Using the library really helped me with all my courses. I am able to use the knowledge market, as well as the writing center, speech lab, and research center. Every time I need with any of my writing assignments, speech assignments or simply researching for any topic I can go to the knowledge market for assistance. Without the library being an available resource, I would not have as many resources I as do now. Additionally, with the help of my professor’s and supervisors, they are guiding me to the right path for my career and my life.

            Sunday, the day before my informative speech, I went to the knowledge market in the library to help with the final layout of my speech for COM 201 Speech. The topic for my speech was to explain how Sonic the Hedgehog became the official mascot for Sega Corporation. I can’t remember the person name exactly, but when I signed in at the knowledge market I followed her to a study room. Instantly, I felt comfortable and willing to work with her. However, when she was asking me questions about the topic and the background for the speech, I became speechless. I could not say what I wanted to without sounding like an imbecile. As I was stuttering to get out my words, she would occasionally giggle and would say, “It’s okay. I know its Sunday and like everyone else, we are ready to call it a day.” When she said that, I was not stuttering or choking on my words as much. Then, we went over the ideas I had for the speech. With each detail, she helped me outline the details into steps. With that being said, she helped me organize my speech; making it easier for me and the audience to follow my speech better. As time was winding down, she wrote review notes informing my teacher what we done during the session. She also sent the notes to me to recap on for future references.

Next, I reserved a study room with my roommate Charles. Since we both have to rent a room for the library assignment, we decided to do it together. In the study room, we discussed assignments in our 180 class and talked about the library assignment as well. Both of our objectives for the assignment were exactly the same. However, the way we do the assignments were slightly different. As a matter of fact, all the assignments we had to do were exactly the same, but done slightly differently. It was fascinating knowing the different ways one assignment can be done. Then again, that’s how problems are in my computer science and mathematics class. With five minutes left, we started to pack our bags and laptops. Then, we left the library.

Furthermore, my Professors and supervisors/advisors have been helping me throughout the semester. One time I went to my advisor Gabe from Freshman Academy and we discussed my future goals and plans not only for college, but for life. I told him that I wanted to be in the computer science field to understand and develop software that will be enjoyable for many users. Also, I told him about my plans about going oversees to Japan. I always had an interest for Japan since I started watching Anime and Sonic back in 2008. In fact, I was planning to go to Japan for school, but that plan has been delayed. Gabe asked me some questions about campus life and how things were going. I told him everything was going good, despite classes piling work on me. He said, “That’s college. Don’t worry, it’s a new experience for you. You will get used to it after a while.” I laughed thinking is he serious. “How can anybody get used to doing work on a consistent basis? How can anyone work all the time”? As time went by, we started discussing about my classes. I told him I am getting along with all of my professors and I am keeping up with the class. He shows me my mid-term grades and told me I was doing okay, but I could easily drift off course if I slack off. He encouraged me to take full advantage of the resources here at Grand Valley and to use my professor’s office hours. He asked, “Would you like to talk about something else”? I replied, “Nope, that’s everything.” As we walked out, we made arrangements at the front desk for the next appointment.

In conclusion, the library and my professors/advisors have really helped me with my assignments. Both have given me something more valuable than money, hope. Hope that I can make it despite of the work load that comes my way. I have people and resources that I can go to for help at any time. Personally, I am glad I chose Grand Valley State University and I do not have any regrets.   

   After the boot camp, I was skeptical about US 180. The long days we suffered, the sleepless nights, the migraines, the feeling of betrayal and despair, and the feeling of deceit and being neglected. I was not ready or willing to do another round throughout the semester. I felt that it was extra work and it would be another burden. However, as I did with the boot camp, I sat down and thought about it. The Lord opened my eyes to see that this program and the people that are in the program are actually trying to help me to withstand the obstacles of college. Thus, this class has help me think more critically,  have better time management, and be more organized.

   As stated, when I first heard about the class I had my doubts. However, when I saw that majority of my classmates were mostly my completion, a feeling of relief came. I felt that I was not alone and for once I was not the only ethnicity in the room. When the instructor explain the assignments for the whole semester, I thought it was extra work. However, as time went by I understood the purpose behind the assignments. For example, one assignment was about critical thinking and the lesson help me to not only look or hear something, but to find the deeper or symbolic meaning of something. Also, I had learned the a few elements of being a critical thinker. For instance, being an active listener and understanding other viewpoints about a situation. Moreover, ever since the time management assignment I've been doing better managing my time. I now have set time to do certain work, while still relaxing or doing other extracurricular activities. Lastly, I am more organized. I organize my work, therefore I am able to find my assignments when I need them the most. Overall, this class hugely impacted me by helping me think more critically, have better time management, and be more organized. I would recommend this class for future freshman.  

     I never been fond of writing. I always struggle getting the basics of it. Recent papers that I have receive feedback my professor was not good at all. The problems that I have with my paper is organizing, punctuation, grammar, and I always get a comment saying read out loud. It hurts knowing that most of my papers have been rejected, but I know that I still have time to correct and fix the problems in my paper. One of my worst papers that I recently done was my second paper this semester, my argumentative paper.
   
      My second paper I wrote about how gaming can relieve stress. I thought it was a decent start, but my professor told me that it was a rough start even for a first draft. My topic is not arguable because that's really a known fact that games relieve stress. My organization was terrible, I went from talking about games to television and technology. I even messed up when describing the different types of games and how they can relieve you from stress. To make matter's worse, I only covered one part of my thesis statement which was stress, but I did not include regaining mental stability and changing the perspective of the situation. When I looked at my professor reviews and seen the comments I was heartbroken, however it was very helpful. I've seen what my professor and other professional writers would see. I may start over on that paper for good, but I know that it will be worth it when I look at the grade. That is all I want, a well deserved and hard earned grade.

  What are the qualities of a critical thinker? The three qualities of a critical thinker is being an active learner, someone with the ability to shape knowledge, and cultivates the ability to imagine and value points of views different from their own. There is a time between my high school years in my life when I developed or used these qualities of being a critical thinker. Some times it was making hard decisions, trials and tribulation. The most recent is coming to college.

    Coming to college was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. People was telling me that I should go and others said that I should't go. Let's start with why I should't of went to college. For example, my grandma would always, at the beginning in my senior year, try to convince me either not to go to college or go to Wayne State University (which is real close to home). I always opposed what my grandma said, but I never was disrespectful about it. I heard her when she was trying to say that people were successful by not going to college, I valued her opinion being different, but it was not enough. Then, my mom for example, encouraged me to go along with many others. My mom, in particularly, wanted me to have more than a job, she wanted me to have a career. With this being said, I decided to do some research on my own about college. As I actively learn more about college, I was able to shape what I learned to my interest. I officially decided to come to college with nothing holding me back. Knowing that I would reap the benefits later from it. 

  My schedule for this semester brings joy to my heart. However, Mondays is my most busiest day of the week. I have College Algebra at 8:00 am to 8:50 am. Next I have Computer Science from 9:00 am to 9:50 am. Then, I have Writing 150 from 10:00 am to 11:50 am. Finally, I have Speech COM 201 from 6:00 pm to 8:50 pm. At the end of the day I am mentally exhausted and I always try to do work within the six hours that I am off, but sometimes it don't go as planned. Fortunately, I have no classes on Tuesday, so I can recuperate and get some work done for that whole day. Especially with the Freshman Academy meeting being on Tuesday as well. Wednesdays I have College Algebra and Computer Science the same time as Mondays and every other week, obliviously, I have U.S. 180 class which is going well. Thursdays I only have one class. Even though it is my favorite class Computer Science, I still do not look froward to those days because of the lab we have to do. Those labs sometimes are extremely hard. Fridays pretty much is my Monday schedule except I don't have my Speech class. After 12:00 pm I am a free man for the Weekend!! Despite the work I have to do over the weekend, it's still great knowing that I can relax for a bit.