Choices

Ok, this time I am trying my best not to PROCRASTINATE 30 minutes before class starts...
It's a tough task!!!

I was compelled by Steve Jobs' incredible determination and confidence in making choices for his future. Although his choices seem to be arbitrary and effortless. The dots really smoothly connect to be a line that leads him to an astounding career.

His main strategies are simple:
1. trust your intuition and fate
2. Focus on what you love
3. The motivation from death

Honestly speaking...Easy to be said, hard to be done!
But I am moved by his educational philosophy, and I would definitely want to apply these ideas to my own theory of living.

Life is full of choices. Some might think the future is a pitch black foreign land that no one can step in to make a choice with confidence. I put life as another casino place like Les Vegas. A place where you might lose millions of dollars or become a millionaire in a fraction of a second. The future is like a gamble. It is a colorful wonderland with too many choices. The intended choices and unintended choices are all mixed up in a bowl. Therefore, it is right that one "can't connect the dots looking forward; but only connecting them looking backwards"(jobs). However, the arbitrary occurrence of many events in life can never tell us the relevance until we look back. Hence, all we can rely on is "our gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever"(Jobs). Yes, like my parents always say,"things happen for a reason". We have to believe that there is somehow a supernatural force in us that helps leading us to the right path in the middle of nowhere. As I grow up, I face more choices. (Recently will be the choices between two great Universities) Not until am I willing to put faith on my intuition that I will be able to move forward with a better option. It is always the little faith like the one we have as a kid that actually shapes us to be greater adults.

Focus on what you love...This is a very idealistic philosophy that many successful beings have brought up. In other words, it means to follow your dreams. With the cut-throat competition and high materialistic expectations on parents, it is hard for younger generations to simply focus on their dreams. But this is just the right thing to do! While life is uncertain, many parents and children would prefer a safer route to achieve materialistic success. Some will force themselves to pursue jobs that are "renowned" to be prestigious and highly-paid. But who defines success? And what is prestigious? To do what you love to do is always a win-win situation that will ultimately bring you to the top of the cream. It is the passion and talents you have that push you to overcome all obstacles and challenges in life. Steve Jobs is right. "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life". Your family have different opinions. Your friends have too many opinions. To live what they want you to be is just the worst thing you can do.

To me, this philosophy really moves me to have a better breakthrough. I was raised in an intellectual type of family, but was destined to be an artist. I was first upset about myself because it feels like I always fail in satisfying the expectations of my family. However, after I came to the States and also read Steve's speech tonight, I found that following my passion is a key to success. After working at the Design Center for almost half a year, I truly feel that this is actually right! Business?Law? Doctor? NO, I am a designer!

"If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right"(Jobs).
The most compelling question I found is :"If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?"(Jobs). This is a very powerful question to convince someone as confusing as I!( I always get stumbled by choices) It reminds me of a similar strategy I use in shopping: "If I buy this top, will it be useful to me?" (the answer is always "no") But that really helps saving a lot of money! By the same token, this question will clear out most of the irrational confusions, and helps me to make a better decision.

In terms of the usefulness in ePortfolios, I think the intuitive power can use as a driving motive to filter out all the worries about the technical elements of building an ePortfolio. Since ePortfolio is still a very new technology, many of us have no clue about the methods, the functions, and the benefits. Using a pure instinct will keep our focus on the theme and content, which are the juicy parts of an ePortfolio.

Moreover, building up an ePortfolio is not always easy. The limited knowledge we know about the ePortfolio world will definitely discourage us from completing a good one. Therefore, to pick a favorite topic instead of choosing something to meet the expectations of the audience or instructors will definitely flavors up the process. Besides, it is the different passion and opinions we have that helps create various unique and personal ePortfolios.

Last but not least, take your ePortfolio project seriously! When you have a risk of procrastinating, ask yourself :"If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" Maybe that sounds a bit too serious...maybe let's put it in this way:"If today were the last before the deadline, would I want to do what I am about to do today?"
Building an ePortfolio is a quality-based process. There is no other better way than to plan ahead. (what else does not?) So dear procrastinators (including me) need to keep our heads up by reminding ourselves that we'd better get things done earlier!

Oops, I guess I wrote too much..But it's only half of the task...

to be continued...*yawn*
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I LOVE HONORS INSTITUTE!!! :)

Strengths: The Honors Institute has built a really great reputation on campus and beyond. Therefore, it makes students feel brighter and smarter if they are taking honors classes. (To a certain extent, the honor classes are more difficult in general)

Besides, they ensure the high quality of teaching in the honors classes. While the level of difficulty is elevated, the quality of lecture is also guaranteed. I found there are more interaction and challenges in honors lectures.

The pool of students are hardcore and bright. Most of the students who apply to the Honors Institute are those who are seeking for serious education. Therefore, I enjoy discussing issues with my classmates, and fear not to be singled out because I talk too much!

I think the procedures for getting in is quite easy. This provides opportunities for a bigger group of students.

The faculties are really helpful and friendly. Especially for my case, I would like to thank Bernie Day, the Honors Director, and Dr. Scott Lankford, one of the great Honors instructors whom have been offering me so much assistance and valuable advice. They have a huge database and experiences to help me making the best decision for transfer. Besides, they become my great mentors. Despite the busy schedules they have everyday, they are more than willing to share my happiness and difficulties, regardless it's academic or personal. I gain a lot from that aspect.

Weaknesses:
There are only a few things I want to pick on..
First, the geographical location of the Honors office!
It is way to far on the side of the campus. I always have a hard time walking all the way to seek for help! Since the campus center is no longer at the library Quad, I think it will be great if the office can move to a place that is convenient to most students. For example, the new campus center area. (Just a thought)

Second, the lenient requirements for being an Honors student creates a huge population of students with admission guarantees. And this also lowers students' incentive in working harder in class since it is so easy to get in. It makes the honors classes become the same as any ordinary classes. If the Honors Institute restricts the qualifications, I think this will enrich the competition, and makes the name of an Honors student more prestigious overall. ( I am not sure if I had put this in a right way...)

Third, sometimes I feel a bit lost about who I should go to, or what I should do with the Honors Institute. And I am sure many students don't have the chance to know more about the Institute itself and its benefits. Many of my friends don't know the other guaranteed admissions and scholarships except UCLA. It will be great if the Honors Institute has some workshops to introduce the program to students. This will allow students to gain a better understanding the reason for applying to Honors, and what is it all about. And they won't miss the chance of gaining the utmost of it.