Refection On a Mission

1. The values of the Sisters of NDNU are values that I too uphold. As there are many hallmarks emplaced, I try and live my life consciously aware of these values. I believe that the Sister of NDNU are kind,warm-hearted people as they love and respect all races of all religions, breaking the conservative catholic connotations I had previously. They somehow find ways to attend school functions, like plays, productions, and performances, and still show humility and dignity. The school certainly wouldn't be the same without them around.

2. One of the biggest opportunities given to me by the school that honor the dignity and sacredness of each person is the teachers. The teachers here at NDNU truly care about the thriving and success of each of their students. They always correctly distinguish the threshold between teaching and boasting. Most of all they also acknowledge that we as students teach them new things as well, showing us that the collaborative learning we emplaced doesn't just stop from student to student.

3. During the midpoint of my freshman year here at NDNU, the presidential election was occurring. This was my first time being involved as it showed me very early, all races had different opinions. I got very involved with the election, and even though I don't have any real opinion on it, I learned from facts and others thought. This made me questions my own ethics as I looked at supporters of one person, and opposers in the opposite. It hasn't caused me to change my career choice, it just changed the way I look at things from now on.

4. In my freshman seminar class I wasn't able to attend the community engagement activity. So instead I decided to work at the voting for the election of our new president. Without the encouragement of my professor, I would never have been able to push myself into exploring this new idea of helping my community by just using my time effectively. The polls could always use the help and the experience was truly once in a lifetime.

5. I define diversity as different people coming together from different places. Not necessarily different races, but just different areas that form different ideas. Diversity is definitely a value to the human community because it creates the critical connection that even though we may be diverse, we all still have common interests and ideas alike.

6. Teachers and staff have created a sense with community with myself and my others at this campus. they make it fun to attend class, lunch, and even meetings, as students understanding that college life can be fun. Most of my friends I've met through class or other campus life due to the fact that this school is very small.

7. I personally haven't has the spiritual skills in working towards a better society, but i feel that i have gained a lot of ethical leadership skills. The goal is always to work towards a better society and thats why we go to school in the first place, to create better workers. Through all the diversity and staff at this school, we are constantly exposed to different perspectives and ideas that both teach us to be mindful and teach us to be moral. I can see myself using these skills during protests, tutoring underclassmen, or helping a friend as it expands what I consider to me ethical justice.

Third Example of Student Work

Third Example of Student work 

My final example of my proudest school-work achievement is my work with the tutoring center. The tutoring center as given me the biggest opportunity of all to learn, stud, and most of all understand subjects. I got there a good amount of time in the week whenever i have questions or need further explaining on concepts ranging from, General chemistry, math, or writing. This pushes me to become a better student and learner. The best work that the tutoring center as helped me produce is the perfect test scores on my math Exams. I go there whenever I need help with math, as the schedule of the tutor are listed on the front door, and the teach me in a way thats fundamentally easy to understand. I don't have the exams as i had to turn them in for a portfolio, but nevertheless, they were perfect. I truly feel that getting help from someone who knows more than you, makes you wise, and creates humility and relationships between staff and student. Without the tutoring center I don't know where I would be in my math class. Current sitting at an high A, I know understand the learning process. I don't know whether I can choose which I am more proud of, the act of going to get help or the results that help created. I guess you can say that i am proud of both as they work together in beautiful harmony. 

second example of student work

Second Example of Student Work

My second example in student work was in my College Algebra class. The class is challenging and required students to invest lot of hours studying and finishing online homework. I am most proud of my diligence to continuously finish the math homework on time. In sections, the homework takes about 3 hours to do and its assigned every week. Knowing this, I can't afford to miss an assignment and be left behind in the class, so I force myself to enjoy learning the new concepts. My grade has been at a steady A since the beginning of the semester, and it shows no signs of dropping. This is very important to me because it shows me that as long as you dedicate yourself to a plan and stick to the plan, the results will follow. Ive never struggled with math, but like all teenagers, I constantly struggle with procrastination and laziness. I always find myself at the crossroads between whether or not i should do it, and whether i want to. But after dedicating myself to the plan of constantly completing homework, I now see the impact of doing a small amount daily has on my student life. The homework was posted online and submitted online so Im not too sure how to post it here on this blog. But regardless its something I am truly proud of. 

One example of student work

First example of student work

One of the highest achievements I have gained from school work involved me failing a test. It was a General Chemistry test and it was my first time failing anything. Besides high school spanish. After I failed I had to reflect hard on what I did, what i should've done, and what I was going to change. I found out that my mindset for learning wasn't in the right place. My mindset was too stuck on doing as little as possible to get a good grade, rather than learning as much as I can in a short period. Once I changed this one aspect of my mindset, I got myself a B in an even harder subject than the previous test. This is very important to me because it shows that through correct preparation and mindset, anything can be achieved. Chemistry is something that is entirely new to me. Its a subject that many people struggle with as you must treat it as its own language.

In our General Chemisty class, we took a test before we took "Exam 1"

Student Performance Night

Student Performance Night

My student performance night involved myself attending the theater's production of "Amateurs".  Being that this was my first theater held event, I was optimistic on how this could help me become more cultured. Also, I knew a few people and the theater at the school could always use the extra crowd. Anyway, it had a decent crowd, as it was opening night of the play, and among it held teachers, deans, and students alike. It started off funny and entertaining, while still being educational in its plot. I didn't expect myself to become so emotionally invested with these characters. But nevertheless, I was laughing, yelling, and even catching myself from shedding a tear throughout the play. One of the best performances I have ever been too. I would go again, but there has not been one since. This is very important as it shows students another way of approaching activities throughout the school. Instead of going to the gym or the library, students can get the same amount of positive stimulus from the arts. Overall great experience and very happy I chose to go. 

Student Life Activity

Student Life Activity

For the student/campus held event, I chose to go to the open mic night. It promised to be a night of fun, joy, and relaxation, as it was a way for students to loosen up before midterms. It started at 7:30pm and anyone could go up and perform. After a few dark poems and acoustic singing, it proved to hold up as a fun night. Everyone was enjoying the warm evening as we listen to live songs performed by our peers. However being that the presidential race had just ended the night before, once enough people came, it turned into a ranting session. Having no real side on the matter, it seemed odd that it was a night that promised fun and excitement, and it turned into anger, jealousy, and sadness. After about 30 minutes of this had passed, I considered leaving. But after all the time I invested I knew i had to stay until the end. After the politics, the night once again proved to hold up to its promises and we continued singing and dancing. This sparked a loving relationship between myself and the programs the students have put on, convincing me that these were the events worth going to. Since then Ive gone to multiple student held activities like Pie Eating contests, the building of gingerbread houses, and also movie night. These type of activities are essential for the growth and stability of a student, as it shows the brighter side of college life. 

Social Justice Speaker

Social Justice Speaker

My experience with the social justice speaker Rose Jacobs-Gibson, was a particularly short one. I was told to be there by 7 or 7:30 as the video/movie would begin, but like most presentations, there were bumps. They were expecting more people I suppose, and so we waited. I didn't even get to catch her name as I was on my phone waiting for the guests to show. She gave a little background about herself, and her contributions to the community and presentations but couldn't seem to get the presentation itself running. If it wasn't for my classmates attending the first conference, I most likely wouldn't have know what the topic was on. Having the prior engagement of driving my sister to San Fransisco, I couldn't stay long. About 45 mins later the film began. I watched 15 mins of it and I think it had something to do with gun control and the difficulties we as a community, society, and country face with guns. Never owning a gun myself, or even knowing someone who has one, Im not familiar of the feeling you get when you shoot, hold, or even possess a firearm, but I do have opinions on this. 

In terms of stricter gun control, its true that not everyone should be able to own a gun, but those who can should be able to receive one at a reasonable cost in a reasonable time. The problem isn't that we need stricter gun control policies, the problem is we are allowing those with mental health issues obtain firearms when the fact is, not everyone is mentally stable or responsible enough to own one. This country has a MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM disguised as a gun control problem, and a TYRANNY problem disguised as a security problem.