Learning New Time Strategies

Both from experience, as well as reading the provided articles, I have learned a lot about time management. I have learned to prepare for the unexpected, to make my schedule and overall plans for tackling work over a period of time both variable and prepared for change. This basically means that since anything can happen at any times (surprise plans, sudden time constraints, not being able to finish scheduled workload), you should leave yourself extra room, or, in other words - underestimate what you can do - ultimately allowing you to be prepared for change.

I used to keep checklists, but by reading The Psychology of Checklists I am prompted to do so once again, because of how much I learned that just checking a task off a sheet can motivate you to keep working, as well as to satisfy and visualize how much work you really have done. I believe my biggest time challenge will be studying for the MCAT, as I have to create my own schedule and work around school work; in terms of my class schedule, I believe it will be physics.

Making a schedule really helps me managing my time. And now, by learning about how I can make scheduling more efficient (see paragraph 1), I hope to be even more efficient in scheduling my workload.

Learning time management skills is a skill of paramount importance

Learning based on:
The Myth of Too Busy
The Psychology of Checklists

Learning About Technology and Tools

I have a decent amount experience using the tools mentioned. I usually find less practical means edit things such as my images, but it is nice to know that I can use easily accessible browser editing tools in order to make the process for my blogging throughout the semester easier, and I will surely take advantage of this.

I have only taken one other online class, which was Calculus I, and it was no where nearly as well-structured as this class is. Obviously, there was not a need to blog my learning throughout calculus, but the overall way in which the class tests your learning is much different, and in my opinion, much better. Other classes that are not online do not have an online focus, so they are also a lot less organized online and much more focused for in-class learning. They usually depend on you purchasing a subscription that comes organized (Connect, masteringphysics) and is rarely influenced by the professors themselves.

I do not personally have very many tips I can lend, as my best tips are just shortcuts such as copy and paste/opening a new tab/etc that make doing assignments quicker, but not better. I have found, however, a useful, free from copyright site that allows you to source images from.

Learning new concepts through an online class

Learning About Class Assignments

My impressions of this class are really good. I personally enjoy academic freedom and being able to express my creativity, and the way this class is set up allows me to do just that. I am more judged on my ability to try newer things, which ultimately allow me to expand and voice as well as my own ideas to other people through blogs and storytelling, instead of being graded on how I did it; essentially, previous classes were strict on grading on how the reader thought based on how the professor taught them how to think, whereas this class is more focused on letting the students think for themselves, which I really appreciate.

Some extra credit opportunities that grab my attention are the extra commenting, as I personally really like reading from the perspective from my peers, and learning new methods from them.

This class allows me to think for freely without the worry of being graded on how I do so

My Take on The Growth Mindset

Before today, I had neither heard of Carol Dweck, nor the "growth mindset." The spectrum I see myself on for the growth mindset is that of wanting to improve, more than worrying too much about a grade. Due to anxiety that I usually get from pushing myself, I still do worry about my grades, if I did poorly, and I feel like I have failed, but I have more often began to believe that is the result of the system, as mentioned by Carol Dweck. This system would be that of "failing" a student rather than showing that they just have not gotten there "yet." Surprisingly, I can only find examples of this mindset for myself in academia, and not outside of it.

I have learned that my mindset both towards and the way I learn changes a lot in a small amount of time. Whether it be my interest toward subjects and the idea of learning, or the way I learn, I have improved a great deal since the beginning of my undergrad. My biggest challenges to this day, however, are pleasing myself with how much I have learned at the end of the day. My "failures" resonate more than my successes, so my A's essentially have no positive effect on me, but any grade less than that has me overthink. This mindset, to this day, is something I am trying to get around. Because of this, I would be greatly interested in this type of growth mindset throughout the upcoming semester(s).

My personal learning goals would be to do my best; to care less about results, and more about the effort I am putting in. I am not worried about any particular classes, because if I would, then I feel as though I would perform much less. I am, however, excited about my molecular biology class, as I find interest in the subject.

Not particularly true, as it does bring me down, but it is something I am working on!

Introduction to Z, the Microbiology major

Hello, I am Z! My real name is Zohaib, but I go more often by Z. I am majoring in microbiology, and I am also pre-medicine. The coolest thing about my major is being able to see and learn about the unseeable - that is, until we see them under a microscope. It fascinates me how many roles microorganisms play and how large and diverse the microbial world is, and, of course, how much they affect us. The best class I took last semester was probably my fundamentals to microbiology class, as it was my very first microbiology class (even as a Junior) and I truly realized this was the subject I wanted to major in. My biggest accomplishments last semester was being able to take on a very tough semester and doing well.

I did not do very much over the break; I met with some friends for food and to hang out, but most of my break was dedicated to studying for the MCAT, the medical school entrance exam for when I apply this Spring. My favorite book series was The Hunger Games, and my favorite movie is between The Arrival and Interstellar. The best movie I have seen recently, however, has to be Midsommar. I also watched the Netflix TV series You over the break, and really enjoyed it. I enjoy rap music and have recently delved into the realm of Kpop (I know).

My long-term goals are to, in essence, do what I enjoy. I have a lot of interest in the sciences, specifically microbiology. I am hoping to find out what exact specialty I would like to do if I am admitted into medical school, but as of now I have an interest in specialties such as Pathology, or anything disease/bodily related! A short term goal I have is to stick to my study schedule for the MCAT to help make this dream a reality.

I have a dog, his name is Buddie (yes, with an -ie), and this is (a silly) picture of him (and a little of me):

A picture of my dog, Buddie

I wrote a post about Hawaii, and why I enjoyed it, if you would like to check that out as well. I am from Pakistan, so I really love traditional food; I have a lot of favorites, but my top two are definitely chicken biryani and chicken nihari! For western food, I would have to say either Taco Bell, or Wing It (located really close to campus!) Some foods I could from scratch are: I do not cook, so none :)

I play video games and hang out with friends during my free time, so I would say those are my hobbies. If I had the time, and of course - the money, I would want to get started on astronomy for a hobby! If I had an extra day of fun, I would probably play video games all day.

Storybook favorites: My Top Three Storybooks

The following is a list of my (current) top three myth-folklore storybooks, in no particular order:

1.  LSD in a Yellow Submarine

I found this storybook particularly interesting because of my lack of familiarity with the topic of LSD. Although it does not extensively cover the topic of LSD, but rather introduces it, in the introduction of the storybook, it sets up the story very well in the beginning, similar to a cliffhanger requiring you to read more to understand what the author means. This, alongside the overall subject, made it seem like an interesting read. Furthermore, the use of syntax throughout the introduction is unique and creative. The design of the storybook is the best of them all - as it has eye-grabbing yellow colors and interesting patterns. It did what the cover of a book needs to do: grab a reader's attention.

2.  Ghost Stories

The topic was truly the sole reason as to why I reached for this storybook, as I am an avid horror fan and love anything scary. The storybook did a good job on introducing the setting of the plot and kept it interesting for me to continuing reading. The syntax was less complex, but the simplicity of it allowed for the reader to focus more on the plot and its details, both which are crucial to be accounted for in a genre like horror. The layout itself was simple and nothing too unique, but once again, it added to the simplicity of the storybook as a whole. The design lacked complexity, and there was not much to that, but it did not affect my interest in choosing it to read.

3.  Modern Myths

Alongside horror, I enjoy a mysterious plot in a story, which is the reason I chose a storybook including myths, which usually include a plethora of mystery to them. Therefore, the topic itself was the attention grabbing quality of this storybook. The introduction was simple in syntax and the detail was simple as well, which made it an easy read. The overall design of the storybook lacked, but did not affect my interest in the storybook at all, but it could have perhaps made it more enjoyable if it were better.

Storybook

Honolulu, Hawaii ... My Favorite Place

My favorite place is Hawaii - as I have always admired the seas and overall nature of the place. It is a combination of my interest: animals, volcanoes, seas, and much more. The climate is wonderful most of the year and I enjoy learning about their traditions as well.

Link to this image