How FAR I Have Come Essay Example

Throughout this course, there has been a lot of work required of all of us. Personally, I have found the assignments rigorous in nature. They were assigned quickly, with fast approaching due dates. This, of course, was something I was not used to or prepared for, but it was something I knew I needed to become accustomed to for the sake of my education. I was forced to apply focus and diligence that I was unused to using in previous classes. However, this is one of the numerous reasons I decided to take WRTG 101. I knew this class would push me as a student, as well as an individual, testing my abilities to study and commit myself to my education, which was something I knew I would need.
Prior to taking this class, I was aware I needed to work on my focus. While I am able to focus, it is typically on my time, and not when deadlines are approaching. I have been known to let them slip by, acting lackadaisical when I should be more attentive to my schoolwork. I was aware, however, when deciding to take WRTG 101, that allowing my focus to slip would no longer be an option. There would be many assignments I would need to focus on, and there would be no excuse to ignore deadlines. At the very least, it would be time to act like an adult. I would need to complete them, or face a failing grade at the end of the class. Fortunately, I was able to overcome my focus problem quickly by setting aside time each week for studying and writing. This allowed me the ability to create a schedule for this class, as well as my other classes, ensuring that I had a more prosperous semester than I would have without learning these traits.
I also knew, before taking WRTG 101, that I needed to learn how perform proper research for future papers. I understood the basics of researching sources for a paper, but was aware there was more to it than simply inputting keywords into a search engine. The class enabled me to learn that websites ending in .com are not typically based on scholarly sources, whereas websites ending in .gov or .edu are often not only more acceptable, but also more trustworthy. Even small tricks such as, if the author’s name was accompanied by MA or Ph.D, they were more trustworthy than if it was accompanied by a simple “correspondent.” Furthermore, I was able to learn how to access accredited scholarly articles and reports via the internet, thereby avoiding using untrustworthy websites at all. Most conveniently, the class enabled me to use the school’s official database to search for sources, eliminating most sources that would feed me otherwise false information. It was important to me that I learned how to input only accurate information into my papers, rather than continue lazily inserting whatever information I came across on websites via random search engines.
Most importantly, WRTG 101 has allowed me to become more confident as a student, which is something I was lacking but desperately needed. Prior to beginning school, or taking a WRTG class, I questioned my abilities concerning the subject. However, as the weeks have passed, I have grown more confident in my abilities to complete tasks competently, as well as my ability to learn and retain information. It can be difficult, I believe, when an individual begins attempting to accomplish a grand goal, such as college. This is how I felt when I began this class, and school in general. My confidence was not very high and I wondered at times if it was even worth trying. I was sure I was going to fail the first few assignments I had returned to me. However, I was able to prove myself wrong because I worked diligently to improve my study habits. I stayed committed to turning in quality work, as well. In addition, with these improvements came a growth in confidence that I cannot remember ever seeing in myself. Most excitingly, with each assignment I found myself enthusiastic to learn new things about the topic. I had forgotten what it was like to be excited to learn, or excited to be a student. Both of these qualities ensured that I would find it easy to recommit myself to my education, and while I believed for a while that WRTG 101 might be a waste of my time, it has proven to be that exact opposite.
In sum, WRTG 101 has been a great resource to myself, as well as my education. I set out at the beginning of the class to improve the quality of my studying and focus, as well as my work and I believe I have been able to achieve those goals. In doing so, I have been able to create other, better habits that have benefitted me in other areas of life as well. My improved focus has allowed me to create a schedule, which is helping with other classes, and other areas of life. The knowledge I have attained about which sources are credible and which are not has allowed me to turn in quality work in this class, as well as others. Moreover, this information will continue profiting me throughout my educational career, as I am sure I will be required to write many research papers before I reach my goal. Finally, the confidence this class has managed to instill in me has allowed me to remember how exciting it is to be a student, as well as how exciting it is to learn new things. WRTG 101 is one of the greatest reasons I have found it so easy to fully recommit to my education, striving to be the best writer, and scholar I am able to be.