Oceanography

Mid Term Reflection -

I have finally made it to the middle of the semester for oceanography! So much I have learned from the first two weeks of class until now, almost the end of October. Oceanography was my first ever college class I have ever taken. The first time I sat down in a classroom since before the pandemic in High School. If I’m honest I did not know quite what to take because most of the classes my counselor recommended were filled up. But then I heard about oceanography from my best friend Rio. And honestly science has been a huge part of my life that many don’t know about me. I always wanted to know more about the ocean but never took it upon myself to do a lot more research than I’ve done. I mostly did a lot of my own research about space and different parts of the main land on earth. After a few classes fun assignments and watching documentaries in oceanography. I became aware of so much knowledge about coral reefs, marine life, chemicals of the ocean, all the different ocean and sea basins. I can’t wait to learn more and take this knowledge with me for the rest of my life.

Final Reflection -

For oceanography I remember I showed up to my first day of college a day late. I remember my best friend Rio was telling me about her day at school and told me how oceanography was such a cool class. I really wanted to try it since the classes I originally signed up for were full. I remember I came in and asked to join Professor Coopers class which she greatly accepted. I was honestly really nervous because I have not been in a classroom since 2019 a year before the pandemic. I remember the feeling of worry rushing away realizing I believed in myself and the professor seemed really great! I remember after class I still had to feel my schedule with one more class which was the same days Tuesdays and Thursdays. Poetry Writing. Which is something I’ve always had a passion for. But I did always have another passion. Helping and learning about the planet. Since I was little I always had a huge passion for earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanos. Along with tornados, hurricanes and other weather related things and space! I loved space! After the first month of class I really really enjoyed it. I remember my now boyfriend took me out to the beach a few weeks after my first class. And all I could talk about was the different things I learned to him. When we were the water and tasted the salt I told him how I learned that there’s a whole science about the tasting of salt water in our mouths. How it is just different ions reacting. Professor Cooper caring about her students and just wanting to communicate so we are all on the same page with class and assignments really really helped my anxiety. I have a lot in my personal life and with the death of my brother. It’s been very hard to get up some days and be around others without crying. There were a few times where that happened but I told the professor what was happening and really helped me. Which I’m so grateful for because I know so many professors don’t do that for their students. My best friend Rio became very passionate about this class which really was amazing to see. I remember I was pushing her to join college with me to pass the time and not knowing the huge journey we were about to go on. There were moments where I truly wanted to drop out and if it wasn’t us pushing each other I know I couldn’t have done it. I know I’m going to remember this class for a very long time as my first class in college and how it was such an amazing course to take. My goals in this class were to show up on time, being consistent and finish this semester feeling amazing about my first semester. I feel like there were days I missed but I feel so very proud of myself for accomplishing it besides what happened beyond me. Outside of class I honestly would search up different videos of what I found very interesting. Such as pollution in our oceans and the coral reefs. In the end. I’m very happy on what I’ve done. This class experience really is going to help me in the long run. I’m going to have so much more confidence next semester. I even may take geology! Which I love the subject so much. I’m excited more than ever to learn and explore the planet and love it even more. Thank you for having faith in me and Rio and the rest of the students.