Reading
- Other than my summer reading books, this summer I read The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry. I read that book frequently since it is my favorite.
- I have read several magazines this summer including Vogue, Teen Vogue, Cosmo, Seventeen, etc. which all include several articles on different topics. I have also read several website articles and descriptions of many of the colleges that I plan on applying to.
- When I got my job working at American Apparel, I had to read the sales and workers manual for the store as well as the store’s retail contract that was a couple hundred pages.
- Before I read any book I always have to read the short summary that is located either on the back or front flap of the book. When I’m reading a book it has to be completely silent and I have to be completely immersed in what I’m reading or else I wont be able to concentrate on the text. Once I finish reading I tend to review my favorite sections of the story.
Writing
In general I feel that I am a strong writer. I pose strong and supported arguments throughout my essays and papers. What I usually have the biggest problem with is organizing the structure of my essays because sometimes they can feel jumbled with thoughts when I don’t mean to execute my ideas in that way at all.
Thinking Evaluate yourself on the following “Habits of Mind” (on a scale of 1-10):
Broad Intellectual Practices
__8_Exhibit curiosity
__8_Experiment with new ideas
__8_See other points of view
__6_Challenge one’s own beliefs
__7_Engage in intellectual discussions
__5_Ask provocative questions
__6_Generate hypotheses
__9_Exhibit respect for other viewpoints
__8_Read with awareness of self and others
Classroom Behaviors
__7_Ask questions
__8_Be attentive in class
__9_Come to class prepared
__9_Complete assignments on time
__8_Contribute to class discussions
__10_Attend class regularly and on time
Additional College Expectations
__10_Respect facts and information in situations where feelings and intuitions often prevail
__8_Be aware that the rhetoric of argumentation and interrogation relate to varied academic disciplines, purposes, and audiences
__9_Embrace the value of research to explore new ideas through reading and writing
__9_Develop a capacity to work hard and to expect high standards
__10_Show initiative and develop ownership of one’s education
Reflect
One of my own weaknesses is being able to challenge one of my own beliefs. I have trouble doing this because I am usually so caught up in defending my thoughts and arguing against the other point that I normally don’t take the time to consider going against what I believe in.
One of my strengths is showing initiative and developing ownership of my education because I grew up in a household where if I wanted something I had to work for it. The same goes for my education, if I wasn’t to succeed in school and get into a college that I want, I know that I have to work hard for the rewards that I expect myself to see.
