Sunday, September 29, 2013

"Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success." -- Dale Carnegie

Week 6 Blogging Assignments

This week's readings and assignments center around the concept of persistence or grit, especially in the face of challenges and obstacles. Recent studies suggest that building this character trait is very important to any kind of success, but especially college success. Some researchers complain that education has "dumbed down" standards and expectations so much that students do not have enough practice in developing the skills of perseverance in school, but others claim that experiences outside of school can also help build those muscles.


My husband teaches high school music in New Haven, and this short article from the New Haven Independent highlights how one of his former students (now a freshman at Fairfield University) is facing some of the challenges of going to college. The article is a perfect example of the type of persistence needed in college, so please read it in addition to the other assignments for this week. I think the article is valuable because it showcases how some of the challenges you will face in college are not academic, but how they can also impact your academics.

Blog A: Think of a significant challenge that you have faced in your life and needed persistence to overcome (it can be one that is in the past or one that you are currently still working on). Discuss the process of working through this challenge, what strategies you employed, how it made you feel, and what you learned from it.

Blog B: Compare the concepts we are studying this week to the concepts we have studied previously. Write a post that attempts to put this week's reading "in conversation" with at least two other previous readings, using analysis, comparison, contrast, synthesis, and commentary/discussion from your perspective as well. Be sure not to simply summarize but instead draw some interesting conclusions and/or raise interesting inquiry questions based on your comparisons. Include at least one quote from this week's materials and at least one quote from the previous materials.

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