Unit 10 post

These last ten weeks have been a great challenge for me.  I did okay up until two weeks ago and then the stress hit me hard.  I did not have a proper thesis, my paper was not organized in a good way, and I had all of this research that was going in all kinds of directions.  Thursday of last week I sent my paper into the writing center as suggested by Professor Barb..  I still have not heard from it.  Friday of last week I got off work, arrived home around 2pm, went straight to working on reconstruction of my paper.  I did sleep and eat but other than that I was researching, reading, and trying to tie things together.  I finished it on Monday night right before semminar and turned it in.  Tuesday evening after work I took another proofread and figured out that I had made a lot of BIG mistakes.  I then had to go over the research again, fix the problems and re-submit.  I hoped that Professor Barb. had not seen my first paper and would grade my second one instead.  From Friday of last week until Wednesday of this week, today, I have been under so much stress and most of it is because I did not organize myself, use the writing center like I should have and got in a big hurry.  My advise to incoming students is to take a deep breath before entering the classroom.  Be prepared for each week in semminar, reading and the work that needs to be done for that week.  Getting organized and keeping things that way is another piece of the puzzle.  Use the writing center for feedback on all papers.  And make sure that the topic you choose is not too broad, researchable, controversial, and something you would want to read about just for yourself.   Do the paper as you go along and have enough time to turn the draft and final paper into the writing center to recieve feedback.  The Professor and classmates will give advise, as well as friends and family, but the writing center goes more indepth and can make suggestions to the questions you may have concerning different parts of the paper.  Lastly, I just want to say that it would have been a big help if I could have had the sixth edition of APA so I would have had a guide to look at where ever I was.
Sandy

Unit 9 post

I have just finished my paper for Comp. 2.  I am really nervous about it because I had to do some changes to it as far as content.  I also thought I had finished my paper yesterday, but after reading over it again today, it seems I had some of my resources mixed up.  Sometimes I get in a hurry when there is a deadline and I feel that I have not put my 100% into it and I get all mixed up.  Well, I submitted it today, again, and I left an email for Professor Barb. hoping that she has not already seen my first one.  I can't believe that I did that but I do not work well under pressure.  If I had used the writing center early on on my paper, I think that I would not have gotten so pressured, but I did not.  Good luck to everyone on their paper.
Sandy

Unit 8 blog

How do I feel about comments or lack of comments that have been made to me?


I feel that every comment that has been made to me on my paper is correct. I made several mistakes on my draft and most of it was because I did not proofread it after I wrote it. I was in such a hurry to complete the assignment and I had just gotten this new word program and was not familiar with how to use it. These are all excuses and it got me what I deserved. I did not get as many points for the assignment that I wanted, I think I may have offended William with the word “sissys” being used in my paper, and I had not even noticed that my thesis did not match the paper. I feel the need to apologize for the tone I used in my paper as to men. I have a lot of work to do on my paper, but I hope the discussion board paragraph can show some improvement to at least one of my paragraphs.

Sandy

Unit 7 blog

How do I feel about peer reviews and what experience has mine been like. I feel that I try to keep the other writers feelings in mind when giving a peer review because I would not want someone being ugly to me. I can see things in other people’s papers that I do not see in mine. I welcome the advice and peer review because it gives me the opportunity to be able to see what my fellow classmates think of my work. I think that this really helps me to better understand where my paper is going in the wrong way and where I need to improve. I have had good experiences and bad experiences with peer reviews. Last term I gave one person a review and she really came back at me. I did not think that I had written anything out of the way but she really let me have it. I was really embarrassed but I apologized to her and the whole class and later she came back and apologized so everything was fine. But then, another person kept the conversation going with taking sides. I really think that that was unnecessary because apologizes were already made.


Sandy

Unit 6 blog

In the last 6 weeks I have learned more about citations, how to edit a paper, and a lot of information on myocardial infarction.  I have researched both the beginning of, (side effects and risk factors), heart attacks and what comes after a heart attack.  Prevention seems to be the same on both sides but I will leave that to the essays.  I have also learned a great deal about atoms, molecules, cells, and certain organs of the body.  I have learned what the word homeostasis means and how to apply it when reading about how different organs function.  I have learned that my children have learned part of the anatomy that I am learning now.  I believe, though, that I did learn this in school, but as a reminder, I have not been in school for many years.  I have also learned that every day there is a learning experience out there for us.  From the least little things to the greatest, we can never know it all.
Sandy

School influence

The decision to go back to school was very hard for me since I am in my 40's.  I wanted to years ago but did not get the chance.  Just this year I decided that this time would be as good as any to go back to school.  My mom kind of inspired me because she went back to school in her 40's and is still working in the area she went to school for.  I have always wanted a career that I could stand on my own two feet with.  A job that paid enough that I would not have to be dependent on someone else to take care of me all of the time.  This opportunity to attend classes at Kaplan on the online version has given me more confidence than I have had in a long time.  It has also given me something to look forward to, a new life.  It has made me realize that my fears of failure were now worth looking into.  I have always taught my children that as long as you have done the best you can at something and the grade is passing, it is acceptable.  In my classes at Kaplan I have tried to hold myself to a higher standard.  Just a passing grade is not enough for me.  This is a bit stressful, but at least I can work off the stress.  I am my worst critic, but I have such a great support system at home and through Kaplan that I feel good about the work that I do.  This satisfaction has flowed over into the job I have now.  I am satisfied with my life, job and whatever comes my way at this point.
Sandy

Citations

I have learned a lot about citation, plagiarism, and APA format since I first began classes.  I realized in my English Comp 1 class just how important citation is.  Now it seems that I am going to learn the deeper side of citation.  The spacing and punctuation have to be just as important as putting the name of the author and date in the correct place.  I have printed a copy of chapter 12 and plan to read it thoroughly.  Then I will read it again.  I also have my handbook with me and I plan to keep it by my side throughout my Kaplan experience. 
I believe that giving credit where credit is due is important because if we did not, then everyone would be taking credit for the hard work a person puts into their pieces.  Whether this be an essay, discussion board, interview or book it is always someone's ideas, and if they are not yours you should be sure and cite it.  I have recently had someone take credit for someone elses idea.  The idea was not mine but all persons involved knew where the idea came from.  This person probably did not even realize that they were doing it but, in my understanding, even if you state something somebody else said as you were the one who came up with the idea, it is plagiarism.   My first feeling about the situation was shock, then a little anger, but in the end all persons involved knew where the idea originated from so we just let it go.  I could not imagine what it would be like if I had took the time to research something, do the interviews, leg work, and whatever else it took to write a book, and then have somebody come along and take credit for what I had done.  I guess I would have to talk with them first and if this did not settle the problem we would probably end up in court.
Sandy