Quick Update

*This blog post is intended to be read in hyperspeed for full effect.


(Big Breath...hyperspeed)


Hello Leader Reader it's been a long time since I consistently posted but no fear that ends here. A lot has happened since March, here is my life in 32 seconds.

(breathe)
(hyperspeed)


After the school year ended, I headed back down for another summer in Oklahoma working with YourNextSpeaker. It again was an amazing summer that I won't soon forget. I will be back to Oklahoma several more times in the future because of it.

(breathe)
(hyperspeed)


September meant back to school for a very tough semester of classes. I made it through but my GPA took a little bite of a hit. On track to get that glorious slip of paper by next May 2012, of course I need to take 18 credit semesters plus a few summer courses but hey I made it through experimental psych so it's all downhill now.

(breathe)
(hyperspeed)


I have had a phenomenal time working with the Adventure Learning Program this past year and we are now getting ready to train in the new tators (short for facilitators, it only took me 9 month to figure that out). I am learning a lot about experiential education and facilitating in general that will be a huge help with my own career.

oh right (breathe)
(hyperspeed)


I have started to market my own workshops more and more towards the end of this semester and the response has been very positive which I am extremely grateful for. The WI FFA COLT conference is coming along nicely and will take up a big chunk of my time this next semester.

(breathe)
(read at normal speed)


I just wanted to thank everyone for a great year. This last semester I have spent most of my time hidden away with my abnormal psychology textbook but I am really looking forward to focusing less on school work and more on the other areas of my life. Wishing you an outstanding 2011.

'Tis the Season

It is that time of year again. When the music is playing in the headphones. Plates and plates of cookies and other goodies start appearing. Not being able to sleep at night in anticipation of....your final exams.

Yes, it is official the end of the semester is near. A time when high school and college students both dread and rejoice. There are tests to be studied for, chapters to be read, stats to be memorized and papers to be written (like the Experimental psych one I am putting off at this very moment) but with each completed task it means we are that much closer to graduation day.

Among this hustle and bustle of the finals season I was reminded of an important point just the other night. For an ALPs meeting Angeline did an activity where we reflected on both good and challenging points from the semester then we were given a few minutes to write about what we were thinking.

This was a simple but powerful activity. ALPs prides itself in practicing Experiential Education using adventurous activities such as high ropes courses to allow people "experience" their education. But so often we forget to truly experience the biggest adventure, life.

Personally, I have been absolutely horrible at this this past semester. Just allowing myself to get bogged down and hurry through task after task not taking the time to really appreciate life and what I am learning.

It is amazing how powerful the simple act of journaling can be. I have been journaling off and on since I was a State Officer, lately off a lot more then on. But just those five minutes of reflecting on the day or an experience you had can allow you to learn so much.

Take 5-10 minutes right now to ponder these questions:

- Think about the best thing that has happened to you this semester

       - How did you feel?

       - What was the weather like?

       - Who did you tell about the experience?

       - What can you do to have that experience again?

       - Who influenced you and helped you along the way?

       - Who do you need to thank?

- Think about the most challenging thing that has happened to you this semester

       - How did you feel?

       - What was the weather like?

       - Who did you tell about the experience?

       - What went wrong?

       - Can you do anything to change or avoid it?

It's that simple. All you need to do is spend some time thinking. Grab a notebook. Start a blog. Get a video camera (I've been trying some video journaling and having a lot of fun) or simply find a nice relaxing spot and just think.

For me the hardest thing has always been knowing what to write about. If that is your case too then just start out by writing about the most challenging part of your day and what made it that way. Also, be sure to keep checking back as I will be posting more prompts as the days go by.

With a little effort and commitment you can make journaling a habit. You can turn it into a learning tool like no other. A tool that allows you to be in complete control of your learning, allowing you to:

Experience the Adventure