I sat here for a while deliberating on whether I wanted to write myself a cover letter or a reflective post, and I decided that I was going to do a combination of both. I am guessing that if I really had the choice on who to write to, it would be past me. I'm not saying past me as in years ago, but to past me at the beginning of the semester. I think that version of me really needs to hear what this me has learned over the past 16 or so weeks. Throughout this course, I have been exposed to a whole new way of writing and expressing myself. One of the learning outcomes that most deeply impacted me was the "Critical Thinking, Reading, and Composing" component because before I started this class, critical thinking and then putting a lot of my thoughts into words really scared me. I wasn't super confident in the writing I would put out, and a lot of the time I tended to just stick to what my professors wanted to see and hear. This class has taught me that my voice and my language is what I make of it, and if I take the time to analyze and think about passages or videos I am reading, I can successfully formulate a response to them in my own words. I was able to learn that rhetoric is absolutely everywhere, and within rhetoric I can find credibility of authors and works within it. My struggles with interpreting a text became easier and easier as the weeks went on and when I look at my writing now, I can see a clear difference. I really wish the past me knew that confidence goes a long way in writing, especially when it comes to gaining my own form of rhetorical knowledge. Without rhetorical knowledge, writing in the correct tone and language for an assignment would be lost. I can't stress enough to past me that this class was not to hurt me, but to challenge me healthily and better my writing. Learning about Rhetoric is not a punishment. It is not a "Gen-Ed". Rhetoric is everywhere in life; and without understanding it, I would have missed out on a valuable piece to my education.
These pictures are of me before the semester (pictured on left) and after (pictured on right). Don't think that I look somber in the second photo, I am only someone who appreciates rhetoric for what it is.
To view my documentary project, click the link below:
To end the semester off on a good note, I leave you with one of my favorite songs: Linger, by the Cranberries
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G6Kspj3OO0s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I am so beyond freaked out that the end of semester is TWO WEEKS AWAY BEFORE BEING COMPLETELY DONE. I don't know how to organize myself or prepare for the impending doom that is coming for me. This semester has been extremely challenging for me and this whole week I was really sick. We are talking the sick you can't get out of bed sick. I didn't go to any classes Wednesday, and only got out of bed Thursday for Theta's service bake sale. I planned on going to classes on Friday but I woke up with a fever. Literally how am I going to survive this semester if I cannot make it to my final classes before we have the actual final? This is going to be on heck of a super study if you ask me. I am almost at the end of my rope!
My sorority, Theta Kappa Pi, did so much over the last few weeks in Service. Being the Vice-President and Service chair for our organization means that I couldn't help but be so proud of my sisters when we all took the time to decorate a tree at Brookfield Zoo on November 19th. It has become a tradition over the last few years that the service chair uses some of Theta's money as a donation for the zoo's annual Trim-a-Tree event. Basically the zoo plants a Christmas tree for you to decorate as recognition for the donation. Even though we would have donated the money even if the tree wasn't provided, my sisters and I enjoy making it pretty. This year was a combination of paper ornaments that we made and plastic globe ornaments that each sister customized. I wish we had put more on, but it was still a load of fun! We got to spend the rest of the day in the zoo and hang out. On a side note, Theta also spent the month of November running a donation drive for our main philanthropy services, Guardian Angel. Guardian Angel is a service shelter for women who are in or coming out of abusive relationships and need help. For the donation drive, Theta collected tons of hygiene products and cleaning supplies for the ladies to use. We boxed everything up and dropped it off! It was so successful and I am beyond happy that my sisters have such caring souls.
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year, and this one actually disappointed me. Even though I got to spend the holiday with my boyfriend and his family, I was still a little down. I think it is because my stress level has been on a clear 100 and I just can't help but think about everything I have to get done. While eating the really yummy food, I somehow kept finding my mind focusing on the end of the semester and everything I need to accomplish before finals week. While watching football, I kept thinking about how my next semester is going to be extremely busy. While shopping later that night, I kept thinking about how much I am going to need to work just to make ends meet. I don't know, maybe I just have horrible anxiety. OR maybe I just need to realize that this is a part of the college experience. Even though it sucks, I is what it is and I just need to toughen up. I guess I can look on the bright side and realize that soon Christmas will be here and I will be ready for the joy and cheer then.
