Student Learning Portfolio

Lorien ReadSmith

Political Science5/30/14

It wasn't until my junior year in High School that I stopped hating History. My teacher

taught History like it was a gift to unwrap or hot gossip to spread which inspired me. Her passion

also drove me to check the box next to Political Science for my senior year. It was a little nerve

racking; I was choosing against my better judgment to take an entire college course: “the real

deal,” as my councilor called it. Initially I was nervous and felt incredibly underprepared. My

counselor advised against taking the course, explaining that, since I'm not necessarily an

advanced student, the class might be too fast paced. And it was fast paced. I admit I struggled

with studying and felt slightly unprepared for the first test. During the exam, my heart raced, my

memory failed me, and I felt the material I had studied quickly slipping from my mind.

However, after receiving the score for my exam, I was nothing short of ecstatic. I received an

86%, and while it is not the best score, it was, at least what I felt, my most well-earned. The class

only felt more engaging and only more enjoyable from then on.

This class was totally different from any I had taken before, and I loved it. I am not only

grateful for the education and knowledge that I gained from the class, but also for the methods of

studying I developed as a result of taking this course. While it was strange not having busy work

like I would’ve in a high school class, as well as challenge trying to figure out my personal study

needs and habits, it helped me determine the best ways to prepare for advanced exams and taught

me to explore my strengths and weaknesses. I also found that not all explanations are simple and

straight forward, and are actually fun to debate and explore. For example, I used to think that

decisions and events could simply be categorized as wrong or right, good or bad, but as I have

studied the complex structures, functions, and procedures within the U.S., I see how there are no

uncomplicated paths or decisions in politics if we wish to have Democracy. As I reflect on what I

have learned and how I have improved, I think of how much more aware of current events, my

surroundings, and issues within the world. I have also strengthened my ability to take notice of

myself and my behavior, my habits, development, and weaknesses.

My test scores fluctuated depending on my expectations of the exam and studying

methods that developed as a result of these expectations. I didn't even use my book on the first

test, because I thought I had written down all I needed to know. My friends did a lot better than

me because they just opened their books and found the answer during the test. I was admittedly

upset because while I had studied and they hadn't they got higher scores. For the second test I

decided to study differently. I marked all the key terms and all the important things I thought

would be on the test and, to my surprise, I got my first A in the class! But sadly, because of my

victory I stopped studying because I thought I could easily just find the answers in the book

again. Little did I know that youwould mix up the order of the questions which ruined my

strategy. Although I haven't gotten the result of the fourth test yet, I'm pretty sure I did well on it

because I took the time to prepare. Lastly, the post-test went well! I got an F on the previous one,

but I actually remembered a lot this time so I'm excited to find out what I got.

Each instructor has their own way of teaching, examining, and running their class. I

thought it was going to be difficult settling into a routine for a college class but you were very

easy going and clear on what he expected, more so then any of my other teachers I have had. It

was easy to engage in his lectures because he provided visuals and examples. I always thought

your stories, like the car and windshield one, were not only funny and attention-grabbing but

effective since I can remember them.

Though there were several times I did not attend class, whether it be for a field trip, A.P.

tests, counselor conference, or teacher assisting, I only did so when I knew I would have access

to the subject matter discussed in class (e.g. notes from friends, textbook, or online resources). It

was difficult, however, to pull away from class on these occasions, because obtaining and

retaining the material on my own was far more difficult than in class, especially without your

side comments and memorable anecdotes that effectively aided the discussion. My experience in

this class was incredibly enhanced by the helpful qualities of the teacher, and I’ve come to regret

every minute I didn’t take advantage of your advice.

I didn't talk much in class. My usual outgoing personality shriveled from the fear of my

fellow students with their seemingly superior intellect. Even when I knew the answer or had a

question, I was afraid of speaking up, worried that I would embarrass myself in front of such

academic elites. From this experience I have learned that speaking up, although frightening for

me, will only get easier as I do it more frequently. Most of the time I was uncomfortably aware

of how much more advanced the rest of the students were, however, this fear secretly helped me

by pushing me to work harder. I've learned that I need to be active in my education. Not just in

my studying at home, but in the classroom and with my peers.

I've learned critical information about myself over the last semester which I know will

benefit me in my future endeavors. For example, I learn best when I incorporate a visual style of

learning, which requires me to not only listen to the lectures, but to read the book. Another basic

but essential strategy is to stay on top of things because once I fall behind I have a tendency to

give up. Baby steps have taken me everywhere in life. I'm not a leaper, and so reading 5 or so

pages a day is more of my style then reading all the chapters the week before the exam.

Strangely enough, what I have learned from this assignment helped me in Lacrosse this

season. I had a bad habit of sprinting until being so out of breathe that I was unable to continue.

This became an issue when running the mile for try outs. I did intervals of sprinting and walking

whereas most of the other girls did a steady jog. This assignment made me question why I had

this habit. I discovered that the challenging part of the mile at a consistent pace for me was that

I’d rather get breaks. I knew that if I was going to be a good athlete I needed to have not just

speed, but endurance, so I started applying what I would do in class. Similar to what I did with

the textbook, I took the running in small quantities. I started building up my stamina until it was

no longer a struggle. I’m learning how to better pace myself.

I would read the questions from the sessions before reading and keep them in mind as I

read the chapter. I had to force myself to do this because it was a way to make sure I was getting

something out of each page I read, whether information about politics or myself. The questions

were also a fantastic review. If I couldn't answer a majority of the questions then I knew that I

wasn't engaging to the full extent that I should.

I always try to find relevance in my classes, because I don’t see the point in learning

anything that is not applicable to me. This class and specifically this assignment have been just

that, and truly rewarding. One thing that has considerably changed my approach on information I

am requiring is questioning the facts. I had never even thought to question facts that I'd been

given before this class, I mean it's a textbook, it can't be biased or inaccurate can it? Guess again.

And the people who have taught you all your life are not always right either. My Dad may be a

very smart and intellectual man, but his opinions and beliefs are not always right, or ones that I

will take on. It was refreshing to hear you speak about the same issues my own family talks

about but in a completely different light. My family is conservative, and so I have grown up

only hearing their views and automatically classifying what they say as true. So coming to class

has been a very interesting and enlightening experience . I find myself contradicting my parents

a lot, not getting into fights, but discussing a matter in which we agree to disagree.

Role playing the author has immensely helped me in my attempts to study. To review, I

will grab a willing or bribable victim, give them my notes, and then have them ask me a question

which I will try to answer and justify. If I can't explain the main points that were covered in the

text then I know that I'm not ready to move on to new material. This also helps with my lack of

confidence. I have to pretend to know everything that I'm talking about in order to get the proper

feedback. Getting anxious or skipping something because I'm a little iffy on it will only hurt me.

Reading the New York Times was quite enjoyable. I liked skimming through the

newspaper and feeling up to date on the world. It made me feel mature, aware, and intelligent.

Despite my enthusiasm for reading a more sophisticated and national focused newspaper then the

Union Tribune, my Dad was not happy when I told him that I was required read such a liberal

newspaper. He would even throw it away if I forgot to pick it up and take it to school with me

because he didn't like it lying around our house. However, My Dad stopped doing this once I

started sitting next to him in the morning and reading the New York Times while he read the

Union Tribune. I would tell him about what I was reading and he would do the same. It was nice

to have the time to chat with my Dad and compare the newspapers. After taking my last test I

told my Dad that he could cancel the subscription since the class was basically over, but instead

of sighing in relief or being overjoyed by my news he said he would be fine with keeping it. It's

very flattering and encouraging to have my Dad's opinion on something change because of me.

I make sure to keep questions in my head while reading like “What am I looking for?” in

order to stay focused. Having questions in your mind that keep me alert are very helpful. I

likewise did this with this class. Why am I here? Whenever I felt like not taking notes or opening

my text book I would remember the reasons why I took the class in the first place. I certainly did

not take the class to fail and I should get the most from this experience which I can't do if I'm

procrastinating.

I only ever hear people complain about taxes and I know generally taxes get a bad rep, so

I really liked when you came up with 100 reasons why you are thankful for them. There were the

obvious ones like National parks, sidewalks, roads, traffic lights, and libraries and then more

thoughtful ones, like defense against enemies, disabled people, research, and Universities. I left

the classroom feeling good about government revenue since it provides public goods and

positive externalities.

My Dad is always listening to political radio station in the car. Whenever going in the

same car together I would moan and tell him to turn it off, complaining that it gave me a head

ache. Now I question why he doesn't have it on if it doesn't automatically switch on as he turns

the keys in the ignition. My Dad always has to tell me what the speakers are talking about since

we tune in right in the middle of a story or debate, but once I understand what's happening I'm

very interested.

I enjoyed the textbook throughout the semester, but the part that stood out the most to me

was the first chapter. The fact that Americans feel like they have a superior government to other

Nations and yet they distrust and hate politics and Democracy really stood out to me. I also liked

all the graphs and data in the text which helped me visualize and better understand trends and

change.