My Time Strategies

Time Management

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I am a bit of an odd-ball when it comes to time management. I have never had a real tangible schedule, or a planner, or even set reminders in my phone, but I always get stuff done. It is hard for me to have a set schedule with varying bar-tending shifts each week, but somehow I find the time. So as for the schedule we did the beginning, that will not always work. I plan on doing the bulk of the work on Tuesdays, because I usually never work (Except for last night...), and Saturday/ Sunday mornings. I also may have time between classes on Mondays and Wednesdays. I plan on just filling this in whenever I find myself with a touch of free time. I honestly wish I had the mental drive to sit down and make a set schedule, because I would probably workout, but I don't really have the willpower to adhere to either at this juncture in my life. Sleep is too good.  

 I read The Important Habit of Just Starting, and I would say for me, just starting is the hardest part. I know I talk about not working-out a lot, but its honestly just getting to the gym for me that is the hardest part. So I understood what this article is saying. there is no better time than now, and really no other time than now if you think about it objectively. However, I don't feel that this applies to my work ethic. I have a great work ethic, but this could totally apply to my (non)workout ethic. 

I also read The Myth of Too Busy, which I really liked. it was all about prioritizing, which I feel like I am pretty good at, seeing as I'm almost completely done with the first week on a Wednesday. I also feel like I plan ahead fairly well. as soon as I get my schedule I see where my free time is and I try to use that to make mental notes of what I need to do. Again, this really only applies to school work. I have laundry to do, my car hasn't been washed in a month, and I really need to work on my resume and student loan situation...I stress, priorities. But, this article emphasized prioritizing and doing what needs to be done now as a priority. And for this moment, school is now. everything else can wait, although not for long!

So here's hoping that my continued methods of just simply getting stuff done keeps working out! if not, I always have those week one recommendations to look back on. 

Technology, not so much for me.

So, I must admit that I am just horrid at technology, especially using new technology. I'm more of a "turn it off, then turn it back on again" kind of gal. I don't know how to add people to snap chat, how to clean up space on my PC/iPhone, use Photo-shop, or any of the other things that I'm SURE will be useful in this class. Seriously, what is iCloud, and WHY is it telling me to buy more? Isn't the Internet infinite? I need someone to take me by the hand and tell me what to do, step by step. Adult supervision will be required.
I was exciting to see bookmarking, and google docs. on this list because those are things I am actually familiar with. Everything else listed, not so much, although I am getting used to the blog. I also already bookmarked the class calendar page, as recommended! I honestly think the best way for me to handle this huge influx of technology is to take it one assignment at a time.
As long as everything comes with instructions, I am hopeful that I wont get too bogged down in the technological matrix. Perhaps this will even force me to become more fluent and actually be able to participate in the year 2017 instead of being somewhere closer to 2010. Fingers crossed!

My actual phone, or what it should be

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Assignments for the first week

So, with the first week almost complete on my end, I am a tad confused about the work. Do we have to do all the assignments each week, or do we just pick and choose a few to get to a certain point percentage? How early can we finish if we do all the assignments plus the extra credit each week?  I'll have to take a look I suppose..
I am also a little concerned with making time because I am taking 12 other hours, as well as working 2 jobs, trying to work out (starting. I SWEAR I'm starting soon), taking care of the fur children, and my boyfriend who is essentially another child. Although, I am pretty excited about learning to be a little more creative. Reading those storybooks was fun, but as of now, I am not quite sure how I would come up with something like that. I think the storytelling assignments will be interesting for me, as well as reading what other people do. As far as the extra credit goes, I think I'll really enjoy the famous last words, as well as the extra commenting. All in all I just hope to be a little more creative. I have never really thought of myself as a creative or innovative thinker, and I hope this class will help me evolve those skills.

Creativity

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Thoughts on the Growth Mindset

Professor Carole Dweck

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I have never heard of Carole Dweck, or the Growth mindset, but I think the Growth Mindset is interesting for sure. I agree that children should be challenged a little more. But I can also see where younger kids have a drive to succeed and please their parents. I think that is partly because younger people have a very short sight into the future, and like she said that they do tend to focus on the "now". On the spectrum, I am definitely more on the "now" end, and not so much on the "yet" end. I am seriously focused on grades, and getting the A's and B's necessary to keep my GPA above a 3.4. I am also afraid of failing, whether it be in a class, or with a new task. I graduate in December, so I don't really see myself changing in a student setting. I feel as though that in a career setting I could be more into the "yet" end of the spectrum. I feel this way because a career will be new, and challenging, and honestly, ill care more. School has always been somewhat easy for me, and I have never had to truly exert myself in a student setting, aside from anatomy class. Anatomy class was the one class that I've taken at OU that I felt I actually earned something from. I would like to learn more about ways to get more comfortable with challenges and the whole idea of the Growth Mindset because I think that it will help me better prepare for life outside of the classroom.

Fall 2017: Intro to an avid dog lover.

My name is Alicia. I was born in California, raised in Oklahoma, and have lived in Rhode Island, Pittsburgh PA, Nevada, and California (again). I am an HES major at the University of Oklahoma, and with any luck I’ll graduate in December of this year. I currently hold my R.T. license which means that I have completed the boards and am currently a registered radiologic technician, which is essentially a fancy way of saying X-ray tech. After graduation I want to pursue medical sales, or even go on to radiation therapy. If anyone knows anyone in the medical device sales area, let me know! Along with taking 15 hours this semester, I have 2 jobs. I bartend at a place in Norman Oklahoma, and a place up in Oklahoma City. I believe that I may soon have a third bar tending job. Slightly unrelated, I’m about to start a “go-fund me” page for my life. I’m kidding, but really. I have a boyfriend named Sam who just graduated with an Engineering degree from OU this past May.

Sam, and Myself

 He has two fur children, which I have adopted as my own. They are both rescue dogs, and they are geniuses! Sydney is a black German Shepard mix who can balance treats on her nose, and Serious is an Australian Shepard who is 75 lbs. of goof and muscle. They are the best dogs in the whole world. Sam and I are very passionate about pet adoption and saving as many lives as possible (Adopt, don’t shop!). We also promote and donate to various animal charities in the Oklahoma area. Another thing I am very passionate about is the TV show Game of Thrones. It consumes my entire life, and I am 100% ok with that. In my spare time, between class, work, and Game of Thrones, I am currently re-reading the Harry Potter books. I also like naps, petting my dogs, cooking, and watching creepy documentaries on Netflix with a good box of wine.

 

University of Oklahoma Campus

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Past Storybook Favorites

The first blog post that caught my attention was Grey's Anatomy: Untold Secrets

Image from Grey's Anatomy: Untold Secrets

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I was interested in this mostly because I have watched the TV show, and I have also worked in an ER department. I thought I would be able to relate and understand the stories. I believe the title did a great job of pulling me in, everyone wants to know what goes on behind the scenes. The stories on this post were laid out like you were talking to a friend, and she was telling you what had happened at work that day. Each story was a new patient and a new medical situation. This site did not have too many pictures, it was cleanly laid out, and the words took a precedent over the images, which I thought worked well.

Another post that caught my attention was Dear Diary: Camp Olympus. This was all about children of famous Greek gods and goddesses attending a camp together. 

Image from Dear Diary: Camp Olympus

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I enjoy Greek mythology, and have even taken a few courses on the subject here at OU. The Greek stories were even thought in my elementary school. The title clearly explained that the post was about the Greek gods by using the term "Olympus". I also liked that it was written as if we were looking in the diary of a camper, a girl named Penny. Also because it was written in her point of view there was room for interpretation or speculation. There were not too many pictures in this one either, but it was cleanly laid out. The spacing seemed to be a little tighter than the first which made it seem more cluttered, although it really was not at all. 

Another post that caught my attention was The Real Housewives of Greek Mythology. 

Image from The Real Housewives of Greek Mythology

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Again, I was drawn in by the title because I am familiar with The Real Housewives TV shows and I know how dramatic it can be, I am also very interested in Greek mythology and stories. The post did not have much of an introduction, but I thought it was fairly clear to tell what the post was about. Each story was labeled as a synopsis of a TV episode, which I thought was creative. The stories themselves were laid out and written as a play. I thought that was a cool way to present the older Greek side of the stories.This post was not as cleanly presented as the other two because of the way it was made to look like a play script, but I did not mind. This post also had minimal photos, just like the others. 

The Big Apple, My Favorite Place

New York City is by far and wide the best place I have ever visited. I have gone several times, and I have never seen the same thing twice, besides of course Central Park, and the MET. I have had some of the best meals of my life, and met several interesting people. Central park is a favorite of mine, and you can see why!

Central Park, NYC

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This park has wide lanes, several benches, ponds, and even a zoo! It is so calm inside the park, it is as if the city has melted away.

The MET is another NYC staple. This building houses some of the most precious works of are known to man. They have several works by artists such as Van Gogh, Matisse, and my personal favorite, Monet.  The MET also houses things like mummies, stained glass, Victorian rooms, and Greek sculptures.

The MET, NYC

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The MET is so large, you could easily spend a full day exploring!
With beautiful landmarks such as these to keep you occupied, it is easy for me to tell you that NYC is my absolute favorite. Never have I ever been bored there, and I have been several times alone.