Week Three: Perspective,Time Management, and Challenges due Friday February 15th by 11:59 pm

Looking at the world through different perspectives, Narragansett, RI ( photo credit Bent)

Perspective:

Have you thought about how you look at things, or approach tasks?  If you notice this beautiful stone structure above has a variety of windows.  They all look out over Scarborough Beach in Narragansett, but each window provides a different view.  What I would like you to do this week is work on different ways to approach your tasks....find a different "view".  For example, when you are researching the topic for your paper, try a variety of sources.  Do not just stick with one, shop around the data bases, and see what you can find.  Yes, you will have to do a little tedious work, meaning reading so that you can make an informed decision as to whether you will use it or not.  No getting around this folks. 

1.  Respond:

How do you approach data base searches?  Be honest here.g

How much time have you and will you spend on these searches?

Which data bases did you use and why?

How was/is the frustration level during your search?
If you change the way you search, would that alleviate your frustration? Explain what you can do....

Be honest, how much progress are you making on acquiring journal articles to read?

Time:

It is one of those things that we either think we have a lot of it, or we think we do not have enough of it.

2. Respond:
How do you manage time? Think about this questions in terms of "activities you like"and activities you must do".

Give me a typical day, and how you designate time before and after school?

Where and how can you improve your time management? Be realistic, and be truthful.
What does time management look like to you? Show me a picture......What I want here is YOUR CALENDAR filled out...yes, the one I gave you.

Challenges:

Dana's (my daughter) roommate, Emily,  is a member of the Bristol Fire Department.  When I asked her, (Emily), how and why she joined the department, she said that she had the same type of opportunity you, (yes you my class), had when she was a senior in high school.  At the time she could not imagine joining a fire department.  After some consideration, and a willingness to do something so far out of her comfort zone, she joined a junior fire academy in her home town as part of her leadership class.  Fast forward to college:  she liked the experience in high school, so she joined the department in Bristol., and has been a member for the past three years.  In addition, she added EMT to her resume because of an opportunity in the Bristol Fire Department.

How one connection leads to an opportunity....

My daughter, pictured in Emily's firefighter outfit, is also part of the Bristol Fire Department.  Because of Emily, she too decided to go WAY out of her comfort zone last year.  She is now in her second year as a member of the rescue squad.  She is an ambulance driver/first responder.....she too took a chance, challenged herself, and chose to do something really out of her comfort zone.

By the way, Emily is a public health major, and Dana is an education major...neither one wants a career in fire fighting, but they wanted something new and different for the experience.  My point is, make yourself uncomfortable, and try to do something that challenges you in this class.

Taking a risk, trying something new...getting out of your comfort zone (photo credit Bisanti)

Bristol Fire and Rescue giving back in the Bristol-Warren School District (photo credit Bristol FD)

3. Respond...think about Emily and Dana stories.
What will you do that is challenging and out of your comfort zone during this class....or what do you think you will do?

What might scare you about this challenge? (Being uncomfortable is good....it means you are challenging yourself)

What sounds exciting and do able during this class?

What might hold you back?

Initial responses due by Friday February 15th by 11:59 pm, with secondary responses due Sunday February 17th by 11:59.