Health Benefits of Video Games: Inforgraphic

Limbo

As the title suggests, English 101 has basically been its own version of limbo in my life for the last 8 years. My first experience with it was at Monroe Community College in 2007, where after the first horrible essay grade, I gave up. Numerous classroom and online experiences later I found myself facing the beast again at UAT. Even with multiple years off, it was still as uninteresting and uninviting as ever. My first attempt starting anew ended like all the others, in tragedy, thanks in no small part to me and myself alone.

Another semester break and I made my move to take another swing at the colossus before me. Making no statement on the instructor, as she is wonderful to work with and excellent at what she does. I found myself among piers similar to my situation. After a few weeks pass and the seating list settled, only a single student remained who was not a retake. We came to call ourselves English Anonymous. With instructor at our backs, doing everything they could to aid in the march forward, we took to the fight.

The semester started off great as compared to others, I believe I even turned in my first assignment on time. It was a journal assignment about if my mind was made up of 3 people, who/what would they be personality wise. Next was the assignment which started my downfall the last time I attempted the class. It was a discussion, where we were supposed to use a selfie and describe its meaning of self, using the rhetoric triangle. Although I care nothing about selfies and the whole fad, I was able to push through and basically have this in on time as well. The next assignment is where I start to stumble. We were to create a poem, using a template provided, about home and where we are from. I ended up a week or so late with this one, it can be found on my blog here.

From this point on is where I basically fell off the wagon, this time not just with English, but most of my classes. I spent from this point until the end of the semester in a perpetual state of catching up. At this point, all excuses aside, I was just burnt out. Not only are learning environments not my strong suit, but I was also on my third straight semester, as UAT is a year round school. Come the last day of the semester I was up for over 24 hours, finishing my outline and final research assignment, providing me enough points to take an incomplete on my course. Low and behold in my five weeks of the incomplete period, I squandered the first few weeks. Again I find myself at the end of my allotted time, still typing away, with a lack of sleep and bloodshot eyes.

Unsure why I always end up like this, outside of my lack of interest in the subject matter, I can never obtain focus on what needs to be done to progress. 48 hours have gone and 5 assignments down, hoping to fall into the grace of a passing grade. I continue to learn that I can’t slip once of I will fall. I need to keep pushing forward and plow through; otherwise I’ll stay stuck forever held within the walls of that best known as English class.

Evacuation plan once people, pets, and photos are safe.

If disaster ever struck and I had to evacuate quickly, although I have tons of stuff as I’m basically a packrat, these would be the things that I would grab while running out the door.

I would grab my laptop because it is one of the most expensive items I own, but it also houses everything school related since I started at UAT. It’s also easy enough to throw into a backpack and get moving. Along with it would be my Legend of Zelda custom hard drive that my girlfriend bought for me a few years ago. It holds more important personal files and documents. I would grab my smartphone because it has all of my contacts stored in it, and would provide me with a form of communication. It’s also easy enough to clip to my waist side. I would grab my wallet because I would need money to survive, as well as identification which is hard to replace. It is quick to grab and throw into a pocket. I would also grab my birth certificate and social security card. I have these set aside in an easy to access location and they are also extremely difficult to replace if lost.

Although there’s very little that I have with sentimental value, in the second drawer of the tiny dresser in my closet, there are four things that I would grab. First off would be the pocket knife that belonged to my next door neighbor’s brother, both of who have passed. I basically grew up with my next door neighbor who was an elderly gentleman. I spent most of my early years at his house spending time with him and learning from him. His brother had passed when he was younger and he kept the knife because of its meaning. This knife was given to me by his family, after he passed away, when I was young. Next would be a crucifix given to me by the parents of my oldest and dearest friend whom I have known since womb. The crucifix was purchased when they were in Italy and was given to me for being my friends sponsor for his first communion. Although I am not religious, the meaning behind it cannot be replaced. Lastly would be the necklace and ring from my girlfriend. The necklace was a one of kind triforce necklace that my girlfriend designed and had made as a gift. The ring was another custom design that holds a moonstone. This was given to me on our anniversary based on the legend that says if a moonstone is given to a loved one under the light of a full moon, then that love will last forever. All of these would be impossible to replace given the importance that they have to me.

Though there are other things I would grab depending on how long I had to make it safely outside. These items would be the top of my list.