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Kayla Bossart
Blandford
UWRT 1101-028
24 November 2015
Heres for the End: The Final Destination
This past semester has been eye-opening for me. It was not only my first semester of
college, it was the next step in attaining my goals of becoming what I have always dreamed of, a
nurse. I had to take some rough classes this fall, but UWRT 1101 with Ms. Blandford was one
that I rather enjoyed. I learned many things and it expanded my thinking abilities, making me
take what I know and what I have learned, and look at it with a new set of eyes. We wrote many
papers, read multiple readings, had peer review sessions, and compiled everything we have done
into electronic portfolios over the course of this class. This class has made me broaden my view
on not only English related material, but on my life as a learner.
Since we were little we have learned that papers are comprised of an introduction, three
body paragraphs, and a conclusion; with paragraphs being five to seven sentences and your paper
being little to no opinion. This concept was thrown out the door, as Ms. Blandford has instilled
in us this semester that papers can be structured however you want them to be, and even contain
your opinion. Everyone has their own writing styles, and you have to find yours. I believe my
writing has changed tremendously because my writing has protested the standard high school
organized essay. I no longer stick to this format, and I think that this has made me a stronger
writer. My writing has become less structured and more genuine in the sense that my thoughts
flow onto the page more effortlessly. Also, we had to complete ten writings to explore, WTEs,

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this semester, averaging about a paper per week. This was very tough to get acclimated to, I had
to make sure my time management skills were on par and that I was keeping up with my other
classes workload. However, I have always struggled with time management, and this semester it
did not seem to be an issue. Overall writing is not my strong suit, but it has come a far way this
semester.
Over this semester, we had two major papers that we had to write, our literacy memoir
and our genre analysis. These were two tough papers to compose, especially compared to the
weekly WTEs. However, due to the bulk of practice we received from the WTEs and the
information we read about while completing our reading responses, made the writing of these
papers a lot easier. Our writing improved and we figured out what Ms. Blandford was looking
for within our essays. Our literacy memoirs were supposed to be about how we learned to read
and write, and this was very hard for me to write about because I do not remember much of the
details of my childhood in regards to these topics. I think that the genre analysis was easier to
compose, and it was the one that I preferred because I knew more about the topic and it was on a
topic that I enjoy. I believe that both of my major essays turned out well, especially with the
help of the different types of writing that we have done throughout the course.
For both of the two major papers, we had peer critique sessions in class. At first I was a
little hesitant due to past experiences in high school. In high school, peer reviews were simply
something that was for a grade, not to benefit the writers. No one cared to actually sit down and
read the lengthy essay and continue to tell their partner the flaws of their paper. Therefore, I
came into the peer critique very weary of the feedback I would be given, having the mindset that
it was not going to be beneficial. The first peer review session we had, we were able to pick our
groups. At the end of that class, I was amazed about how a proper peer critique could actually

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help me to improve, rather to be a waste of my time. I received constructive criticism that I
applied in turn, to better my paper. Also, immediately after that class I would edit my paper with
the feedback that I was given so when the following class came, I could receive different advice
to make sure I was writing to the best of my abilities. This was the case with the second peer
critique session as well. However, I went in with a better mindset that the class was going to be
helpful, instead of my previous thoughts. Overall, this class showed me that peer review is
something that can provide positive insight on your paper, whether it is positive comments or
constructive criticism.
Another large component of this class was reading. In high school, I took Advanced
Placement English Language and Composition, and it was easily one of the hardest classes that I
have taken. The main gist of this class was to read an excerpt that you were given, and then
reflect on what you read by using literary devices as evidence. I struggled with this, and was
worried that this was what this class was going to be like. But, the readings that went with the
WTEs were a lot easier than I had expected, and not like the ones from AP Language. However,
I believe that that class improved my writing skills and made the papers that went with readings
easier to write. During this semester we encountered fiction, poetry, and analytical readings, and
out of those, I preferred fiction. One short story that we read that was fiction, was the reading
about David Sedaris. Even though I did not get the concept that he was gay, I could still relate to
him in some way not having a negative impact on my grade. I think that essays that go along
with readings can be sometimes easier, because you already have all the evidence you need at
your fingertips. However, the reading is very dependent on how the paper will go because if you
do not understand the reading, it will make the essay harder. Overall, I did not struggle with the
reading throughout the semester.

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This course was basically comprised of daybooks, reading responses, WTEs, and two
major writing assignments. With all of these assignments, we had to compile them into an
electronic portfolio. We had to do one for our midterm, and expand on it which will be our final
for the class. I have yet to expand on my portfolio, so it is only what I have submitted so far in
my midterm. I was very content in how my midterm portfolio turned out, with me receiving a
ninety-eight. I set it up so I would not have to do much for the final, which will make it harder
for me to have a pizazz like I did last time. To help me have a better sense in what I should do,
I have scheduled an appointment with Ms. Blandford to discuss my final portfolio and what
direction I should go in. I made my portfolio in the format of a hotel website, called the
Travelers Inn. I think that it was sort of complex idea, and could easily be misunderstood which
is why I had a document on the About Me page that had explanations of each tab. I think the
most complicated part of creating my portfolio was figuring out how to make sense of things and
how to relate them all into a hotel format. I chose many pieces that showed my progress
throughout the semester and things that reflected what I learned over the course of this class. I
am excited to see the final product and I hope that it can still have a strong resemblance to a hotel
site like I originally set out for.
This was my first semester in college, and the first time I have been out on my own. I
believe that college makes you a more well-rounded individual. It is more than just coming to
school to learn, it is about growing up and becoming independent while broadening your
learning palette along the way. Throughout UWRT I have learned that not everything has to be
perfect and that is okay; no matter how badly I want things to be. Also, in all aspects of my life I
need to become more confident with myself. I have never been confident with my writing,

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however my grades have reflected that I should be. This class has helped me to become more
confident and that not everything has to be perfect.