My Learning Challenges

The first video that we watched with the jelly beans representing the days of our lives is such a great visual representation. When I first saw it it made me realize what I spend the majority of my time doing. A lot of the tasks they talk about that take away from "free time" seemed mundane and ordinary to me at first but then I decided I needed to shift my mindset. Instead or craving free time and worrying about capitalizing on free time in order to feel good or happy I wanted to focus on finding what I think is great about those mundane tasks. By looking at what I love about the mundane tasks I was able to flip my mindset and I found more joy each day. It takes continual effort to do so though and it is a skill I am trying to hone more and more each day. There are days I can do this really well and days I struggle with it so consistentcy is also something I am working on. Some tasks that have given me more happiness have been things like folding laundry, cleaning my room, taking showers, driving in a car, and even having to study. 

Time is a confusing concept
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One of the areas I would like to work on as part of the HEART system is attention. As I have gotten older my ability to not become distracted sometimes seems weakened. There are so many things that battle for my attention on a daily basis and sometimes it is really overwhelming. I want to get better at setting myself up for success when I need to focus on something by making sure to eliminate any possible distractions before beginning a task. I also want to get better at deciding what needs my attention first. In a way I want to become smart with my attention so that I am efficient and not inadvertently spending more time on a task than need be. 

I thought the procrastination ad we watched was really creative and definitely made me think about what I might have stopped pursuing that I should revisit. However, when it comes to procrastination I would say that I might need to use it more. I tend to be a person who will work on something or began worrying about something earlier than necessary. I will have friends tell me to relax a little and not put so much pressure on myself. Over my undergraduate career I feel as though I have gotten better at it but it was really hard when I was younger and wasn't good at working smart. I have gotten better because I am better at knowing what classes and other tasks will take in terms of time and effort. Now that I am older I realize my relationships are just as important as school and I don't want to be a poor friend to someone. So I am actually going to work on my procrastination skills.

 

Tapping into a Growth Mindset

I feel like I have heard the saying "the beauty is in the process" a lot over the years so it is great to hear someone like Carol Dweck give significant meaning to this phrase. I have never heard of a Growth Mindset as coined by her, but I feel as though I have thought about learning in a similar light at points. I would have to agree that when things are too easy and come without challenge that doesn't do much for growth. Often times I feel as though I grow the most when I make the most mistakes because they inevidably lead to learning different things associated with that mistake. I am glad someone like Carol Dweck is trying to create awareness about the Growth Mindset because I think it could help or education system a lot. I think it could end up developing people that are more resiliant and I think that will prove to be important throughout life.

After thinking about the Growth Mindset and how it relates to collegiate education I do see some issues. One of the biggest complaints I have about college thus far is the lack of one on one help a student can get with someone who can explain a topic to them. College professors do try to go to some lengths to try an give students some resources but I think they are extremely inadequate. I feel like professors are always playing hide the ball with me and trying to weed me out rather than helping contribute to my growth of knowledge. I feel like one of my biggest challenges in college has been trying to figure where I can find the extra help I need to do well in a class. Although, I think the biggest enemy here is TIME. Students who want to have a Growth Mindset in each of their classes I think will have a hard time doing so. Mainly because it seems to me that having a Growth Mindset requires someone to be able to give guidance to the student. Finding someone who is available to guide me in my learning process here in college is no easy task and often times requires a lot of money if that person ends up being a tutor. I think what Carol Dweck is saying is accurate but it  is also extremely frustrating because it feels especially hard to execute a good Growth Mindset at the college level.

I hope this doesn't come off as me sounding like the group that only wants things the easy way, because that is definitely not the case. I just think are education system at the college level is flawed. I also realize that there is probably a huge portion of the student body that would not use extra resources if given. I am applying to physical therapy school right now and I can say I am more excited about that learning process than the undergraduate one. The people I have talked to all say that they finally feel like the professors and staff want to help you try to succeed in your classes. I am both glad and angry to hear that. I am glad because I have something to look forward to now knowing I won't have to run on this same hamster wheel I have been. I am angry because I don't see why undergraduate classes have to be so different!

I admire Carol Dweck and the work she is doing because I think it has a lot of potential to benefit students in the future. I will also try and see where I can afford to spend some time to practice having a Growth Mindset this semester. Last semester I got a tutor for my physics class and approached it in a Growth Mindset way and felt like I did better on the tests because of it. It did however cost me a great deal of money and time. I am not sure yet if I will have enough time to do something similar this semester because I will have a very busy schedule but I am hoping there will be some ways.

I apologize for the rant and I hope I don't come off as a negative nancy. I think Carol Dweck is definitely on to something here and I hope to see her ideas spread like wildfire. I will be praying that professors will join in her efforts to improve education.

This is my mantra most days.
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Some of my Favorite Storybooks

The first storybook that caught my attention was LSD in a Yellow Submarine. I assumed it had something to do with The Beatles and that made me want to know more because the first CD I bought was a Beatles greatest hits album. The two stories on in the storybook seem to be two adventures taken using a yellow submarine bicycle as transportation. It seemed goofy and intriguing and also different from what I usually read. The introduction ends on a cliff hanger and makes me want to keep on reading. The author does a really good job captivating the reader's attention. I also like the design of the blog especially the background. It is eye catching and goes along with a Beatles underlying theme.

The next story that really caught my interest was Peter Pan. As I was scrolling through the list I was hoping there would be one on Peter Pan. Growing up one of my favorite movies to watch was Hook. I think I wanted to be like a lost boy and live in a tree and try to play pranks and upset the pirates. It was a movie that encouraged imagination and that gave me inspiration and creativity. I like this storybook because the introduction brings up something I haven't really thought about with Peter Pan. The author talks about love and how Peter is oblivious to what it is and to the girls that have had feelings for him over the years. All the stories I have heard about Peter Pan in the past have never really dealt with love so I am curious to see where it may go. I like the pictures that are used in the storybook but I think the font is a little hard to read at times.

The last storybook I looked at involves more characters I was familiar with growing up. The Unanswered Questions of Pooh and Friends is a title that makes you want to know more already. The introduction is well written and makes you want to definitely read more. I think it is kind of funny how the author created somewhat of a more real world scenario where Pooh and his friends are talking about their problems with a doctor. It is comical to me to think that Pooh had a therapist he needed to visit with on a regular basis. I remember growing up and loving to watch Pooh and I think I still have a Pooh teddy bear in my room back home. I thought the design of the storybook was good and eye catching. Also, the font was interesting and still legible so maybe I can figure what it is to use in the future.

Christopher Robin enjoying time with Pooh.
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Untextbook Overview

I have chosen to read Jewish Fairy Tales for week 2, which is part of the biblical texts. I didn't know that Jewish people had there own fairy tales that involve characters in the bible. I think it will be interesting to hear stories of characters that I already know to a certain sense. I figure it will be really interesting to learn something, whether true or not, that I wouldn't see reading the bible.

A new take on Noah

For week 3 I think I will do a classical piece to switch things up a little. Ovid's Metamorphoses looks interesting to me and since it is an important part of Greek mythology I think I will read it. I haven't read much poetry so I think it would be interesting to see what it is like in this book. 

Through the Looking Glass
I recently watched the newest Alice in Wonderland movie and it influenced how I named some of my characters in the story I made up for this class. I was not aware there was a sequel to Alice in Wonderland so I am hoping it is as good as the first.

Beowulf
I know that there is a movie made based on this story and I have not watched it so I think it would be cool to read the story and then watch the movie after. Also, I visited Sweden in 5th grade for a hockey tournament and thought Scandanavia was beautiful and the people were great.

Czech Folktales
My mom's side of the family is Czech but I have never really heard any folktales to my knowledge so I think it would be interesting to learn some. Maybe I have heard some and will realize I have through reading these stories. 

Introduction to a Michigander

Hello everyone! My name is Steve Behm and I am a fifth year senior hear at the wonderful University of Oklahoma. I started out unsure of what major I wanted to do but finally decided on a degree in health and exercise science and I actually just got accepted into physical therapy school at the University of Michigan, which will begin this upcoming fall.


I am originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan but I have been able to move around a bit playing hockey over the years. After high school instead of going to college I played hockey for a junior hockey team in Frisco, Texas. While playing there I was able to visit the University of Oklahoma and was able to realize its beauty and uniqueness. A year later a former teammate of mine and I decided we would apply to come to OU. In retrospect it was somewhat of a hasty choice but it turned out to be such a great decision. I was even able to continue to play hockey here at the university, which taught me a lot of life lessons along with being an awesome competitive outlet for me. My younger brother and sister now both go to OU as well so it has been really fun getting to have the opportunity to go to school together. I am the oldest of my siblings, however, both my sister and I will be graduating at the same time. My brother is a freshmen and he has been playing hockey here too.

Here is me playing at OU.

As far as hobbies and interests go I have a few. I have been snowboarding for a long time and have spent a lot of spring breaks in Colorado and Montana with my family and friends. I like all water sports and always feel at home in the water. I grew up spending a lot of time on lakes in Michigan and especially Lake Michigan. Lately, I would say my favorite water sport has been wake surfing where you surf the wake behind a boat, the bigger the wake the better. I also consider myself a doodler and enjoy drawing as a source of creative expression and stress relief. I enjoy playing most sports, lately I have been trying to get into tennis and racquet ball. If anyone has ever played platform tennis I was able to do that over winter break for the first time and thought it was a lot of fun. I would consider myself somewhat of a bookworm, although it can prove to be difficult to read for pleasure while in school. I am not really a music snob but I would say I don't listen to country music often. My favorite two articles of clothing to wear are socks and sweatshirts. I think its weird when people wear socks to bed.

Since it is my senior year I was hoping it would be a little bit more relaxed academically. However, last semester I would say was my hardest semester thus far in college. I took the GRE and was also applying to physical therapy school so I can relate to all of you that are trying to go to some sort of graduate school. Even though it has been a harder year so far it has still been great and I have gotten to meet a lot of new people that are in a similar boat. It is a lot easier to spend hours in the library when you have some friends doing it with you.


I am involved with Younglife here in Norman and became a leader two years ago. This past summer I was able to work at one of the summer camps in British Columbia, Canada. I was one of the boat drivers so I got to teach high school aged kids how to wakeboard and waterski, and we also got to take them on those banana tube rides. It was one of the best months of my life and I am really grateful to have gotten to spend it in the place I did. The best part about it was getting to volunteer with a whole crew of college aged people and get to know each other while making sure high schoolers had a good time at camp. This is a picture I took after we hiked up here one morning.

This is known as "Inspiration Point" and Malibu Club Camp is below.




                                          
This is one of the inlets we drove the boats in.

If anyone ever gets a chance to visit British Columbia I would highly recommend doing so. It was one of the most beautiful places I have been to. The camp was right on the ocean on the west coast and the mountains and wilderness are breathtaking.

I also have a dog Bo but he lives back at home in Michigan with my parents. He is an awesome guy and actually has quite the personality. He is not a big dog but he thinks he is huge. We have a big backyard at home and he just patrols it most days trying to kill squirrels and woodchucks.

Bo as a young pup.

Week 1 Storytelling: Lunch with Professor Snodgrass

A DILLER, a dollar,

A ten o'clock scholar,

What makes you come so soon?

You used to come at ten o'clock,

But now you come at noon.

(Traditional Nursery Rhyme)

***

There once was a famous teacher called Professor Snodgrass. One of the rather random things he was famous for was always eating lunch at noon. No matter what he was doing he always made time for lunch at noon and people admired his dedication to make time for himself. One of his fellow scholars, Professor Twindleness, was conducting an experiment and asked Professor Snodgrass for his help since he was such a profound academic. Professor Snodgrass agreed on meeting once a week at 10pm and Professor Twindleness was quite excited. Also, Professor Twindleness was to pay Professor Snodgrass with one dill pickle and one dollar each visit. 

A DILLER, a dollar,

A ten o'clock scholar.

***

Professor Twindleness was grateful to meet at 10pm because after school each day he helped teach a swing dance class. His daughter was in the class so it was a great time for them to spend quality time. After 6 months of meeting with Professor Snodgrass the experiment was still not working right and both professors were extremely frustrated. Professor Twindleness was on the verge of giving up when his daughter asked if he would teach another dance class at 10pm for her and some other friends. He decided to take on teaching the class and give up on his experiment. He thought, “at least this way I can spend some more time with my daughter.”

Professor Twindleness

The weeks went by and Professor Twindleness thought often about his experiment and whether or not it was the right decision to give up. In his soul something felt off and it proved to be quite a distraction in his life. He didn’t know if he even had time to work on the experiment if he wanted to because his only break during the day was from noon to 1pm.



Eventually, the pit in Professor Twindleness’ gut grew wide and deep enough that he could ignore it no longer. He stormed outside at noon where Professor Snodgrass was eating lunch and exclaimed, “Sir, I want to do this experiment the right way and I need your help and the only time I can do it is right now, please, help me, this could change the future!” Professor Snodgrass was shocked and these words took some time to sink in and awaken his mind from its noon lunch haze. He considered his options and after a very pregnant pause said, “I will help you, but I am bringing my sandwich with me.”

Professor Snodgrass' lunch spot

As fate would have it one of the key components to the experiment’s eventual success was sunlight. It is easy to see how this factor was overlooked when both professors had only been able meet in the evenings. However, it is much harder to tell if this was a product of mere coincidence or not.

***

Author's Note.  After reading the original nursery rhyme I had no clue what the author might actually be talking about. I did a little research that suggested the phrase "A diller, A dollar" meant someone that dilly dallies around. The nursery rhyme might be a lesson on being punctual. Regardless, I thought something more abstract like this nursery rhyme might be a fun challenge and give me more creative freedom. Throughout the story I can see my own interests influence the story I created. I would like to learn how to swing dance, I enjoy eating pickles and the movie Little Rascals, I am a science major so I have done my fair share of experiments, and I think discussions on coincidence vs. fate are interesting and meaningful. I think I chose the characters I did probably because of the environment I find myself in here at college. I tried to create an underlying moral in the story. Also, I wanted to have the reader wonder whether this type of scenario could have happened due to chance or due to some preconceived plan or even karma. I will leave it up to the reader to decide on the answer to that question and what the moral of the story might be. 

Bibliography.  This story is based on the nursery rhyme "A Diller, A Dollar" in The Nursery Rhyme Book, edited by Andrew Lang (1897). 

My Favorite Place: Ski/Snowboarding Paradise

I grew up visiting Big Sky Resort in Montana ever since I was two years old. I learned how to ski first at that age and eventually learned how to snowboard when I was eight and have been doing that ever since. Secretly, I sometimes wish I had stuck to skiing because it can prove to be easier to access uncharted terrain with skis rather than a snowboard. However, snowboarding is too much fun to totally dismiss.  Big Sky has a lot of special memories in my life and I am lucky to have gotten to make those memories with my family in such a beautiful place. My favorite part about going to Big Sky is that it is never too crowded or plagued with long lines, sometimes it feels like there is only a handful of people there. It doesn't get as much attention as places in Colorado and it is slightly more difficult to get to than some of those resorts but I think that has turned out to be a good thing. I haven't been back since I was a freshman in high school due to conflicting family schedules but when I do I need to make sure to get to the top of the peak because I never have before.

Lone Peak, which is the top of Big Sky Resort. Wikipedia.