15 Things Your Child Needs to Know Before Starting College

http://columbiasc.citymomsblog.com/15-things-child-needs-know-starting-college/

critical people

Why do people have to be so critical? Do people get a personal high from making other people feel bad? I notice it a lot, especially in certain classes. For a discipline that prides itself in being open-minded, etc., teachers and students are certainly critical of other's ideas in class. In classes that we are forced to discuss, there should at least be a ground rule that no one is allowed to blatantly put other people's ideas down. Maybe I'm different, but I think a classroom should be a place that people feel safe to express their ideas. If people do not feel free to express their ideas in a college setting, then there is a problem. If brainstorming and participating with ideas (especially when required to or specifically called upon), lead to criticism every single time, why on earth would someone want to participate in class discussions? Some people are more sensitive than others, and we should take other's feelings into consideration. Let's try to make the world a nicer place. Think before you speak. What is your motivation? Do you just want to make yourself look good? Is there some invisible debate team that you alone are part of? If you ever want to experience a classroom when expressing ideas and sharing them are safe and painless, come to one that I teach.

what my U101 students think of me

In my University 101 classes, we wrote our names on a piece of paper and passed it around for people to anonymously write about us. I am always curious know what people think about me because I worry that sometimes I see my own version of reality and not what truly is. Some of these things I never would have written about myself, but if so many people write them over and over, then maybe there is some merit to it. I have been having a lot of things going on lately that few people know about, and when I am down/stressed I now look at these papers. I’m tagging the people that know me best to see if you all concur. Is this an accurate description? Here is what they wrote: I tallied up the responses.

-You do great community service.
-giving
-compassionate (1, 1)
-have our best interests in mind, concerned for others
-always has good intentions
-always trying to help people (1, 1, 1, 1,1, 1, 1, 1, 1,) and be a nice person, more people like you would make the world so much better
-very kind-hearted, willing to help others, thank you for everything you have done for us so far

-world traveler, not afraid to travel and explore the world (1, 1, 1, 1)
-always has a funny story to tell, has lots of experiences (1, 1,

-Nice , super nice to everyone (1,1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1,)
-funny, silly, goofy, sense of humor (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1)
-friendly
-motivated
-awesome personality (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1)
-helpful (1, 1, 1, 1, 1,)
-outgoing
-unique (1, 1)
-witty
-creative (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1)
-Your happiness is infectious.
-upbeat, positive, happy, bubbly (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1,1, 1, 1)
-smart, intelligent, knowledgeable (1, 1, 1, 1)
-You are always passionate about the things you have planned for us.
-You make everything around you matter to you personally.
-passionate about life (1, 1)
-always has great ideas for our class
-always have cute shoes
-very strong opinions
-dedicated to what you do
-focused
-You are a little kid at heart.
-energetic (1, 1)
-organized
-thoughtful
-authoritative
-good leader (1, 1, 1)
-sincere (1, 1)

I've been down so long that the end must be drawing near... - Jewel

It is true. It has been a rough year, but the end is drawing near. I am ready for the end of some things, but I am not ready for the end of other things that will have to happen, though. I will miss not having my apartment. I like my own space.


I finished the class I was observing and class I TA for today. It was my last classroom experience for my masters. As I turned out the light, I thought, "There's a chapter of my life shutting." I really enjoy teaching. It has been something that I would like to do in the future. The future is a blank page right now, and I don't really like that. Who knows how different my life will be in a year? Hopefully it will be better than last year.