Teacher’s Summary:
In “My Personal Action Plan: Navigating the Challenges of General Education,” Alex Thompson, a 20-year-old sophomore at Axia College, outlines a comprehensive strategy to overcome academic struggles and achieve success. This action plan is built on six key elements: leveraging Axia’s educational resources, maintaining academic honesty, setting and achieving goals, managing time effectively, enhancing reading comprehension, and applying personal learning styles. By sharing his journey and practical methods, Alex provides valuable insights for students aiming to excel in their studies and future careers. The paper is well-structured, insightful, and reflective, demonstrating a deep understanding of personal learning needs and effective strategies. I would grade this paper as an A for its clarity, thoroughness, and personal engagement.
My Personal Action Plan: Navigating the Challenges of General Education
Introduction
As I sit here in my dorm room, staring at my biology textbook with a mix of determination and anxiety, I can’t help but reflect on my journey so far. I’m Alex Thompson, a 20-year-old sophomore at Axia College, and the first in my family to attend university. My dream is to become a graphic designer, but to get there, I need to conquer these general education courses first. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m committed to succeeding.
Over the past nine weeks in my General Education class, I’ve developed this Personal Action Plan to guide me through the next two years of college. It consists of six key elements that I believe will help me overcome my past struggles with learning and achieve my goals.
Using Axia’s Educational Resources
Growing up, I always felt lost in traditional classrooms. But here at Axia, I’ve discovered a wealth of resources that cater to different learning styles. The online library has been a game-changer for me. Instead of feeling overwhelmed in a physical library, I can search for credible information from the comfort of my room, at any time that suits my schedule.
The Writing Center for Excellence has become my go-to tool for improving my papers. As someone who’s always been more visually oriented, seeing my writing errors highlighted helps me understand and correct them better than any red pen ever did. I’ve made it a habit to run all my work through the plagiarism checker – not because I intend to cheat, but because it gives me peace of mind knowing my work is truly my own.
Upholding Academic Honesty
Speaking of plagiarism, academic honesty is something I take very seriously. In high school, I saw some classmates take shortcuts, and I always wondered if they really learned anything. Now that I’m in college, investing my time and money into my future, I understand even more why academic integrity is crucial.
I’ve read through the Student Handbook carefully and committed to following all the rules. No copying, no plagiarism, no submitting others’ work as my own. It’s not just about avoiding consequences; it’s about respecting myself and my education. Every assignment I complete honestly is a step toward becoming the professional I want to be.
Setting and Achieving Goals
As someone who’s often felt overwhelmed by big tasks, I’ve learned that breaking things down into smaller, manageable goals is key. My Axia degree is my big, long-term goal. But to get there, I’ve set smaller, short-term goals for each semester, each class, and even each week.
For example, in my challenging biology course, I’ve set a goal to review my notes for 30 minutes every day, rather than cramming before exams like I used to. I’ve also set a goal to visit my professor’s office hours at least once a month, pushing myself out of my comfort zone to seek help when I need it.
Managing Time Wisely
Time management has always been my Achilles’ heel. With work, family commitments, and now college, I quickly realized that without a solid plan, I’d be drowning in deadlines and stress. So, I’ve developed a system that works for me.
I’ve converted a wall near my desk into a giant calendar. Each Sunday, I take time to update it with assignments, work shifts, and family commitments for the next two weeks. Seeing everything laid out visually helps me plan my time better. I also make sure to schedule in breaks and some free time – I’ve learned the hard way that burnout is real, and taking care of myself is just as important as meeting deadlines.
Fostering Reading Comprehension and Retention
Reading comprehension has always been a challenge for me. In high school, I’d often reach the end of a page and realize I hadn’t absorbed anything. Now, I’m learning to read smarter, not harder.
I’ve started using the SQ3R method (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review) for my textbook readings. It takes a bit more time upfront, but I’m retaining so much more information. I’ve also discovered that I retain information better when I engage multiple senses. So now, I highlight key points in my textbooks, then transfer those highlights to colorful sticky notes that I arrange on my wall. This visual representation helps me see connections between ideas and recall information more easily during exams.
Applying Personality and Learning Styles
Perhaps the most important thing I’ve learned about myself is that I’m a visual and kinesthetic learner. Traditional lectures and textbooks often left me feeling lost, but now I’m finding ways to adapt my coursework to my learning style.
For instance, in my biology class, instead of just reading about cell structures, I’ve started drawing them out and creating 3D models with modeling clay. It takes extra time, but the hands-on approach helps the information stick. I’ve also started recording myself summarizing key points from lectures and listening to these recordings while I work out or do chores. This plays to my verbal intelligence and helps reinforce the material.
Conclusion
As I look at this action plan, I feel a sense of hope and determination. Yes, college is challenging, especially for someone like me who’s struggled with traditional education in the past. But for the first time, I feel like I have the tools and strategies to succeed. This plan isn’t just about getting through my general education courses – it’s about becoming a better learner, a more organized individual, and ultimately, setting myself up for success in my future career as a graphic designer. It won’t be easy, but I’m ready for the challenge.
Additional Online References
1. Study.com. (2023). Time Management Tips for College Students.
2. Verywell Mind. (2023). Understanding Different Learning Styles.