Capstone Personal Challenge

My personal challenge for Capstone didn't necessarily test myself but it tested my ambition. My personal challenge was to actually know every single person in four out of my five classes. I have one lecture class so I knew I couldn't complete that goal. I really liked my challenge because I like getting to know new people at school. In University 101, it was quite easy to complete this goal because we did multiple icebreakers and presentations on ourselves. I really like how I could get to know everyone so easily. In my English and philosophy classes this was a very tough goal. My philosophy class has a range of students who are not all freshman. I don't know if I necessarily got to know everyone in that class. I would say I introduced and met about 75% of that class. My English class was harder because whenever we worked in groups, we were allowed to choose our partners. It definitely is hard to try and work with someone you don't know. I really like having a personal challenge to challenge me as a person and not a student.  

Capstone Social Event

For my Capstone social event, I attended Hot Cookie Friday a couple of weeks ago. I went to the study shack with my roommate. I didn't realize that they would actually have people making cookies while we were there! The cookies were AMAZING, and we even got to have milk with it! My roommate and I went and sat on the couches and watched the football game that was on. I'm pretty sure it was a replay of one of the college football games. I actually got to talking to a few other Capstone students which was cool. I never would've met them had I not gone to Hot Cookie Friday. We talked about our plans for Thanksgiving and all of the great food we were going to have. I thought it was nice how the resident mentors were there too to interact with all of the students.

Service-Learning Wrap-up

Looking back on my service experience, the thing that I most enjoyed was being able to make a positive difference in a kid's life. I have been in her position before. So, it was nice to give her tips and advice about life as a middle school student. I thought that the time I spent at the service learning site was very beneficial to me. I learned a lot about cooperation and being a supportive role model. Also, I didn't feel as though my time was wasted. Each week that I went to Hand Middle School Mya and I accomplished the goal we set. I definitely plan on staying at Hand Middle School next semester. I talked to Belinda, the principal, and she said that Mya and I could continue our mentoring relationship next semester. It makes me especially excited that when I asked Mya if she would like for me to keep coming she said yes. I would also like to try and work with Amigos Del Buen Samaritano if they think I have had enough experience since I took another Spanish class. Before, I was not qualified because I haven't taken enough Spanish credits. Also, through my sorority, I feel there are so many ways to volunteer.

Thanksgiving

I am sooo excited to finally get a rest from school! I am going to Lancaster where my grandparents live on Tuesday night with my entire family. On Wednesday we will relax and have a traditional shrimp bog with family friends of ours. Then, on Thursday the plan is to eat, watch football, and of course the Macy's Day Parade. After that would be Black Friday. My family has a tradition that we wake up at 4:00 AM, yes a.m. and go shopping in Charlotte. We shop all day for Christmas presents for each other and other family members. On Saturday will be the Carolina v. Clemson game!! I haven't decided whether or not I will be making the trip to Clemson or not. I just can't wait to spend quality time with friends and family!

Rock Wall/Sustainability

I define sustainable as being an advocate for the environment, i.e. "Going Green". Being sustainable would mean that a person did not use more resources than necessary on a day to day basis. I think in some aspects I live a sustainable lifestyle. For example, turning off my lights when I leave my room and recycling at home in Myrtle Beach. However, I think it's sometimes hard to live sustainably. Daily tasks keep us from remembering how to be good to the environment. For example, I drive to Hand Middle School once a week when it is definitely a possibility to walk. There are many ways in which I could live a more sustainable lifestyle. For instance, I could use my air/heat more sparingly and layer clothes in the winter. Or I could carpool more often and drive less.

Capstone Cinema- Disgrace

Tonight I went to the showing of the International Education week cinema called Disgrace. Disgrace is a movie set in Cape Town, South Africa. The movie was very thought-provoking and definitely a little racy. The movie begins with a renowned teacher sleeping with a prostitute, which is prominent in South Africa these days. Then, it seems he tries to find a replacement by somewhat stalking a student, Melanie, through campus until she agrees to have a drink with him. Melanie looks a lot like the prostitute that the teacher had relations with. She reports him after he drugs her and rapes her. Then, he has to flee to stay with his daughter after he pleads guilty to those charges. After living with his daughter for a while, they are robbed and his daughter (Lucy) is raped. David (the teacher) has a feeling that Petrus (the farmer who helps Lucy out) and lives on the ground, is involved. His daughter becomes pregnant and decides to have the child. David is burned badly by the incident and decides to ask for forgiveness from Melanie's family. This movie was a lot about suffering and the cycle of power and being vulnerable. David has to come to terms with what is happening in South Africa. This is a time where everyone is becoming equal, and being white and in power doesn't necessarily make you a powerful figure. I'm really glad I went and saw this movie. It was very informative, yet racy and interesting.

Career Center Presentation

My plans for Thanksgiving are some great family time I definitely need! My whole family (grandparents, uncle, siblings, parents) are going to Lancaster, S.C. to spend the whole week at my grandparents house. I cannot wait. Thanksgiving is just the best time to be humbled by being around the people you love. I plan to eat lots of great food (courtesy of my grandma) and spend lots of quality time with the family. Growing up, I wanted to be a lawyer. I always thought it was cool to say. You know? It sounded official and prestigious. Now, I realize, that really just isn't for me. I think I want to directly help people who can't help themselves, who are physically unable to help themselves. I am more world-minded. This summer would be a great time for me to do an internship. However, after going to Ecuador in May (hopefully) I will probably decide to work at my cousin's restaurant for a few weeks and explore my options. Working at his restaurant might even help me brush up on my Spanish a little bit, who knows? I was unable to be at this presentation this week because of a funeral, but I will be attending the presentation sometime in the next couple of weeks so I'll be sure and blog about it. :)

Financial Responsibility

Financial responsibility is coming to be a HUGE reality to me since coming to college. Before I came to college, I didn't have to worry much about balancing a budget, grocery shopping, or planning out money for the semester. Now, I think about how much books are going to cost and how exactly to stretch my money throughout the entire semester. I don't think I could consider myself financially responsible or irresponsible. I'm a little of both. Sometimes I can make a great decision and decide to eat in instead of going out to Tsunami for dinner. However, sometimes I can decide to buy this great dress, not really considering the repercussions of that. I usually plan a monthly budget if I really want to save up for something. Normally, my budget goes week to week by allotting a certain amount of money to spend a week and trying to stick by that. Sometimes, that just won't be the case. For example, I might have an unexpected expense like parking tickets or losing a Carolina Card. However, I normally can save for something that I am looking to buy. When I graduate, I would love to say I will be "debt-free"! I would also love to be financially stable, even if that means waiting a little while to pay off student loans. I'll try and make this a reality by really getting the most out of my summer jobs, or even possibly looking into undergraduate research or getting a job through USC starting next fall.

Capstone Conversation

At the end of September I went to a Capstone Conversation in the campus room. The conversation was given by Tommy Preston called "Tales from an Unlikely Gamecock". He is a former Capstone Scholar, former student-body president, and a present third-year law student at USC. Tommy was a very good speaker. He was funny, witty, and told lots of stories. One story in particular I thought was very entertaining was his story about the streaker. Since Tommy was student-body president, he had to talk to students who were on the wrong path and try and help them get on track. There was one student who streaked all across campus and no one could figure out why he did it. So, Tommy had to talk to him about why he did it, which was for no reason at all. It was a great story. The reason Tommy was an unlikely Gamecock was that he was a Clemson fan and simply thought USC was just in the middle of a stinky city. However, once he came and visited, which was just because he was in town with a friend, he fell in love. He didn't even realize he wanted to go here until the middle of June right before his freshman year. Tommy had some great things to say about the importance of being involved on campus and networking with anyone you can.

Mutual Expectations

Today, November 9, 2010, I went to the Mutual Expectations workshop in Harper College. This is a workshop where students and faculty can get together and converse on certain issues in a university setting. This week the topic was academic integrity. They chose this topic because it was Creed Day, and the first part of the Carolinian Creed deals with academic and person integrity. We were split up into groups of about four or five students and four or five faculty members. The first topic dealt with what students and teachers do and don't do to prevent academic integrity. It was really interesting to hear from some of the teachers how students can improve their ways of showing academic integrity. For example, making yourself available for a teacher, rather showing enough courage to bring something up to your teacher shows not only that you're making the effort but that it is somewhat important to you. I also thought it was great that the faculty around me really listened to what I had to say, rather than just writing me off as just a normal student whose opinion does not mean much. I truly learned a lot about what plagarism can be considered and great ways to combat it, including Safe Assign and a teacher just being present and available for a student. I believe this is the key for any student/teacher relationship to be successful. This workshop was very beneficial for just meeting teachers and making connections with faculty, other students, and what academic integrity actually means.

Stress Management

Hmm..what stresses me out. Everything! Haha. I would say that I definitely stress way too much about everything. School, friends, family, life in general. However, I would say that a lot of the stress is positive stress, like one of the chapters in Brain Rules said. Stressing about school can be a positive thing, especially when stressing makes me work harder in a class. I usually try and deal with stress through a positive outlet, like venting to my mom or exercising. Sometimes, it's very hard to deal with stress though, especially in college because it can feel as if you're on your own. I wouldn't say that my service site has been stressful at all. It's actually a pretty nice de-stresser to say the least. My mentee, Mya, is quite a positive person. It's also nice to interact with other mentors and their mentees and talk about what problems their facing in college and/or middle school. I would say that first week was pretty stressful simply because I didn't know how I would interact with my mentee or how she would respond to my trying to help her. Thankfully, it worked out great!

Brain Rules Chapters 11 & 12

This semester I believe that I have managed my time pretty adequately. At first, it was definitely an adjustment because there is so much free time in college! However, I think once a started a planner and thought about my time it really began to balance. First and foremost, my success depended on my motivation. Next, it comes down to using my free time effectively. Anytime that I had a chance laying on the couch I tried to do homework or even make flashcards while watching television. I really wish I had more time for exercise. Although I try and exercise three to four times a week, it doesn't always happen. I know that this is just another activity for which I must map out time in my day for. I also wish I had more time for friends. Since I'm a very social person, I love time to just spend with my friends, even if it's just a long lunch. I like sitting down and talking while eating lunch and it seems I'm always getting lunch on the go. I don't know how I could really make more time for lunch, possibly planning my classes better when I register in a few days so that I have plenty of time for socializing while I eat, like killing two birds with one stone.

Healthy Carolina

I consider myself somewhat healthy. For the most part, I work out two or three times a week and eat my vegetables. However, I definitely still eat those Southern fried foods that probably aren't the best for you. I have formed so many new relationships since coming to USC. First, simply are the relationships formed with new friends. There are so many people to meet here at USC in all different settings. First, I have formed a relationship with my roommate. It is such a different experience living with a completely new person away from home. It definitely tests any lifeskills that I already have. This relationship is the most trying but teaches me a whole lot about myself. Another relationship I have discovered is one with guy friends. Living in Capstone, there are guys on the hall. I think friendships with guys are completely opposite of friendships with girls. It's nice sometimes to have a guy to talk to in order to get their perspective on things and sometimes just mellow out. I think all of the relationships I've formed thus far have all supported my success as a person. Living in Capstone, the people I have met and become friends with on my floor have only furthered my success in helping me with schoolwork and even scheduling study dates in the study room. I was lucky in that the roommate I currently have takes schoolwork just as seriously as I do. Therefore, she is always there for me. Even when I am completely overwhelmed with what I have to complete. This relationship is definitely the most supportive and positive one I have made since coming to USC. I hope that if I form a relationship that hinders my ability to succeed, I will have the ability to stay away from something negative like that.

Spirituality and Religion

I think that religion, spirituality, and faith are all very different. I believe religion is believing specifically in one higher power and following the beliefs of that religion. Religion is the most concrete out of all of these words and is usually associated with Christianity. Spirituality, I believe, is more emotional and personal than all of the others. Being spiritual is simply feeling something and taking in every emotion that you feel. I think it is more just acknowledging that there is something out there going on beyond this world. Faith is more of a step past being spiritual. It is taking that spirituality and doing something with it. Faith is the belief that something has control over things that happen in your life. I relate to all three of them. First, I relate to religion because I have been very involved in Christianity since I was born. I think being religious correlates directly with spirituality and faith. I think to believe in a religion and a higher power, someone must have some sense of spirituality and faith. The stereotypical culture of USC and the south is normally associated with Christianity and those denominations. However, I feel the culture at USC is much more accepting than the south. Students from all over are encouraged to participate in multiple organizations, supporting all faiths and beliefs, even the lack thereof.