Final Reflection (100 Points)
Due Date: Week 15, Last Day of class!
Assignment Submission: Google Drive via Canvas
The Reflection will also be posted to your e-Portfolio.
Reflection Instructions
For this assignment, please reflect on the Fall 2023 semester, and your experience as a whole. For each question, please provide a few thoughtful, well constructed sentences.
Your First Semester
- Tell us how you have grown from the beginning of the semester to now.
Since the beginning of the semester, I feel like I’ve grown both academically and personally. I’ve learned how to better manage my time, stay organized, and handle multiple tasks at once. I’ve gained more confidence in my ability to balance schoolwork and personal life, and I’ve learned that perseverance is key to succeeding in a college environment.
- What were your expectations for this year? Did this semester’s experiences meet your expectations? Explain.
At the start of the year, I expected to adjust to the college routine and figure out the best study habits for myself. I also hoped to learn more about my interests in dental hygiene and public health. This semester has been difficult as it came with a few challenges. I’ve tried to focus on my mental health more along with doing my assignments and I’ve discovered what works best for me. Entering the second semester I’m more motivated to pursue my goals in the health field.
- What is something you wish you knew 14 weeks ago?
I wish I had the courage to ask for help earlier in the semester. I wish I had known how important it is to stay ahead of assignments and not leave everything until the last minute. Early on, I would procrastinate and struggle to keep up, but now I’ve realized that planning ahead and starting work earlier helps reduce stress and allows me to produce better work.
Study Habits
- How much time do you spend studying for each class now vs. at the beginning of the semester?
At the start of the semester, I didn’t spend as much time studying as I should have, and I often left things to the last minute. Now, I spend more time on my studies and try to break my sessions into smaller, focused blocks.
- How have your study habits changed?
I’ve definitely become more organized in my study habits. I now use a planner to keep track of all my assignments and deadlines, and I’ve found that setting specific goals for each study session really helps me stay focused.
- Tell us about a resource that you have used/learned about this semester that will assist you next semester.
I have watched youtube videos to help me study and understand work step by step
- What study habits/techniques will you use going into next semester?
I will utilize the tutoring center, office hours and writing center more
Health Professions Learning Community
- This semester you were enrolled in at least SOC 201S, and HLTH 101. Many of you were also enrolled in CHEM 105N and CHEM 106N, and some of you were enrolled in HIST 104H with Professor White.
- On the surface these classes do not appear to be connected; however this semester each professor was intentional about drawing connections between content, and subjects discussed. Discuss the ways in which these courses are tied together.
In chemistry we learned the science behind health-related topics, which connects directly to my interest in dental hygiene. History helped me understand the history of public health, giving me a bigger picture of how health policies and systems have developed over time.
Parallel Plan
- This semester we had presentations from different majors in the College of Health Sciences as well as from different majors on campus. This was to give you an idea for possible parallel majors to your current intended major.
- Which two other majors would you be most interested in? Why?
The two majors I’m interested in other than dental hygiene, are Public Health and Medical Laboratory Science. Public Health interests me because it focuses on improving health at a community or population level, addressing things like health disparities and disease prevention. Medical Lab Science is another field I’m considering because it offers the opportunity to work directly with lab technologies and diagnostic testing, which is vital in understanding and treating diseases.
- What benefit is there to having a parallel plan (or two) in place?
Since dental hygiene is another thing I would have to apply for, it is good for me to have a backup incase i do not get selected. Another reason it is good to have a parallel plan is if i fall out of love with the idea of being a dental hygienist
- How could one or both of these two majors benefit your current intended major?
Both Public Health and Medical Lab Science benefit my focus on dental hygiene in different ways. Public Health would help me understand health trends and policies that impact communities, which is useful when promoting oral health on a broader scale. A background in Public Health could allow me to work on health campaigns that educate the public about the importance of oral hygiene. Medical Lab Science could give me insight into the diagnostic side of healthcare. Understanding lab testing and disease detection could make me more informed about the health conditions I may encounter in my dental hygiene practice and help me work more effectively with other health professionals.