Reflection 6- Midterm Reflection

Course Learning Goals;

1. Understand sequences, limits, and continuity algebraically, numerically, visually, and verbally.
2. Understand derivatives algebraically, numerically, visually, and verbally.
3. Be able to model simple scenarios of change through either difference equations or differential equations.
4. Be able to apply principles of derivatives to optimization and relative change.
5. Recognize limits and derivatives in the practical and professional world, particularly in environmental and life science.
6. Be able to use a computer algebra system and spreadsheet system to investigate or evaluate given problems.
7. Work in groups to investigate problems and communicate solutions on an introductory level.
8. Practice time management and discipline in self-paced study.

Thus far, I feel as though I'm doing fairly well with meeting these goals. Goal 1 I feel I understand fairly well; the concepts generally make sense to me and I feel as though if presented with a problem in regards to those topics, I could solve them with little to no review. This is the same for Goal 3 in relation to Goal 1.

Goal 2, however, I'm still trying to grasp, for it isn't coming to me as easy as Goal 1. I feel like I'm learning things, but I'm learning them on a false base, like I'm building strong structures over mud or something like that. I feel as though I understand derivatives, but at the same time I feel as though I really don't; I often ask myself "but what IS a derivative", and though I can describe it as a "rate of change", I'm often questioning as to when and where to take the derivative. Do I simply just find the derivative at a point that I'm interested in? Should I take multiple derivatives to determine the overall average rate of change, or would it be just as okay to take one derivative of the entire equation to get my average rate of change that way? Additionally, the limit definitions of derivatives are very challenging to me; something about square roots and exponents get me, I'm not too sure why.

Goal 4 I don't believe we've delved deep enough into for me really to speak on it, especially since I'm not entirely sure what is implied by "optimization". As for the rest of the goals 5-8, I feel as though I'm succeeding fairly well. I work well with my group on projects, I can use Excel and calculators to help solve problems, can apply this knowledge to the natural world, and I can manage my time fairly efficiently (most of the time). There are occasions where I simply do not have the time to do everything that's required for all of my classes, and so learning where there is room for error has been fairly helpful, particularly in our weekly assigned problems. I used to do every last problem assigned, but as the semester ramped up, I'd find myself up until three or four AM trying to figure out problems that made no sense to me, and because of that situation, grades in my other classes would feel that- the combined stress impacts all of them, and I've found that this semester has just been learning to know when to quit and when to keep going. Thankfully, since homework isn't a graded assignment, I do have the ability to give up on certain conditions (a. other stuff needing to get done, b. it being past 3AM, or c. I am confident that I understand the homework enough to pass up the remaining questions, which requires a quick look through of what's left) so that I don't lose my mind.

This, though, does not mean that skipping homework entirely does me any good. The only time I didn't do homework (the homework that we were quizzed on last week), I did pretty horrifically, and nonetheless on the subject I don't understand. This wasn't necessarily by choice, I should add; the last few weeks have been insanity between homework, exams, setting up my internship, trying to find funding for next semester, and two jobs. I'm hoping that the next few weeks calm down a bit and I can keep myself on track, because skipping assignments is not what I want, but I do need sleep and I do need time for academics.

Even though it doesn't sound like it, I really do think that I'm succeeding at goal 8; if I did literally everything to the fullest extent possible for every class while meeting all sorts of other requirements for work and internships and scholarships, I'd be struggling with everything. I'm learning when to cut corners and when to go through with the hardest effort. I'm learning what's efficient use of time, and what's not. That is what I consider to be successful time management, not the idea of giving everything 200%, because that's simply not feasible.

Besides my recent fumble with the last quiz/homework assignment, I think I'm really doing well with meeting what's going to give me a solid final grade. I participate in class, do my weekly blogs (though I often forget to do them until sunday, like now, though I kinda like ending my weekend with a blog assignment... hm), I contribute to and complete projects, and I study like crazy for exams and do alright on them, so I think I'll end this class on a much stronger foot than what I could have ever imagined myself doing with a college level calculus class.