1.) I had no trouble setting up a Gmail account, as I already have one in use for my android smart phone. It has proven more than a little anxiety inducing to set up this blog; I prefer to stay "off the grid" so to speak. I don't like to carry too much of an Internet presence despite my love for technology.
2.) To be honest, I'm not really sure what I'll be learning. I found the whole concept of just beginning a blog so terrifying and unexpected that I've just decided I don't know what I'm in for. I've read the syllabus and it sort of confirmed my suspicions about the content of the course, though the methods are quite intimidating to me.
3.) I'm very comfortable taking online courses. I've taken several before, including an incredibly challenging, yet extremely fulfilling one for Music. I like online courses because they allow me to maintain a very flexible schedule at work. I designate my two days a week off to my class days, that way the time I have in between classes is used toward my online courses and I don't have to be in school more than two days a week.
4.) Well the first thing that applies is that I have a growth mindset, not a fixed one. I have always loved learning; I was the kind of child who wanted to go to school when I was sick. Not because I had huge numbers of friends I missed (though I did learn to socialize more in high school), but because I didn't want to miss any material. I loved learning, and I still do! I check Dictionary.com's "word of the day" every morning, and I love doing crossword puzzles. The second thing that applies to me is my determination. I was lucky that in academics I excelled with ease. I was sure when I got to college I would have to work a lot harder to maintain A's, and in some ways I have had to challenge myself, but not like I was expecting. I thought I would struggle to keep up and learn the information, but that was still easy. My problem was paying for my education. My first semester went without a hitch until the bill came in and they denied my application for financial aid. I ended up taking over 3 years to pay that bill off and re-register for classes. I had more trouble with my aid after that; issues getting my parents information for my forms, even though I was living on my own and supporting myself. I wasn't old enough to be considered "independent", so I either had to wait or get married. I chose to marry my now-husband on our 5 year anniversary. I filed for financial aid a week after the marriage license came in. I never gave up on my education and now I am one class away from graduating. Next year is my 10 year reunion for high school, and I am so excited to have my bachelors degree before that! The third thing that I would have to say applies to me is the realization that I'm more similar to people than different. I have always grown up feeling very different from most people. I'm legally blind in my left eye and it has always been a sensitive issue for me; I feel I stand out like a sore thumb, and I know I do when I wear my eye patch. When I came to Buff State, I was actually thrilled to see the number of people with disabilities attending classes. I felt like my disability was nothing to worry about, and the professors have always been helpful and willing to adapt for me.
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