Well, the first thing I'd like to put out is that classes have been (relatively) fun thus far. Also, I find that through each year of school, the first semester is usually the harder one to get through. So, if you don't give us any work throughout the second semester (and make something out of the "Academy SRT" on our schedules), you could really reinforce that claim.
On a more serious note, I really did learn a lot this semester. To be honest, before The Blue Sweater, I didn't even know what a social entrepreneur was. Now, I really like the idea of a synthesis of travel, business, and helping people, because I really do want to try and make a difference. I'd rather make some kind of mark than just waste oxygen for the next 60 or 70 years. Ouch, that was harsh.
The other stories we read were okay, to be honest. The Kite Runner was a good book, but not the best story I've ever read. I guess my thinking here was that the plot was a little too obvious, almost being sold to a read-for-entertainment audience.
King Lear told me once again that, for whatever reason, I'm just not a fan of Shakespeare. I respect his profound abilities to write and tell stories, I just haven't bought in on his all-around genius yet. Sure, he can write with more creativity than I, but if his writing isn't connecting with me, then does it mean anything? The project we did to cap off King Lear wasn't my favorite, either. I like the idea of creatively portraying stories, but I think we treated it a little too much like drama class. I might be the only one thinking this, but some of us aren't exactly born to act out plays and I'm not sure it's a great idea to assess that ability in English class.
Sophie's World was a little bit of a tough read for me. I didn't know a whole lot about all of the past philosophers, and while I was familiar with the big names, the sheer amount of text and the way it was written didn't appeal to me. The ending got way too crazy and it lost any meaning to me. I guess I was expecting a little more from it, thinking that Gaarder's genius was going to go farther than the psychedelic things that went on. My change in thinking from Sophie's World, though, was probably worth the murky read. I think I have more of a philosophical basis now, and a much better source of reason to base my thoughts on. If Gaarder didn't at delivering a story that I liked, he certainly did a good job telling me about philosophy.
After touching a little on the major things we did, I realized that there were a few major points where my thinking changed. The first was in The Blue Sweater- I realized that helping people is something I really want to do. The next came with King Lear- thinking about things creatively is really a good way to learn them. Finally, Sophie's World gave me a philosophical basis where I had no foundation before- something important to use in the future.
I find that I learn really well with the parallels to music. The day we listened to different styles of music in class from the Baroque and Renaissance periods was one of the best so far, I think. Music is something that I am very in touch with, so references to it help a lot. The one thing I am having trouble with is some of the in-depth 'commentary' on how to write. I feel that some of the rhythm analysis is just a little far-fetched. Beat by Beat was well-done, and taught me a lot about writing skills, but I feel that maybe I automatically do some of that.
I realize that I still don't talk much in class, but I also don't feel that I will change that in a major way soon. The only way I can attempt to articulate the reason is by saying that I guess I'm trying to conserve only the better ideas for putting out. I wouldn't say I'm lacking the ideas as much as I'm more critical of them than some people. Some of my classmates put pretty much anything out on the table (and that's okay), but I prefer to reserve most of my ideas for myself unless they can help someone else. Why should I force myself to say a certain number of things to say? It's kind of like apologizing to someone without being sincere- what's the point? I understand that it's something to work on, and I'm not denying the value of expressing your opinions. It's just not that simple, I think.
This may have sounded more like an angry rant at some points than Metacognition, but I'm really not angry at all with the first Semester. I don't like the way any of this works, to be honest- being at school from 7:00 AM til 5:30 PM and then going home to homework, drum practice and other obligations is never fun. But, to put complaining aside, I like the way this is all headed. I guess in the end I'm the one that signed myself up for all of this, and if it's all the interest of preparing myself for the future, then I'm all in. But sometimes I feel that we should slow down a little more and try to enjoy what's going on right now. Hang on a second, seriously- 78 days, 19 hours until spring break.
