After receiving feedback from my first essay in course University 150,  I was able to notice where I needed improvements in my writing. The first draft that I did for essay number 1, my professor pointed out many minor mistakes that I had in my essay; which probably caused me to not pass the writing placement test. She also gave me feedback on ways to improve my essay structure, such as introduction and conclusion strategies. Once I understood how to fix the errors, I applied the helpful critiques to my essay. After I reconstructed my essay and started to realize my errors after proofreading – realized the little mistakes. Once I worked on the mistakes that were in my essay I was able to apply it to essay number 2. The review sessions with my professor helped me in a major way. I started improving in my essays, which improved my grades in the class.

Journal 6: How can a teacher be beneficial to a student?

Supportive relationships between the student and teacher help build a strong bond and boost of confidence with the student. Teachers should try to spend time evaluating and getting to know their students. Students trusting and understanding that their teacher wants what is best for them can strengthen the students’ will to wanting to reach their academic goals and continue to make progress. Teachers understanding students strengths and weaknesses plays a major role in the student’s’ education. By focusing on what the student is struggling with; teachers will then be able to focus on where the student needs improvements on. When students feel like they can trust their teachers they feel more confident to confidine the teacher with their class work. In my opinion, it is crucial for a student and a teacher to have a positive relationship, in order for the student to succeed in the course.

Journal 7: Monarchs service learning project

The service learning for the monarch butterflies helped me get a better understanding of the environment and greater knowledge of the monarch butterflies habitat. After understanding how human activity damages the butterflies habitat, I now realize how much people can do to help the monarch butterflies habitat. Something as simple as a butterfly garden can help butterflies in a major way.  

Journal 8: Monarchs for Monarchs experience

The outdoor activity ‘Monarchs for Monarchs’ was a great learning experience. During the service learning project, we were able to learn about the monarch butterflies and how to make a butterfly garden. Before participating in the activity we learned important background information of the butterflies. Monarch butterflies go through four stages during one life cycle. Monarchs can produce four generations within one summer. The first three stages of the monarchs life, they have a life spans from two to six weeks and continue to move north. However, the fourth generation has a longer lifespan; they can live up to nine months. 

Journal 9: The college transition

One of the most memorable moments of my life is the day that I graduated from high school. Walking across the stage to receive my diploma with pride was a proud achievement for me. However, the thought of me being on my own in an unfamiliar state overwhelmed me. The day that I left New York to go to school in Virginia, I realized that my life would drastically change as soon as I arrive at Old Dominion University. The transition from secondary school into college frightened me. I had so many different questions going on in my mind. Would I adapt to the college experience? Will the classes be too overwhelming? And most of all will my grades be successful? In the textbook; The Transition to College Writing – it provides many helpful and relatable tips of how to adapt to the environment of being at college and also, tips on how to be a successful student throughout student’s collegiate years. This textbook offers advice for academic survival that students can refer to for good use.

Journal 10: The decline of honey bees

Many beekeepers began to recognize an unusual high amount of honey bee losses in the winter of 2006-2007. Studies proven that one of the main reasons for global bee decline is the change in particular factors such as – the environment and biological structures. The loss of biodiversity, and demolition of honey bee’s habitats are also major threats for their population. Majority of  honey bees are exposed to bacteria diseases; viruses and fungi. Another example of a virus that affects them is the deformed wing virus (DWV) that causes wings to have abnormal deformities that holds bees back from performing their normal routines; such as, foraging for food. Another vile issue that is linked to the honey bee decline is the class of broad spectrum insects that have chemical features that are similar to nicotine. These types of insecticides are known as neonicotinoid. This class of insecticides affect the nervous system; which is causing a global decline towards the honey bee population.