Reflection

This experience was significant because it had allowed me to interact with peers on a novel, advanced level as well as widen my viewpoints of the world. I was able to complete research on relevant topics, construct presentations, and present to classmates and my professor in an efficient, timely manner. Each speech required audience adaptation, considering all perspectives involved. Afterwards, an in-depth self-reflection was thought about and written, facilitating the learning process. This course had also provided opportunities to critically analyze and think about new topics while providing feedback to peers on their presentations.

Summary

My 'I am' and 'I want to become' statements created in this Honors course were seen on the 'About Me' page.

Reflection

When creating the 'I am' and 'I want to become' statements, I discovered more about myself and found drive and sense of determination from within. I was able to reflect on where was at in my life and how far I still need to travel to reach my goals. I established and solidified what aspects in life are the most valuable.

Summary

As a first year college student in the Honors program, this course offered countless opportunities to shape my experience and expedite my growth as a person. One activity that was very beneficial for me was the engaged learning and leadership plan, where research was done to discover what activities to get involved with all around campus. I also participated in a group project for the self-serving bias from the Cognitive Bias Codex and created a journey map of my life in the past, present, and future. Additionally, I created an Honors Contract for my Tourism Geography class as an assignment, which is displayed further down this page.

Reflection

Regarding the engaged learning and leadership plan, I actually ended up joining a few of the campus activities mentioned! Attending the panel outside of class and listening to students speak about it in class really helped to guide me in making those decisions. I joined ALDPES and the Honors Peer Mentor programs due to the information I had discovered through that activity. I recently also applied to become an anatomy mentor and ALD/PES officer/committee member.

The group project for the self-serving bias helped me think about the way that I think. I experienced growth because I was able to question and challenge why I might think a certain way. The self-serving bias is one that a lot of students tend to have, even if they do not realize it.

Constructing a journey map of my past, present, and future allowed me to see my experiences and plans all in one place. I was able to trace back and see how I got where I am today, while also looking forward towards my goals. This helped me point out very specific targets to reach and will certainly be beneficial as I move forward in my undergraduate career and beyond.

The Honors Contract assignment was more than just establishing an Honors experience for one course. I will be able to utilize these skills in future courses and in the workplace! I learned how to professionally approach a professor with a well-thought-out plan of an Honors project idea. Creating the schedule was crucial to the Honors Contract process, and the examples provided helped guide my choices.

Summary

For my Spring Tourism Geography course, I am completing an Honors Contract in addition to the standard semester coursework. I have carefully crafted this contract and project based upon the learning objectives of the class, such as exploring in greater depth tourism characteristics and basic travel patterns, developing improved appreciation for places and landscapes within travel, demonstrating how travel behaviors relate to the lives of people in tourism areas, and integrating knowledge about population, culture, politics, the economy, the environment, and more. More specifically, I am researching a special location of interest, which is Switzerland. I am producing a five page paper with visual aids based upon the schedule in the Honors Contract I developed.

Reflection

Researching a country other than my own has broadened my knowledge of other cultures and ways of life. Because I have not yet travelled internationally and have the desire to study abroad, learning about the characteristics of a country that is novel to me has been undoubtedly significant.

More will be added here once the project and semester are complete.