Note Taking

This week I have learned a lot about the importance of note taking. This week I took my first midterms of the semester. After I walked out of my Econ 110 test I realized that I need to start taking better notes during class. I did well on the test, but I know if I could've taken better notes I could've done better. There was one question that didn't have to do with Econ at all. The answer was simply something the professor said about topographical maps.

I am still trying to figure if it is better to take notes on my computer or on actual paper. Some of my professors give out their power point slides.  I usually download them and type notes on each slide. For the majority of my classes though I have no slides and it is hard to figure out in what way I should take notes.  In my opinion it depends on the class and the professor's style of teaching. 

My goals include to find out the best way to take notes for each of my classes. I also would like to find out what type of notes work best for me. I already have a good idea about how I like to take notes. I need to just be more dedicated to taking good notes and reviewing my notes after class. 

Future Responsibilities

Last Sunday during at church I learned about the responsibilities of a father and a parent in general.  I may not be a father yet, but I can do things now in order to prepare to be a father.  I started to think about the other future responsibilities that I will have in the future and what I can do now to prepare for them.  One day I will be an employee, a father, and attain many other responsibilities as I progress through life.  I wondered what I can do now in order to prepare myself for these responsibilities.

The characteristics of Christ came to mind.  These attributes include; faith, hope, charity, virtue, knowledge, patience, humility, diligence, and obedience.  Some of you may recognize these attributes from Preach my Gospel.  These attributes however can be applied to more than just the religious aspect of our lives.  Any employer would love an employee who exemplified even two or three of these attributes.  The gospel give us guidance in every aspect of our lives.  I'm not trying to make this post preachy, but I truly believe these attributes can help us in every way possible.

I want to exemplify every one of these attributes in order to prepare myself for future and present responsibilities.  I personally need to work on humility and patience right now.  I want to apply these two principles in my work, and in family life.  I tend to lose my patience and can be proud at times.  This week I will work on those things a prepare myself to become a better future me.

Balance In All Things

This week I learned the importance of time management and keeping balance through many of my roles as a person.  Many of us have different roles or jobs we need to fulfill throughout our days.  I, for example, am a husband, a scout leader,  an employee, and a student (among many other things).  I realized this week how hard it is to fulfill all of this roles completely.  

I wasn't able to make it to scouts because I was working.  My wife works full time as nurse, and somehow whenever she is actually home I have to do homework or I am on campus working on group projects. These roles cross each other almost everyday.  

I have tried to manage my time in such a way that I can fulfill these roles.  I feel like I plan my time well, but I fail at executing that plan.  It come down to should I do homework now?  or watch Netflix and do it tomorrow.  More often than not I tend to choose Netflix or something else and end up having to do homework when my wife is home.  This week I will be better at using my time wisely,  sticking to my plan, and balancing my life.  

Week One of "What I Learned"

Another semester at BYU has started and the learning begins.  I often wonder if I am taking certain classes so that I can learn, or so it will fill a requirement.  The answer for me is probably a little of both.  I take different subjects for different reasons.  I have been compliant with doing the bare minimum in order to get an "A" regardless of my level of learning.  My goal this semester is to learn as much as possible from every class no matter the subject.

I am currently in a effective study and learning course this semester at BYU.  The primary reason I am taking this class is so that I can keep my scholarship.  The first two days proved to me that I can learn a lot from taking this class.  I learned that I tend to cram for tests and forget the information shortly after.  I do not forget all the information, but my retention is lacking.  I learned that in order to truly learn the material I need to study it consistently throughout the semester.  By doing this I won't need to cram for tests, and I will be able to retain the information covered for a longer time.

I learned that I procrastinate and that I am lazy when it comes to studying for classes I am not really interested in.  Only 5 days have past and I have completed one assignment and two readings.  I have a long way to go in order to catch up with all my work.  The worst thing about this situation is that yesterday I did not do one thing.  I worked, got home, and watched Netflix with my wife until bedtime.  I will be able to complete all my readings and assignments this weekend, but it will be crammed.  I learned that I need to motivate myself in order to get my work done in a timely matter.