Monday, October 19, 2009
Cultural Event: ~El Grito~
For my cultural event I went to “El Grito” at the SUB North Plaza here at Texas Tech on September 15th. It took place from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.; it’s a celebration of Mexico’s Independence. Most people think that Mexico celebrates its independence on the 16th, but it actually starts on the night of the 15th and it carries on to the morning of the 16th. No one had ever really explained that to me so I learned something new. It was also a celebration of other Latin American countries who celebrate their independence on the 16th of September too, so it was just one big fiesta for everyone. “El Grito de Independencia” actually means “The Cry of Independence” for Mexico. There is a great deal of history behind this big celebration, history that I did not even know before. I am 100% Mexican, both of my parents were born and raised in Mexico, but for some reason before coming to Texas Tech, I had never celebrated Mexico’s Independence (with the exception of one time in Spanish class in high school-- we convinced our Spanish teacher to let us bring tres leches cake to class, it wasn’t really a traditional celebration). I thought that it was pretty weird that I hadn’t ever been a part of such a significant event, but I knew that someday I’d have a chance to celebrate it for real, if not with my family then with my friends. My family doesn’t celebrate it here and I have never gotten the chance to go to Mexico during September, so I felt like I was missing out on something really big and important to my country. Attending this event here helped me understand what it’s like and the importance of this celebration to many people. On the night of September 15th Father Hidalgo rang his church bell and called for everyone to stand up and fight for liberty. “El Grito” is a reenactment of Father Hidalgo’s call to everyone. Everyone shouts “Viva Mexico!!” or “Long Live Mexico!!” It was really fun, not only were there Mexicans there celebrating at the Plaza, but people of all kinds of different races and cultures. There were different kinds of Latinos from different organizations here on campus as well as Caucasians, Asians, and African Americans. Mariachis where playing loud festive music, people where dancing and having a lot of fun. They served “posole”, a traditional Mexican dish which was really good. I hadn’t had posole since I came here so it was nice. There were people taking pictures, waving Mexican flags in the air and hugging each other. It was really great to see everyone so united for this celebration. It felt like I was in Mexico, I felt close to home and a sense of pride for my country. I think that it’s wonderful that Texas Tech celebrates diversity so much; it makes everyone feel connected and helps to forget about differences. It’s pretty awesome how everyone can get together for something so special and join a celebration that is not part of everyone’s culture.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Final Draft!
Dear College-Bound Senior,
Transitioning from high school to college can be very overwhelming, awfully stressful and incredibly hectic, but still really exciting. There are countless things that you should know as an incoming college freshman to make this whole crazy process much easier. I really wish I could tell you everything I know, but this paper would be too long! Instead, I will tell you about what I think are three of the most significant things you should know as a college-bound student.You should definitely find out where to go for your classes so you won’t be lost and confused when the big day arrives. Once you're actually in college you should get involved in activities and organizations. You will meet tons of new people and have oodles of fun. The most important thing of course is to be responsible! Responsibility is the key to be successful as a college student.
It’s essential to know where everything is located before your first day of class. Once you go to orientation and receive your schedule, you’ll find out where most of your classes will be. After you move in you should use your spare time before classes start to walk around campus and find the buildings where your classes will be held. If you know exactly which classroom you’ll be in, find it so you’ll know precisely where to go on the first day of class. That way, you will already know how to get there and approximately how long it will take to arrive. This will save you time so you won’t be “accidentally” late to your first class. Being on time will help you understand the requirements for that specific class. Usually the professor will go over the syllabus on the first day, but he or she will also talk about things that are not found on the syllabus, so it’s extremely important that you show up!
Getting involved in clubs and organizations is a great way to meet new people who share your same interests. If you’ve never tried something before, now is the time to learn something new. College is all about new experiences, so take advantage of the endless opportunities you’ll have. You could learn what might become your new passion while being surrounded by awesome people who want to help you. Being involved helps you find new friends, some that might be totally different from your high school friends. It’s always good to meet new people; it doesn’t hurt to learn more about diversity. In high school, you could pretty much be involved in everything but in college you have much more work so limit yourself to what you know you’ll have time for. If you know you won’t have time for something, choose your top two or three choices, that way you’ll still have plenty of time to focus on academic work.
Last but definitely not least, you have to be responsible, be responsible, and be responsible! I know you hear this all the time from everyone but seriously in order to do great in school you have to go to class. It’s that simple. It’s so easy to be tempted to sleep in a little late or do something else that might seem more enjoyable, but class is where all the learning takes place. Not going to class is not only a waste of important learning time, but also a waste of your money. You’re paying for it (or your parents are) so don’t throw valuable money away! Surely you’ve heard that professors really don’t care if you show up to class or not, but some count attendance as part of your grade. In a bunch of my classes, attendance counts as a major part of my final grade. Some count attendance as bonus points for class. Even if you’re running late, go to class anyway. You’ll understand the work much better if you’re there in person. It’s better to show up late than to not show up at all.
College is so different from high school. It takes a while to adjust, but once you’ve set a good routine you’ll do great. Be prepared and know where to go on the first day, get involved, and be responsible in everything you do. I hope these three things I told you about help you once you graduate from high school and continue into college. Remember that it’s all up to you. No one will force you to do anything so you have to motivate yourself to do what’s necessary to have a fun and successful year. Your first year is especially important; it’s not only the beginning of your college career, but also the beginning of your completely new and wonderfully independent life. Follow these tips and make that first year amazing!
Sincerely,
Isela Gonzalez
Class of 2009
Transitioning from high school to college can be very overwhelming, awfully stressful and incredibly hectic, but still really exciting. There are countless things that you should know as an incoming college freshman to make this whole crazy process much easier. I really wish I could tell you everything I know, but this paper would be too long! Instead, I will tell you about what I think are three of the most significant things you should know as a college-bound student.You should definitely find out where to go for your classes so you won’t be lost and confused when the big day arrives. Once you're actually in college you should get involved in activities and organizations. You will meet tons of new people and have oodles of fun. The most important thing of course is to be responsible! Responsibility is the key to be successful as a college student.
It’s essential to know where everything is located before your first day of class. Once you go to orientation and receive your schedule, you’ll find out where most of your classes will be. After you move in you should use your spare time before classes start to walk around campus and find the buildings where your classes will be held. If you know exactly which classroom you’ll be in, find it so you’ll know precisely where to go on the first day of class. That way, you will already know how to get there and approximately how long it will take to arrive. This will save you time so you won’t be “accidentally” late to your first class. Being on time will help you understand the requirements for that specific class. Usually the professor will go over the syllabus on the first day, but he or she will also talk about things that are not found on the syllabus, so it’s extremely important that you show up!
Getting involved in clubs and organizations is a great way to meet new people who share your same interests. If you’ve never tried something before, now is the time to learn something new. College is all about new experiences, so take advantage of the endless opportunities you’ll have. You could learn what might become your new passion while being surrounded by awesome people who want to help you. Being involved helps you find new friends, some that might be totally different from your high school friends. It’s always good to meet new people; it doesn’t hurt to learn more about diversity. In high school, you could pretty much be involved in everything but in college you have much more work so limit yourself to what you know you’ll have time for. If you know you won’t have time for something, choose your top two or three choices, that way you’ll still have plenty of time to focus on academic work.
Last but definitely not least, you have to be responsible, be responsible, and be responsible! I know you hear this all the time from everyone but seriously in order to do great in school you have to go to class. It’s that simple. It’s so easy to be tempted to sleep in a little late or do something else that might seem more enjoyable, but class is where all the learning takes place. Not going to class is not only a waste of important learning time, but also a waste of your money. You’re paying for it (or your parents are) so don’t throw valuable money away! Surely you’ve heard that professors really don’t care if you show up to class or not, but some count attendance as part of your grade. In a bunch of my classes, attendance counts as a major part of my final grade. Some count attendance as bonus points for class. Even if you’re running late, go to class anyway. You’ll understand the work much better if you’re there in person. It’s better to show up late than to not show up at all.
College is so different from high school. It takes a while to adjust, but once you’ve set a good routine you’ll do great. Be prepared and know where to go on the first day, get involved, and be responsible in everything you do. I hope these three things I told you about help you once you graduate from high school and continue into college. Remember that it’s all up to you. No one will force you to do anything so you have to motivate yourself to do what’s necessary to have a fun and successful year. Your first year is especially important; it’s not only the beginning of your college career, but also the beginning of your completely new and wonderfully independent life. Follow these tips and make that first year amazing!
Sincerely,
Isela Gonzalez
Class of 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
7th Blog:
Well the media is right about portraying college as being a fun and independent part of someone's life. College is indeed very fun. What the media is wrong about is the amount of fun it is. The media makes it seem like college is a big, never-ending party with lots of alcohol. Yes there are a bunch of parties, but not everyone parties all the time like what it seems like. Not everyone drinks like crazy and it's o.k. not to. People respect that. College isn't all about partying and partying and partying. It's also about studying and studying and studying! Movies make college seem like the only way to have fun is to be drunk and crazy. There are lots of other ways to make college an amazing experience. You can make so many sober, unforgettable memories and still have the time of your life!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Memorable College Experience
Even though my college career is just beginning, I have already done many things that I know I’ll remember for a long time. I never in my life thought I’d end up playing racquetball, but now… I am! The first time I saw someone in one of those little glass rooms I thought wow, now there’s something I will NEVER, EVER do! I would get hurt. Very hurt. One of my friends here convinced me to go with her to one of the meetings and I found it interesting. I told a friend back home that I was thinking about playing racquetball and she laughed. It kind of made me determined to show her that I can do something different than what I’ve done before. I ended up joining the team with my friend from here (just to try it out). It’s really fun actually, very fast. Though I’m not to the point where I actually look like I know what I’m doing, I’m learning. I’ve met a bunch of nice people who are willing to help. I enjoy it a lot and I’m sure I’ll be playing next year too. Plus, I haven’t been hit by the ball yet, so that’s something I’m pretty proud of!
Friday, September 11, 2009
-Fifth Blog
3 ways to use your texbook wisely:
1. You need to figure out in what kind of noise level you study better. If you like to study with background noise, go right ahead if that works. If you prefer quiet though, make sure that you're in a quiet place that won't have distractions around you. Turn off the t.v. because it's one of the most distracting noises for students.
2. Find your study spot and make sure you have all your study materials handy there. You should sit in a chair rather than your bed because then you'll be tempted to fall asleep on your bed. Plus, you just concentrate better if you're sitting straight up.
3. Make sure that you have no distractions when your studying. If you know your cell phone or the computer will lead you away from what your reading, turn off your phone and get away from the computer. Go to a quiet place where other people won't bother you.
Advantages of a multicultural society:
Being in a multicultural society has many advantages for everyone. You get to experience new cultures and learn about the reasons that people celebrate different things. You'll get a better understanding of how and why everyone is so different and instead of thinking that something is "weird" just because it's different, you might actually learn to appreciate it and celebrate it too. It's always nice to learn something new. Appreciating diversity is good for everyone, especially students coming into a university where there is a lot more diversity than there was back home. Also, trying new food from other cultures is always fun!
1. You need to figure out in what kind of noise level you study better. If you like to study with background noise, go right ahead if that works. If you prefer quiet though, make sure that you're in a quiet place that won't have distractions around you. Turn off the t.v. because it's one of the most distracting noises for students.
2. Find your study spot and make sure you have all your study materials handy there. You should sit in a chair rather than your bed because then you'll be tempted to fall asleep on your bed. Plus, you just concentrate better if you're sitting straight up.
3. Make sure that you have no distractions when your studying. If you know your cell phone or the computer will lead you away from what your reading, turn off your phone and get away from the computer. Go to a quiet place where other people won't bother you.
Advantages of a multicultural society:
Being in a multicultural society has many advantages for everyone. You get to experience new cultures and learn about the reasons that people celebrate different things. You'll get a better understanding of how and why everyone is so different and instead of thinking that something is "weird" just because it's different, you might actually learn to appreciate it and celebrate it too. It's always nice to learn something new. Appreciating diversity is good for everyone, especially students coming into a university where there is a lot more diversity than there was back home. Also, trying new food from other cultures is always fun!
Friday, September 4, 2009
First draft-
Dear College-Bound Senior,
Transitioning from high school to college can be very overwhelming, stressful and hectic. There are so many things that you should know as an incoming college freshman to make this process easier. I wish I could tell you about everything but this paper would be too long! So I’m going to tell you about what I think are three of the most important things you should know as a college-bound student. You should definitely find out where to go for your classes so you won’t be lost and confused when the big day arrives. Once you're actually in college you should also get involved in activities and organizations. You’ll meet tons of new people and have lots of fun. The most important thing of course is to be responsible! Responsibility is the key to be successful as a college student.
It’s essential to know where everything is located before your first day of class. Once you go to orientation and receive your schedule, you’ll know where most of your classes will be. After you move in you should use your spare time before classes start to walk around the campus and find the buildings where your classes will be held. If you know which classroom you’ll be in, find it so you’ll know exactly where to go on the first day of class. This will save you time so you won’t be “accidentally” late to your first class and you’ll understand the requirements for that specific class. Usually the professor goes over the syllabus on the first day, but he or she will also talk about things that are not found on the syllabus, so it’s very important that you show up!
Getting involved in clubs and organizations is a great way to meet new people who share your same interests. If you’ve never tried something before, now is the time to learn something new. You learn what might become your new passion while being surrounded by awesome people who want to help. In high school, you could pretty much be involved in everything, but in college you have much more work so limit yourself to what you know you’ll have time for. If you know you won’t have time for something, choose your top two or three choices.
Last but not least, you have to be responsible, be responsible, and be responsible! I know you hear this from everyone but seriously in order to do great in school you have to go to class. It’s that simple. It’s so easy to be tempted to sleep in a little late or do something else, but class is where all the learning takes place. Not going to class is not only a waste of important learning time, but also a waste of your money. You’re paying for it (or your parents are) so don’t throw valuable money away! Surely you’ve heard that professors really don’t care if you show up to class or not, but some count attendance as part of your grade. In my IS 1100 class, each absence counts for ten percent of your final grade! Even if you’re running late, go to class anyway. You’ll understand the work much better if you’re there in person.
College is so different from high school. It takes a while to adjust, but once you’ve set a good routine you’ll do great. Be prepared and know where to go on the first day, get involved, and be responsible in everything you do. I hope these three things I told you about help you once you graduate from high school. Remember that it’s all up to you. No one will force you to do anything, so you have to motivate yourself to do what’s necessary to have a fun and successful first year. Your first year is very important; it’s not only the beginning of your college career, but also the beginning of your new and independent life. Follow these tips and make that first year amazing!
Sincerely,
Isela Gonzalez
Class of 2009
Transitioning from high school to college can be very overwhelming, stressful and hectic. There are so many things that you should know as an incoming college freshman to make this process easier. I wish I could tell you about everything but this paper would be too long! So I’m going to tell you about what I think are three of the most important things you should know as a college-bound student. You should definitely find out where to go for your classes so you won’t be lost and confused when the big day arrives. Once you're actually in college you should also get involved in activities and organizations. You’ll meet tons of new people and have lots of fun. The most important thing of course is to be responsible! Responsibility is the key to be successful as a college student.
It’s essential to know where everything is located before your first day of class. Once you go to orientation and receive your schedule, you’ll know where most of your classes will be. After you move in you should use your spare time before classes start to walk around the campus and find the buildings where your classes will be held. If you know which classroom you’ll be in, find it so you’ll know exactly where to go on the first day of class. This will save you time so you won’t be “accidentally” late to your first class and you’ll understand the requirements for that specific class. Usually the professor goes over the syllabus on the first day, but he or she will also talk about things that are not found on the syllabus, so it’s very important that you show up!
Getting involved in clubs and organizations is a great way to meet new people who share your same interests. If you’ve never tried something before, now is the time to learn something new. You learn what might become your new passion while being surrounded by awesome people who want to help. In high school, you could pretty much be involved in everything, but in college you have much more work so limit yourself to what you know you’ll have time for. If you know you won’t have time for something, choose your top two or three choices.
Last but not least, you have to be responsible, be responsible, and be responsible! I know you hear this from everyone but seriously in order to do great in school you have to go to class. It’s that simple. It’s so easy to be tempted to sleep in a little late or do something else, but class is where all the learning takes place. Not going to class is not only a waste of important learning time, but also a waste of your money. You’re paying for it (or your parents are) so don’t throw valuable money away! Surely you’ve heard that professors really don’t care if you show up to class or not, but some count attendance as part of your grade. In my IS 1100 class, each absence counts for ten percent of your final grade! Even if you’re running late, go to class anyway. You’ll understand the work much better if you’re there in person.
College is so different from high school. It takes a while to adjust, but once you’ve set a good routine you’ll do great. Be prepared and know where to go on the first day, get involved, and be responsible in everything you do. I hope these three things I told you about help you once you graduate from high school. Remember that it’s all up to you. No one will force you to do anything, so you have to motivate yourself to do what’s necessary to have a fun and successful first year. Your first year is very important; it’s not only the beginning of your college career, but also the beginning of your new and independent life. Follow these tips and make that first year amazing!
Sincerely,
Isela Gonzalez
Class of 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
3rd Blog
- I read Jarrod's blog and I found what he explained about what he learned in Ch. 6 is actually very helpful. Using "small blocks of wasted time" to study is something that I hadn't thought that much about before. I think that this would actually help a lot so you could take advantage of every spare minute you have, therefore the information would stick better in your head.
- In Angelica's blog she mentions that we have board certified physicians working at our wellness center, which is something useful to know. It's good to know that there are certified people close by that can help in case something comes up and we need immediate medical attention!
- I think that something useful for every college student to know is how to get control of your life which is what Ch. 6 talks about. It tells you how to make a schedule and after looking at it decide if the way you spend your time is actually helping you. It also gives you tips on how to deal with procrastination such as working when you have the most energy. Then it tells you to identify your priorities and decide what is best to achieve your goals.
- In Angelica's blog she mentions that we have board certified physicians working at our wellness center, which is something useful to know. It's good to know that there are certified people close by that can help in case something comes up and we need immediate medical attention!
- I think that something useful for every college student to know is how to get control of your life which is what Ch. 6 talks about. It tells you how to make a schedule and after looking at it decide if the way you spend your time is actually helping you. It also gives you tips on how to deal with procrastination such as working when you have the most energy. Then it tells you to identify your priorities and decide what is best to achieve your goals.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
3 Things I Learned From the COBA Talks
In the Study Abroad presentation I learned that Texas Tech has two centers which are located in Germany and Spain. They have what is called 'intensive language' in Spain where you can only speak in Spanish. That way you learn more in a shorter amount of time.
In the Ethics presentation I learned that there are many different events held to celebrate diversity, such as Hispanic Heritage Month, American Indian Event, and Dia de los Muertos. All of those celebrations sound so interesting and I would like to participate in many of them because I want to learn about other people and their cultures!
I also learned that I should visit the Student Health Center If i get sick or injured and not go some other place where I would have to pay a fortune! We also learned about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes, and unprotected sex.
In the Ethics presentation I learned that there are many different events held to celebrate diversity, such as Hispanic Heritage Month, American Indian Event, and Dia de los Muertos. All of those celebrations sound so interesting and I would like to participate in many of them because I want to learn about other people and their cultures!
I also learned that I should visit the Student Health Center If i get sick or injured and not go some other place where I would have to pay a fortune! We also learned about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes, and unprotected sex.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
What I learned from Chapters 1-6:
Ch. 1- Having a positive attitude is very important to be successful. Looking on the bright side of things and being around positive people helps you feel better and also live better!
Ch. 2- Knowing how to use the resources in the library helps you tremendously. You should find out where everything is located and how to use everything so you can do better in class.
Ch. 3- To set a big goal you have to make a plan to achieve small steps first. You have to be sure to make your plan realistic and set a target date for each small goal. While completing your action plan you should visualize yourself achieving your major goal and be positive the whole time!
Ch. 4- Stress can be positive and negative. When you have positive stress it motivates you to do better, but you have to learn how to deal with negative stress. Some examples of ways to relieve stress are exercising and sleeping well.
Ch. 5- Everyone learns differently. Some people learn by seeing information, others by hearing, and some others by actually doing things. Some learn by using all three styles. Figuring out which type of learner you are will make it easier for you to remember information and find out what type of learning style to use.
Ch. 6- Making a schedule is a great way to manage time. Filling out your class times and study hours and then following through with your schedule will help you deal with procrastination so you will be succesful with your school work.
My question for next weeek is this:
How strict are professors about cell phones going off in class?
I've heard that some make you sing the teapot song or something and do the moves and everything...
Ch. 2- Knowing how to use the resources in the library helps you tremendously. You should find out where everything is located and how to use everything so you can do better in class.
Ch. 3- To set a big goal you have to make a plan to achieve small steps first. You have to be sure to make your plan realistic and set a target date for each small goal. While completing your action plan you should visualize yourself achieving your major goal and be positive the whole time!
Ch. 4- Stress can be positive and negative. When you have positive stress it motivates you to do better, but you have to learn how to deal with negative stress. Some examples of ways to relieve stress are exercising and sleeping well.
Ch. 5- Everyone learns differently. Some people learn by seeing information, others by hearing, and some others by actually doing things. Some learn by using all three styles. Figuring out which type of learner you are will make it easier for you to remember information and find out what type of learning style to use.
Ch. 6- Making a schedule is a great way to manage time. Filling out your class times and study hours and then following through with your schedule will help you deal with procrastination so you will be succesful with your school work.
My question for next weeek is this:
How strict are professors about cell phones going off in class?
I've heard that some make you sing the teapot song or something and do the moves and everything...
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