Reflecting on Leadership for Change

This semester I learned about pushing forward. I have learned that its okay to experience frustration, because this will fuel your energy to keep going. I also learned that its your life, you are the author and you write your own story. Its perfectly fine to have the input of your family or peers but at the end of the day, its your call.

I want to reflect on key parts of my blog, beginning with my very first blog:

1st Blog: Why am I taking this course

My reasons for taking this course included learning how to change and lead my life more productively. I also wanted to be able to share what I learned with my peers. I also wanted to walk away fulfilled. Well, I have accomplished all of these! However, I believe that a semester is not long enough to learn these concepts and more. I do think that I have learned the preliminaries and can take what I have learned and try to master these techniques from this point on. Before this class, I thought I knew all about planning and scheduling, UH NO LOL. I learned some really good tips and tricks about planning even the minute task to the most grand.

2nd Blog: 5 Lives

During this Blog I got the opportunity to jot down 5 lives that relate to the life I want to live. The one that stood out was an emergency room doctor. I chose this occupation because it just makes sense! I want to have a job that is constantly changing, I want to be always stimulated, and on the edge of my seat. Being a detective or FBI agent is perfect because you are waken up during the wee hours of the murder being called to a murder scene. I cannot imagine myself sitting at a 9-5 job and doing the same mundane task that I did the day before. I would lose my mind and probably take my frustration out on people around me, no seriously.

3rd Blog: Planning Wall

I liked this activity because this hit home for me. If you were to see my room, you would see goals written on paper everywhere in my room. I have been doing this since highschool. However, I never did a planning wall where all my goals could be visually seen.

4th Blog: Business Meeting

I liked this activity because it gave me a chance to vent to someone close to me, I could retrieve advice from my partner. I could also plan out the week ahead. I will use this technique from henceforth.

How have I grown: I have grown tremendously throughout this semester, however I have suffered from a slight case of senioritis. At the the beginning of the semester, I started off so strong and then just a couple of weeks ago, got sick and began to slack. But, I have gotten back into the swing of things and plan to finish off the semester on top.

Thinking: I have a new outlook on things in life and school. I have taken away some life qoutes to live by, my favorite is the Keenan Ivory Wayan, "cushion" qoute.

Behaviors/Activities: I want to be more enagaged with my field. I am excited that I get the opportunity to work with my Criminal Justice professor with my independent study! I am going to make the best of this opporunity.

3 Best things about the class
1. Planning Wall
2. Business Meeting
3. Success Team

3. Least
1.Komives Book
2.Interviews: It was very hard to contact people and get a fulfilling interview.
3. ******

3 Improvemnts/Suggestions
1. More movies!!! The movies chosen were very inspiring
2. *******
3.********

Overall: I wish Dr. Rock was teaching the class next semester. I dont think the class will have the same zeal and zest that she provided. I wish her luck in all her endeavors :)

Business Meeting

This week we were supposed to meet with a buddy from class, however I guess our schedules clashed and we did not meet. Instead, I held a business meeting with my boyfriend of two years.

1. Report

I made my boyfriend read the Sher chapter that outlines the business meeting. I made him read it so he would understand the reasoning behind meeting and he could give his feedback in accordance to the way Sher says how to hold the meetings.

I explained to Jarrell(boyfriend) that I am really focused on getting into Grad school and at times, I think I should just focus on graduating in May instead. I told him for the past month all of my energy has been put into grad school and my senior class project. He told me not to worry everything will workout, because it tends to every time! He knows that God has a lot planned for me!

2. Problems and Solutions

The only problem that I am facing are my nerves! I like to have things in one place and fixed so that I don't have to worry about it. I am constantly fretting about my acceptance letter. I need to know yes or no. My patience and sanity is running very thin. I have learned from Jarrell, to be patient. I find this funny because I always tell him to be patient and everything will work out for the best! He basically was feeding me the exact same advice that I have given him over the years. No wonder the advice sounded so good(ha ha ha)!

3.Scheduling

Next week and the following week will be like the Ironman Triathlon! I am going to push myself like never before. I am finishing and completing projects way before their deadline. This is not the time to procrastinate!

Exercise: First Steps

This week was very relaxing for me. I had the opportunity to take Friday and Saturday off from work and just hung out with friends. I havent taken off of work in a very long time, I figured that I needed the break to regain some sanity. However, sadly I did not pick up my GRE preparation book :(, but I made a promise to myself that I will do some hardcore studying this week. I have sat down and outline my deadlines for my Grad School journey. I have e-mailed the people that I am looking to get recommendation letters from. I have also learned to be patient yet resilient.

Reflecting on Fear

I wouldn't say that this week was fearful or that any of the steps taken to reach my goal is fearful, because I just have the mentality that if I try and don't succeed, its fine and I should learn from it. However, I have been experiencing anxiety and energy loss. My mind is filled with multiple ideas and they seem to get all jumbled up together and it seems that I might never complete them. I have noticed that I need to take things one step at time. I need a huge planner that outlines everything step by step. Another reason why I am taking this class again, is because now I know what I need to do to succeed with my goals.

Moving and Shaking

This week I took the time to buckle down and study for the Graduate Record Examination exam that I have scheduled for December. This week I also registered for my last undergraduate semester and submitted my intent to graduate in May. With the submission of my intent, came a flow of emotions both rewarding and overwhelming. The last 3.5 collegiate years seemed to flash before my eyes. This week I tried to gain back some of my inner peace. It seems that as the months press on, things are becoming more hectic and I am trying my best not to fall off the deep end! This week also brought GREAT NEWS!!! I have been waiting for my independent study approval and received it last week. I will be working side by side with one of my Criminal Justice professors that I absolutely adore. He explained to me that he has a lot in store for next semester and the research that we are going to be seems very interesting.

Hectic Week/First Steps

This past week has been extremely hectic and depressing. I logged over forty hours of work and still got sick even after receiving the flu shot, but I pressed on. This week was one of reflection and determination. I met with two professors and outlined my reasons for wanting to go to Graduate School. Professor Hagedorn(Criminal Law and Justice Department) gave me key tips on how to succeed. I explained to him what I was currently working on for my senior project and he said I should take his independent research class next semester! If I could get into his class than I know that would be a step in the right direction. He is the type of professor that is a great motivator and allows you think outside the box. He has also encourage not to view things as black and white, but as a plethora of colors. Never take things by its' face value. Friday, I got the chance to meet with Professor Stovall(Sociology Department) before meeting with him I was worried about the GRE exam and the scores needed, but he took my fears down a notch. I never realized the importance of the personal statement for graduate school before meeting with him. I have to take time and sit down and outline my reasons for graduate school, including what I hope to gain and what I could bring to the department.

Things seem to be moving at a rapid speed at this moment, graduation is in May. Deadlines for everything seem to be around the same time.

Last week was a back and forth pitfall with trying to find interviews. I had one set-up but it fell through and then I got another and got stood up. And then...

Our lovely Mrs. Dade, gave me a contact that she knew, Chief Brown. I sent him a couple of e-mails and left messages at the police department but didn't hear anything until Sunday around 7:30p.m and at the time I was at work and didn't get off until 11:00p.m. He left a voicemail and he stated that he didn't know my assignment was due at midnight last Sunday until Mrs. Dade mentioned it at church! Thanks ANGELA! So I sent him an e-mail Monday morning while at work and now we are in the stages of trying to find time to actually do the interview.

This week has mostly been about getting into Graduate School. I also got the chance to speak to Dr. Erez in the CLJ Department. I explained to her my worries and what I was working on for my senior class and she said she would love to see me in Graduate School! Hopefully all the great feedback I am receiving is a sign that I will be able to get into Graduate School!

This class has truly allowed me to outline what steps I need to take to reach my goal. My ultimate goal wont come to fruition for another 5-10 years, but my current goal is getting into Graduate School and I wont stop until I receive that acceptance letter.

Even though this week was hectic, I got the chance to speak to two wonderful professors. I know now that I need to push myself even harder :)

Emotions with Planning Wall

I actually like the planning wall better than the flowchart! The planning wall allows me to look at something more "concrete" than the free flowing bubbles of a flow chart. My only hang up is deciding what I will be doing in the next five years! I cant even push past the next year. However, I like the month to year analysis of plans! On my planning wall I entered in goals that were not only academic but personal goals that I would like to achieve.