Gone Girl (pages 3-65)
The thickness of the book was worrisome to me. A four hundred page book can be intimidating, especially with all of your other classes as a college student; reading a hundred pages a week is a lot. I am not much of a reader, never was, but just the beginning of the book was a breeze. I usually want to pull my hair out after reading 60 pages in one night, but I actually enjoyed it. The author’s structure keeps the reader on edge because it’s different. His choice of alternating perspectives and times through each chapter is interesting. One chapter is told from the husband in the present perspective and the next chapter told by the wife where you learn about the past. The structure and choices the writer makes really captures my attention, along with the intense plot and blunt diction.
The imagery and comparisons made throughout the writing emphasizes the language. His use of simile and the thoughtful adjectives he uses creates power: power through diction. As an example, Nick explains the intricacy of Amy’s mind by saying “her brain, all those coils, and her thoughts shuttling through those coils like fast frantic centipedes.” This sentence could have easily been written saying ‘her mind is complex with a lot of thoughts constantly running through her mind’. Both relay the same message, one is just more affective. As a writer, I think the author does a stellar job of creating emphasis and strong images. This simile the author uses has impact, instead of saying her thoughts are fast, the frantic centipede relays the image and idea much more effectively and creatively.
The tone of the novel is somewhat conversational, which helps the readers be attentive and engaged. It’s not like reading a Shakespearian play where most of the language is completely foreign to you. That is challenging to even pay attention to, let alone comprehend. The author’s uses of swear words allow the words to jump out of the page. You can actually hear him saying the phrase in your head as your reading the words across the page. I find it that the use of conversational tone and swear words makes the literature more personable, which than again makes it more engaging and interesting for the reader.
In addition, the author does a good job of making the reader believe one thing, when really that may not be true. For example, the deep descriptions about Nick and Amy’s profound and intimate love and the “soul mate” references make the reader believe their love is genuine and real and that nothing could come between them. However, at the end of the reading Nick explains his reaction that came out of no where, “a killer smile.” As the author has done all this preliminary work to make the reader believe Nick would never do anything, this foreshadows and leaves the reader purely confused.
Finding a Way to Create More Positive Affects of Social Media
As I was trying to start this midterm research, I caught myself on Facebook. I was looking through pictures, commenting on statuses, not even remotely engaged in finding research. This is when I decided to change my original line of inquiry and focus on how the social media affects academia and education. I am confident each student, at one time or another, has sat in class and has been checking Instagram or twitter, or even texting and looking at Facebook simultaneously in the library when they are supposed to be studying. It happens to the best of us, especially in this modern day and age. Facebook had over 500 million users documented in 2011, meaning 1 in 13 people use the social media of Facebook (“Facebook Statistics, Stats & Facts For 2011”). The vast amount of Facebook and other social media users are increasing, partly as a direct result of our tech-savvy generation and the advances and accessibility to all technology. College students are challenged by the temptations of twitter and Facebook since they are available immediately, any time and day. Research indicates that social media impacts education positively and negatively but what does this mean for our culture and educational system today?
Negatives
A negative effect of the large social media on education and learning is that students are tempted to multi-task; they will be checking social media sites while claiming to study and while attending classes. This reduces academic performance because it is almost impossible to be actually doing two things at once (Dunn). This is a huge distraction to the learning intake of students. A study completed by University of Massachusetts released their findings that reported about 48% of students claim to check their Facebook and other social networking sites consistently and another 19.47% said they checked theirs one to two times a day. Also linked in this survey was how often they worked out and the majority of students (25.58%) said never. This contributes to evidence that the sites are creating distractions and less activity to get the brain and blood flowing in the body.
The social media has also brought upon a whole new approach to language that affects the English language, written and spoken. Much of the writing done on in social media is abbreviated or is incorrect grammar or spelling. A lot of students today rely too much on a computer’s spell check such that a student’s ability to write and spell things correctly has plummeted. Although media helps relay information quickly, often immediately, it impedes a student’s ability to gain the skills of writing, spelling and grammar. What is expected in an English course and what is expected to be your next Facebook status is extremely different in word choice, structure and often, spelling. Because of the large amount of time students spend on the social media, it is affecting the way they write academically and professionally. Some students don’t even have the skills to write professionally and this creates downfalls in education and the work field.
Another example is when I, or another students or individual, texts or emails someone for questions, concerns, change of plans, or criticism. I know when I am texting someone, I am much more bold and brave and tend to say things that I wouldn’t normally say if I were in person. I am sure everyone can relate to a time when you wanted to cancel plans to attend a party or a trip to the store but didn’t want to actually call the person because it is easier to hide behind the words of a text message because you fear how they will react. Social media has created this fear of contact and constant worry of how people will view you or react to you.
This contributes to the lowered levels of face-to-face communication. Students are spending more time on social media sites instead of socializing in person and this has caused students to be less effective when communicating in person (Dunn). For example, social sites for online dating have caused older people to depend on the Internet and website profiles in determining if they want to date a person or not. This takes away from the face-to-face meeting and romantic attraction towards one another. Psychology Today refers to it as “artificial contact” (Sun). Many of the problems faced on online dating sites are that people have different motives and attitudes on these sites and it is a challenge to find someone looking for the same things as you. Some may purely want a hook up friend while others may be looking for life-long partners. It is difficult to conclude what someone may want out of this through text on a screen. In addition, the majority of people only emphasize the good qualities and attractive photos of themselves that don’t reflect the genuine interpersonal behaviors of this person. Therefore, it is hard to predict the effectiveness or success of any relationship on these sites because your whole and authentic self is not portrayed, only those things you want to emphasize.
Private information that is posted to the social media is never anonymous even if one is assured they have “private” settings. I know when Facebook updates their privacy policy and asks me to agree, I never read the long explanation, I just click agree and move on to what I was doing previously. I am sure many other students can relate. We don’t read what Facebook has control over or what exactly is private. So yes, it is still possible for employers or educators to still find you even if you think your profile is private. The New York Times released an article saying “Facebook insists it is up to you to decide how much you want others to see. And that is true, to some extent. But you cannot entirely opt out of Facebook searches” (Sengupta). Therefore, you are fair game once you put up your information and it can still be seen or searched even after a post is deleted. Students and everyone connected to the social media often forget to filter the information they post. Many colleges, future employers and potential internship providers are looking at your Facebook’s and social networking profiles before interviews. This can potentially be detrimental to your chances of acceptance now and several years down the road. It is reported that 37% of employers look you up on Facebook before making any decision (Messieh). Students, especially college students, need to be conscious about the image they are creating for themselves on their social media sites because several students tend to post inappropriate pictures of revealing clothing options, drinking, or other illegal substances. This is now giving employers, recruiters and universities a picture of you that may be the wrong image.
Positives
Instead of using the black board with chalk we have technology advances such as the website Prezi to efficiently relay information to students in the classroom. More and more lectures are posted online along with videos and podcasts on YouTube to help demonstrate a skill. YouTube is used regularly in academic settings, 40% of educators report having an account and 9% use it to communicate with other educators while 21% of them use it to even communicate with students (Nielson). A lot of students find this helpful because some teachers will provide them with the lectures beforehand, others may find this way of teaching challenging due to the lack of concrete material in front of them, depending on how your learning style works.
The social media has increased collaboration among students. This has also increased productivity (Dunn). Specifically, last semester we had a semester long business project with a random group of students. Facebook allowed us to make a group where we communicated, shared ideas and set meeting times. It was really beneficial for sharing websites and files with the group. The connections built in social media sites allow people to learn skills in creating and maintaining cyber connections. In addition, the amount of time spent on cellular devices and on the social media and Internet familiarizes people with the newest technology. Since technology is so prominent in businesses and education it is very important and helpful (Dunn).
In this Writing the Mind course, our writing is done online in a blog. This is using social media in an educational setting. This allows our teacher and other students of the class to see our writing and give comments and critiques on how to improve it. This helps create an audience for the students and teaches them how to write and adapt to different audiences.
What Does This Mean?
How do we address the problem? Social media may be a smaller issue for the social aspect of human relationships, and it can be defined as an issue in relationship to education and communication. In an interview with a Chapman professor, she states that social media makes us “more connected globally, yet more isolated personally” (Shukla). We are disconnecting ourselves from face-to-face interactions but connecting with those peers and people through a website or cell phone. This doesn’t make sense. Social media has created this overlaying pressure for everyone to know what’s going on at all times. In the girl’s world, if you don’t know what is happening with the Kardashians, you obviously didn’t check your Twitter lately and you missed the whole scandal and gossip. There is this constant fear of being left out due to social media that it forces students to be checking their phone in class, while studying or even while talking to another person. This is a big distraction to our studies and skills, to our interpersonal relationships and in our society and generation such that we are so familiar with this that people don’t see it as an issue.
In regards to education, the fast-pace and immediate relay of information through social media sites and the Internet have made students expect to learn or get information immediately, instead of taking the time to learn or read to actually research and find information. We expect things to just be so readily available that our culture doesn’t have the desire to work for things. This also leads to the “lazy” reputation Americans have.
The social media has also created an easy access to bullying, discrimination and feelings of hatred that feeds into schools and universities. So why are we letting it dictate so much of our lives? For example, Chapman University had a Facebook page called “Chapman Compliments” and someone thought it would be a hit to create a “Chapman Insults”. Shortly after it’s creation, particular students and staff saw this as harmful and offensive and it was directly linked to this university.
The amount of time spent on these social media sites and the amount of power of these media sites is the issue. Social media may be an effective way of communicating in some cases and it will be the new trend for our education systems and business world. However, if social media were used in moderation, if scientists and spectators didn’t see social media as a possible form of addiction, if we didn’t spend the vast amount of time scrolling through, then it wouldn’t be of such great concern. Students, including me, are “obsessed” and use these sites to portray an image of themselves. It also limits their activities and interactions with people. Social media would bring more positives than negatives if it were used in restraint. Our social world wouldn’t need to put so much emphasis on it and it could actually enrich connections. “For social media to be a truly effective communication vehicle, all parties bear a responsibility to be genuine, accurate, and not allow it to replace human contact altogether.” (Tardanico) Social media has potential. However, people are using these sites to replace effective face-to-face communication and intimacy and this is where the problem arises.
If schools or the media put some restrictions or less importance on these sites than we could address the problem for future generations. It would make social media less of a commitment and more of a leisure activity. While students are obsessing our elders are asking why? I know for me, my grandfather is always yelling at us to put our phones away and contribute to conversation because that is so normal for his era that he can’t seem to comprehend the need to be on it all the time. The next step to try and fix this issue it to find a way to reduce the amount of time spent on these social media sites. This would ensure that online sites do not replace offline communication and it would create a healthy compromise for our future students and generations.
Print.
As I was trying to start this midterm research, I caught myself on Face book. I was looking through pictures, commenting on statuses, not even remotely engaged in finding research. This is when I decided to change my original line of inquiry and focus on how the social media affects academia and education. I bet we can all relate to a time in classes when we are checking instagram or twitter, or even texting and looking at Face book simultaneously in the library when we are suppose to be studying. It happens to the best of us, especially in this day and age. Face book had over 500 million users documented in 2011, meaning 1 in 13 people use the social media of Face book (“Facebook Statistics, Stats & Facts For 2011”). The vast amount of Face book and other social media users are increasing, partly to do with our generation and the advances and accessibility to technology. As a college student who is challenged by the temptations of twitter and Face book at hand, research shows that the social media impacts education positively and negatively.
A negative effect of the large social media on education and learning is that students are tempted to multi-task; they will be checking social media sites while claiming to study. This reduces academic performance because it is almost impossible to be actually doing two things at once (Dunn). The social media has also brought upon a whole new approach to language. Much of the writing done on the social media is abbreviated and without correct grammar or spelling. A lot of students today rely too much on a computer’s spell check that student’s ability to write and spell things correctly has plummeted. In addition, the language and communicating done on these sites have caused students to avoid face-to-face communication. Students are spending more time on social media sites instead of socializing in person and this has caused students to be less effective when communicating in person (Dunn).
Private information that is posted to the social media is never anonymous even if they say it is on private settings and it can be seen even after deletion. Students and everyone connected to the social media forget to filter the information they post. Many colleges, future employers and internships are looking at your facebooks and social networking profiles before interviews. This can potentially be detrimental to your chances of acceptance now and several years down the road. 37% of employers look you up on facebook before making any decision (Messieh). Students, especially college students, need to be consciousness about the image they are creating for themselves on their social media sites.
Another negative effect the social media has on academia si that students today rely on the internet and the information displayed on social media to provide answers. This results in reduced focus on learning and retaining information (Dunn). This can also be seen as beneficial because it takes less time to get research and information. It has definitely come in handy while doing this research project. Having information handy is more time efficient and allows students to get their work done timely and in any location they want, instead of being forced to search through libraries and books.
Now let’s look on the positive side, instead of using the black board with chalk we have technology advances such as the website Prezi to efficiently relay information to students in the classroom. More and more lectures are getting posted online along with videos and podcasts on YouTube to help demonstrate a skill. In regards to YouTube, 40% of educators report having an account and 9% use it to communicate with other educators while 21% of them use it to even communicate with students (Nielson).
The social media has increased collaboration among students. This has also increased productivity (Dunn). In regards to a specific example, last semester we had a semester long business project with a random group of students. Facebook allowed us to make a group where we communicated, shared ideas and set meeting times. It was really beneficial for sharing websites and files with the group. The connections built in social media sites allow people to learn skills in creating and maintaining connections. In addition, the amount of time spent on cellular devices and on the social media and Internet familiarizes people with the newest technology. Since technology is so prominent in businesses and education it is very important and helpful (Dunn). In conclusion, the social media helps build skills that are essential for school and even after we graduate. It allows connections and creative works to be published.
Just in regards to this Writing the Mind course, our writing is done online in a blog. This is using social media in an educational way. This allows our teacher and other students of the class to see our writing and give comments and critiques on how to improve it. This helps create an audience for the students and teaches them how to write and adapt to different audiences. Technology advances have brought upon beneficial effects, along with limitations. However, with the continuous advances in technology and social media sites, it seems crucial to familiarize yourself with it. It is hard to argue that social media sites are huge distractions and contribute to procrastination but this allows students to figure out time management and setting priorities.
Works Cited
Dunn, Jeff. “10 Best and Worst Ways Social Media Impacts Education.” Edudemic. N.p., 11 July 2011. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.
Hepburn, Aden. “Facebook Statistics, Stats & Facts For 2011Â |Â Digital Buzz Blog.” Digital Buzz Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.
Messieh, Nancy. “Survey: 37% of Your Prospective Employers Are Looking You up on Facebook.” TNW Network All Stories RSS. TNW The Next Web, 18 Apr. 2012. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.
Nielson, Jonas K. “How Social Media Is Changing the Education Industry [infographic] | Mindjumpers.” Mindjumpers RSS. N.p., 11 Apr. 2011. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.
In regards to how social media affects education and the academic life, I interviewed my grandfather Donald Baughman, who was a high school teacher for 20+ years and then a high school principal at New Rochelle High School. His career forced him to pay attention to the social media and technology imbedded in schools and teens today. His opinion stands strong when regarding social media and its impact on education.
“Cell phones, facebook and whatever else is out there, distracts from the learning environment. The majority of issues that came into my office were regarding excessive cell phone use during class and repeated offenses. I personally believe cell phones shouldn’t be allowed in school at all because they aren’t used to just call people anymore, you have the whole social media at your hand now a days.”
Baughman’s intake on the social media affecting schoolwork is strong. He even complains when his grandchildren are on their phone during holidays. He feels that it limits conversation and the drive for knowledge. People aren’t seeking to learn because they can google whatever the need to know now. Social media and technology has taken away time from books and encourages people to take the easy route.
I interviewed a fellow student at Chapman University, Mikey Hamilton, who believes there are positive and negatives to social media. He see’s where Mr. Baughman is coming from but also believes it helps students interact and build a positive learning community.
“Facebook itself has allowed me to connect with fellow students that I wouldn’t necessarily be able to get ahold of otherwise. It also allows you to form online groups where we can communicate and share ideas. I have done this numerous of times. But I agree students tend to be on their phones looking at Instagram or Facebook during class and that takes away from learning and involvement in class.”
Both Baughman and Hamilton discuss the large distractions social media have on students and their school work. Their work would get done a lot faster and possibly in better quality without these distractions. As my interviewees brought up, there are benefits and downfalls to the growing trend of social media.
As I was trying to start my research write-up for this week, I caught myself on Face book. I was looking through pictures, commenting on statuses, not even remotely engaged in finding research. This is when I decided to change my original line of inquiry and focus on how the social media affects academia and education. I bet we can all relate to a time in classes when we are checking instagram or twitter, or even texting and looking at Face book simultaneously in the library when we are suppose to be studying. It happens to the best of us, especially in this day and age. Face book had over 500 million users documented in 2011, meaning 1 in 13 people use the social media of Face book (http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/facebook-statistics-stats-facts-2011/). The vast amount of Face book and other social media users are increasing, partly to do with our generation and the advances and accessibility to technology. As a college student who is challenged by the temptations of twitter and Face book at hand, research shows that the social media impacts education positively and negatively.
A negative effect of the large social media on education and learning is that students are tempted to multi-task; they will be checking social media sites while claiming to study. This reduces academic performance because it is almost impossible to be actually doing two things at once (http://edudemic.com/2011/07/social-media-education/). The social media has also brought upon a whole new approach to language. Much of the writing done on the social media is abbreviated and without correct grammar or spelling. A lot of students today rely too much on a computer’s spell check that student’s ability to write and spell things correctly has plummeted. In addition, the language and communicating done on these sites have caused students to avoid face-to-face communication. Students are spending more time on social media sites instead of socializing in person and this has caused students to be less effective when communicating in person (http://edudemic.com/2011/07/social-media-education/).
Now let’s look on the positive side, instead of using the black board with chalk we have technology advances such as the website Prezi to efficiently relay information to students in the classroom. More and more lectures are getting posted online along with videos and podcasts on YouTube to help demonstrate a skill. In regards to YouTube, 40% of educators report having an account and 9% use it to communicate with other educators while 21% of them use it to even communicate with students (http://www.mindjumpers.com/blog/2011/04/education-industry-infographic-2/).
Just in regards to this Writing the Mind course, our writing is done online in a blog. This is using social media and the blogging idea in an educational way. This allows our teacher and other students of the class to see our writing and give comments and critiques on how to improve it. Technology advances have brought upon limitations and places to flourish for students. It will be interesting researching and finding out how it affects my education and learning habits.
Works Cited
Dunn, Jeff. “Edudemic.” Edudemic. N.p., 11 July 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.
“Facebook Statistics, Stats & Facts For 2011Â |Â Digital Buzz Blog.” Digital Buzz Blog. N.p., 18 Jan. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.
Nielson, Jonas K. “How Social Media Is Changing the Education Industry [infographic] | Mindjumpers.” Mindjumpers RSS. N.p., 11 Apr. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.
“Life becomes easier when you learn to accept an apology you never got. Forgiveness isn’t easy but it’s the sunshine that allows you to grow”
My Dad has never really been there for me. He chooses to live 3000 miles away and has really kept his distance my whole childhood. Time is fragile and with every second, minute, month, year that passes is time you will never get back. For the longest time, I resented my Dad. I chose not to visit him or really even communicate with him. I was so hurt and almost ashamed that someone who is suppose to be so important in my life, would just leave. I was angry that my own father was content with how his relationship with his kids turned out. I was frustrated that he never made an effort to make a change. All that hurt, resentment and anger towards one person wasn’t healthy for me or anyone. It wasn’t doing anything for me and it sure wasn’t making things better.
It wasn’t until recently that this quote played a role in my life and attitude. Maybe it had to do with me maturing and growing up, I don’t know but sometimes you just have to accept that apology your never going to get. It simply just makes things easier. The biggest mistake someone can make it having high expectations because you just let yourself down. I finally came to the conclusion that the only person hurting and suffering was me. It just kind of hit me one day that there was no use in being angry or waiting for a long tearful conversation with numerous apologies and regrets. It wasn’t going to happen. However, everything is a choice and it was a choice for me to accept that wasn’t going to happen. Forgiveness doesn’t necessarily mean you forget the crime but it means your ready to move past it
Within the last year, my Dad and I have stepped foot into a new relationship. He came to California for my graduation and then in September to visit me at Chapman, something that never would have happened before. I planned a trip out to New York this winter to visit him for a week. I know I have changed and by doing that for myself, I allowed him a second chance to be someone different. I want him to be my Dad but that would be impossible to get if my anger and distance stood in the way.
I know things aren’t perfect and I know there is time that he missed that I can never redo but I am happy to see things progressing. I know this has changed me forever but I also know that accepting this apology that wasn’t going to happen, has taken a huge weight off my shoulder. There is nothing I want more than to have a strong, healthy relationship with my own father.
“We run when we’re scared, we run when we’re ecstatic, we run away from our problems and run around for a good time.” –Christopher McDougall
This quote was taken directly from last weeks reading in the second chapter of Born to Run, and for me it meant more than its literal meaning. The author embedded this phrase into his writing for the literal and metaphorical impact on the reader. As he talks about how running has affected him, he explains that running is part of our everyday life and is essential in his personal lifestyle. As human beings, when we are scared or threatened by a certain situation, we are taught to run and flee the area. When we are excited, we run around to express our joy or purely to have a good time.
However, the metaphorical connotation derived from these words stood out to me even more. The parallel structure and repetition of this sentence caught my eye and created emphasis. It made me reread the sentence over, even highlight it and think about it. It is inevitable that we do literally run in all these scenarios, but it also portrays our natural instinct to escape reality at times. We “run” around to have a good time so we persuade ourselves that we are happy. We tend to try to dodge our problems, and avoid them at all costs because it is simply easier. We want to hide when we are scared because it is safer. The author portrays the good and the bad associated with our instinct of running as a human kind and it was an interesting concept to see how one action can have several meanings.
This sentence, in particular, stood out because I can closely relate to it. I find myself constantly running, never just static and content. I often run around all the time looking for something and forget what I have. This is true with a lot of people because sometimes “running” is just easier.
Can passion really be defined? Are we born with our passions or do they arise as we grow old?
I envy those with passions, those who can have the worst day and be brought instant happiness when they practice what they love to do. My friend’s passion is singing. Whenever she is on the verge of tears, singing can build her up. The power of passion is so great. It lifts the soul with courage, strength and happiness. Passions can broad from singing to sports, knitting to kites. They are what you make them to be.
I always wondered what my passion was. When I was having a hard time, I wanted that one thing to fall back on that could make everything just a little bit better: something that I truly loved to do. I played softball and soccer for years but I gave those up without hesitation. It wasn’t until recently that I actually did have a passion but I didn’t realize the power of it until it was gone.
I was an equestrian; I rode horses for most of my childhood. It came naturally to me and I remember the exact swaying on the back of the horse, with the wind hitting your face and rushing through your hair. The feeling as if you were free, riding with no worries. It was my favorite feeling and my greatest joy. The connection your make with your horse resembles a best friend. Together, we went riding bareback on the beaches, trail riding and then to competitions, even made it to the state fair.
I hadn’t realized what I gave up until it was long gone. I stopped horseback riding in my sophomore year of high school because I wanted to focus on my traveling soccer. However, like I said that ended shortly before my senior year due to coach and team downfalls.
There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t miss the memories and my horse. There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t miss the wind in my hair and the sway of the ride.
Everyone goes to college to get that “college experience”, to have some of the best times of their life and share memories that will never be forgotten. One of the many things I learned coming into college is not to have high expectations. For me, college wasn’t all that I thought it would be. My friends from home were enjoying every minute of the time away from home, away from nagging parents and away from the stupid high school drama, but that was exactly what I missed. My mom is my best friend and my family means everything to me that being away from them was harder than I imagined.
My first semester was harder than I thought it would be. I missed the comfort of home. I missed my true friends. I felt the people walked around here kept to themselves and didn’t have a true intention of making life long friends. I kept to myself last semester and just tried to count down the days until I could go home. I called my mom countless times in tears trying to just make it through the end of the day. Often, I didn’t know how I was going to get through this. I often wondered, when was going to be enough?
I looked into transferring, even going to the junior college back home. The differences between the people and culture from home and Southern California was a shock. It almost feels as if Northern California and here shouldn’t be considered the same state. It was some of the hardest months because I didn’t feel comfortable in my new environment and my mind was stuck in unresolved issues from home. I finally made it through the fall semester and was so ecstatic to go home for six weeks and have all my friends and family reunited for the time being. I got the opportunity to let things go from a past relationship and was actually feeling excited to return to Chapman. I had an open mind and wanted to give it another try, not only another try, but my best try this time. I have only been here for five days but I can honestly say I haven’t been this happy in months. I have a new mindset, almost like a fresh start and I am excited for the opportunity to establish new beginnings this semester.
emmabaughman 