Book : This I Believe Life Lessons

Dis 2

 Why have you decided to attend college? Using the information in the “Goal Setting” lecture found in the Content area, create a SMART goal related to your college education. Keep your focus on your education as a whole as opposed to any one particular class. 

Dis 3 

Later in this course you will write your own This I Believe essay. To begin thinking through that process, consider a simple belief you hold. “Simple” beliefs reflect personal preferences with regard to everyday things, as opposed to how any of us feels about “hot button” topics like religion or politics. An example of a simple belief would be, “McDonald’s french fries are the best” or “Cats are better pets than dogs.” Save hot button topics for your This I Believe essay, should you desire to discuss them.

State your belief in a single, clear sentence. Then, using the information provided in the “How to be Convincing” lecture in the Content area, provide three convincing reasons for that belief.

Dis 4

 Using the information in the lectures, discuss three habits or behaviors you think every “good” student should have. At least one of these habits must relate directly to students taking online classes. 

Dis 5

 Choose one essay from the past two week’s readings in This I Believe that you either could or could not relate to personally. It may be an essay that tells of a belief you share with the author but for different reasons, or a belief you disagree with based on your own experiences or personality, or a belief and accompanying story that is quite similar to something you yourself have experienced. Whatever the reason you chose it, explain why you could or could not relate to that essay. 

Dis 6

To prepare for this post:

1. List all the things you need to do on an average, busy day. This should include everything you do: work, study, participating in your classes, driving to and from the various places you go, eating, exercising, sleeping, spending time with family or friends, and so on.
2. For each task on your list, list how many minutes or hours you need to complete that task effectively.
3. Add the times you have listed to determine the total number of hours you need per day to accomplish all your tasks.

Dis 7

 As we’ve discussed, being “educated” is more than just academics. An educated person has many skills, which extend beyond the specific content of their courses. 

Dis 8

 The final discussion of This I Believe is similar to the one you completed in Week 3. Choose one essay from the last two week’s readings in This I Believe that you either could or could not relate to personally. It may be an essay that tells of a belief you share with the author but for different reasons, or a belief you disagree with based on your own experiences or personality, or a belief and accompanying story that is quite similar to something you yourself have experienced. Whatever the reason you chose it, explain why you could or could not relate to that essay. 

Dis 9

 Why did you choose Columbia College? Share your reason(s), and then reflect on what you learned about CC history. What surprised you or stood out to you? 

Dis 10

Choose 1 of the topics listed below and develop the following:

• a list of 3 to 5 (or more) strong web sources (not including the library) that provide research on that topic
• a list of 3 to 5 (or more) weak web sources that show bias or are not appropriate for academic discussion

Then, write a 1-2 paragraph explanation of your process for generating your lists (approximately 150 words). What makes one web source weak and another strong? What evidence from the sites helped you identify it as weak or strong? You should use what you learned in the lectures from this week

Topics:

• Effects of sugar and alternative sweeteners
• Future of renewable alternative energy
• Demographic changes of television viewers
• Pros and cons of the Electoral College
• Historical implications of Red-Lining
• True identify of William Shakespeare
• Historical events of the JFK assassination
• Theory of free-market economics
• Use of standardized testing in college applications
• The health benefits of vegetarianism

Dis 11

 Create two SMART goals related to your health, wellness, and/or stress management and share them with the class. Then discuss the reasons you chose those specific goals and describe the various considerations you had as you developed them. For example, were your goals impacted by responsibilities to your work or to family? 

Dis 12

Reflect on the content of this course and share at least two “takeaways.” These can include information or skills you have learned that will benefit you as a college student or as a person, goals you have developed for yourself as a result of this course, and so on. How do your “takeaways” and other things you’ve learned in this course contribute to you being an educated person?

Also consider whether your thoughts on what it means to be “educated” have changed. Why or why not?