One way I have grown from the beginning of the semester until now is my confidence when I am taking tests. As I learned what study methods worked for me I was able to prepare properly for all my exams. This has made a huge impact on my success this semester because exams are such a big part of the grade in most classes. My expectation coming into this semester was definitely to expect some challenges and failures. Coming in with this mindset allowed me to experience a lot more growth when I did experience a challenge or failure rather than just giving up. Thankfully, I adapted to this mindset because without a doubt I experienced things this semester that did come easily for me and got a few grades that I was not satisfied with. One thing I wish I knew 14 weeks ago was how helpful reviewing notes before it is taught in lecture is. Practicing this could have made learning new material much easier throughout the semester if I had started from the beginning. 

Looking back over the past 14 weeks I would say that I study about the same amount of time for each of my classes as I did in the beginning. However, now I do not study for long periods of time right before an exam. Now I start a week before the exam and study smaller sections at a time. This makes it easy for me to focus on topic details to master one skill before moving on. I have also learned that writing things down helps me retain the information better than typing it. On campus resources that I have enjoyed using for studying are the study rooms in the library and chemistry tutoring. Both of these things are easily accessible and make a big difference in my academics. As I move on to more advanced chemistry classes I know I will need to continue going to tutoring as chemistry is a struggle for me, and of course, I will need a quiet place to study. Going into next semester I predict my study habits will remain similar to what they are now because I am taking similar classes that continue on the ones I am in now, and my study habits up to this point have been very effective. This includes taking handwritten notes, making Quizlets of the new content by the end of the day that it was learned, and begin reviewing for exams a week in advance. 

This semester I was enrolled in HLTH 101 and CHEM 105 for the learning community. One way these classes were tied together was by providing me with knowledge on social justice. In my CHEM 105 class, we completed a small extra credit assignment on The Flint Michigan Crisis which was very enlightening and opened my eyes to many injustices faced by the people of Flint. This relates to HLTH 101 as we heard from many guests speakers who discussed social determinants of health and the zip code effect. Both of these topics relate to how where you live and the things you do and eat affect your physical and mental well being. I also learned that many times these things a person cannot always control. For example, in the zip code effect, we learned that many places do not have as easily accessible healthcare as other places. This was a major injustice for many people because not everyone has the financial freedom to move to a better-resourced town. In addition to learning about social justice, my HLTH 101 class also allowed me to hear from an ODU Public Health alumni which was really exciting. I was able to hear from someone who has been down the path I am just starting out on. Hearing her story was very telling and I actually reached out to her following class to ask a few questions. This event was definitely the most beneficial to me as a student because I was able to make a connection with someone who had a lot of insight on battles that I may face in my future, and she was able to provide me with some words of wisdom.