Culture at the Core Blog is provided for students to share their experiences while at the University of Minnesota and while going through the program. All students participating in the program are required each week to blog their experiences. We encourage others like you to read and respond to their thoughts, feelings, experiences and more. We hope this blog inspires and motivates many to live the life they desire.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
What small step did you do this week to get you closer to your dream?
What CWB did you select for the week and what experiment did you create? What did you notice?
What small step did you do this week to get you closer to your dream?
I have tried to more focus on my study. Even though I would love to spend time at home if I did not have any appointments or work on campus, I forced myself to go to library every morning and made a sort of progress in my research. I also prepared to teach my classes more attentively. For instance, if I had noticed any students dozing off or distracted in classroom, I gave some encouraging comments on her or his quiz sheet not to let the person give up the course works. Although I knew I had to spend more time in meeting with more students and giving extensive comments on their paper, their positive responses to my concerns were priceless to me.
What CWB did you select for the week and what experiment did you create? What did you notice?
I selected “Sanction Presence” for the last week because I wanted to overcome my excessive self-consciousness. I tended to see myself through other’s eyes by assuming how other people would think about me or judge my weakness. “Sanction Present” proposes that I allow myself and others to accept people where they are at the moment. In other words, this CWB emphasizes the importance of recognizing others as well as myself at the same time and in the same place. I attempted to admit other people’s presence in my classroom, office, and apartment. I intentionally avoided assuming that other people would observe me and evaluate me (mostly, my shyness and timidity). Instead, I tried to listen to (overhear?) their stories and waited for the time when they asked questions about my thoughts and opinions. In doing so, I became less self-conscious than before and felt comfortable with myself.
To a certain extend, my dream revolves around me getting a good GPA. Yes! Straight As. That's all i need... very simple yet it's super exhausting.
I just received my first paper for my literature course and it suck. Maybe I'm just being a little too emotional but i have seriously tried so hard to write a paper that fits all the requirements that is listed in that rubic paper. But still, my grades are not as good as my friend who just took 4 hours to write it.
Anyway, i think i'm skewing away from our discussion topic. In regards to the first question, all i can say is that, i came out with several ways/experiments/mental motivations that could somehow or rather bring me closer to that tiny dream of mine. I don't really think I'm in a position to comment about any of my experiments since i don't think it's actually working.
I tried more on my studies, I did a lot practices and get to know a lot of knowledge that I never knew before.It seems that the higher grades I have, the more happier I am . I realized that nothing is hard to reach, just depends on diligence. If you really do hard on what you are focusing and regardless of something less important, you have more time to realize your dream. Do not waste time and you will find that you are on the way to your dream. Do not give yourself an excuse to be lazy, everything is depends on yourself.
This week, I talked with my chemistry professor. I was motivated by his intelligence and his personality. I enjoying talking with smart people. This small step I took make me feel more confident. I'm thinking maybe some day I should communicate with my biology professor or just ask some questions. Sometimes, I think that there is no point in just talking. But the truth is that if you try it, you will really make some differences. I haven't spoken up in our group yet, I'll try that again. To do that, I'm going to study chapters more and have a good knowledge of it, then I should be fine.
What small step did you do this week to get you closer to your dream?
This week I decided to focus on interacting with professionals in my field to know the paths they took to get to where they are today, some of the challenges they faced and sort their advice on how I should proceed. It was a wonderful experience and I have decided to apply for an internship at the ISSS Office despite my crazy class schedule. I hope I get it so I can keep building on my experience in the field. I also worked on my Resume with the career center. I went to all my classes submitted all my assignments on time and looking forward to taking my day off school on Saturday! This is when I don't do any school work but just chill out.
What CWB did you select for the week and what experiment did you create? This week I focused on being open and going with my flow. I decided not to be too caught up in getting everything perfectly right but give myself the room to make mistakes and learn from them and not be too hard on myself like I always do when I make mistakes.
What did you notice? I have been really relaxed despite all the pressure of mid-sem exams assignments and presentations. I made a couple of goofs along the way but I did not beat myself for those times like I would normally do and it felt great!
What small step did you do this week to get you closer to your dream?
I tried to think positively on my future no matter what people said. These days I keep getting negative comments about my future as a student who is majoring in Psychology. They kept told me it is useless or non-sense major because it would not get me real job. Whatever! I would stay in positive mood and I did.
What CWB did you select for the week and what experiment did you create? What did you notice?
I tried to give a honest comment for every one I met. I did not try to lie about my feeling or my thought toward others...but it was so hard. I never thought it would be so hard to tell my true feeling or my honest opinion on others. I think I need to work on more on this because I could not make it a lot.
This is the first time me writing a comment on this blog. I just read other comments and felt proud of everyone! I am very grateful to be in a class with all of you!
What small step did you do this week to get you closer to your dream?
In the past couple of weeks, I tried to take advantage of every little opportunity in my way, since I know a lot of them are only a one-time experience. I tried to put my fears aside and just start which ever tasks I had to perform, which are mostly assignments! And I feel good about it!
What CWB did you select for the week and what experiment did you create? What did you notice?
This week I tried to respect other people's choices in terms of where they are and what they want to do. I realized that it was hard at first, especially woth closer friends. Bit after a while, not only it became easier, but also it was almost as if I have more freedom and am more relaxed! It actually took away a mental burden that attached me to others. Not that I have no problems in this matter now, but think it was a good try.
1. What small step did you do this week to get you closer to your dream? I've applied my major-related job!! What CWB did you select for the week and what experiment did you create? What did you notice? Accountability. I have committed to it for a long time. I think it is one of the most important one for me. This week I created a very detailed schedules with a bunch of unachievable "events" and tried to see how many I could accomplish! It was far more interesting than I thought. I feel I am a superwoman now!
I started jogging again, which I gave up a long time ago. But this time I do it with friend, sometimes with family. When jogging, I can feel my body functions as a whole. It was not like reading, only my brain works. Jogging gives me moment to feel my breath, to feel my heartbeating, to feel my joints' moving along with each other. It really helps me to release pressure. I usually do it after dinner, or before sunset. I hope this little change can help me be more persistent, and be more patient. Both are core to assist me acheiving other goals in study.
What small step did you do this week to get you closer to your dream?
ReplyDeleteI have tried to more focus on my study. Even though I would love to spend time at home if I did not have any appointments or work on campus, I forced myself to go to library every morning and made a sort of progress in my research. I also prepared to teach my classes more attentively. For instance, if I had noticed any students dozing off or distracted in classroom, I gave some encouraging comments on her or his quiz sheet not to let the person give up the course works. Although I knew I had to spend more time in meeting with more students and giving extensive comments on their paper, their positive responses to my concerns were priceless to me.
What CWB did you select for the week and what experiment did you create? What did you notice?
I selected “Sanction Presence” for the last week because I wanted to overcome my excessive self-consciousness. I tended to see myself through other’s eyes by assuming how other people would think about me or judge my weakness. “Sanction Present” proposes that I allow myself and others to accept people where they are at the moment. In other words, this CWB emphasizes the importance of recognizing others as well as myself at the same time and in the same place. I attempted to admit other people’s presence in my classroom, office, and apartment. I intentionally avoided assuming that other people would observe me and evaluate me (mostly, my shyness and timidity). Instead, I tried to listen to (overhear?) their stories and waited for the time when they asked questions about my thoughts and opinions. In doing so, I became less self-conscious than before and felt comfortable with myself.
To a certain extend, my dream revolves around me getting a good GPA. Yes! Straight As. That's all i need... very simple yet it's super exhausting.
ReplyDeleteI just received my first paper for my literature course and it suck. Maybe I'm just being a little too emotional but i have seriously tried so hard to write a paper that fits all the requirements that is listed in that rubic paper. But still, my grades are not as good as my friend who just took 4 hours to write it.
Anyway, i think i'm skewing away from our discussion topic. In regards to the first question, all i can say is that, i came out with several ways/experiments/mental motivations that could somehow or rather bring me closer to that tiny dream of mine. I don't really think I'm in a position to comment about any of my experiments since i don't think it's actually working.
I tried more on my studies, I did a lot practices and get to know a lot of knowledge that I never knew before.It seems that the higher grades I have, the more happier I am . I realized that nothing is hard to reach, just depends on diligence. If you really do hard on what you are focusing and regardless of something less important, you have more time to realize your dream. Do not waste time and you will find that you are on the way to your dream. Do not give yourself an excuse to be lazy, everything is depends on yourself.
ReplyDeleteThis week, I talked with my chemistry professor. I was motivated by his intelligence and his personality. I enjoying talking with smart people. This small step I took make me feel more confident. I'm thinking maybe some day I should communicate with my biology professor or just ask some questions. Sometimes, I think that there is no point in just talking. But the truth is that if you try it, you will really make some differences.
ReplyDeleteI haven't spoken up in our group yet, I'll try that again. To do that, I'm going to study chapters more and have a good knowledge of it, then I should be fine.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat small step did you do this week to get you closer to your dream?
ReplyDeleteThis week I decided to focus on interacting with professionals in my field to know the paths they took to get to where they are today, some of the challenges they faced and sort their advice on how I should proceed. It was a wonderful experience and I have decided to apply for an internship at the ISSS Office despite my crazy class schedule. I hope I get it so I can keep building on my experience in the field. I also worked on my Resume with the career center. I went to all my classes submitted all my assignments on time and looking forward to taking my day off school on Saturday! This is when I don't do any school work but just chill out.
What CWB did you select for the week and what experiment did you create?
This week I focused on being open and going with my flow. I decided not to be too caught up in getting everything perfectly right but give myself the room to make mistakes and learn from them and not be too hard on myself like I always do when I make mistakes.
What did you notice?
I have been really relaxed despite all the pressure of mid-sem exams assignments and presentations. I made a couple of goofs along the way but I did not beat myself for those times like I would normally do and it felt great!
What small step did you do this week to get you closer to your dream?
ReplyDeleteI tried to think positively on my future no matter what people said. These days I keep getting negative comments about my future as a student who is majoring in Psychology. They kept told me it is useless or non-sense major because it would not get me real job. Whatever!
I would stay in positive mood and I did.
What CWB did you select for the week and what experiment did you create? What did you notice?
I tried to give a honest comment for every one I met.
I did not try to lie about my feeling or my thought toward others...but it was so hard. I never thought it would be so hard to tell my true feeling or my honest opinion on others. I think I need to work on more on this because I could not make it a lot.
This is the first time me writing a comment on this blog. I just read other comments and felt proud of everyone! I am very grateful to be in a class with all of you!
ReplyDeleteWhat small step did you do this week to get you closer to your dream?
In the past couple of weeks, I tried to take advantage of every little opportunity in my way, since I know a lot of them are only a one-time experience. I tried to put my fears aside and just start which ever tasks I had to perform, which are mostly assignments! And I feel good about it!
What CWB did you select for the week and what experiment did you create? What did you notice?
This week I tried to respect other people's choices in terms of where they are and what they want to do. I realized that it was hard at first, especially woth closer friends. Bit after a while, not only it became easier, but also it was almost as if I have more freedom and am more relaxed! It actually took away a mental burden that attached me to others. Not that I have no problems in this matter now, but think it was a good try.
1. What small step did you do this week to get you closer to your dream?
ReplyDeleteI've applied my major-related job!!
What CWB did you select for the week and what experiment did you create? What did you notice?
Accountability. I have committed to it for a long time. I think it is one of the most important one for me. This week I created a very detailed schedules with a bunch of unachievable "events" and tried to see how many I could accomplish! It was far more interesting than I thought. I feel I am a superwoman now!
I started jogging again, which I gave up a long time ago. But this time I do it with friend, sometimes with family. When jogging, I can feel my body functions as a whole. It was not like reading, only my brain works. Jogging gives me moment to feel my breath, to feel my heartbeating, to feel my joints' moving along with each other. It really helps me to release pressure. I usually do it after dinner, or before sunset. I hope this little change can help me be more persistent, and be more patient. Both are core to assist me acheiving other goals in study.
ReplyDelete