What advice would you now give to someone writing his/her first scientific paper?

The first thing I would say is not to pick a topic that would have more statistics then stuff you could right in your own words, that was my mistake. My advice would be to listen to all directions and make sure you really research your topic. Then before writing your paper make sure you have some statistics and your own details, also make sure your paragraphs flow to a conclusion and make sure your thesis is clear in your introduction and conclusion paragraph. If you need help do not be afraid to ask your instructor or go to the writing center. Good luck to you who are next to take this class.

Do you feel nervous, accomplished, or just plain tired?

I feel nervous because I don't know what my grade will look like on my paper. I am also nervous because this is worth a lot of points and can really affect my grade if it is not a good paper. I feel accomplished because I have finished my project and I think is pretty good. I am totally tired because I had a 6-8 page project to do and a 3-5 page project due in my other class and both required a lot of research. So yes I am definitely pooped and ready to relax.

Peerviews and how they effect you!

How do you feel about peer reviews? What have your experiences with them been like?

Well I feel that peer views are a good thing, because you get to see how other people would receive your writing and do they get what you are trying to relay to your audience. If they do understand you know you are on the right track. If they don't then you know you need to go back to the drawing board and take what they said into context to improve and redo what they didn't understand. Its kind of like a preview of what other people would think about your project. My experiences have been because not only do people tell you the cons about your paper, but they also let you know the good things about the paper and most times you need to here the truth so you make changes to receive a better grade.  

Share what you have personally been dealing with the last six weeks.

 Share what you have personally been dealing with the last six weeks. 

Wow I can say this is the hardest semester because I have two very demanding classes. Then I have three demanding kids ages 7, 4, and 1. It is really testing me on how well I can handle multitasking and stress. I would say I am just doing okay, but I want to do better in improving these skills. Other than that I have learned a lot from the two classes I am in. Also pressure is such a big factor other than that school is great.

 

1. Discuss your personal writing process and see what others have to say about your style.

Well personally I never thought about me having my own writing process, but come to think of it I am a person who is a last minute doer. I really feel most inspired when the pressure is on. I know sometimes this can be a bad thing but this is how I know how to work sanely.

2.  If there was one thing about your academic challenges, what would it be? 

Well the challenges are taking two classes that require so much of your attention and time, but as time goes on I am learning to cope with the challenges that are coming my way.

 3. How is school influencing your life at or up to this point?

Well school is a blessing to me because even though it is hard I am still succeeding and setting a good example for my children. School is also a good example of how things may get complicated and difficult in the work environment and how you have to overcome and adapt to be victorious. So I am so greatful for this experience.

  Based upon your reading on plagiarism, why do you think we need to cite our sources? 

Well I think that citing is important for an online student, because you can get expelled for using other people's words and writings. It would  be very wrong to have taken someone's work who has done all the research and work and passed it off as your own. It wouldn't be ethically right or morally right. It could also result in a lawsuit if the school were to publish it. So not only would it be putting yourself in danger of being sued,but also the school. That is why they make sure plagiarism is taught to ever student, so they no the do and don't on this subject. This is also why citing is so important that you give credit to the author of words and writings you may use.  

Discuss how you feel about being an online student. Do you like the anonymity, flexibility, and self-directed style of the courses? Do you have ideas on ways to create a closer class community?

I like being an online student it has a lot of perk, such as staying home being on the computer, you don't have to waste gas, getting a babysitter, or buying new clothes for school. Now somethings are great and wouldn't change. Others could be worked on, but all around school is great. Now I have a problem with their books, because when you take a test some of the questions ask about things that are not even in the chapter you have read in the book. That sucks and I think they should check that out. I also think that they should consider in their discussion also if you give everyone the same topic look for your not going to have 50-75 words to reply back, because you will just be repeating what you said in your original post.