Luciano: Session Analysis

What was the most challenging thing about this semester? Did you handle it well or did you let it get to you?

Learning these valuable lessons helped when I entered into the classes for my Applied Physics major. When I started my General Physics class my sophomore year I knew what needed to be done. I also had a new found inspiration to go above and beyond in this class since it was in my major, but also important to my life goal of becoming a Civil Engineer. Most of the material I learned in this class was going to be applied to the classes of Civil Engineering which meant I really needed to learn what was being taught. This

to get ready to start a new school the next day and instead my family left, drove to another state

learned much more, and looking back, this first semester has made me more interested in

In high school when I was trying to find out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, I

I did poorly last semester but this semester I have plans to do better. I am going to have a daily action plan and plans for how to deal with different problems that might come up. Last semester I did not properly handle the things that came up which is why it turned out like it did.

My mind was racing with thoughts about how I hated my major and never wanted to study history in the first place, how I didn’t feel I was smart enough for the school or scholarships I had earned and how I just really wanted to leave and go back to Holland because I did not love the school I thought I loved. The next day I met my mom at Aquinas College and after even more tears I explained how I wanted to drop out. After filling out paperwork and packing my things I left with my mom to Holland feeling like a failure because I dropped out of college not even forty- eight hours after moving in. When we got home my mom made a big dinner to cheer me up and said these words that still give me so much hope, “Today is the start of your new life”. After that day I truly began my new life, since I had so much time on my hands I started volunteering at Herrick District Library, a place that I have always loved, once a week, began learning how to drive and found a major that I am truly passionate about. Ultimately, I started doing what made me happy and it has turned a situation that looked sad, confusing and hopeless into a land of new

Time flies, the first term of my freshmen year is almost to the end. When I first got into college, I didn't know what to do as a college student. It was hard during the first two weeks of my freshmen year. Not to mention, It was right after a long summer's vacation. I was extremely lazy about everything and couldn't focus on school work. After almost failing my first mid-term, I realized I need to focus on studying. I began to get back on track and finished work before the deadline. As time passed, I could still remember when I first got into the Freshmen Inquiry class I was struggling and now my Freshmen Inquiry class is working on our last project of the term and our group is doing great. During Freshmen Inquiry class, I learned many things.

and they told my mom I’m a hands on kind of learner. Then in fourth grade

My mom wanted to give me a second chance. This time would be different, and I could be known as someone who was smart. This would be the turning point, little did I know at the time. I was blessed with an amazing teacher who believed in me. She worked with me on how to read, and told my mom I was smart. The other teacher just never taught me correct reading strategies. From this point forward, I would excel. I made a personal decision to stop telling teachers I had epilepsy. It was well controlled and nobody needed to know. All I wanted was to be treated like everyone else. I didn't need to be given easier assignments, because they thought I couldn't handle it. I didn't need the special treatment. I wanted the opportunity to learn and grow just like every other kid on the block. After all, I was like all the other

What was the moment you decided what you wanted to do in life? For me it was one Monday afternoon, sitting in a first-grade class. I had always thought about being a teacher; I knew I’d love it. But I wasn’t sure if I could handle the challenges that come with teaching. About a year ago, I was blessed with the opportunity to be a long-term substitute in a first grade inclusion class. The first few days were quite difficult. I had to learn schedules, the kid’s names, and how to interact with special needs students. However, I quickly caught on. It wasn’t until a few weeks later that I really fell in love with my new job. I was working with some of the lower children in the class on how to subtract two digit numbers. One little boy was just

reasons. First, after being homeschooled, I went to public school for the first time. Then, my dad

Although I did not fully understand it at the time, my tutor’s actions had transformed the way I deciphered math. I not only caught up to my peers, but I also learned how to exceed

During first semester I was the chicken. I was very unorganized and weak. Most of the time I would turn my work in late or not do it. I gave the teachers a reason to fail me. First semester was tough for me. I got bullied, I wouldn't turn in my work, and sometimes I wouldn't do my work. Second semester is going to be a lot better. I told myself that I am going to try my hardest to do my work and get it all turned in. I'm not a straight A and B student. I usually get some B’s and most C’s.

grades took the hit. The semester of fall 2014 was far and beyond my worst. I was