Time Strategies

(Clock: Public Domain Pictures)

Honestly, my schedule usually changes week-to-week. Personally, I like to get a general monthly overview of my schedule like if there are any major events that I need to plan or attend to for my sorority or any meetings that I need to go to. After that, I plan on a week-by-week basis. Usually classes that require more critical thinking I tend to prioritize and plan out more carefully throughout the week (because I get especially frustrated with those classes can only do a little bit at a time). And for my more low maintenance classes I tend to dedicate a certain time on a specific days to those because those assignments I can usually do pretty quickly and in large bulk if need be.

Some tips are that helpful to me that keep me motivated to get work done include: (1) trying to do a good chunk of my work before I eat so that there's not a chance of me maybe getting too tired after I eat to do more work and (2) trying to do most of my homework during the weekdays just because I personally get really unmotivated to do work on the weekends since my work shifts are longer on Saturday and Sunday (and because I want to relax haha).

Overall, I try to keep my schedule somewhat flexible because some classes are more difficult than others and I may have to adjust my time around depending on how much I'm struggling that week.

Technology

(Dog Using Laptop Computer: Public Domain Pictures)

Like I mentioned in my previous blog post, I have never had a class like this, so this kind of classroom environment is very new to me. However, I have had some experience with the technological tools mentioned. I had a very simple blog several years ago, so I have some experience with posting. I also was the webmistress for my sorority last year, so I have experience with Wix. Because of my previous online experience with websites, I had to get familiar with editing images, but that wasn't too new to me because I always liked tinkering with basic editing websites online. Lastly, I have to make a lot of graphics for my sorority, so I have used Canva a lot for flyers and packets, but I've never made any memes.

For the most part, I have a very basic knowledge of web skills, so maybe I'll get to utilize them and maybe even expand on them during the duration of this course.

Assignments

(Learning Online: Flickr)

I have never taken an online class, and I definitely have never had a class set up like this. There's so much freedom in the course, which is awesome, but also kind of scares me because this format is unfamiliar to me.

I look forward to the blog comments because I really like to gain inspiration for my writing through others. I don't consider writing as one of strengths, so I feel like this assignment won't make me feel so alone, even though I'm doing the assignments by myself.

I really like the idea of extra credit. Extra credit is nonexistent in the classes I'm taking, so I'm super excited for it. I also really like the idea of being able to finish the course early by completing extra credit assignments. The assignment I'm most intrigued by is the H.E.A.R.T. extra credit, simply because I'm not exactly sure what it is, but it sounds really interesting.

So far, I really like the enthusiasm for student learning, as well as how responsive the course is!

Growth Mindset

(Machine Learning Brain Mind: Pixabay)

I have never heard about Carol Dweck, but I have heard the very general gist of growth mindset, even though I never knew the official term for the idea. After watching the videos, I'm somewhat torn on my opinion about Dweck's study.

I do believe that there is negativity on rewarding based on the finished product because I've been in that position before. I would spend hours on hours studying for a test only to not even get the average score, and it's disheartening, really. Instead of wanting to work harder, there's hopeless feeling that comes around when I don't perform as well as I want to, and that shouldn't be the way it is. And honestly, I used to have the growth mindset, so I'm not exactly sure what happened to me (haha). I guess what I'm trying to say is is that I've been in both mindsets before, so I understand the rewards and repercussions to both.

Although I agree with idea of "yet" and that there is a current problem with the educational system, I am not sure how it could change. I still think that people will always look for who has the best grades or the most acclaimed research. Most people won't pay attention to the process. To be honest, in my major, most professors expect all their students to put sweat and tears into their courses, so there isn't a reward for learning - there's only the end product, the grade.

All in all, I agree with the general problem. We should put more positive light onto the journey rather than the destination. I'm just not exactly sure how we would do that for every student, especially those in higher education.

Introduction to The Coolest But Most Boring Person You'll Ever Meet

Wassup. My name is Elena Guo, and I am probably the coolest but most boring person you'll ever meet. Nice to meet you.

Major + Future Career
I am Chemical Engineer major. Yes, it's hard. Yes, I'm struggling. But it's okay because hopefully I'll get a job that pays lots of money. Ha, just kidding (but not really, ya know how it is). What I hope to do with my chemical engineering degree is cosmetics curator and chemist. That's the dream, but for now I just have a part time job at a donut shop that helps me pay for the things I want but don't need.

(Ins Cosmetic Makeup Liquid Foundation: Max Pixel)

Hobbies
As you read my hobbies, you will find that I am very similar to a sloth and here's why.

My favorite hobby, above all else, is to sleep and take naps. I'm not really sure why because it's not like I'm a sleep deprived person, but I think the combination of laying down and not doing anything really speaks to me. I also really like to watch TV... while laying down, or I guess watching them while sitting is cool too, but if I can lay down then I've really hit the jackpot. Some of my favorite shows include Friends and New Girl. I love to eat too. Anything really. I'm really not a picky person, but Asian food is my favorite (it's probably because I'm Asian but let's not assume anything okay LOL).

(Friends Logo: Wikipedia Commons)

Now here are some hobbies that less sloth-like and more human-like.

Going back to me buying things that I want but don't need - I love to online shop. It's so fast and convenient; it's pretty dangerous actually. It also supports my whole laying down and not moving lifestyle I like to live. But hey here's a plot twist for ya... I like to dance. Whaaaaaa? I know right? I just went on and on about how I like to lay down and not move. You know, if I were you, I wouldn't believe me either. But yes, it's true. I like to dance, and I love music, which is probably why I like to dance. Now I'm not saying I'm good at it or anything (please don't ask me to dance for you if you ever actually meet me) but I do enjoy occasional groove and jiggy (I repeat, don't ask me to dance I'm shy ok haha). My favorite genre of dance and music is hip-hop. I've been listening to it ever since I was a witty bitty kid, and now, I can't live without it.


Speaking of things I can't live without. I could really use a nap right now. So peace out. Hopefully you learned what kind of person I am through this blog post. Now I'm gonna go knock out.

P.S.
You're probably wondering what about me is so cool. Nothing! This was a classic click bait technique.

Storybook Favorites

Hero Academy

(Harry Potter Castle: Free Stock Photos)

Once I started reading the introduction paragraph, I could not help to think that this story reminded me of a combination of two of my favorite things - Harry Potter and My Hero Academia. Most people know what Harry Potter is, but My Hero Academia is actually an anime, or Japanese cartoon, that is about students applying to different hero academies trying to be the world's best heroes. It has the fantasy and wizardry themes that I really enjoy from Harry Potter and embodies the heroic aspect of my Hero Academia. Besides the surface level reminder that I got, there was a line that caught my attention - "It isn't fair to judge a whole race of creature by the wicked deeds of a few." I am not sure if the writer meant it to have any realistic social connections, but that is what I thought of when I read that sentence, so if that was the writer's intentions, then I highly applaud them for it because I think that it's a valuable lesson that everyone needs to learn, not just students in a hero academy. Overall, I actually enjoyed most of the story because this genre is right up my alley, but personally, I prefer books in first person, especially ones that have a lot of action, that way the thoughts are a bit easier to follow, but that is just me being a little particular.

The Story of Old Lady Hudson

(Creepy Light Black and White Window Ghost Hand: Max Pixel)

The first thing that caught my attention was the organization of the story. I like the idea of a story being in chronological order and thought naming the chapters after each family who lived in the house was creative. I also enjoyed the different ways the main character found out about each family, especially the website the Lawson family created. Judging it as a whole, I think the writing and and imagination were alright. It was just little bit difficult for me to feel the creepy vibe of the story. The organization and the ending is probably what was most memorable for me.

Epic Women Tell All

(Literary Talk Show With Authors: Flickr)

The talk show idea was really impressive! It was different than the other stories I had read. Because of the format and the relaxed dialogue, it was really easy to follow. Another aspect I enjoyed was how different each story was from the original. In some other stories I read, the differences between the original and the inspired story were not that different, but I could really tell that the writer took time to come up with different plots and resolutions for each story and really made them their own.

Favorite Places - Manhattan and Kualoa

Manhattan, New York
I have family and family friends that live in New York, and at one point both of my parents lived around the area when they were younger, so we visit there quite often. I have lots of great memories from there that include spending time with my family, shopping, and eating lots and lots of good food.

(View of Manhattan from Empire State Building:

Wikimedia Commons)

Kualoa, Hawaii
I went to Hawaii over spring break during my senior year of high school, and Kualoa is where we went zip-lining. It was probably one of the most beautiful, serene places I have ever been to. The mountains were so lush and green, and the water was the bluest water I had ever seen. Another cool thing about Kualoa is that a lot of famous movies were filmed there such a Jurassic Park and The Hunger Games.

(Chinaman's Hat: Wikimedia Commons)