Agency Prosectives In Mind

I feel that the word agency does relate to what we are learning in INQ because the definition that I get out of this word in this context according to the quotes above is that agency is basically used as a mental process, which is a cognitive activity; a process that creates the process of thinking. This word relates to me taking this course this semester because the skills that we learn in this class by the reading assignments are in reality a “college success class”. I have been thinking since the beginning of the semester of how this class will help me improve in my other classes I’m enrolled in this semester. I have the mental process of agency that I can pass this course as long as I am thinking critically. Critical thinking brings me to the topic of agency. Agency can be used as an inspiring term like motivation, which I am learning to take on in different ways then I did in high school because it takes a lot more agency to get all my homework done! In high school I hadn’t spent much time doing homework, but in college you learn to become an independent thinker and most of the work needs to be done individually. This would be at least 15-20 hours of homework or more on reading, projects, writing, etc. Agency for homework is needed and is honestly the key to college survival. If reading assignments are not completed on time, falling behind does take a lot more energy to catch back up to where you are supposed to be. So I try to stay on top of what is assigned for each day. I’ve learned about myself that I am a procrastinator but that I am working on it and becoming better. Time management is also another technique that is explored in college and filling out that time chart earlier this week gave us an estimate about where our time is used as our agency. I found this meaningful to me because in the future I can remember how much time is spent towards my priorities compared to my options. Being in college is a place where agency should always be used in order to succeed. The picture that is posted above, in pink in white and yellow lettering is realistic and relates to agency since work in college is a choice. No one is making us get all of our work done, or even showing up to class if we individually don’t want too. Therefore the more time we spend on our school studies simply the better outcome we will receive with our grades. This quote can be stretched out to many other horizons such as sports, clubs, work, etc. Even if something does come very easy to you, it does not mean to slack off, but to still complete what is expected from you in the position you hold. Ex. “Student”, “Manager”, Coworker, “Supervisor.” All the agency that is put into doing something you love, or not so much on the other hand, will be the result of your effort of the subject in total.

             

Blog 4B) Questions to think about

1)    When there is so much work assigned at once from all your classes how can you overcome the challenge of ego depletion?

 

 

2)    What was the message in “Don’t eat the marshmallow” compared to “The secret of control”? Which article do you find more reliable?     

What Is Worth Waiting For?

There are many things in life personally that I have waited for. One of the most important things to me that was worth waiting for is my first car. I waited until I had enough money from working to buy my own car. I didn’t want my mom to have to do whatsoever as far as my car expenses and I desired that feeling of independence. In the mean time I disliked driving the big blue truck that I was stuck with until I gained enough money for a budget. When I finally bought my own car after searching for a few months I was very excited but most of all proud of myself for sticking out the rough times, driving myself to college but also my mom to work with the one vehicle we had. I am very grateful to have my own car now that I know will run smoothly for A few more years. Buying a reliable car was one thing personal to me that was definitely worth the wait. Another thing that’s not handed to you right away is getting a high school diploma, I feel a high school diploma has been worth waiting for and after all it can be viewed in the same way as a college diploma. You have to wait another four years or more. Also I still have an obligation to complete a great deal of homework, classwork, writing assignments etc. Only then will you be able to succeed on to the next chapter. In my point of view yes a high school diploma was also worth my time because now and days, in this economy you can’t even work at McDonalds without a high school education.  I am now in college and understand how important an education really is in this generation. I believe that some Americans can be patient but it depends on the situation. I am personally able to wait for most things if necessary, I’ve outgrown that period of wanting so many things that is not bought with my own money. I think that most kids under the age 16 do not like to wait and value instant gratification instead because everything may have been handed to them. In other words many may have not worked to receive what their family was providing for them. So they become comfortable in their ways and think it will always stay that way but that’s not what life will bring them as they get older. As shown in the “don’t eat the marshmallow” video clip, only 30% did not end up eating the marshmallow which is very low. The ones that were able to fight off this temptation not to eat the marshmallow are known to be more successful than the ones who ate the marshmallow. I feel that parents have a huge influence on their children when instant gratification is received simply when they give their kids everything they want, when exactly they want it. This technique to me makes children spoiled and sets them in the fixed mindset as they get older, still wanting all they can get. In order for kids to be less spoiled they should be taught at a young age that they can’t get everything they want. Technology does play a big role in gratification simply because everyone wants the best products out in the market. In the world we live in children as young as 12 already have IPhones, mac’s, IPods etc. Technology is something we can’t live without but in a way destroys us in a few ways especially at a young age.          

Shakespear

When looking at this quote by William Shakespeare the message that I received is to never put something on hold when you can complete an assignment or task. This can appear in many different ways. The actual definition according to seize the day (Google) is to make most of the present moment. I feel that this quote applies to mostly intrinsic motivation because in order to want to “seize your day” a person would want to have that personal drive to continue doing something in general, even if they become tired at it or want to do it another day. Getting home work ahead of time is a great example of this. If you have the time, the best thing to do is just to get it done and not procrastinate. Truly another day is not guaranteed is also another point that ties in with this famous quote. Therefore simply do all you can in one day without thinking about what tomorrow will hold. With extrinsic motivation used with this quote would be you are just doing something because you know that you won’t there will be consequences. Ex, doing chores right before you’re parents are home, not because you want to but for the reason that you have too. I think that in order to “seize the day” you’d have to have the growth mindset in order to take the challenge because it’s not an easy task to overcome. I don’t believe that a person is born with a fixed mindset that shows they always seize the day.

Never get too comfortable.

One activity that I absolutely love doing and always will is drumming. I’ve played the drums for my entire life from elementary school to high school and I hope in time that I’ll join the Southern drumline. I’ve played the snare drum for the Platt High marching band and concert band for four years. Playing the drums became like second nature to me it felt easy. The fact that we also weren’t a competing marching band made it less stressful and more enjoyable. However my last year as a senior our band teacher was demoted and a new teacher took over. When this tragic event happened, it was very hard for me to change my attitude simply because I was not motivated anymore. I just wanted my old teacher back. The new teacher’s purpose was to transform the band into a competing division and sense it was my last year I honestly could’ve cared less about “more practice”. Unfortunately I had to change my whole approach and just except what the teacher expected me to do. I had the roll of being the section leader for the drumline and my passion for playing the drums has always been the same. Even though I did not like the teacher I was stuck with her for my last year, I saw the positive about the situation I was in, since I love playing the drum. Deep down inside I knew that the teacher would not let me give up on something I love passionately. I’m glad I continued with band and did everything I had to because I feel with all the practices accomplished with a new drum teacher, which were mandatory, improved me as a drummer. My experiences with the drum teacher will always be a memorable. I can apply this past situation that I dealt with to my education at Southern because even though I might not enjoy each professor or class, I need to successfully accomplish what is required of me.  

Blog A

College is complex and such a major change from how high school is ran. Over the summer I graduated from the southern (UAP) University access program that was designed for me and chosen others to take five intense weeks of college preparation courses and completed a semester full of work within five weeks. This was the hardest thing I faced in my whole life however now I am able to understand the way that college works a lot better. College is something that no one in my family perused after completing high school. I am a first generation college student and I want to graduate successfully with a college degree. I don't know the path that southern is going to lead me but I do know that a college degree is very important in this day and age. Being a college student to me is making education in general a priority in their busy lives, after any high school. This regards to any institute of higher learning. It does not matter what avenue you choose to further peruse your educational goals. To make college a priority in one's life can open many chapters to one’s life not only academically by one ex. Are internships to get involved that will allow me to explore what I want to possibly further after graduating, which can possibly land me a job. Socially I plan on joining the Southern drumline, which would be great to meet more new people that share the same love for drumming and music as much as I do.

   My major currently is communications, but I am thinking about possibly changing my major to business management however I have not fully decided. After completing my degree I plan on becoming a manager for a cooperate company. Southern has been a great learning experience and hopefully after graduating with a degree college accomplishes a provided job for a family.