Personal Narrative: What I Learned In This Class

I unzipped my coat as I stepped into the warm basement. I crinkle my nose as the bitter smell of alcohol hits it. I feel like I should be used to it by now, I go to concerts at least once a month. We walk over to the small table overflowing with merchandise. It’s a tradition to by the opening bands CD.

The number of college students has been trending upwards in the past decade. However, despite the increase in access to college education, different researchers show that the American college students may not be learning as expected (Stoesz, 2013). Learning experience varies among college students. It is not surprising that people with same academic credentials – the same list of course with same grades- have a different learning experience. This essay will explore my experience in college, mainly, what I learned in college.

I am a student who has taken classes at many of the Peralta colleges; Berkeley City College, Merritt and Laney. My highest aspiration is to major in Economics and Business and I am currently looking to transfer to a 4 year university. Someday, I would like to have my own business.

I learned more in this class than I expected. I found that I adore writing narratives, working in groups is as hard as it is entertaining, and procrastination is lethal. The largest obstacle I had to overcome was correctly citing information. I’m still not adept at the process, but I learned a lot throughout this class, and I understand more about the concept of MLA having completed the argument essay.

I learned many new things about topics I wasn't familar with before. I enjoyed seeing the advocacy pieces from others in the class because many people did topics I didn't know much about. Some of the projects I saw were surprising because I had no idea that these things were taking place. After learning all of this, my beliefs about human rights didn't change much, but I have deepened my understanding in what I believe in.

I was surprised how many of my classes taught me these concepts; I knew those classes were setting out to teach me not only the material specific to that class, but also valuable skills that can be used in a variety of situations, but it was still surprising. While I was going through my list of classes I realized that even though some of them are unnecessary for my degree I don’t regret taking them as I learned much more than I thought. I found that most of my classes built upon the skills I had learned in previous classes, even when those classes had nothing to do with one another. I learned part of a skill in one class and the rest in a completely unrelated class later.

The ten years I was lucky enough to have with you many valuable lessons were learned the from getting up early to help you with everything whether it be repairing a roof, changing truck tires, or simply planting a garden. We would always work our ass off to help anyone in need. There was work and something to learn. Dad knew best so we always had fun even when it was just making dinner, playing cards, or shooting guns. Those times shaped me into who I am; I learned a lot following his every footstep, watching carefully, and asking lots of question. Thankful for the ten years I had with you and the nine you have kept me safe while I raised hell and stood up for what I believed in.

There is so much i have learned this year and I am so blessed to have taken this class and get to know you. You have done so much for me and i want to thank you for all that you have done.

“I am still learning,” that is what the 87 year old Michelangelo declared, but what was he learning? A countless number of facts? How to be a great artist? No, he was making himself into a better, well-rounded person. That is what a liberal arts education provides an individual; because a liberal arts education is not only about learning facts, but becoming a well-rounded individual, in doing so, making the world a better place. Loras’s four dispositions—active learners, reflective thinkers, ethical decision-makers, and responsible contributors to professions, societies, and religious communities—make this feasible.

A few weeks ago before first semester ended I needed to do finals so that my grade could go up or retake tests so that we are passing our classes. During the last week of first semester I was really stressed out because I didn’t finish a presentation that needed to be presented that week.

Going into the first grade can be daunting for any six-year old. For some it is their first time going to school; for others they know subjects that they like and do not like. I was a part of the latter, knowing that I prefer more of the maths and sciences, and thought that reading and writing was just too hard. However, one teacher, my first grade one Mr. Wagner, taught me that the English subjects does not have to be that hard, and in fact can be rather fun. He used different material for us to use, including newspaper comics and magazines geared for children, all of which I embraced. His writing assignments were those that were actually fun to do, like writing science fiction stories and even comic books. All of his unconventional methods

taking notes. Then once I have covered the material for the week I take the practice quizzes online multiple times. I also make flash cards on Quizlet out of the weekly material so I can quiz and drill myself on the material. When exams approach, I reread the materials from the slides and lectures and use the online flashcards I created to study for 3-7 days depending on the subject.

There are many small things that you learn in a classroom that you do not think will help you in any way. However, things that you first learned in the classroom will be useful when you are in conversations or you are arguing a certain point. An example is the debate activity we did in class which many people took lightly and they really did not appreciate. I will be addressing 3 things I have learned this year and how they are useful when it comes to the real world and the classroom.

I was 3 years old when I start to studied in a school in San Miguel de Allende with a German educational system much known as Waldorf education, I learned interacting with nature while I was developing some skills, my parents always said that they don´t know exactly at what age I learned to read, write, multiplication, add, subtract, etc… they have never listened from me about a homework or a test.

Overall, I want to be able to use the skills that I have learnt in class in everyday life, not like other things you learn where most people cannot use in the real world. I want to not be caught off guard when confronted and be able to handle conflicts with a mature and graceful manner. I should not have to be scared when someone stands up to me and tells me when I did something wrong, as long as they are not screaming at me or threatening to hurt me if I do not change then who am I to get mad. The sad thing about people in today’s society, is that more and more being are beginning to be aggressive and violent when approached the wrong way. People are actually dying due to road rage scuffles, or hurting each other for the best deals on materialistic