Learning Challenge: Don't Judge People

10 Reasons to Stop Judging People

One of my main beliefs that I have had since high school is that you can always relate to a person on some sort of level despite if you like them or not. This is what inspired me to be more social and meet people and try to be their friend in some sense or another. I find it very true that you can always find something you have in common so to judge another person isn't right of me. This article kind of confirmed that if I judge someone else then it says more about me than it does about them. What is sad though is I feel that since high school I have become more judgmental and I need to go back to being more personable with everyone especially strangers. It doesn't make someone better if you can only criticize a person for what you think is negative about them. This makes me want to try and meet more strangers no matter what and initially trust that they could possibly be my new friend. I wouldn't say I really learned anything new but instead I learned that I need to revert to my older ways. This article was very positive for me to read and I encourage others to ponder as they read this article.

This image that I have included is a quote that I found on this website.  I think that this is pretty good rationale and I should try to think this way all of the time. 

Learning Challenge: Be Happy!

Want to Be Happier? Science Says Do These 11 Things Every Single Day
One of the things that I had already known but this article confirmed was that actually smiling makes people a lot more happy. I knew this from random speakers I have heard in the past but I still think it is cool how performing the action actually makes one happier. I found it interesting how just planning a vacation can make someone happier even if they don't go on it. I actually used to make fake vacations with my friend without even knowing this but they were always hilarious and did make me happy. I also became curious with the idea of mediation. I have never really thought about doing that but honestly it wouldn't be the worst thing for me to take a little time when I'm stressed to just empty my mind through meditation. Overall this article was interesting to read and made me think of ways I need to be more positive.

I chose this picture because of what the article said about taking vacations and this is one of my favorite movies. I  found it on Flickr. 

Learning Challenge: Get More Sleep

Why Sleeping May Be More Important Than Studying

I really enjoyed this article because it made me reflect on my own sleeping habits and gave me more of a experimental proof as to why people suggest how crucial sleep is for a student. I knew that the brain performed several stages of sleep but the article reassured me how critical each part of sleep is. I guess I assumed that sleep just helped fix one's health but I didn't know until I read the article that it actually rejuvenated systems like the cardiovascular system. One thing that made me curious was how much better I could possibly do if all of my classes started from 10 am or later. I think it would truly help me out if I started trying my best to schedule classes no earlier than then just to make sure that I get more sleep. I found that in a class that I had at 8:30 that I wasn't able to focus nearly enough. I think in terms of high school students this would also be great. 

This is an image of a tired student to represent how I have felt at some points. I found this image on Pixabay.

Learning Challenge: The Pomodoro Technique

I used the Pomodoro Technique when I was reading/fixing up material for a project I had to work on. The way I did it was: read for 25 minutes using  google timer, take a 5 minute break, read for 25 minutes, take a 5 minute break, fix up a powerpoint for 25, take a 5 minute break, and then I repeated this again but the 4th break I took a 30 minute break.

I found this pretty useful except I think that I would rather make it 40 minutes with a 10 minute break in between. I find that I get focused and 25 minutes is a little short and started cutting off my focus towards the end during breaks. I think that it is good though because it makes me try to beat the clock in a sense. Overall though I think that the technique is good in principle but should be tweaked depending on the person.

The Pomodoro method uses a "tomato" timer so I got this picture on  Pixabay. 

Learning Challenge: Talking to myself

I should title this "Reading Aloud" but I felt talking to myself sounded better because that is what it would appear I'm doing to someone else. This last week I had a Molecular Bio test that required copious amounts of reading. I tried the reading aloud method in things that I seemed to find difficulty in understanding. So in my room I casually read about transcription and translation in order to help me understand it. The process worked in my opinion because it made me slowly realize what I repeatedly said. I liked how it made me focus on what I was saying rather than drift off and day day dream. The only thing I didn't like was how slow this made me go over material but that was expected and worth the price. I definitely will apply this style of learning when I'm struggling to comprehend as well as when I'm tired because weirdly enough it kept me awake.

This is the picture of a book found on Free Stock Photos.

Learning Challenge: Observing Empathy

Recently in my life I have observed one specific person practicing more empathy than anyone else. The man I'm talking about is a pledge brother of mine named Chris and I've never seen someone truly care more about making another person feel comfortable in so many different ways. I've seen the man stay up late talking with another guy about his future when he was down. In this instance the guy was having a panic attack doubting everything in his life from his career, his happiness, and his relationship with his girlfriend. Although I was in the room trying to help as well, I hit a moment when I realized my empathy and words didn't have near the impact that Chris's did. It was because he truly felt the pain and wanted to relinquish our other friend of it. Another instance even though it was far back was Chris helping me. I was so far behind in a class and just couldn't seem to grasp the material. Chris completely understood the material and decided that his lack of sleep was worth helping me out. The man stayed up studying/tutoring me for hours into the night. By no means did he have to do that but I could tell he felt my stress and wanted to make me feel better. He had no incentive in doing this, rather he just cared about me just as he did the other night with my friend.

From some of Chris's actions I've learned that giving someone your time with full attention is one of the best gifts you can give someone. True empathy is sacrifice in my opinion because that means you are putting yourself in their shoes just to walk with them to a better place. What I have learned from Chris is that you are never too tired, too busy, too anything to give someone else your time when they are in a hurting state. For that I will be doing my best to give more people my full attention and input in times of struggle and the happy times as well. That in my mind is the best characteristic of empathy.

I found this picture describing Empathy as one on Flickr.

Learning Challenge: The Simple Deskercizes

After reading A Workout at Work? I realized that body movement is exactly what I need this year. Last year I lived in a fraternity house that had a basketball court so when I would get tired I would go shoot some hoops. This year I don't have that luxury as easily available so I need to find something to get my heart pumping in order to keep my mind active. I have a bad habit of just sitting down at my desk and not doing anything other than staring at a computer screen for hours. This article made me realize how simple it is to do some work outs to keep me going throughout studying. This was my favorite article because the moving figures made me laugh, yet were extremely descriptive.

One of the Deskercizes was simply walking. Walking would be easy for me because I live in a duplex where I'm on the top floor. It would be simple to just walk around the kitchen, down the stairs, around my house and then back to my room for a little break.

Walking Man from Pixabay

Another Deskercize I enjoyed was the "desk push up" because I love going to the gym so this would be a simple exercise that wouldn't tire me out too much yet would get my blood rushing and have some entertainment.

Although it isn't mentioned in the article I think it would also be beneficial to do some jumping jacks in order to make all of my body move and get my muscles warmed up. This exercise isn't as dorky so if someone went into my room I could explain easier than say the "tricep kicks" that were mentioned in the article.

Overall, I need to start doing something otherwise I will look for any excuse to quit studying just because I'm tired. I may not be to my fully exhausted point however and these Deskercizes will keep me going and give me the break/push I need to keep going.