

ID: You failed because the class only meets once a week.
IG: Since this class only meets once a week, I'm going to make a set schedule where I work on math myself every week.

ID: You failed because math is too hard.
IG: Even though math is hard, I need this credit to get my Bachelor's. So I'm going to get help in order to learn and pass.

4. I've learned changing my inner conversation can help me identify certain problems in my life and figure out what I can do that turns a negative situation into a positive one.

Entry 7

1)

1. What's my present situation? I don't enjoy living at home anymore and think I will more succeed if I live elsewhere.

2. How would I like my situation to be? I would like to live either by myself or with my friend in a reasonable area near my job.

3. What are my possible choices? I can move with two other people farther from my work, or find a place near my job but maybe costs more money. I could also just stay here and try to deal with it.

4. What's the likely outcome of each possible choice? I would have to do a lot of driving, or spend a little more by living nearer my job. If I stay here I would maybe not do as well in other areas of my life.

5. What choices will I commit to doing? I will find a place near my job.

6. When and how will I evaluate my plan? By the end of October hopefully I will have this all figured out.

2) By doing the Wise Choice Process, I learned that I have the ability to fix what I find negative in life. Evaluating and analyzing what is wrong helps to figure out the steps I need to complete in order to fix a difficult situation.

Entry 6

1. Victim: If they do something about the parking on campus, I wouldn't be late so often.

1. Creator: If I left earlier, I would be able to find a spot to park on campus.

2. I'm failing my online class because the site is impossible to navigate.

2. If I watch the orientation videos for Canvas and ask my teacher when I have questions, I'll be able to navigate the site.

3. I'm too shy to ask questions in class even when I'm confused.

3. If I wait until my teacher's advising hours I can ask my questions without the class being there.

4. She's a lousy instructor. That's why I failed the first test.

4. If I go to tutoring I could maybe find help from someone that I'll understand better.

5. I hate group projects because people are lazy and I always end up doing all the work.

5. If I ask my teacher maybe she can put me in a group with people that are more likely to contribute.

6. I wish I could write better, but I can't.

6. If I practice writing I will probably get better.

7. My friend got me so angry I can't even study for the exam.

7. My friend got me angry, but I'm going to take that energy and try to focus on studying.

8. I'll try to do my best this semester.

8. I'm going to implement the necessary behaviors so that I will maximize my chances of succeeding.

9. The financial aid form is too complicated to fill out.

9. The financial aid form is complicated, so I'm going to ask my mom to see if she can help me.

10. I work nights so I didn't have time to complete this assignment.

10. I work nights, so I'm going to do my assignments during the day time.

3. In some situations it is my habit to speak as a Victim, and in others as a Creator. I blame myself a lot and am ashamed when I don't do well in my classes because I know I procrastinate a lot, ever since middle school. I want to take these skills I'm learning and incorporate them in my language and realize by changing my behaviors I can turn negative situations into positive ones.

Entry 5

1. If I take personal responsibility for my education, I will set aside a large amount of time to make sure I understand and know the math concepts.
2. If I take personal responsibility for my career, I will make sure I am up-to-date and learning new things with web design.
3. If I take personal responsibility for my relationships, I will focus more on being selfless and being a good friend.
4. If I take personal responsibility for my health, I will eat less junk food and try to exercise more.
5. If I take personal responsibility for all that happens to me, I will go about life a lot less stressed.

2. B. Last semester I had to drop two of my classes because I wasn't doing well. I took personal responsibility for it and realized what I had done to not do well in those classes. The effect was I'm a lot more focused and organized this semester. I am having to repeat my math class and I'm trying a lot harder than I did last semester.