Final

Over the course of the semester, I've become a better writer, thinker, reader. As I was preparing to write this post, this statement I'm supposed to argue, forced me to think about how I've become a better critical writer.
Through this class I've become a better critical thinker by learning the habits and thought processes of an "A" student. Almost every week Prof. Hammond referred to something that a A student did, wether it was a study habit or a difference in an assignment. These examples stuck with me, and I thought about how I could implement those ideas into my own schooling. Three things stuck with me, using readings and summaries, double dipping into assignments, and using sources.

As I was writing my final essay, the summary assignments finally made sense. By reading a seemingly separate assignment, I was able to easily integrate that into my essay. Same with the daily readings, a short summary each day, and I was able to draw on that information the remainder of the semester. By reading something well just once, digesting the information, and writing it down, I was able to improve my performance in each of the future assignments.

Secondly, this class taught me how to integrate multiple assignments and even classes together. The use of the blog seemed like a tedious, unnecessary assignment, but in the end, it saved so much time on the larger projects. Simple planning and thinking early in the semester would provide the opportunities to coordinate different assignments into one.

Finally, I learned how to use other sources to improve my own thinking and writing. This semester was one of the first times where I had thoroughly used other sources in my writing. At first I simply thought using sources was just have someone else say what you were going to say. However, as I was writing my essay, I realized that others weren't saying exactly what I wanted to say. Then I realized that sources are just the mortar that holds the bricks of the argument together. I learned how to implement different topics in order to argue what I had to say, all the more strengthening my argument. With that came structure and conciseness to my writing, all the more increasing the A student mentality.

Through these three items I've learned how to value my time, without losing any of the value of my work. All in all this class taught me a new way to look at school. Now I am so much more concise with my work, yet a better academic writer altogether.