If I had to give advice on writing a research paper it would be, keep an APA quick reference handy for doing all writing assignments! Also, when doing the research, print stuff out and make side notes....That really helps jog your memory later to the train of thought you were taking when doing the research. Finally, follow the process, free-writing, outlining with research, rough draft, final draft because the more work you do during the semester, the easier it will be when it's getting down to turn in time.

I would like to think that in this course, I strenghtened my writing skills and definitely my understanding of the APA formatting. I feel like I could always use help and work at the APA, but overall I feel like I have achieved a better understanding of it.

My only final thought:
I'll see who I see next semester but best wishes to everyone!!

Almost through the fourth....

Well this semester is quickly coming to an end, and the term paper that gave me so much trouble is almost finished! I feel relieved because I thought with two papers due this week, I was going to run out of time, but I finished one and just have to finish the other! And I do feel tired from many nights of little sleep, but I believe in the end, the small goal of completely two more courses is well worth it! Of course, it's all fingers crossed with the grade (lol). My idea of writing hasn't changed, but my process has more options. I learnt some useful techniques, such as the listing pre-writing. I also learnt some techniques I didn't find as useful, such as the paramedic method of revision.

As far as if there are any other topics I would like to research, I will be honest, I don't want to write another research paper. I like doing creative writing, but even with creative writing there is sometimes still research that needs to be done. I feel that this course offered me a wonderful set of options when I write anything though.

Good luck to everyone!

oopsy daisy....

Well it's getting down the nitty gritty in the semester. I have two term papers due on the same day and I feel like I'm not making any progress on either one. As previously stated, when I feel forced I can't seem to write. So I have a horrible case of writer's block. Aside from that little issue, I can't seem to get APA right. I mean I get the just of it, but tiny details elude me.

Anyways...I don't believe that I have commented on enough blogs. The truth is I forget about them. I do my blog and then I just get the discussion post. I feel lately that those are probably more important anyway because if I can I like to offer suggestions to help fellow classmates with their term papers, especially since I am not making any progress on my own (lol). As far as getting posts, it doesn't really bother me that I don't have many. I will be the first to admit that aside from minor frustrations I am blessed with a pretty boring life (lol). As far as continuing the blog...well I hadn't really thought about it, but perhaps. This way I could at least say "hey" every once in a while to a few fellow classmates. I might even make it to actually commenting more since I won't be in class with you guys.

Either way...Good luck with all your term papers and best wishes!

Another Week passing....

Well I did ok on the paper, but I feel like I should have done better. So in that way I agree with fellow classmate Karin. However, I did have an "ah-ha" moment today. Recently in the news there has been an article about a teenager committing suicide. It was due to bullying instead of adolescent depression, but essentially one causes, or at least worsens, the other and I have been trying to think of a way to add that into my paper because it is a part of recent events. To all my classmates, good luck with your papers! And Karin if you read this, thanks for your encouragement!

AHHHH....

I really don't like writing papers. I feel like I fail at them every time I do. Like I can never make them good enough. And I thought I used to be good at writing papers, but now I find myself wondering, if I was or was I just being repetitive. Was it just that I was saying the same things over and over again. Was I going off topic? Was my mind wondering time and time again off topic in every paragraph? Did that make the paper choppy? Even now when I went to write my rough draft for College Comp I felt like I had all this research, but it was all saying pretty much the same things. So then I just felt stuck. The sad thing is I love to write, but I hate writing papers because I always feel like they are so forced. Like I have no control over what the paper is suppose to be about, even when I pick the topic, I'm just being forced to write. So I guess I like creative writing, but essays not so much. I just hope that at the very least I can pull off a good grade cause I can't seem to make the paper sound how I think it should. :(

Halfway...

Well it has been an exhausting week. School has effected my life in that way. I mean life is exhausting anyway, but some weeks more so than others. This week I have been sitting up trying to get homework done because I have a friend moving out of state so we want to spend the weekend together. I have been staying up trying to work on homework so that way it's one less thing I have to worry about before I wish one of my best friends good luck and watch her drive away unsure of when I will see her again. It's weeks like this that I wish I didn't have homework. But I have gotten the bulk of homework for the week finished so my goal is accomplished at about 2:30 in the morning. The work week is over as well. I put in my four-ten hour days (lol). I have ran all my errands, got all the house work done. Yep, I'm finally ready for the weekend!

I was also reminded today that we are halfway through the semester. So with any luck, in the next 5 weeks, I will be finished with my fourth semester. That is a big accomplishment for me. Even though with weeks like these, I wish for no homework (lol).

Stealing the Spot Light...

I feel like plagiarism can be described as stealing the spot light. I believe when we first start out as students there is always the potential to make mistakes, but that's why we are in school to learn. However, I believe that people plagiarize out of spite. Like when a co-worker tells a boss your idea and makes it her own. I have had that happen to me in the past. I believe that it was because she wanted the spot light. At first, it bothered me. But then I let it go. Now I see that she was just stealing my spot light.