This is a reflection on my experience and what I have learned in RC 2001.
Over the course of the semester, I have learned several things about my writing style and ability. I have learned that my current writing style is already well suited to my current major. In geology writing tends to be quick and to the point, not as long winded or esoteric as in some other majors. I already tend to write short papers, which has been a challenge in past writing classes. I often struggle to meet word or page limits, even though I have written all the information required. I write to get my point across, and often struggle with finding an understandable or easy to follow wordflow.
This class helped me better my ability to get work done effectively and with good time management. I tend to procrastinate a bit, and moving online hampered my ability to focus on this class, but before the virus, I worked on my projects at least a little each class day. Since moving online, I still try to get at least some work done for this class on the days we would meet regularly, but that has been a bit more difficult now that I cannot go to a physical classroom. Given the limitations coronavirus has caused, I think I am still relatively capable of getting work done in a time effective manner, although concentrating on tasks and understanding deadlines has become more difficult. My work ethic has been impacted but I am trying to work through it by making myself a schedule to stick to. Even though I am a morning person I sometimes struggled to be awake and attentive in a 9 am class. I tried to make it to most classes, and although I do not like attendance policies, they are effective for me. Now that we are online I do not have to worry about making it to class. I also have plenty of time to do work instead of socializing or trying to catch a break in between classes.
The visual discourse analysis was a fun and original project. I like graphic design so I enjoyed making a poster and putting together information in a way that is eye catching but still understandable. I didn’t fully understand the project, but I believe I just misread the syllabus. It was interesting to hear why the people I interviewed decided to go into geology, especially because a lot of their reasons were the same as my own. I think I have decided to stick with a geology major, but I am still not sure what I would want to minor in.
I also enjoyed the major issues project, it was easy for me to find an issue to focus an article on. I felt better about my writing abilities after reading some of the published articles in The Appalachian. I also was glad that this project had a short word limit, I didn’t feel pressured to write just to meet a certain number, instead just being able to write to be heard.
Eliot Burress RC 2001 