Time Strategies

For this semester, at least for this class, I believe working ahead will be the best strategy. And for classes where I can't work ahead, the best strategy would be to just start the work when it is given. That way I can get a feel for how long it will take and can then plan on working so many hours a day on it to get it done on time without getting swamped with work. Bellow is the two articles I read and found very interesting and because of them, I plan to keep in mind my end goal and make sure that I stay motivated to do my work as well as start work by determining a small first step and just doing it. Another great strategy I will follow this semester is to separate myself from distractions as much as possible.

The Important Habit of Just Starting
I found this one very interesting because thinking back on my own experiences I have noticed this is very true. There's been many time where something seems to big or daunting and so I never start. And there are other times where I've found if I just start it then I'll be able to finish it even if it was something I wasn't looking forward to doing or thought would be hard to finish.

How to Beat Procrastination
I decided to read this one because procrastination is one of my major weaknesses. This goes along well with the previous mentioned article because there are both about starting a project and focusing on the future goal.

 

A procrastinators reasoning...

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The Technology Tools

The majority of the mentioned websites I have never used before other than, of course, canvas. The websites used for this class are very different from I am used to an online class doing. Usually everything is on canvas so this is a refreshing change to be able to use and explore other websites. I am looking forward to creating a website due to that being something I have never done before but know people who have done so. I have never kept any sort of blog before and while learning to do so is very interesting, I don't see myself continuing with a blog after this class. However, maybe this class will change my mind on that.
As far as the tools mentioned I have always used folders to organize my bookmarks which, now that there are so many of them, is a necessity for me to be able to find anything. I have not had to use a word count or spell checker on my browser before because any writing I did was through Google docs and that acts very much like Microsoft Word does. I have never had a reason to use more than one web browser and likely will not because I have yet to find a website that Chrome, my preferred web browser, will not load nicely. However I do think Firefox is also a good browser and if Chrome stopped working for me that is the one I would switch to.

The Battle of The Browsers 

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First Impressions of Assignments

This semester I am quite excited about being in this class. I have never had a class such as this and thus it is why it has captured my attention. In all honesty, I wish more classes were like this. In a way we can take a break from all the harder classes and enjoy ourselves with a class that is actually fun. I believe that professors who keep a class simple and enjoyable should be teaching this method of their way to future prospering teachers. What I am looking forward to in this class is the whole story project where we as students can let our creative writing out and maybe learn not only about others but ourselves.

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"A good teacher is like a candle- it consumes itself to light the way for others"- Mustafa

Growth Mindset and Education

I had never heard of Carol Dweck before watching these videos. I find the topic very interesting and relevant and am very interested in learning more about it. I have always believed that people can succeed in anything they choose just as long as they fully put their minds to it and work hard and with the right attitude. Dweck's idea on growth mindset would support that. If this idea could be applied to the education system of today with truly good teachers then I completely believe that students would learn more because they would not be afraid of their efforts not being enough and would be more willing to work hard because of that. However this would not guarantee that all students would learn as well as others. Each and every one of us has a preferred learning method. There are auditory learners, visual learners and hands-on learners and different learning speeds on top of that as well as different strengths. Because of all these different methods of learning. I do not believe that one system can truly benefit all of them in one class time. Dave Paunesku brings up a good point about this. He mentions that a student failing to learn cannot be blamed all on the student for it is the system behind education that is responsible for teaching students. And I completely agree with that statement. I have heard of an idea where there would be different classes or even different schools for the different learning styles. This is an interesting idea but I'm not sure how practical it would be in reality. Where would you find all the teachers to teach for the specific styles? Oklahoma already has too few teachers for the number of students and I'm sure other states have the same issue. Maybe the first thing to consider is how to get qualified people to teach at public schools and make sure those teachers know how to create a good learning environment for students. And, of course, attract more teachers to the public schools in order to decrease class sizes and make the students feel more included.

"If you only focus on the problem you might miss the easy solution" - (source)

1NTR0DUC71ON .... Me,Myself, and I

Alright ladies and gentlemen and those of unspecified genders, please put your hands together for one of the world’s most egoistic, charismatic, funny, prideful, and maybe clinically insane individuals, ME... lol

My name is Rafeh Waheed, a lot of my friends go by Raphael, because you know, why not be called a ninja turtle. Thankfully our beloved professor has listed some questions for us to answer so people could have the unfortunate event of getting to know me.

My major is Bio-Chemical Sciences. There is nothing cool about it but once I get my hands on it, the coolest thing about the degree is that someone like me is holding it.

There was no class last semester I took that interested me

The biggest accomplishment last semester was that I passed a boring class

I went overseas to Pakistan and like all Pakistani weddings, it’s always over dramatic, overpriced, and *drum-roll* overrated.

well so, Im a 90s kid, so Im a huge fan of marvel + DC comics, and books like Harry potter, Eragon, Percy Jackson, Goosebumps. Kane Chronicles, and the list continues. I am a huge nerd as well and love playing Yugioh, Pokemon, and occasionally online games.

favorite music type- rock, rap. techno, dub-step, and classic remixes.

My career goals are to become a good son, the worse enemy of my enemies: P, a good brother, the best father, the best husband. BE A BADA**, and be a very competent medical physician in the future. 

I have falcon...... just kidding I have a conure that rivals my character, her name is Louloua. She thinks she’s a falcon though.

I don’t really have any favorite places; my favorite place is home with my tribe.

I LOVE MEAT. That is something I don’t compromise on. but a best alternative is chicken flavored ramen noodles because being broke sucks in collage.

My hobbies are as follows - memes, -reading, -laughing at political scandals, -criticizing governments, -making jokes, playing games online. playing the viola (out of practice) and finally I kickbox at one of Moores MMA gyms.

There is a lot about me that I don’t tell people. Only because people would get jealous of how Awesome I am. JK. In all honesty I am very similar to you. I am the main character of my life and I am someone who just like you is trying to find his way in this chaos. A life that is always harsh, cruel and relentless, I am someone just like you fighting to keep a smile on my face and staying strong in front of my loved ones. I know what it feels like to have doubts and struggles, but I tell myself as I tell you, to stay strong and fight on because I promise you will get there. Wherever it is. 

"It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, It’s the size of fight in the dog that will prevail" - Mark Twain

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<---- My spirit animal

Storybook Favorites

Ghost Stories - Where is Everyone?

This story grabbed my attention right from the introduction. The introduction was well written and was written in such a way that it dares the reader to continue. I really liked this story because it makes you think about places that I walk by every day and wonder about the history of the place. The style was a recounting of events but written in such a way that the characters seem real. This story tells of events that could actually happen and have likely happened somewhere and is a reminder to stay close to your loved ones and don't give up a fight just because you lost once.

No Birth No Death - Transformation

The style of this story was more of a poem than a book. I found the different style very interesting and fitting to the story. On the surface the story is quite simple but by digging down into it there are deeper meanings and messages in the story. I like the fact that this story can hold several meanings to the reader through the personification of Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring. It could be a message of how you can only know someone when you have seen all sides of them. It could also be a message of how time is always moving and the world changes but there are repeating patterns. And it could also be a message of how people are stronger by sticking together. The meaning of this story really depends on what the reader finds important or interesting.

The Demon King of Lanka, Ravana

So I really liked this story, first of all its overall style in portraying these epic legends in a casual modern day atmosphere. I come from an Indian/ Hindu background from my father’s side and when visiting overseas there are epic legends about these fictional characters.  What I find captivating about this storybook is how alive it feels. I am amazed at how the author has such excellent writing skills that it makes the reader want more. It’s a story that never dies because it shows that young creative minded authors can make everyone feel an emotional connection in stories. To think that Ravana, the demon king is also a guy with a conscious that isn't all evil makes people like us become more attached to these characters. By giving us a sensation of don’t judge a book by its cover, I can say that this story shows great promise to the reader. Also love how the two brothers are in pursuit of having mixed feeling of Ravana the demon king. I believe I once heard that the more complex a story is, the better it becomes. I am sure we all had a movie or book that made us understand where the villains point of view was. I am sure there were stories where we sympathize with them as well, I sort of sympathize with Ravana in this story. Sometimes you have to be a villain in other places to be a hero to your own people.  Like a great villain once said, " The hardest choices sometimes require the strongest will" - Thanos. I believe Ravana had a similar philosophy where he wanted to do anything to achieve his dream that he would take his own heads off. Overall, this was an amazing story and hope to see more. 

- A very cool Ravana wallpaper
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Favorite Place

https://www.visitcos.com/blog/summit-these-five-lesser-known-colorado-mountains/

I went to the Colorado mountains once when i was young, and since that time adventuring in the mountains with my family, I have yet to feel the same kind of peace and excitement from anywhere else. I would say this is my favorite place because of its beauty and amazing weather.