This semester in English 15 went by
quicker than I had ever imagined. It honestly seems like just a week ago I was
getting up bright and early on the first Monday of classes to hike 20 minutes
down to Willard at 9am. Although our time in class seems so short lived I have
definitely learned a lot. Not only have my writing skills improved, but I have
learned a lot about Penn State as a school, the arts in general and myself as a
person.
First
off I would like to reflect on how my writing has changed. In the past I had
only written papers on books or following specific analytical prompts given by
my high school teachers. I had never really explored blog posting or memoir
writing like I have in this class. I have actually found that I like writing
like this a lot more than formal essay writing. There is more freedom of personal
expression.
Before this class, I had never
thought of my self as a creative person. My favorite subjects have always been
math or science. Now, I realize that I can be creative in my own way. It
doesn’t have to be a painting, sculpture or musical number to be considered
“art”. I can write a memoir paper such as the one I have written for this class
and consider it my own work of art. It is my storytelling, my expression. It is
also very interesting to write about myself and past experiences in great detail.
Realizing new things about myself and my personality everyday as I write is truly
an exciting experience.
As I begin my life in this new place
at Penn State, I have realized there is so much more this school has to offer
than I though. I knew that there would be widely popular football games and a
ton of new people to meet and hang out with outside of class. I did not realize
I would be going to gardens, plays and museums as graded assignments. Although
they were all mandatory, I enjoyed each new experience. Seeing In the Red and Brown Water, which
featured my fellow Penn State classmates was really cool.
Some additional things that I have
gotten out of my time in English 15S are friends. This class is my only one
that is not a lecture of 150+ students where I walk in everyday and see a new,
unfamiliar face. I think this class served as my comfort zone of familiarity as
I eased into my new life at college. I could walk in the classroom every
morning and know exactly whom I was going to see. Now, I know almost every
person by name. Some people I have actually grown really close with over the
semester and I’m sure our friendship will continue in the future.
At first I was nervous about having
to take and English class because I was never confident in my writing skills. I
always thought I was a bad writer and there was no way I could improve, that
this class would just bring down my overall gpa. Surprisingly, throughout this
course I have definitely gained confidence and acquired new skills that I will
use in future writing assignments through the rest of my college years and
beyond. I am glad I took this class and can’t wait for future experiences like
this that lie ahead of me here at Penn State.
2. Blog Comments
Week 3: http://quirkyconfessional.blogspot.com/2012/09/flowers-on-flowers-on-flowers.html#comment-form
3. I completed my SRTEs!!
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