A Reflection

Dear Reader,

As a recent high school graduate and a first year, first semester, student at Everett Community College, I have to admit it has been a rough few months. Transitioning from an adolescent to an adult can be quite a shock. You no longer have people there forcing you to do or become anything; you are on your own. Here I am, embarking on unfamiliar territory. I am attending college, something that is not usual norm of my family. I come from a loving family who works hard everyday simply to make ends meet. My parents give so much to their children that they frequently forget to make time for themselves. There have been many obstacles that we have had to overcome throughout the years, but we have always gotten through it. I feel that my parents have helped me become the strong minded and loving individual that I am today. They have taught me that it’s not about how much money you make in this world, for that will always come and go; it’s about the touching people’s lives and making an impression that will last a lifetime. So here I am today, pursuing my dream. I plan to become a registered nurse at Everett Community College and work at a hospital. I have had so much love and care in my life, that I feel that it is my privilege to be able to give back to my community. I think that the purpose of my life is to help others, which will further help me become a better individual. This journey of my life and career has just begun. It will take a lot of dedication and work to help me get thorough, but with faith and family, what more could a person ask for? This quarter has been quite a rough road adapting to the changes. This class, English 101D, in particular has been a struggle. Reflecting on all the time and effort that was put into it, I am in awe.

At the beginning of the semester I had no idea what I was getting myself into. English 101 D was initially intended to be something that I went through simply because it was required. I was surprised to find that this class was not how I intended. We had discussions, timed papers, movies and papers to finish in just a few months! I never expected to become so involved with my classmates; being behind a computer screen, I assumed interaction would have been minimal. I hadn’t expected to learn so much either. I truly opened up to my teachers and classmates. I posted my ideas and findings, unsure if they would be acceptable. As a recent graduate from high school I had the impression that I knew enough about diversity and cultural differences, however I was wrong. There is so much to consider when analyzing cultures and their particular aspects such as their identities, communities and traditions.

The semester began with chapter one, which was learning to understand identities. We began to discover that the assumptions that are associated with our identities could prove to be both true and false. For me this was frustrating. To go into a class where there was truly no right or wrong answer to a question, where everything depended on perspectives, was difficult to understand and grasp. Throughout high school you are taught a certain way to think and act; however, this class encouraged thinking that was unorthodox in comparison to other ways I had been taught. The discussion boards helped me develop an understanding for the basis for the class itself. It allowed me to ask questions and challenge my ideas and the thoughts of others to further my understanding. In chapter one it challenges you to look inside yourself and find out who you really are and what the world perceives you to be. We read articles that discussed how we as humans try to find our identities in others or by what we have. One article in particular was memorable in that it described a girl who was ill and how when she hid behind her mask she felt free. Because none could see to judge her she could finally be herself. In the article the girl, Lucy, stated, “…I began to realize why I felt so good. No one could see me clearly. No one could see my face.” This girl and many others struggle to find themselves, but it seems as though you are given your identity from others because we are too quick to judge. Identity does not seem to lie within, but within the opinions of others and how you are perceived. In Chapter two we discussed communities and how we all are connected to a community in some way or another. It was amazing to see that groups that I wouldn’t have distinguished as being a “community” fit the criteria. There was the author David Brooks that challenged the purposes of communities saying, “Millions leap out into the void, to communities that don’t exist, to places where everything is new.” The author argues with the cultural assumptions that communities provide us with stability. He brought us to see that it is quite possible that the purpose of communities is to give you a false sense of stability. Chapter three was about traditions and how they are supposedly long standing practices, an authentic version of the past and they promote unity. This chapter was difficult because you were given examples of what happens when tradition is maintained and when it fails. It seems as though change is always for the better, but in American tradition, some of the aspects changing seem to be causing separation; thus, causing one to wonder if things in our lives are meant to be maintained a certain way or if change is acceptable, but only during certain circumstances?

We watched two movies throughout the duration of the class and I found those where the most difficult assignments. I analyzed the movie well; the discussion boards assisted a great deal, but the timed writes that they were associated with weren’t really my area of success. No matter what I did I couldn’t write an entire paper in one hour. I feel that I did grow as a writer, in that I learned to brainstorm and form ideas faster; however, I wish I could have received more practice for my work was not up to my standards. I do however feel that my writing has significantly improved. I am careful to use “you” or “I” in essays and try to keep questions down to a minimum. I even understand MLA format. In essence, I feel as though this class has taught me more than the importance of a good thesis, but also the importance of understanding our culture and our world around us. I have gained insight on how to view the world and accept it for what it is. Our world consists of many different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds that are unique and wonderful. It is important to respect one another and not be quick to judge.

The pieces that I chose to present are clear representations of what I have learned this quarter. Not only do they reflect my growth as a writer, but my journey to becoming more of an analytical thinker. I have demonstrated that I can do more than argue; I can analyze and bring forth information that assists in persuading. In my essay about “Online Dating” I am able present the reader with information from both arguments. In “I am what I eat” I am able to demonstrate that with a little time, I can take an assignment that was average and turn it into something unique. I brought forth my ideas of what a community is and demonstrated that my Christian Church is in fact a community. Finally, I have a piece that reflects my style of writing as well as analyzes what it means to be have an identity. All my work is a culmination of everything I have learned throughout my English 101 D experience. It shows my growth as a writer as well as a person. I am willing to look for other options before rushing to conclusions and feel such an immense amount of accomplishment. As a first year, first semester freshman, I feel that I have come a long way!



Sincerely,
Jessica Johnson