College Comp. II questions

Response to questions about writing:
If I were writing my first scientific paper, I would review the basics about thesis statement, introduction, body and conclusion. These guidelines are very helpful when attempting to write a scientific paper. It's really true, the introduction comes first but is best when written last, after the paper is mostly complete. After deciding on a thesis statement, START WRITING! I think it is best to get the ball rolling and keep writing with the expectation that there will be a lot of time spent on revising and editing. It's like polishing, it takes time but is necessary to make sure the paper is clearly written and hopefully interesting to read. What I accomplished in the last 10 weeks was practice at new editing and revising skills. This made for a strong sense of accomplishment since I took some run on sentences and wordy sentences and improved them through revision. I still struggle to keep my verb tense correct. I tend to change tense as I write. I'm not always sure how to do this correctly.

I honed my writing skills in these last ten weeks. It was a really good experience. I wish I had another writing class to take

I'm not done!!

Well, I guess I am almost done and so I feel good about that. I would like to be able to just work on my two research papers. I do love to write. I appreciate good writing. The problem is, I know it when I see it, I'm just not that good at doing it myself. The result is a lot of frustration not getting the hoped for outcome. I'm nervous at this point since my plans of having both papers completed early did not work out. Now I need to focus and not let it become a stressful situation. There's just never enough time, it's nice to be busy and involved in working on achieving my goal. A question posed for this blog from our unit 9 assigments includes the question, "How do you feel about writing at this point? Has your idea of writing changed throughout the course?
To this I answer, I've still got a lot to learn! As I said, I appreciate good writing and that idea has not changed. What has changed for me is that I now have some new tools to work with that we learned in our Composition II for the Health Care Professional. See y'all in our next term of classes. Jan

I've just taken the time to read some more of my classmate's blogs. It is interesting and fun. Still wish I had more comments from others. But, like I was told one time, "If you want to receive letters, you have to write letters". I decided to write some more comments to others. Many students are commenting on how close we are to the end of this term. Yea! It has passed by incredibly fast. My list for completing the requirements for Clinical Orientation is LONG. My immunization records no longer exist! I was told that it will be necessary to have some tests done to verify the immunizations and I will probably have to take another tetnus shot. So, I have made my doctor and dentist appointments and sent in half of the required papers. This works out well since I need to be doing the same things for my Peace Corps application.
It is exciting, isn't it. Working toward our goals and getting part-way there, then half-way there and then......there is that light at the end of the tunnel! Kudos to all of you who are working so hard, busy with family and work responsibilities. Maybe we'll have the opportunity to share more if we continue to use the blogspot.com. Take care, enjoy! Jan

The blogging process

I was a little lost at first as I had to learn how to navigate to and from my blog and comments from others, etc. It was a learning experience and I'm glad I know about this site. It is different from facebook. My cousin prodded me until I got on facebook. On that site there are a lot of my relatives so it is nice to see the pictures and hear about what is going on with them. With the one or two comments I did get on the blog site, it was fun to have a bit of correspondence with a classmate. I put out some ideas about writing, gardening to try to solicite some comments. Without the interaction with others, the site is not real useful to me. I believe to have it "work", there needs to be comments shared. It could be a matter of time or also a matter of finding a path to use to connect with others, like searching and finding a common topic of interest.

Ah Ha!

My "Ah Ha" moment involving my research paper was when I finished my draft. I proofread and re-read my draft. Then what I realized at that moment, was just how much MORE work I really had to do! I was not happy with it as a whole. I needed more information and so I was frustrated. What I found to be really helpful was the peer review process. As I reviewed my classmate's draft, it made me think that I could apply my own criticism of their draft to my own draft. Then, receiving the comments from classmates was even more helpful. It gave me a boost to re-work my paper with some new ideas. I wish I could have even more peer reviews. I have had some experience with peer review but it has been primarily on performance such as my teaching style, speech giving or other kinds of activities. That kind of feedback from my peers was always useful. I had the opportunity to use their ideas and criticism to improve my speeches, lectures, etc. I've not had many peer reviews on my writing except for when I have written grant proposals for funding. I often had someone (anyone!) read my proposal to get feedback. It's so easy to get lost in my own ideas. So, here's to us helping each other as we learn together.

Change of Seasons

Time to pick out new flower seeds and plan for what new plants to buy. Where to put what and how much upkeep will be needed. I've learned that smaller well kept gardens are more enjoyable that larger unkept ones. It's really exciting to plan. This year I'll draw a diagram and keep notes on the planting; types, when planted, etc. I don't always do that but it can be fun. It doesn't take much for me to pull out the colored pencils and markers. Just another one of my ways to decompress.

Thinking about the change of seasons makes me think of the many changes my classmates are going through. So many people facing challenges and moving on. I am glad to have the opportunity to read about what others' are doing and how if effects their classes. Many are working really hard to succeed. While reading their posts on the blog and some on our discussion boards I am reminded of the strenth of the human spirit.

I've sent some comments and hope to receive some in return. Besides our own strength, we have a lot to gain from others. I've appreciated the support I've received from the Kaplan admissions and academic staff. I've yet to master navigating the library and some of the other resources. I guess I'll be pretty good at it about the time I am done with my courses!

In the meantime, I'll take a break each day to enjoy what the change in the season brings. For us in Wisconsin that has meant more than 2 feet of snow on the ground all winter.....then within less than 2 weeks the snow is gone and I'm looking at the grass!

A STUDENT AGAIN.
It's been awhile since I've been in school. What I am really enjoying is the opportunity to connect with so many new people. I remember my college years as some of the best ever years. All the opportunities to get involved in groups and research as well as the many social activities, communities activities and oh all the cultural events right there on campus regularly. I went to University of LaCrosse and University of Platteville. UW-Platteville had a particularly good cultural arts center. They brought in theater and dance groups that would cost you three times the money in Madison. There was always someone ready to go hiking, skiing, volunteering or whatever. You run in packs and if you are smart you will join as many packs as you can. You have the opportunity of getting to know all kinds of people. There's a big world out there, why limit your experiences and opportunities.
Years later. Work and family has kept me busy but now my childrearing is limited to great nieces and nephews. The advantage of that is you get to do it when you want and don't do it when you've got something else to do. I am grateful for this opportunity to study again. Also, I am in the medical field. That was one of my original goals but I was unable to finish. I was a single mom and the mortgage didn't allow for me to take the time and money to finish as an Occupational Therapist. After years in social work, I am back in the classroom again.
Has anyone heard of the book Simple Abundance? Along with that is the Gratitude Journal. I lost my book but I keep a journal. In this I often write out three to five things that I am grateful for. Sometimes I draw a picture to go with it. It's a time for thankfulness, introspection and discovery. Always learning.......... Jan