DeMarco 1

Mia DeMarco

Daniel Heslep

EN 101-126

26 November 2019

Final Reflection

As a college freshman, learning to live on my own has been a memorable experience. I

have loved my classes, friends, involvement on campus, and have enjoyed learning more about

myself as I have transitioned into a new chapter of my life. My freshman year of college has

presented many challenges that I have gracefully overcome, leading me to become a stronger

student and family member. I was extremely nervous about being so far from home and about

taking such rigorous courses for Nursing. However, I am very proud of my outcome and what I

have accomplished on campus in just one semester of college.

In particular, my writing has also matured. In my first three assignments and their

reflections, I have seen my habits of mind in action as well as how my behavior influences my

revisions while shaping my work. When I am first informed of an upcoming assignment, I carve

out multiple times throughout the week to work on it. This allows me to have fresh, new ideas,

and work effectively. I was most concerned about my Intro Letter because it was my first grade;

I also wanted to make a lasting impression and found this as an excellent way to introduce

myself. For the final draft, I narrowed in on my future goals for the semester to shed light and

show my ambition. For my memoir, I chose to write about my mission trip to Rwanda. This was

particularly emotional and brought many tears as I described the traumatizing events and how I

have fallen in love with a country that has also given me pain. This is my best work; my final
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draft is daring and keeps the audience eager to read on. This revision comes from my drive to

want to tell my story, which is why it was so successful. My Profile about Recruitment at The

University of Alabama revealed a unique angle that also fascinates the audience with the hidden

turns and secrets. The idea of thirteen million-dollar mansions and 2,000 new college girls

running out of Bryant-Denny Stadium is newsworthy and eye-catching. I revised my Profile to

fit a sarcastic tone and interviewed multiple people to show the difference of opinions for

Recruitment at Alabama. To focus on editing for all final drafts, I always go to the writing center

and also send my work to my mom for proofreading. My diligent work shows my determination

and how I have attained my goals for the first-year writing program,

Although each assignment had a specific prompt, I was able to highlight my passions,

which makes my writing vulnerable and real. I display a pattern of raw, unique experiences

which has shaped me into a better writer. Also, writing has allowed me to adjust and fully

process the things I have experienced. This also shows the development and how my habits of

mind have influenced my writing. My persistence and responsibility have both allowed me to

accomplish my goals and also grow as a writer. My engagement is also reflected in part of the

first-year writing program, which is apparent in the classroom and my assignments. I have

evolved as a writer from the beginning of the semester to now and want to continue setting high

expectations and goals for myself. For example, I have learned to become exposed and

powerless, which makes me writing authentic and worth reading; I want to continue to challenge

myself to do so. My core values allow me to expand on my writing and broaden my topics while

still having a similar theme.

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My first semester of college has been refreshing. I have completed what I have set to do,

even when I was presented with tough trials. I have surprised myself with how much I have been

able to handle, and I admire myself for the grace and attitude I have put forth. The goals stated in

my Intro Letter helped shape me by having mindful plans set. My biggest takeaway I recall about

my decisions and process from making this semester so successful is to keep pushing myself. In

all my classes, I went the extra bit further and pushed myself for just the extra bit, and most

times, it was painful. However, I now see the reward, and I am so proud of my first semester

grades, which makes every effort worth it. In the future, I will continue to work just as hard by

carving out multiple times to work, revise my essays, and have my mom proofread them. I also

know my core values and habits of mind will peek and shine through all the things I do. In the

hardest of times or when I want to give up, I will remember that pain is temporary, but GPA is

forever.