Next Semester Plans

 As this semester approaches it's close, I find myself speculating how I want to approach Spring Semester already. My goal when I first came back to school at the beginning of this year was to blow through my Associates as soon as possible so I took four classes Spring, Summer, and now Fall of 2022. After seven years out of school (Class Of 2015) It has definitely pushed me further then I thought I could go. Next semester I feel I may take a page out of some of my classmates' books and just take a class or two in order to make sure I'm keeping up and also to get some of the other areas of my life back under control! 

Class Presentation

 I appreciate everyone's kind feedback for my recent PowerPoint presentation, I remember a great tip I read for public speaking which is that your body reacts the same way to nervousness and excitement so the next time you have a presentation just interpret the "sweaty palms and butterflies" as signs that your excited to show your stuff. In reality it doesn't feel much different than the anticipation before a rollercoaster or a big game if you've ever played sports. A quick word about my topic for the presentation, because I love habit formation books people assume I have great time management skills etc. In reality though I'm drawn to those books because I've struggled greatly with it and am always interested in how we can all improve on our efficiency and take better control of our lives and how we spend our time. 

5.9.1 Conditional Formatting

 I chose section 5.9.1 Conditional Formatting because in my opinion it is this feature that makes Excel particularly unique. Of course it is useful to be able to input so much data but without the ability to search through this data to find the standout information, I feel that most spread sheets would end up very cluttered and almost less work to look through then their worth. It is the ability to search through the data with functions like Conditional Formatting that allows users to find trends in their numbers and come to conclusions based off of these findings. 

4.8.2 Table Formatting

Before this section I hadn't known that it was even possible to make a table in Word, I more so associated them with Excel. Although Excel's charts and graphs are much more in depth then Word's I still find them pleasant enough for simple use, I also like the options available to stylize them! I have been meaning for a while now to start tracking my finances through a spread sheet and while I'll still probably choose to use Excel for it, I can definitely see myself using the table option in Word for other purposes.

Windows Update Facts (2.2.12)

 .As someone who often forgets to update their computer I found this section useful, I think it's good that Windows has a setup that allows for frequent updates, it definitely makes me feel more secure when browsing the web.

1.1.16 Technology and Ethics Facts

 Although there was plenty of interesting information in Chapter 1 I chose to write about 1.1.16 Technology and Ethical Facts. It makes sense that with the rise of technology and social media a set of rules and ethics should be created in response to how we interact with others online. I liked the examples they used to demonstrate how easily technology can be used to mishandle peoples private information. Database breaches, social media shaming, and privacy violations are all examples of ways people can be harmed by others with Internet capabilities.

I personally find Human Dignity and Property Rights to be particularly important ethics to keep in mind when online. The anonymity that comes with social media in recent years has definitely led to a decrease in the respect of others privacy and dignity. The ability to easily steal others work and replicate it has also cheated many creators out of potential fans and revenue!

Taking My Own Advice

 Like many others in the class I have also struggled with time management issues and finding the motivation/energy to tackle all of my assignments. At times when I get discouraged I remember a conversation I had with a cousin of mine when she was a few weeks away from graduating high school. She, like most of us was at a loss as to what she should do once she graduated. I remember very clearly her telling me that she was considering going to the National Guard and what she said next is what stuck with me she told me that she didn't really want to go because she would have to spend two years in the program. My response to that was that "Time is going to pass whether you decide to go or not so don't let that stop you." That conversation took place over five years ago and although she chose a different path I am still reminded all the time that time will continue moving forward whether we take advantage of it or not the only difference is either you'll look up several years from now and have something to be proud of or you'll look up and be in the same or an even worse position. We all get to decide how we want to spend our time and what we want our futures to look like and that motivates me to actively create the future I want for myself.

Key Points From My Favorite Book

For this blog I thought I would share a few key points from a book that changed my life! The book is called Atomic Habits by James Clear. The premise of the book and meaning behind the title is that if your someone who wants to create a real change in your life then you must focus on the small decisions or habits in your daily life. If you do this then over time these same small "atomic" habits will accumulate into remarkable results. Some great concepts from the book are as follows:

1. Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement. In other words similar to how saving a small sum of money overtime can produce great wealth the good and bad things that we do each and every day can compound over time to create real change.

2. Time magnifies the margin between success and failure. It will multiply whatever you feed it. Good habits make time your ally. Bad habits make time your enemy.

3.Goals are about the results you want to achieve. Systems are about the processes that lead to those results. Basically if you have a goal break it into small steps and focus on completing them everyday as opposed to getting overwhelmed by the size of the goal itself!

The book also covers how to make good habits and break bad ones as well as how to put systems in place to achieve the goals we set.

"Instead of trying to build a brick wall, lay a brick everyday. Eventually you'll look up and you'll have a brick wall."-Nipsey Hussle

Adjustments and Organization

There were many things that worried me when I first decided to go back to school and enroll at CSN. How would I keep up with the course load? Was a Business degree really worth anything? Would I interact well with my instructors and other students? My first two semesters at CSN taught me many things but two in particular stick out, those being the willingness to make adjustments to fit around my school schedule and the other being the high level of organizational skills that it takes to really succeed in different environments with varying instructors and course subjects. While I still have much to learn while at CSN and in my individual classes I have no doubt that the skills I am picking up will benefit me not only in my higher education pursuits but in my personal life as well!