Scholarships Importance

Scholarships are important for many Americans to go to college. I think that scholarships are of large importance for students not only for financial purposes, but also to motivate students to achieve better grades and be better students overall.

College Admissions

I still have a couple of things left to do before I will be able to submit my application for college. The first thing on my list is to submit my FASFA. I have already filled it out but I just need to get on my computer at home and submit it. The second thing I need to do is get my transcript from the office. After I have all that done, I will be ready to apply to Navarro College for this fall. Academically I think I am exactly where I should be. The college I have decided on going to is Navarro Junior College. I believe that I have chose an appropriate college to attend this fall because the requirements do not exceed my academic qualifications. I am really anxious to see what opportunities college has in store for me.

U.S. Student Opportunities vs. Japanese

When comparing the opportunities of US students to those available to students in Japan, they vary greatly. Students in the US are given greater opportunities as far as participation in any given class is concerned. American students are actively involved in discussions, interactions and presentations, where the opposite is expected from students in Japan. American students are expected to interact, ask questions and participate in lectures. In Japan, however; students are pretty much expected to pay attention, take notes, answer questions only when asked and clarify any additional questions on their own time. As far as success is concerned, although the US spends more money per student than the Japanese do, students in Japan have out-scored American students across the board. The success that Japanese students have in Math and Science scores is possibly attributed to the cookie cutter curriculum that is taught in Japanese schools. I feel that the opportunities for learning to be a successful test taker in Japan are greater than in America, but US students have a greater opportunity to develop their individuality. Overall, I would say that the American school system offers greater opportunities than the Japanese.

Importance of a College Degree in the U.S.

I believe that (in most cases) a college degree is worth the money, time, and effort it takes to acquire one. There are clearly a ton of advantages to having a college degree in the United States today. A college degree not only opens up a multitude of opportunities in the workplace, but it also provides a level of confidence in ones self and from others. In turn, a degree should eventually pay for itself and prove to be a profitable investment. I think everyone should obtain a college degree.

Spring Break

Over the break I took it easy and majorly enjoyed myself. I was able to figure out where I'm going to live after graduation and how long it'll be until I'm in a position to do so. My fiancé and I made a final decision on the wedding date and nailed it down. We also took care of a few of the things for the wedding. My mom and I went on a road trip to Bowie, TX and visited a pretty nifty flea market and bought a few fun decorations for the big day. I slept in almost every day, it was amazing! I got to see my fiancé's beautiful baby nephew for the first time at the hospital. Then, we got to spend even more time with him after his parents brought him home. This spring break was much needed and very recuperative!

Dead Poets Society Questions

1. God has been the most influential leader in my life. He guides and directs my paths and has my best interest in His plans for my life. 
2. I think this means that no matter what life pursuits we decide to take on, poetry can always have a purpose in our lives as well because it helps us recognize beauty and love. Yes, I do agree with Mr. Keating's statement. I agree because I believe that it is always important to recognize beauty, romance and love; which all have a purpose in our lives. I think we read poetry to gain insight into life and a special part of ourselves.
3. Yes, I agree with the quote. I have often found that it is helpful when interacting with others to consider their point of view.
4. I hope the lasting impression that I leave behind is one of selfless love and compassion for others.

Dead Poets Society Theme

One of the main themes of The Dead Poets Society is Individuality vs. Conformity. Students at Welton Academy are encouraged to be conformists. The influential leaders in the school all promote mindless following of tradition without any individual thought process. Mr. Keating, however, encouraged the students for the first time ever to think independently. Throughout the film, this theme of individuality is evident as Mr. Keating repeatedly pushes the students to look deep within them and discover their own inner voice. The different characters in the film throughout the story are all faced with the same pressing choice of whether to conform or rebel. Mr. Keating rebels against the authority of Mr. Nolan. Mr. Nolan presses Mr. Keating to conform to the traditional ideologies present within the school, but Mr. Keating goes against the pressure put upon him to conform and stays true to his own personal beliefs and practices. Likewise, the students learned from Mr. Keating’s example the importance of being true to one’s self. Through the process that they undergo, they truly discover themselves and the importance of their own individuality. I feel that these are the most prominent themes within the film. Through the process of figuring out their stance on this conflict, the students in Mr. Keating’s poetry class at Welton Academy were able realize their full potential and passions in life.

Dead Poet's Questions

1. Perhaps Neil wouldn't have been sent over the edge and taken such drastic measures if he hadn't met the inspirational boldness of Mr. Keating, but it's hard to say exactly. I don't think that Mr. Keating's influence directly resulted in Neal's suicide, but was a secondary contributing factor that helped create a major turning point for Neal emotionally and could of very well been 'the straw that broke the camel's back'. He had a strong desire to feel accepted by his overbearing father. I believe he wanted his father to support and encourage his pursuit of fulfilling his true passions. Neil was inevitably left feeling torn between making his father proud and following the path set out for his life or fulfilling his dreams of being an actor and most likely losing his father forever. He felt trapped, with no place to escape. He realized he couldn’t live according to his father’s wishes, and the only way out was to kill himself. He ended up killing himself before his passion killed him first. Just as Knox Overstreet stated, “Carpe Diem, even if it kills me.”. 
2. I believe that Todd was the bravest of all the boys. Todd to overcome because he started out as the most introverted and lack self-confidence. He finds the confidence to join the club and eventually the bravery and boldness to finally pour out a poem he creates out loud. In my opinion Neil was the biggest coward. I believe that Neil took the easy way out simply giving up and taking his own life instead of continuing to stand up to his father. 
3. I think Mr. Keating did put the poetry book in Neil's room. I also think he put it there even though he knew that the administration wouldn't like it. He was trying to teach the boys to think for themselves, and not always do what people tell them to do. I think he knew that Neil was ready to do things for himself, his father just wouldn't let him. I think that is why he gave him the book, even though he knew the administration wouldn't like it.

Dead Poets Society

1. Neil starts as a constrained young man and becomes fully self expressed when presiding over the sessions of the Dead Poets Society and playing the role of Puck on stage in A Midsummer Night's Dream. His way of being illustrates this transformation. 
2. Knox is a static character. He doesn’t undergo any kind of self-realization like Todd does. He just throws himself into love and uses that as his interpretation of "carpe diem". Knox's "object of desire" is Chris. His entire existence, including his thoughts, poems and behaviour, revolves around her. He breaks rules to see her and competes for her attention with her boyfriend.
3. Mr. Keating's character is an optimistic out of the box thinker.

Mona Lisa Smile: Final Post

Katherine Watson's teaching style was considered to be very unorthodox. Her general refusal to conform to the ways of the present day society of her time had a big impact on the approach that she took to teach her students. One scene from the movie that exemplifies her idiosyncrasy is when she a new course syllabus. Another example, is when she brings out a 'paint by the numbers' kit and says, "Ironic, isn't it? Look at what we have done to the man who refused to conform his ideals to popular taste. Who refused to compromise his integrity. We have put him in a tiny box and asked you to copy him." She was suggesting that being yourself and standing out is actually better than conforming to what everyone else thinks. 
Spencer and Betty's marriage wasn't very strong. Betty was not happy in my opinion because her husband was hardly ever home and when he was, he wasn't loving or affectionate toward her. Betty's mother did not allow her to stay with her when her husband was away and her marriage wasn't working out in order to maintain proper appearances.

Mona Lisa Smile: Comparison

The teaching style that Katherine Watson taught was a new pedagogy to her students and the institution. She was breaking the mold that was expected of her and in turn, challenging her students to break the molds that were expected of them as well. She opposed conformity and instead, sought to give her students choices, allow them to formulate their own opinion on thing and teach them to decisions for themselves. In Charles Dickens’ novel Hard Times however, the character Mr. Gradgrind takes a very opposite stance on teaching than that of Ms. Watson. Gradgrind believes people should be taught the facts and facts only and that having an opinion is not necessary as long as you know the facts. Ms. Watson stood for individuality whereas Mr. Gradgrind stood for conformity, that is the main difference between the two I think.

Mona Lisa Smile: Review

The movie Mona Lisa Smile was a great film. Based on true events, the compelling dramatization centers around the strict de rigueur women of the 1950's were faced with. Katherine Watson, challenged the stiff views held by society and the institution. She influenced people by questioning the social and educational norms placed on women during that time. The paint by numbers scene in the movie is illiterative of the originality and freedom of expression most women were deprived of. 

Mona Lisa Smile: First Thoughts

Based on the trailer we just watched, I have a feeling that this movie will based upon women in history getting an education. I think the movie is supposed to be inspiring. It seemed to be portraying women not really having a place in society other than being wives. I this this will be a very good movie. I'm interested to see how it actually turns out.

College Exams

Doing well on college exams is a very important key factor in whether or not you pass or fail a course. College exams take much prep work and lots of study time. Staying dedicated with studying is important. Organization and keeping track of exam dates, so you know how much time you have to prepare is vital to collegiate success. College exams, for the most part, seem much more difficult than high school exams. I can start preparing for college exams by practicing the methods that I plan to use for studying now.