Looking back on the flower pot project, my comfort level evolved significantly throughout the process. Initially, I felt moderately comfortable because of the logical similarities to the bracelet project we had done in class, which provided a foundation of familiarity. However, there was still a sense of unease about applying those skills to a new, more complex project. As I worked through the design, building circuits, and assembling the final product, my comfort grew as I overcame each challenge and developed more confidence in my abilities.

The ease of progression through the project significantly boosted my self-efficacy. Completing tasks without major challenges strengthened my mindset, solidifying a belief that I could handle similar projects with confidence. This experience taught me that steady effort and familiarity can make seemingly complex tasks approachable. By the end, I felt assured not just in my ability to complete this project but also in my readiness to take on future challenges with the same mindset and skill set.

During college, there were few courses that really pushed me out of my comfort zone. As a Math and Econ major, I typically feel confident, even when tackling high-level math courses filled with abstract concepts. These courses play to my strengths and fit within the scope of my expertise. However, when I decided to take courses like Oceanography and Stars and Galaxies, it felt like stepping into uncharted waters. At first, they seemed intimidating because they required me to step outside my comfort zone and think in ways I wasn’t used to. Despite that initial apprehension, my curiosity won out and pushed me to try.

Despite being introductory courses, they brought a different kind of learning experience that I hadn’t encountered in my major. The challenge wasn’t so much the difficulty of the material but adapting to new ways of understanding and processing information. This initially made me question my ability to succeed, as I felt out of place compared to subjects where I had years of background knowledge. However, taking those classes taught me that being outside my comfort zone was where I gained the most valuable skills.

If I could give my past self advice, I'd say, “Take the leap; you’ll learn more than you think.” I’d emphasize that stepping out of my comfort zone is where real growth happens. Pushing through those feelings and tackling subjects that seemed intimidating at first taught me adaptability and resilience. They reminded me that confidence is not just about being skilled in your chosen field but also about trusting your ability to learn new things and expand your understanding beyond what you already know.