Think about writing your significant experience essay and answer these questions (as well as including any other thoughts you might have about the process):
- Why did you choose this particular experience?
- What reflecting on this experience and then writing about it teach you about yourself?
- What did you learn about life in general?
- What were the easiest and most difficult aspects of writing this essay, as compared to other essays you have written? Think in terms of idea generation, organization, and mechanical issues, as well as any emotional or creative hurdles that you had to deal with.
- What will you do differently next time you do a similar project (or any project)?
- The reason why I chose to write this significant experience is because this significant experience teaches me an important lesson in life, a lesson that everyone should learn if they want to be successful in the future. The experience tells me that I need to be responsible and I need to keep up the job of being responsible so I can succeed in school and when I take jobs. From this essay I learned that if I am not responsible and if I don't finish my tasks, people would not trust you, and then life will become hard in general because you are then on your own. The most easy aspect of writing this essay was that this essay is in a first person point of view, and I like writing in first person point of views, because I know my feelings quite well. At least better than any would be third person who might appear in my essay. The most difficult aspect when writing this essay is that I have to conquer the reluctance of telling the event because I am ashamed of the shame and the guilt. Complicated, yes? Anyways, for the last question, I do not know and I am not sure what I will do differently next time when I do a similar project because I need to compare this significant experience with another essay to be sure how I will change the essay myself.
"Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, think I'll go eat worms." How do you react to having a bad day? What strategies do you have for coping when everything seems to go wrong for you, when people are giving you a bad time, and when everything generally sucks?
- I have several specific ways for coping when everything seems to go wrong for me or when everything seems to generally suck. To generalize the whole idea, I become somewhat of an autistic person when I am coping with a day that literally sucks. I would want to be by myself, and not talk to other people. I would then listen to music, look for music, or download music illegally (just kidding!). Another option is to read novels. Reading novels helps me turn my attention away from the bad things that have happened, and I am able to indulge myself in the fantasy world for a while and not think about the cruel reality. Watching movies or dramas on television or videos on YouTube may also help in a similar way. Another way to cope is to drift off into sleep, where you won't be think about anything (unless God is mean enough to also give you nightmares when you are dreaming; if this is the case, I truly feel sorry for you). Most people would choose this way to cope with a bad day. Finally, another way for coping (for me) is to eat a lot of food. This is a little bit bad for oneself, because if you eat too much you might become overweight or have other problems. But you would feel better after eating until you're content.
In the video clip we watched, Malcolm Gladwell makes the point that statistics show that for students who could go to an Ivy League school, it doesn't actually matter whether they actually do go in terms of later success in life. His argument is that Ivy League schools don't create success, they simply only allow people in who are already predisposed to success no matter what school they choose to go to. Given Gladwell's argument, is there any reason to spend tens of thousands of dollars on an Ivy League education when the end result is the same for a much less expensive state school education?
- I believe that there are actually no reason to spend tens of thousands of dollars on an Ivy League education when the end result is the same for a much less expensive state school education. At least, this is what I believe. There can only be "selfish reasons," as I like to call them, if parents want to send their child or their children to Ivy League under this circumstance. This is because if they send their child or their children to Ivy League schools, they will have something to be proud of, and something to bring fame to their family. If you think about it, since elite schools have been "elite school" for a long period of time, naturally people would want to say that they were from this credited elite school and they graduated from. In other words, because want to be able to boast and be able to earn respect from others, in a way. Another possible reason to explain this phenomenon is that people are insecure. They believe that only if they are absolutely sure that they have something to "back them up" in a sense will they be secure. Or at least more relaxed, if not totally secure. They have this thought that elite schools would be better because of certain set values.
Why would anyone dislike you? Or even hate you? Most of us like to think that we are nice enough people, and we are usually surprised or even hurt when we find out someone doesn't like us. Nevertheless, just about everyone has someone who dislikes them. Step outside yourself and look at yourself as an outsider, someone other than yourself (it could be a stranger or someone you know very well). What reasons might someone have for being annoyed by you? For disliking you? For hating you? Write from the point of view of an "other" who doesn't like you. Explain why "you" (the "other" you) don't like you (the real you). Describe what you don't like or hate, and then make suggestions about what the real you could do to make the "other" like you.
- People may dislike me for several reasons. Sometimes even I dislike myself. First, I sometimes speak without thinking about others, and sometimes I don't really consider the circumstances when I speak (which results in me being scolded by my mom a lot). I also don't consider other people's feelings (so I offend people really often, and thus, make people dislike me). According to my mom, I am also someone who is very annoying when I pester. I pester people for two reasons. First, when I want something, I will continue to ask my mom the same question over and over again, like a broken radio, until my mom gets extremely annoyed and yells at me. The second reason for why I pester is when I see someone with a bad mood, I will keep on asking them if they are OK. Sometimes I dislike myself for this because I would like to be left alone when I am depressed or upset, but I don't do the same to other people, which makes me a person who someone may easily dislike. Another reason someone may dislike me is that I get moody very often, so the people around me have to cope with my mood. And when I didn't get enough sleep the night before or when something bad happens, I will always be very upset and snap very easily at other people.
Think of the person in your life that you dislike the most. This should be someone who you know and who knows you, not a political, entertainment, or historical person (sorry Justin Bieber haters). This is a person who is in your life. It could be a teacher (even me), classmate, relative, or anyone else as long as you actually know each other. Do not name this person or describe your relationship to him or her more than is necessary. Try to explain why you dislike this person so much. Begin by describing him or her physically, then describe his/her behavior and personality. Analyze what it is that you dislike. Try to define the aspects of this person that you dislike, then explain why they bother you so much. Try to think of ways in which you might be able to overcome your dislike. Is it possible?
- I won't describe the physical appearance of this person that I hate, since I believe that describing him won't help with your imagination (because of a lack of details). It's too troublesome. However, I can give you quite a good description of his behavior. First, I'll say that this person is very... ignorant. If he thinks that you're not worth his time or that you're not "good enough" to talk to him, he ignores you. And he does this by waving you off, or by saying "whatever" and "I don't care". Therefore, I believe that it's hard to communicate with this person, and I decided that I would be better off avoiding and not talking to him. Another thing that I can say about this person is that he is a person who likes to scheme a lot. For example, he acts really friendly when he is with the people he likes or prefers. However, when he is with people that he dislikes and does not prefer, he tends to become really rude. Also, another act that shows his scheming mind is that when he wants something, usually benefits, from a person he usually dislikes, he will suddenly pretend to be really friendly. But as soon as a person's usefulness ends, he goes back to his rude self. I believe that the only way I can overcome my dislike it to stay away from this person and not see his "rude side" for a while.
Imagine that you are very old. You don't have very much longer in this world, and your life is flashing before your eyes. You have had a long life, and as you contemplate it, you think about the one thing you are most proud of. Then you think of the one thing you are most ashamed of. Then you think about whether you have any regrets, or wish that you'd lived differently or had other opportunities. Maybe not. Maybe you've lived life to its fullest and grabbed hold of every opportunity, and even made your own opportunities. Write about what your last thoughts might be. Consider what you hope they are as well as what you fear they might be.
- One thing that I am most proud of in my life is the fact that I am now grown up and mature. At least, more mature than before, when I was still naive and foolish, and shy and timid. I have grown to be more open to others, and to the world, and to not hide from others the real me. However, when I look back, one of the things that I am most ashamed of is me being irresponsible. There have been many cases, such as group projects, and also homework. Usually, I would wait until the last minute to do my homework, and do something else before that time that's not related to what I'm supposed to do. I just that that's just human nature - I could resist the fun of other things. I of the thing I regret the most (this is a joke, since I couldn't think of anything) is meeting Benson. I was a disaster. He bullied me (I know, I know, a bit hard to believe) and showed me how chaotic school can be. Anyways, I would like to try out a school life where I am a local school student, since I have never ever been to local school. But I'm still glad that I came to an American school. As for jobs, I hope for opportunities such as being a lawyer or a psychologist.
You have been accused of a heinous crime that you did not commit (think of the most nefarious offence possible). There is no evidence to prove your innocence, so your lawyer has to depend upon your good character to defend you. Write the argument your lawyer would have to use to convince a jury that your personal qualities show that you would never commit such a dastardly deed. Be truthful (which I realize is not very realistic) and dig deep into your best character traits. Use evidence of your past behavior to illustrate your angelic nature.
- The prime suspect should be released since she is innocent. Though there is no evidence to prove the innocence of the prime suspect, her qualities and characteristics have proven so. First, the prime suspect is extremely helpful at home (sited from the mother of the suspect). She does almost all of the chores for the house, and also takes care of other minor things. Second, the other family members of the suspect have said that she is very thoughtful for the family. For example, during occasions such as religious praying, the suspect is said to help set up the occasion. Third, the brother of the prime suspect has mentioned the willingness of the suspect to help others. The brother said that when he needed contact lenses and wasn't able to get them in America, the prime suspect immediately went and bought them the next day, and even sent it out on the same day. Fourth, the classmates of the prime suspect have noted patience of the suspect when teaching and helping others, for example during basketball practice, when other members did not understand strategies. Fifth, the prime suspect is passionate about society and generous. She volunteers to help in community service, helping recyclers sort out trash, and she also donates whatever money she can save when there are disasters, for example, after the earthquake in Haiti. Finally, the prime suspect is known to be trustworthy, keeping secrets for her close family and friends.
Today you are to take the point of view of a human resources officer whose job is to choose new employees from applicants. Some will be hired and some will not. You (the real you) have applied to this job, but you (the HR person) has decided not to hire you. As the HR person, write a report on why you decided NOT to hire you (the real you).
Dear Administration Committee:
The Human Resources Committee has decided to turn down Applicant Number 237, Wanyi Chou, for Job Position Two. Applicant 237 has a high degree of education. However, she tends to sidetrack quite often when completing given tasks. The total time for task completion was one hour for Task Three. Applicant Number 237 was seen reading irrelevant articles and chatting for the first fourty minutes, only to start her task when there was twenty munites remaining. Though the quality of her work was acceptable, I do not believe that this sidetracking behavior is acceptable for our complany. Another observation worthy of mentioning to you is the applicant's inability to be patient. During waiting time, the applicant was seen fidgeting in her seat and kept trying to talk to other applicants. This shows her characteristics of being unpatient and a little bit too sociable for the company. Her sociable trait may be distracting not only for herself but also for our other fellow employees. If you deem our decision inaccurate, incorrect, or want to change anything, please feel free to view Applicant Number 237's resume and other profiles and documents and tell us of your decisions. Thank you.
Report Written by Wan-Yi Chou, Human Resource Administration
