Taya Bigpond

Professor Hammett

English 1302

 Reflection Essay

Taking an English course has been a transformative experience for me. When I first started, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I knew that I wanted to improve my writing skills. I had always enjoyed writing, but I felt like I needed more structure and guidance to take my writing to the next level. Taking an English course has been a transformative experience for me, but it hasn't come without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges I faced was managing my time effectively. With multiple essays due at once, I found myself struggling to balance my workload and complete assignments on time. However, I learned how to prioritize my tasks and create a schedule that worked for me. This helped me manage my time more effectively and complete my assignments without feeling overwhelmed. Another challenge I faced was learning how to properly cite my sources. Before the course, I had never used MLA citation style before, and I found it confusing and stressful. I was worried about getting it wrong and being accused of plagiarism. However, I worked hard to understand the citation style and used online resources to help me. This helped me create accurate citations and avoid plagiarism, which was a huge relief. Despite these challenges, I tried my best to stay focused and committed to the course. I knew that I wanted to improve my writing skills and create better essays, so I was willing to put in the effort. Throughout the course, I learned many valuable lessons that helped me grow as a writer. 

One of the most important things I learned was how to organize my thoughts and ideas. Before, I would just start writing and hope that everything came together in the end. But now, I know that I need to plan out my writing and create an outline before I start. This has helped me create more cohesive and coherent essays that are easier to follow. Another important thing I learned was how to revise and edit my work. Before, I would write something and then just turn it in without giving it a second thought. But now, I know that I need to take the time to revise and edit my work to make sure that it's the best it can be. “Well done! Some formatting errors, so review those” (Prof. Hammett Feedback in Blackboard). This has helped me catch many mistakes that I would have missed before and has helped me create better essays overall. Finally, I learned how to take constructive criticism and use it to improve my writing. “Content is excellent once I got past the intro! Good use of research to prove claims made. Reads well and is interesting. Lots of formatting and citation errors brought down score” (Prof. Hammett Feedback in Blackboard). 

Before, I would take any feedback on my writing personally and get defensive. But now, I know that feedback is essential to improving my writing and that I need to take it seriously. “Great topic! Feel free to narrow it down to a specific age group if you like” (Prof. Hammett Feedback in Blackboard).  This has helped me grow as a writer and has helped me create better essays than I ever could have before. Overall, taking an English course has been a transformative experience for me. I learned how to organize my thoughts and ideas, revise and edit my work, and take constructive criticism. These lessons have helped me grow as a writer and have helped me create better essays that I'm proud of. Overall, taking an English course has been a transformative experience for me. I learned how to manage my time effectively, properly cite my sources, and create better essays. Although it was challenging and stressful at times, I tried my best and was able to grow as a writer. I'm grateful for the experience and look forward to continuing to improve my writing skills in the future.