Getting the grade vs. Learning

I have always thought a lot about the debate of a good education vs. getting a good grade. Granted they usually go hand in hand, however I have learned that is not always the case. In high school and even middle school I set very high standards for myself academically. I was determined to get nothing but the A. I did pretty much succeed at that minus a few B's here and there. I do remember many extra credit assignments, late nights of memorizing details and for what? That letter "A" on my report card.

Now that I am in college, it is much harder for me to get A's in every class. College has also made me change my opinion on this debate. I now value a good education and absorbing useful knowledge rather than getting that A all the time. Let's face it, there are plenty of things we study and memorize that we will never end up using later in life, or we won't even remember them the next month. My new outlook is that school teaches you how to learn sometimes more than the actual material you spend hours studying. There are definitely some classes in college I have found immensely valuable and applicable to my everyday life. However, I no longer feel that your grade is a perfect reflection of your intellect or even your hard work. I also have learned that it is more beneficial in the long run to be a mastery oriented learned who cares more about learning for themselves rather than for others. But of course I still get frustrated when my hard work doesn't reflect in my grade!

I also, HATE those teachers pets that somehow get the reward for sucking up to the teacher? Or those who raise there hand multiple times during class just so that they can be heard and recognized. Sometimes those that are quiet are just as knowledgeable or even more intelligent.

For those of you who FREAK out about grades, think about it before you stress yourself out so much, what matters most is you try your best and learn something new everyday!

I told you so...

"It's cold out there, Carl put on your jacket!"
"Mom, I'll be fine!"
(It was a 35 degree day in January and my brother Carl decided to go play football outside without a jacket on and he did freeze his ass off, and all my mom could say is "I told you so."

There are times when we do not want to admit that we are wrong. And honestly it sucks to admit that. It really depends on the situation though. For instance, my own "I told you so" moment came in a bigger decision than whether or not to wear my jacket out in the cold.
When I was a senior in high school and trying to decide what college to go to I was indecisive and lost in the process. My dad however tried really hard to do his research and find a school that he thought I would like.
One day we were sitting at the dinner table together and he mentioned "I heard about this school Southern Methodist University in Texas, I was thinking of adding that to your list of schools we visit over your break." I flipped out at him and said that there was no way I was going to go to school in Texas where hicks were. Let alone a school that had my religion "Methodist" in the name. I thought that the name inferred that the school was religious and I do believe in a God and enjoy going to church every once in a while, but I do like separating my education from religion.

Anyways, I went to visit the school with my dad a few months later with a completely closed mind and a stubborn attitude. Thank god that my dad made me come visit because I was very surprised when I came to Texas for the first time and saw that people in Dallas at SMU were "normal" to my standards and just like me. And, of the 10 schools I applied to I ended up choosing to attend SMU and loving it. My dad really can say, "I told you so."

Spring Fever!

Today is such a beautiful day! I think it is strange how the weather can so drastically affect my mood. I think I may have SAD (seasonal affective disorder). But, I have not necessarily been depressed this winter, although I certainly feel a huge relief and sense of freedom with the wonderful spring weather. I really believe that a lot of people are affected by changes in weather.
It has been estimated that 1.5-9% of adults in the US experience SAD. However, I feel like it could be more people that are affected actually affected but to a lesser degree.

Today, the sunshine, blue sky, fresh air assured me that spring was on its way. I grew up all my life in New Jersey where there are long winters with some very cold and dreary days. I loved growing up where I did, but I did want to move someplace warmer for college. I thought Texas was always warm! This past Dallas winter certainly has not been though. People always tell me I should be used to the cold. But I say so what if I have experienced this more than you, I still hate it just the same! I was so sick of the cold, rain, show, and grey skies. I hope that it stays this way into the spring! Today I had a revelation of my life ahead of me and that I essentially control where I go after college in the sense of what carreer I choose, where I live and who I spend my life with. I may just remember back to today when I have to choose the WHERE part of this puzzle of my life. But, if anything, the nice weather has made me feel better about life and made me appreciate freedom.

Superbowl Snicker ad: "You're Not You When You're Hungry"

I watched only parts of the Superbowl this year because I had no connection with either of the teams playing. However, I did watch some of it just to see the commercials. My favorite Superbowl commercial this year was one that I personally connected to, was memorable and funny.



I am a person who needs to eat every few hours in order to perform my best and not be cranky. I sometimes act like a different person when I need food and a candy bar would be a perfect solution for me. I like how the guy is playing football like "another person" (an old person) when he is hungry, and after that hunger is satisfied with a Snickers bar he is back to himself again. I re watched this commercial many times online after the Superbowl and discovered that there was an entire other side of the commercial that I was missing! I was unfamiliar with the reference to Betty White. Then, I looked her up and now remember her as being a famous and hilarious older female actress who was cast in the recent movie "The Proposal" and is more well known for being on the TV show "The Golden Girls." There is some definite vertical intertextuality going on here. The commerical is way more funny when you know what kind of a character Betty White is.




I also checked out a few sites about what other people thought about the Superbowl ads this year and this ad I liked was rated #2 best superbowl ad on http://www.superbowl-commercials.org/856.html

The review on this spot was:

"This was easy to pick. To be honest, it’s still not an amazing commercial, but it’s Betty White and… well, it’s easily one of the best of the Superbowl. Betty White is always funny, always smart, and always a blast to watch. If they just put her in front of a white screen and had her hawk a product, it would still be a Superbowl commercial favorite. She’s just that good."

Some serious tertiary text that influenced my interpretation of the text when I reevaluated it!

People change...

I've heard it said That people come into our lives for a reason Bringing something we must learn And we are led To those who help us most to grow If we let them And we help them in return Well, I don't know if I believe that's true But I know I'm who I am today Because I knew you... Because I knew you I have been changed for good. ~Wicked "For Good"

I saw the musical production Wicked twice. I saw it once in NY and once in DC, and both times I loved the musical. I know that Wicked was a very popular production but I really do connect with the lyrics. I recently thought of "For Good" because I was thinking about how my friends have changed from last year to this year. Sometimes it saddens me that certain people are no longer in my life because we used to have great times together. However, I have learned that people change sometimes and I know that that person and I can't really have those same times again because things have changed. At first this seems like a real big shame. But, I believe that people really do come into our lives for a reason and that might mean just temporarily. So, it's time to let go of the past and allow ourselves to be thankful for those people who have changed us for good rather than wish that we could go back in time. I know it is easier said than done. You may become a stronger person and less dependent on others thanks to them.

Productivity, NOT burnout

I find it strange about when I am the most productive with my time. There are some days when I can not seem to focus my energies on any particular task, especially when my list is very long and daunting. However, nights like tonight, when I have nothing pressing to do for tomorrow and when I should be sleeping, I suddenly feel an urge to be productive. Its like I'm on a roll. Perfect take advance of it.

You know what? It is okay to not always be doing something productive that will lead to accomplishing your goals or addressing your responsibilities. And I think that by doing so you actually are setting yourself up for more success later on. For example, we all have to get our work done, cook, clean, do our laundry, go to meetings etc. but you can't do that for hours straight or else you will go crazy and experience something called BURNOUT. Definition: Burnout is a psychological term for the experience of long-term exhaustion and diminished interest.This is my evil fear.

I think it is important to be energized and in the right mindset in order to produce your best work. This takes giving yourself a mental break sometimes and be able to just have a sit on your couch. Taking breaks are important to productivity, but so is preparation. I am a preparation freak. I make a million lists and have about 4 calendars hanging on my wall by my workspace alone. This is good, but only to a certain extent. When your goals or agenda is not written on paper it is hard to remember everything and visualize what is most important to do first. This is where priorities come into play. Its hard to do what is most important and pressing when you have something else you need to do that is easier. So, writing a to do list helps productivity, but can also become counterproductive if you find yourself making lists of things you need to do more than actually beginning to do anything. Well then, take into consideration this strategy when you feel overwhelmed. And, in order to prevent burnout take some time to just chill and let your mind wander to hamburger, pizza, penguin, star, celebrity, gossip, TV, media, family, friends, fun, loud, laugh, run, jump, sleep...

The State of My Union

So recently our President gave the annual state of the union address. The state of the union allows the President and the nation to look back on the past year and assess the problems and successes of the year, as well as establish goals and plans for the future. If I were to make one about myself it would probably go like this:

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The state of Jennifer Moderow is stressed and over scheduled, but improving everyday. I have a specific plan and much ambition to succeed in the coming future. I never said it was going to be easy to take on a full course load of upper level classes, dive into my major, take on an executive board position as well as have any social life. However, with a rocky transition behind us, I am determined to stick to a very effective plan that will ensure that this semester will end with good grades and that I will leave my office with many changes and improvements. I urge you to believe in me and this plan.

One of my most important goals for this year is to look at everything with a positive attitude. This past year I have found myself disappointed in procrastination and lost valuable time. It is not worth complaining about life because you are in control of its direction. If you don't like something change it. Let's seize this opportunity to make the best out of every day for life really is very short. We have the power to create change and our positivity will be nothing but contagious.

I also would like to get to treating my body right by getting enough sleep and exercise. I will be more productive if I fit this into my life again. I would like you to know that their is hope for the future despite previous hard times.

This past year has not been all bad though, for the first time I had a real job, and know more of what I want to do after college. I declared my major and minor and am finally on track to graduate on time. I also would like to announce that I will be able to fit in my dream to study abroad in Italy this year.

I assure you the state of Jennifer Moderow is under control. Thank you for all of your time and support.

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I suggest that everyone think of what there own state of their union would be once a year. It is important to access where you are in your life just like politicians do for our country. This is not like making a silly new years resolution that you will forget after about a month. This should be done mid year and thought of very honestly and realistically. Those who write down their goals are more likely to do great things!