Embedded Files
English 1101 wasn’t my favorite class, but it played a major role in preparing me for real college expectations. It showed me how different college-level work is from high school and how much more responsibility falls on the student. The class pushed me to manage my time better, communicate more clearly, and take ownership of my assignments. It also made me realize how lenient high school teachers can be compared to college professors, who expect you to come prepared, stay disciplined, and advocate for yourself. Even though the experience was challenging, it helped me grow and gave me a clearer picture of what college academics truly require.
Topic Proposal
For my proposal, I chose to research the “Freshman 15” because I’ve personally experienced weight gain in the past and know how much it can affect someone physically, mentally, and emotionally. As a future college freshman, I wanted to understand how sleep, physical activity, and daily habits influence weight gain so I can avoid repeating unhealthy patterns. My proposal explains why this topic matters to me and why colleges should support students with wellness programs.
Unit 3 Synthesis Matrix
In my synthesis matrix, I organized information from five different sources about sleep, physical activity, eating habits, and mental health. This helped me see patterns across the research and understand how each factor contributes to the Freshman 15. Creating the matrix also helped me prepare for my final essay by showing me which sources supported each part of my argument.
Speech on How having a healthy lifestyle can help avoid the Freshman 15
For my speech, I turned my research into a clear, engaging presentation for my classmates. I explained the problem, the causes, and the solutions behind the Freshman 15 using evidence from my sources. This assignment helped me practice public speaking, organizing ideas, and explaining research in a way that makes sense to an audience.
Unit 3 Proposal
This proposal explains why I chose to research the Freshman 15 and how my personal experience with weight gain motivated my topic. In this assignment, I outlined the purpose of my project, identified my audience, and created a draft thesis that guided the rest of my work. The proposal helped me clarify my goals and set the foundation for my research, showing the early planning stage of my final essay.
How having a healthy lifestyle can help the Freshman 15
This final research essay is the completed version of my project. In it, I analyze the main problems first-year students face: unhealthy eating habits, lack of structure, low physical activity, and stress, and explain how these factors contribute to weight gain. I use evidence from multiple scholarly and news sources to discuss both the causes and the solutions. Writing this essay strengthened my academic voice and taught me how to build a clear, well-supported argument using research.
This final research essay explores the causes of the Freshman 15 and explains how healthy routines, physical activity, and stress management can help first-year students avoid unnecessary weight gain. I used evidence from multiple scholarly and news sources to analyze the problem and offer realistic solutions. This topic was especially meaningful to me because of my own past experience with weight gain and how running track helped me rebuild confidence, discipline, and balance in my life. As someone who plans to become a sports psychologist, researching this topic helped me understand how physical health, mental health, and daily habits are connected. It showed me how important it is to support athletes—and all students—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. Working on this essay strengthened my academic voice and helped me see how my future career and personal experiences connect to the research I do.
Page updated
Report abuse