Week 2 Journal PSYC 1300-004

In my opinion, academic transformation is a combination of things, both internal and external.

Internally, the process of achieving an academic transformation begins with realizing what needs to be done and mapping out a path to making those things happen. Basically, a game plan. 

There may be some sacrifices that need to be made in order to achieve an academic transformation, such as social life or work commitments. This is the point where one must evaluate and determine what is most important at this very moment.

Externally, the process of achieving an academic transformation begins with finding what works for you in the way of learning, studying, etc.

Personally, I learn best when I am able to experience it for myself with hands-on application. I also find that I would rather teach myself as opposed to sitting in a classroom listening to a lecture. 

As far as studying is concerned, I find that I am at my sharpest in the early morning, and that I almost always need music in the background to motivate me when writing (like right now)!

It is important to keep in mind that everyone is different and there is not a "one size fits all" approach to learning. 

I learn through visual cues!

At this moment in my life, I feel as though I have never needed to make that transition from a teacher-directed learner to an autonomous learner. From the very beginning of my schooling, I was constantly getting in trouble for moving ahead in assignments or doing things my own way, when I would always end up with the correct end result. High school was the worst, when the teachers attempted to force me into writing a research paper with all the steps (outlining, note card making, editing, restructuring, etc). I found these steps to be unnecessary and always received an "A" on the end project. Like I said earlier, there is no "one size fits all" approach to learning and I believe students in general would be more successful overall if they weren't forced into this sort of approach.

When it comes to being an autonomous learner, there are many areas where I am very proficient, including: 

• Having a realistic view of myself and my academic abilities.
• Setting a high level of academic values and ethics.
• Obtaining the ability to set realistic and appropriate academic goals.
• Knowing my learning strategies and weaknesses.
• Managing my academic behaviors.

With all good, there is also some bad, including:

• The ability to vary learning strategies.
• I think this comes from me being so anal about how I learn and knowing what always has worked for me in the past. I do not want to try and change that up and risk earning a bad grade.
• In the future, I can attempt to break this habit by perhaps studying for an exam in a different manner or taking my class notes in a different way.
• How I utilize (or don't utilize at all) academic resources.
• Every semester we have someone come into class and explain what the learning lab is and how to use it. Have I ever used it? NO, not willingly. Over the summer, we were offered extra credit for going to tutoring. I went, read my book to myself and then talked to tutor, who then signed my paper.
• In the future, and by future I mean in this course, I am going to step out of my comfort zone and work in a group for our Panel Discussions, much to my chagrin.

I am by no means a "perfect student." I know that I have many odd quirks and strange ways of doing things. Hopefully in the future, I can learn to let go a little and just go with the flow, except when it comes to my "game plan," that is non-negotiable.

Until next time,

Kelly