What have you learned over the course of bridge about yourself and about college? What bad habits do think you need to drop before September 7th? What good habits might you need to adopt by then?
If you could have a perfect semester, what would that look like? Describe it. Now, what would you have to do, starting now, and over the course of the semester to make that perfect semester a reality?
And finally, since there is no such thing as perfect, what do you think will be your biggest impediment or obstacle to having a successful semester both academically and personally? What precautions can you take now to help overcome those?
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Survey
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Monday, August 23, 2010
Bashkim Day 14 Response
Carmelo
I feel like if Marjane stayed in Iraq and did not go to Austria, she would not be as mature as she would be if she went to Austria. For her, staying in Iraq is no change and what I mean by change is her forming into a young lady and seeing the world in a different perspective. I think that she would not see the world as it is if she stayed in Iraq because she is already used to the war and she sees how people are in pain because of it. Being in Austria will definitely turn her into more of a young lady because she is away from her family and all of their troubles. The reason the boys are in jail is because of the influences they have had in their lives. If they were to grow up in a suburban area, their chances of going jail would be very slim. If I grew up with people that would tend to do bad things, I would probably be doing the same thing because everyone around me is doing it. I would feel left out in a way, so I’d let peer pressure get to me and attempt the actions that I wouldn’t do if I grew up in the suburbs. “I wish that knew what I know now when I was younger.” If I was sent off to another country to live on my own at the tender age of 14, I think that I would not have a chance because when I was at that age, I was still imagining things and more naive than I am now. The real world really hit me when high school started but since I wasn’t in high school when I was 14, I did not know as much as I do now. I am very glad that I know what I know today.
Natalia
I think that the parents of the kids that are in mark’s class would be, or at least should be proud of their kids. The boys have over some an obstacle in their lives and that obstacle was looking in the mirror and realizing what they really were. Some parents might not like the idea of their kids growing up in the real world because they care so much for them and that can lead to problems with the parents. It is hard to let go but a time comes in your life where you need to let one go and let them grow to what they were meant to be. The boys thought that the whole gang scene was what they thought they belonged to and so they gave in to it. Parents will not be happy with that they might feel like they weren’t good enough parents. But when it comes to nature vs. nurture, I believe nature wins the war. The boys could have come from happy and rich families for all we know. What matters is how the individual really is. I really started to be more independent in the middle of my junior year in high school. My parents were not too fond of it because they felt like I was neglecting the family and to them it seemed like I did not want to be a part the family. I am just living my life and I am doing the things I need and want to do. They felt like I was drifting away from them but really I was only trying to be myself with no bad intentions. Everyone changes and junior year was when it happened. It transitioned very slowly but my parents caught on and did not like the idea of it for some reason. We all have things to do in life and that was what I was simply doing; Being myself.
I feel like if Marjane stayed in Iraq and did not go to Austria, she would not be as mature as she would be if she went to Austria. For her, staying in Iraq is no change and what I mean by change is her forming into a young lady and seeing the world in a different perspective. I think that she would not see the world as it is if she stayed in Iraq because she is already used to the war and she sees how people are in pain because of it. Being in Austria will definitely turn her into more of a young lady because she is away from her family and all of their troubles. The reason the boys are in jail is because of the influences they have had in their lives. If they were to grow up in a suburban area, their chances of going jail would be very slim. If I grew up with people that would tend to do bad things, I would probably be doing the same thing because everyone around me is doing it. I would feel left out in a way, so I’d let peer pressure get to me and attempt the actions that I wouldn’t do if I grew up in the suburbs. “I wish that knew what I know now when I was younger.” If I was sent off to another country to live on my own at the tender age of 14, I think that I would not have a chance because when I was at that age, I was still imagining things and more naive than I am now. The real world really hit me when high school started but since I wasn’t in high school when I was 14, I did not know as much as I do now. I am very glad that I know what I know today.
Natalia
I think that the parents of the kids that are in mark’s class would be, or at least should be proud of their kids. The boys have over some an obstacle in their lives and that obstacle was looking in the mirror and realizing what they really were. Some parents might not like the idea of their kids growing up in the real world because they care so much for them and that can lead to problems with the parents. It is hard to let go but a time comes in your life where you need to let one go and let them grow to what they were meant to be. The boys thought that the whole gang scene was what they thought they belonged to and so they gave in to it. Parents will not be happy with that they might feel like they weren’t good enough parents. But when it comes to nature vs. nurture, I believe nature wins the war. The boys could have come from happy and rich families for all we know. What matters is how the individual really is. I really started to be more independent in the middle of my junior year in high school. My parents were not too fond of it because they felt like I was neglecting the family and to them it seemed like I did not want to be a part the family. I am just living my life and I am doing the things I need and want to do. They felt like I was drifting away from them but really I was only trying to be myself with no bad intentions. Everyone changes and junior year was when it happened. It transitioned very slowly but my parents caught on and did not like the idea of it for some reason. We all have things to do in life and that was what I was simply doing; Being myself.
Day 14: Allie
Carmelo
When it comes to the boys in True Notebooks, I think if they grew up in a different neighborhood but had the same family they may or may not have found a different lifestyle. A lot of the boys have been influenced based on their family life, so I believe if they were raised in a different neighborhood with the same family and their family had a better lifestyle, their lives would be better too. Although I think some of the boys are smart enough to realize that if it's only their family making bad decisions and everyone else in their neighborhood is living the right way they would live the right way too. You can't choose the family you're born into, but you can change the way it affects your life. If these boys lived in a different neighborhood they might've had more options available to them instead of feeling like joining a gang was their only way out or a way to fit in. A lot of it has to do with unfortunate situations they've been put into and not necessarily that they like the life they live. Most of them don't and most of them realize it's not the life they want to live when they get out of prison. Had they had chances sooner or maybe taken them while they had the chance it would've prevented them from making bad decisions and ending up in prison. Like Dana Gioio said in his speech, it's all about location and geography. When you're in a place where you have many opportunities, you're more likely to go out and take advantage of what's around you. That's why so many people who live in less fortunate neighborhoods often get into careless violent activites, because that's all they're around and that's all they know. If these boys had support from their family and community 100%, I have no doubt that they would be in a better off situation, with a new and better chance for their life.
If I was sent off to live on my own at the age of fourteen, I honestly think I would be able to survive. I've always been very mature for my age and even though at fourteen I wasn't as mature as I am now, I knew a lot about the world and my surroundings. I feel like it's easy for me to adapt in almost any situation, having been thrown into so many in my life that being sent to live on my own would be no problem. I've always been an independent person; my parents separated when I was four and even though I've been close with my mom my whole life I'm an only child so when she was at work, which was almost always, I would be at home alone and have to cook and clean and do everything by myself. I like having her do things for me, but if possible I could do it all for myself. I think I would definitely look at the world in a different way if I was sent to live alone when I was fourteen, and I might be more isolated and lonely now but I think I would be very capable of it. Sure there are things that would be totally new and probably scary to me, but I think it might've given me a chance to grow up quicker and maybe avoid some of the stupid mistakes that most teenagers make.
Natalia
In True Notebooks, a lot of the boys have mentioned how ashamed their mothers were of them and how they were trying to change for their mother. I think that their mothers are hurt and upset that their teenage sons have gotten into a lifestyle where they may end up being locked up in prison forever, but I also think that if their moms could see how they are in writing class they would be impressed. Although they may get into fights with other prisoners every once in a while or break some of the rules, when they go into Mark's writing class they are well behaved boys for the most part, or at least trying to be, and their writing is actually really good. I think their moms would be proud to know that they're actually trying to change, and that they are not only changing for themselves but for their moms as well. A lot of them want to take back the hurt they've caused and are trying to feel empathy for their family and the situations they've put them in. Even if they end up convicted for life, I think their mothers would be proud to see their writing and really show that they love their moms, and hope that they will eventually get the love in return and maybe even forgiveness.
When I started growing up and developing into a teenager, I think my parents were horrified. With me being the only child, they had never experienced raising a pre-teen daughter and as I got older although I was still a polite well-behaved person, I was turning into an overly social, boy crazy teenager. I would constantly want to go out with my friends, ask for money all the time to go out to eat, or to the mall, or to the movies. I would have a new crush every week and my mom caught me on the phone talking about how cute I thought a guy was all the time. I think it kind of freaked them out because I had gone from a happy innocent child who hated all boys and thought they had cooties to being boy obsessed and addicted to shopping. I think it's like that for all parents though; when you mature into a teenager and then into adult you're bound to change, it's just a matter of how much you change and if it's for the better or for the worse. I definitely had my rough phase where I'm sure my parents had no idea what to do with me, and I've gotten into more trouble as I've gotten older but sometimes I think it's a way of life. The important thing to remember is that you learn from your mistakes, and to not do flat out stupid things. I've driven with more than one person in the car when I wasn't supposed to and came home an hour after my mom told me to be, but I've never made stupid decisions where I've had to think to myself "could I end up in prison for this?" I do believe everything happens for a reason though, and I think that if I hadn't been such a crazy person in high school, I wouldn't be the person I am now. I say that because of an incident that happened in the middle of my senior year which landed me here at Columbia. I've wanted to go to college in LA since I was twelve years old, and my mom made me come to school here because she didn't trust me being far away. I am so glad she sent me here and made me join the bridge program because right now I feel like Chicago and Columbia College is the perfect place to me. Even though it took a screw up for me to realize this is where I was supposed to be, I'm glad that it happened rather than me moving all the way out to LA and hating it. Change is bound to happen within everyone as you grow up, I just believe that it all depends on how you handle those changes.
When it comes to the boys in True Notebooks, I think if they grew up in a different neighborhood but had the same family they may or may not have found a different lifestyle. A lot of the boys have been influenced based on their family life, so I believe if they were raised in a different neighborhood with the same family and their family had a better lifestyle, their lives would be better too. Although I think some of the boys are smart enough to realize that if it's only their family making bad decisions and everyone else in their neighborhood is living the right way they would live the right way too. You can't choose the family you're born into, but you can change the way it affects your life. If these boys lived in a different neighborhood they might've had more options available to them instead of feeling like joining a gang was their only way out or a way to fit in. A lot of it has to do with unfortunate situations they've been put into and not necessarily that they like the life they live. Most of them don't and most of them realize it's not the life they want to live when they get out of prison. Had they had chances sooner or maybe taken them while they had the chance it would've prevented them from making bad decisions and ending up in prison. Like Dana Gioio said in his speech, it's all about location and geography. When you're in a place where you have many opportunities, you're more likely to go out and take advantage of what's around you. That's why so many people who live in less fortunate neighborhoods often get into careless violent activites, because that's all they're around and that's all they know. If these boys had support from their family and community 100%, I have no doubt that they would be in a better off situation, with a new and better chance for their life.
If I was sent off to live on my own at the age of fourteen, I honestly think I would be able to survive. I've always been very mature for my age and even though at fourteen I wasn't as mature as I am now, I knew a lot about the world and my surroundings. I feel like it's easy for me to adapt in almost any situation, having been thrown into so many in my life that being sent to live on my own would be no problem. I've always been an independent person; my parents separated when I was four and even though I've been close with my mom my whole life I'm an only child so when she was at work, which was almost always, I would be at home alone and have to cook and clean and do everything by myself. I like having her do things for me, but if possible I could do it all for myself. I think I would definitely look at the world in a different way if I was sent to live alone when I was fourteen, and I might be more isolated and lonely now but I think I would be very capable of it. Sure there are things that would be totally new and probably scary to me, but I think it might've given me a chance to grow up quicker and maybe avoid some of the stupid mistakes that most teenagers make.
Natalia
In True Notebooks, a lot of the boys have mentioned how ashamed their mothers were of them and how they were trying to change for their mother. I think that their mothers are hurt and upset that their teenage sons have gotten into a lifestyle where they may end up being locked up in prison forever, but I also think that if their moms could see how they are in writing class they would be impressed. Although they may get into fights with other prisoners every once in a while or break some of the rules, when they go into Mark's writing class they are well behaved boys for the most part, or at least trying to be, and their writing is actually really good. I think their moms would be proud to know that they're actually trying to change, and that they are not only changing for themselves but for their moms as well. A lot of them want to take back the hurt they've caused and are trying to feel empathy for their family and the situations they've put them in. Even if they end up convicted for life, I think their mothers would be proud to see their writing and really show that they love their moms, and hope that they will eventually get the love in return and maybe even forgiveness.
When I started growing up and developing into a teenager, I think my parents were horrified. With me being the only child, they had never experienced raising a pre-teen daughter and as I got older although I was still a polite well-behaved person, I was turning into an overly social, boy crazy teenager. I would constantly want to go out with my friends, ask for money all the time to go out to eat, or to the mall, or to the movies. I would have a new crush every week and my mom caught me on the phone talking about how cute I thought a guy was all the time. I think it kind of freaked them out because I had gone from a happy innocent child who hated all boys and thought they had cooties to being boy obsessed and addicted to shopping. I think it's like that for all parents though; when you mature into a teenager and then into adult you're bound to change, it's just a matter of how much you change and if it's for the better or for the worse. I definitely had my rough phase where I'm sure my parents had no idea what to do with me, and I've gotten into more trouble as I've gotten older but sometimes I think it's a way of life. The important thing to remember is that you learn from your mistakes, and to not do flat out stupid things. I've driven with more than one person in the car when I wasn't supposed to and came home an hour after my mom told me to be, but I've never made stupid decisions where I've had to think to myself "could I end up in prison for this?" I do believe everything happens for a reason though, and I think that if I hadn't been such a crazy person in high school, I wouldn't be the person I am now. I say that because of an incident that happened in the middle of my senior year which landed me here at Columbia. I've wanted to go to college in LA since I was twelve years old, and my mom made me come to school here because she didn't trust me being far away. I am so glad she sent me here and made me join the bridge program because right now I feel like Chicago and Columbia College is the perfect place to me. Even though it took a screw up for me to realize this is where I was supposed to be, I'm glad that it happened rather than me moving all the way out to LA and hating it. Change is bound to happen within everyone as you grow up, I just believe that it all depends on how you handle those changes.
Respondse 13
Carmelo:Im going to go both ways with this answer. I feel that if they were in a different neighbor hood it will be the same. If your house hold is very messed up like your father molesting you or something then he/she might snap and maybe kill that parent. It doesnt matter where they live in a $300 house or a $3,000,000 house. If crazy things are going on behind close doors then there is going to be a problem there. There are stories of rich people going to jail. Maybe it llooks pretty on the outside but not the in. I also feel that the different neighbor hood will help them. The surronding of where they live may cause stress on the parents. The parents may want there son or daughter iin a resonavble area. SO everytime the kid does something the parent will sometimes take out there anger on the kid. Parents may hurt you either mental or phycically. If the house hold was in a better comunnity then alot of the stress wouldnt of hapen the way they did. Peopel will have more money bill will be able to get paid and there will be alot of food on the table. Thats why im going both ways wiyth this responds.
If i was 14 on my own I will be lost in life. I woulnt be as mature as i am now. I will not be a social as i am now. I will be very scared and will not know where to turn or where to go. I will be alone alot of times because i wont be readdy at the age of 14. My money management skills were horrible. I will always be broke.
If i was 14 on my own I will be lost in life. I woulnt be as mature as i am now. I will not be a social as i am now. I will be very scared and will not know where to turn or where to go. I will be alone alot of times because i wont be readdy at the age of 14. My money management skills were horrible. I will always be broke.
Day 14 Response- Kyle Rich
Carmelo- Yes. I do strongly believe that Marjane would have a different view on the world without a doubt. While she was in Iran, her limitations to culture, education, and freedom all had a limit on them. And now that she has broken out of the country, she has began to assimilate into Western Culture. She has begun to live through and embrace all that she has been kept from, and it has without a doubt added to her knowledge and influence of who she is currently. She never was the type to be closed minded, but however there were just things and aspects she was unaware of. After she left boarding school and stayed with her friend, she began to pick up on and realize some of the more typical teenage behaviors. Where she comes from, smoking, drinking, and have pre-marital relations are extremely frowned upon and dismissed. But when she meets with other teenagers from a different part of the world, it becomes glorified in that culture. Maybe the boys in True Notebooks would have had a better advantage if they did not come from the ghettos. If they lived in a sunny and gated community, things maybe wouldn’t have seemed so desperate and hopeless for them. They wouldn't see the desperations and troubles of the street life and realize they wouldn't have to do it. If they had a nice comfortable house to return to, they would realize how grateful they were, and they did not need anymore. If i was sent away, i would and did survive regardless. Although things anywhere or a move is difficult, i have gone through this a few times and realized that after two weeks, it is extremely easy to acclimate yourself. I would find myself like Marjane at first, scared, nervous, and just going with the flow. Slowly remembering names, and taking in all the new locations of your surroundings. However, after awhile no matter where, you can always break away and begin to pave your own path.
Natalia- I feel that anything new for anybody always takes some getting used to. I am sure Marjane's mother is not thrilled to see her living with eight gay men, but at the same time she may not understand because i am almost positive being openly gay in Iran would result in punishment or death. Marjane comes from a very educated and non-ignorant family. Although i am sure her mother has no experience in this field, she seems as the type that is open minded and would be accepting to almost anything. It is almost sad to say, but it took me a very long time to mature and get out of my childhood ways. I take care of lots more things on my own and finding independence. I am never told to study or read, but however i tend to just want to do it on my own. I am managing my time extremely well, and ALWAYS am making sure to get my work knocked out of the way before i have fun. I am just now starting to really feel in my heart the change that i am growing up, and not only am i proud of myself, but my parents as well. We have been much closer, when ironically i live away from them. I actually call my parents up and want to strike up conversations. We have started to touch base on new levels. They also repect and accept my decisions. I inform them of all my "immoral" behaviors, but as long as its all in moderation and i continue to strive with school and ambition, why would they care if im drinking and smoking pot? They don't, and they understand small aspects of my lifestyle. I am glad this change has been made, because for awhile i was starting to feel like a Peter Pan, just stuck in my own ways and childhood.
Natalia- I feel that anything new for anybody always takes some getting used to. I am sure Marjane's mother is not thrilled to see her living with eight gay men, but at the same time she may not understand because i am almost positive being openly gay in Iran would result in punishment or death. Marjane comes from a very educated and non-ignorant family. Although i am sure her mother has no experience in this field, she seems as the type that is open minded and would be accepting to almost anything. It is almost sad to say, but it took me a very long time to mature and get out of my childhood ways. I take care of lots more things on my own and finding independence. I am never told to study or read, but however i tend to just want to do it on my own. I am managing my time extremely well, and ALWAYS am making sure to get my work knocked out of the way before i have fun. I am just now starting to really feel in my heart the change that i am growing up, and not only am i proud of myself, but my parents as well. We have been much closer, when ironically i live away from them. I actually call my parents up and want to strike up conversations. We have started to touch base on new levels. They also repect and accept my decisions. I inform them of all my "immoral" behaviors, but as long as its all in moderation and i continue to strive with school and ambition, why would they care if im drinking and smoking pot? They don't, and they understand small aspects of my lifestyle. I am glad this change has been made, because for awhile i was starting to feel like a Peter Pan, just stuck in my own ways and childhood.
Georges Response Day 14
Carmelo
Environment and influence has a major impact on the type of person you are and the life you choose to follow. In my opinion the boys in True Notebooks could be where they are today if they were in another neighborhood but probably not. Family matters have a huge effect on people but it's nothing a kid couldn't avoid, or cope with. The main problem is the lifestyle of a gang. In a different neighborhood there could have been something else to fall back on besides a gang. Maybe the boys would have just had a group of friends that were there to talk to them, instead of crime to gain respect. Now at fourteen years old if I were to be on my own I would be lost. Remembering back when I was fourteen I thought I knew it all, me and my friends were the best. Being on my own and trying to raise myself would be a bad situation, the naivety would set in quickly. I think situations I talked up to handle would quickly shut me right down. Survival wouldn't be a question, I would live everyday. The question is would I be able to go through doing things an average adult would do to survive and survive comfortably? The answer is no.
Natalie
When I was a kid I was a little higher on the maturity level, very quiet, never caused a lot of chaos, people may even said I was a respectable young person. Growing up was easy on the parents and they knew I would be able to handle certain situations like taking public transportation, going out until midnight etc. My parents being the ones that have most trust in me let me go and do my own thing, while still respecting their authority. This has made me a hell of a lot better as a person. I do things now that some people have no idea how to do, like transportation publicly and just not being socially awkward most of the time. My parents are proud of where I stand now as a person and sometimes I take that for granted but they let me know when I take my freedoms to far. Regardless of who it is in True Notebooks I don't think any of there parents would be proud of where they are, some might not even care at all. For the ones that go and see there child I think they see them as if they were home again. Parents should know their kid and the parents visiting know that's not what their child wanted either. So in the end when it comes down to proud or ashamed, no one is proud their child is in jail. Shame is plausible, some might be ashamed, others can believe my child should never be in a place like this.
Environment and influence has a major impact on the type of person you are and the life you choose to follow. In my opinion the boys in True Notebooks could be where they are today if they were in another neighborhood but probably not. Family matters have a huge effect on people but it's nothing a kid couldn't avoid, or cope with. The main problem is the lifestyle of a gang. In a different neighborhood there could have been something else to fall back on besides a gang. Maybe the boys would have just had a group of friends that were there to talk to them, instead of crime to gain respect. Now at fourteen years old if I were to be on my own I would be lost. Remembering back when I was fourteen I thought I knew it all, me and my friends were the best. Being on my own and trying to raise myself would be a bad situation, the naivety would set in quickly. I think situations I talked up to handle would quickly shut me right down. Survival wouldn't be a question, I would live everyday. The question is would I be able to go through doing things an average adult would do to survive and survive comfortably? The answer is no.
Natalie
When I was a kid I was a little higher on the maturity level, very quiet, never caused a lot of chaos, people may even said I was a respectable young person. Growing up was easy on the parents and they knew I would be able to handle certain situations like taking public transportation, going out until midnight etc. My parents being the ones that have most trust in me let me go and do my own thing, while still respecting their authority. This has made me a hell of a lot better as a person. I do things now that some people have no idea how to do, like transportation publicly and just not being socially awkward most of the time. My parents are proud of where I stand now as a person and sometimes I take that for granted but they let me know when I take my freedoms to far. Regardless of who it is in True Notebooks I don't think any of there parents would be proud of where they are, some might not even care at all. For the ones that go and see there child I think they see them as if they were home again. Parents should know their kid and the parents visiting know that's not what their child wanted either. So in the end when it comes down to proud or ashamed, no one is proud their child is in jail. Shame is plausible, some might be ashamed, others can believe my child should never be in a place like this.
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