Journal 1
Jeremy
Prompt: What are some dreams you have?
Certainly, I have various dreams that encompass both short-term and longterm goals. In the short term, my foremost aspiration is to gain acceptance into
the university of my choice. I recognize that accomplishing this short-term goal
is pivotal in paving the way towards my ultimate long-term aspiration:
becoming a psychologist. My motivation for this career path stems from the
impactful work of Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, whose influence has inspired me to
pursue a future in the field of psychology.
Prompt: List and describe 2-3 goals that you have for
yourself in life. What have you done to reach your goals or
make your dreams a reality?
My ultimate and long-term dream is to become a psychologist. This aspiration
was ignited by the work and teachings of Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, whose
profound insights into human behavior and psychology have deeply inspired
me. I believe that pursuing a career in psychology will allow me to make a
positive impact on individuals' lives by helping them navigate their challenges
and improve their mental well-being.
To work towards this long-term goal, I have taken several steps. Firstly, I have
been diligent in my academic pursuits, maintaining a strong focus on
psychology-related courses and extracurricular activities that enhance my
understanding of the field. Additionally, I actively seek out opportunities to gain
practical experience, whether through internships, volunteer work, or research
projects. These experiences not only provide valuable insights but also help me
build a network within the psychology community.
Furthermore, I engage in continuous self-improvement by reading books,
articles, and research papers in psychology to stay updated with the latest
developments in the field. I also participate in discussions and forums related
to psychology to expand my knowledge and perspectives.
In summary, I am actively working toward my short-term goal of university
acceptance by focusing on academic excellence, standardized test
preparation, and the application process. Simultaneously, I am taking steps to
pursue my long-term dream of becoming a psychologist by immersing myself
in psychology-related experiences, staying informed, and continuously
enhancing my skills and knowledge. These actions bring me closer to turning
my dreams into reality and ultimately making a meaningful contribution to the
field of psychology.
Journal 2
Jeremy
Prompt: What skills do you have to solve problems or
overcome challenges if you aren’t reaching your goal?
One of the most valuable skills I possess when it comes to solving problems and
overcoming challenges, especially when I'm not reaching my goal, is my
mindset. While technical skills and knowledge are essential, I firmly believe that
having the right mindset can make all the difference in turning setbacks into
steppingstones towards success.
1. Resilience: Resilience is my go-to skill for bouncing back from
disappointments and failures. It enables me to view setbacks as steppingstones,
motivating me to learn and adapt rather than dwelling on negativity.
2. Adaptability: The ability to adjust my approach is crucial in the everchanging journey toward my goals. Being open to change, embracing new
strategies, and staying flexible empower me to navigate unexpected
challenges effectively.
3. Positive Attitude: Maintaining a positive outlook is essential when facing
hurdles. A positive mindset allows me to approach problems with a solutionoriented perspective, helping me find creative ways to overcome obstacles.
4. Persistence: I rely on persistence to stay committed, even when progress is
slow or setbacks occur. Knowing that success often requires sustained effort
keeps me on track and focused on the long-term goal.
5. Self-Compassion: Self-compassion is vital for maintaining a healthy
perspective during challenging times. It helps me cope with setbacks without
excessive self-criticism, fostering resilience and a sense of self-worth.
Prompt: Describe how you either modify your goal or
change your habits.
Changing my goal or habits are the thing that is considered as most important
in my life and very complicated to do. I basically think a lot of time to change
my own goal. Just think about what’s going to happen if I change the goal
and what’s I need to do more. It’s like complete my own plan to approach to
my goal. Also when I change my own habits, I always keep them in my head.
If I did my bad habit uncertainly, I would remember the things that I suppose
to do when I did that. And immediately stop doing my habits.
Journal 3
Jeremy
Prompt: List all the things you do to study and prepare for
assessments?
I firstly prepare my mindset. I believe that mind set is the most important thing
that need to prepare before to do something required high concentration.
People who didn’t take right mindset before to do study often showed low
concentration against their work. So basically, I bring right mindset first and
prepare notebook and memo secondly. It’s not easy to memorize all things
during the whole class. So I bring my note book and memo to highlight the
important information.
Prompt: Explain which ones of these you like the best or find
the most effective?
I believe that having the right mindset is crucial for successful studying. It sets
the tone for how focused and productive I can be during my study sessions.
When I approach my studies with a positive and determined mindset, I am
more likely to stay motivated, concentrate better, and absorb the material
effectively. Over time, I've realized that without the proper mindset, it's
challenging to make the most out of my study time. I've experienced moments
when I couldn't concentrate or felt overwhelmed, and this often resulted from
not being in the right mental state before starting my studies. So, in summary,
while preparing my notebook and memo are essential for organizing
information, I consider preparing my mindset to be the most effective and
crucial step in my study routine. It lays the foundation for successful learning
and helps me stay focused and engaged throughout my study sessions.
Journal 4
Jeremy
Prompt: List and describe as many of the study skills you
learned yesterday as you can.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to learn about a variety of study skills that I
believe will significantly enhance my ability to retain and understand
information. Each of these techniques offers a unique approach to learning
and has the potential to make my study sessions more effective.
1. The Feynman Technique: This technique involves simplifying complex
concepts by explaining them in simple terms, as if teaching them to someone
else. It forces me to break down information into its fundamental components
and helps identify areas where I may not fully understand the topic. The
Feynman Technique promotes a deep understanding of the subject matter.
2. Spaced Practice: Spaced practice is a method that involves spacing out
study sessions over time, rather than cramming all at once. This approach
enhances long-term retention and comprehension by allowing the brain to
consolidate information gradually. It's a more efficient way to learn and
remember material.
3. Venn Diagram: Venn diagrams are visual tools used to compare and
contrast two or more sets of data or concepts. This technique is particularly
useful for organizing information, identifying relationships between topics, and
highlighting differences. It's especially handy for subjects with overlapping or
related content.
4. Review Package: A review package is a comprehensive summary of key
points and concepts from a particular subject or lesson. Creating a review
package involves condensing and organizing information into a condensed
format, making it easier to revisit and study. It's a helpful resource for exam
preparation.
5. Mind Map: Mind mapping is a visual technique that allows me to represent
ideas and concepts in a structured and interconnected manner. It helps me
see the big picture, identify relationships between topics, and recall
information more effectively. Mind maps are versatile tools for brainstorming
and organizing thoughts.
6. Cue Cards: Cue cards, also known as flashcards, are an excellent tool for
memorization and self-testing.
Prompt: Which ones will you put into your portfolio?
As I reflect on the various study skills and mindset skills I've learned and
developed, I recognize the importance of curating a portfolio that showcases
my strengths and abilities. After careful consideration, I have decided to
include the following skills in my portfolio:
1. Mind Map: The use of mind maps has been a transformative tool in my
learning journey. It not only helps me visualize complex information but also
aids in connecting ideas and concepts. The visual appeal of mind maps makes
them engaging and memorable. They serve as an excellent representation of
my ability to organize and synthesize information creatively.
2. Review Package: A well-structured review package is a concise yet
comprehensive summary of key concepts and information from various
subjects or lessons. It demonstrates my ability to distill essential knowledge into
an easily digestible format. This skill is invaluable, especially when preparing for
exams or sharing insights with peers.
3. Spaced Practice: The adoption of spaced practice has significantly
improved my long-term retention of information. By strategically spacing out
my study sessions, I can demonstrate discipline and efficiency in my learning
approach. This skill is essential for effective time management and knowledge
retention.
4. Mindset Skills: While not a traditional study technique, mindset skills are
equally critical to success in any academic or life endeavor. I believe that my
mindset skills, including resilience, adaptability, a positive attitude, persistence,
and self-compassion, play a pivotal role in my ability to overcome challenges
and stay focused on my goals.
Including these skills in my portfolio demonstrates my commitment to holistic
and effective learning. It highlights my adaptability in employing various
techniques to suit different subjects and situations, reflecting a well-rounded
and dedicated approach to education. Moreover, showcasing my mindset
skills underscores the importance of the right mental attitude in achieving my
academic and life goals.
As I continue to develop and refine these skills, I am excited about the growth
and opportunities they will bring to my academic journey and beyond. Building
a portfolio that encapsulates these strengths will not only benefit me in my
current pursuits but also serve as a testament to my continuous dedication to
self-improvement and lifelong learning.
Journal 5
Jeremy
Prompt: Describe what you remember of your strongest
and weakest executive skills from grade 10?
Strongest Executive Skills:
Sustained Attention: I excelled in sustained attention. I could focus for ex
tended periods, which was beneficial during classes and while studying.
Metacognition: Metacognition was a strong suit. I could assess my learni
ng process, identify challenges, and adapt my study strategies accordin
gly.
Working Memory: My working memory was robust, enabling me to proce
ss and manage information effectively, especially in multitasking situation
s.
Weakest Executive Skills:
Task Initiation: I struggled with initiating tasks, often procrastinating and fa
cing last-minute rushes.
Organization: My organizational skills were lacking, leading to disorganize
d notes and missed deadlines.
Stress Tolerance: Stress easily overwhelmed me, impacting my performan
ce during high-pressure situations.
These experiences in grade 10 shaped my approach to learning and self
-improvement, prompting me to work on my weaknesses and leverage
my strengths.
Prompt: In what ways you worked to build organization and
time-management skills from last year?
Over the past year, I embarked on a deliberate journey to enhance my
organization and time-management skills. Recognizing the importance of
these skills in achieving my goals and improving my overall productivity, I took
several concrete steps to make meaningful progress in these areas.
Setting Clear Goals: To begin, I set clear and specific goals for improving my
organization and time-management skills. These goals provided me with a
sense of direction and motivation throughout the year. I made sure my
objectives were measurable and time-bound, so I could track my progress
effectively.
Self-Motivation: Motivating myself was a crucial aspect of this journey. I
reminded myself regularly why improving these skills was essential to my
personal and academic success. I visualized the benefits of being more
organized and efficient, such as reduced stress and better academic
performance. This self-motivation became my driving force.
Creating a Structured Schedule: I established a structured daily schedule that
allowed me to allocate time for various tasks and responsibilities. This schedule
included dedicated time slots for studying, work, personal projects, and
relaxation. By adhering to this routine, I ensured that I made the most of each
day and minimized procrastination.
These kinds of skills really helped me to improve organization and
management.
Journal 6
Jeremy
Prompt: Describe what you think and feel when you hear
the word “conflict”
Initial Thoughts and Feelings
When I hear the word "conflict," my initial reaction is a mix of apprehension and
discomfort. It often evokes thoughts of disagreement, tension, and strife.
Conflict feels like a disruption in the harmony of things, and it brings to mind
images of heated arguments or misunderstandings.
Emotionally, hearing the word "conflict" triggers a sense of unease and caution.
I may feel a bit anxious or on guard, as I associate it with potential challenges
and emotional turmoil. However, over time, I've come to realize that conflict is
an inevitable part of life and can lead to growth and understanding when
handled constructively.
Evolving Perspectives and Responses
As I delve deeper into the concept of conflict, my perspective begins to shift.
I understand that conflict is not inherently negative; it's a natural part of human
interactions. It's through conflicts that we can uncover different viewpoints,
challenge our assumptions, and find innovative solutions to problems.
Rather than fearing conflict, I now see it as an opportunity for growth and
learning. It can be a catalyst for improved communication and stronger
relationships when approached with an open mind and a willingness to resolve
issues constructively. So, while my initial reaction to the word "conflict" may be
discomfort, I've come to appreciate its potential for positive change and
personal development.
Prompt: Do you avoid conflict, start conflict, or work to res
olve conflicts? Explain.
I generally tend to avoid conflict, feeling uncomfortable with disagreements
and confrontations. However, I've realized that avoidance doesn't always lead
to productive outcomes, so I've been working on becoming more proactive in
addressing conflicts. While I don't actively seek out conflict or intentionally start
conflicts, I've shifted towards a more constructive approach, focusing on
conflict resolution through open communication and compromise. This
change aims to foster personal growth and stronger relationships by
addressing conflicts directly when they arise.
Journal 7
Jeremy
Prompt: Describe some conflict resolutions strategies that
you know of or use to resolve your conflicts.
Known Conflict Resolution Strategies
Effective conflict resolution is essential for maintaining healthy relationships and
personal growth. I rely on strategies like active listening, empathy, and
compromise. Active listening involves giving my full attention to the other
person, seeking to understand their perspective, and validating their feelings.
Compromise allows both parties to address their concerns, fostering a win-win
outcome. Additionally, taking a break during heated discussions can prevent
escalation and promote productive conversations.
Personal Experience with Conflict Resolution
In my experience, these strategies have been transformative. Active listening
and empathy de-escalate tense situations. Compromise maintains harmony in
relationships, and taking breaks prevents unnecessary conflicts. Honesty and
assertiveness are also crucial. Expressing needs calmly while being receptive
to others' viewpoints has led to successful resolutions, contributing to personal
growth and stronger relationships.
Journal 8
Jeremy
Prompt: Conflict resolution, task initiation, or study skills.
Explain what you have learned about this topic, and how
this skill has helped you improve as a student.
Learning Conflict Resolution Skills
Conflict resolution skills have been a valuable asset in my academic journey.
They've taught me the importance of effective communication, empathy,
and compromise in resolving disagreements. I've applied these skills to handle
conflicts with peers and instructors, fostering collaboration and a positive
academic environment.
Personal Growth and Academic Enhancement
Conflict resolution has not only improved my academic performance but also
contributed to personal growth. It has allowed me to see conflicts as
opportunities for learning and creative problem-solving. By addressing conflicts
promptly, I've reduced stress and distractions, enabling me to focus better on
my studies.