Since I have been catching up with my assignments, I have begun to actively engage with the course materials more often. Rather than just reading over the texts to prepare for class, I’ve been taking notes on them in order to create my PowerPoint. Due to this I feel woefully unprepared to present the information I know about Ancient Chinese history at this moment. But since I have been able to more thoughtfully consider the material, I will be able to prove myself soon. Despite being uncertain of my current ability to recount information I do actively participate in class discussions, both in small and large groups. For me, discussions are the easiest way to digest the information presented. Talking about the sources we’ve read or certain quotes helps me be able to flesh out my ideas in a more complex way. I believe I do quite well in these types of environments where I can bounce ideas off my classmates, and share my own ideas about the subject. I, evidently, don’t do as well with self mediated work, such as blog posts. When I’m in a controlled environment, such as a class, my ideas come easier to me than they do when I’m working alone. I also don’t have as much external motivation in regards to individual work. 

I believe that I have effectively participated in this class in thoughtful manners, since I enjoy discussing my ideas. With this participation, the one thing I need to improve on is actually to classes. Even though I know I learn better in a group environment and I enjoy class time, it’s alway a struggle for me to go to class. Whenever I do attend class, I feel that I participate quite a bit, and in meaningful ways, so for the rest of the semester I would like to work on going to more classes. I am working my hardest to complete my work on time and show up to classes, and I believe that in the coming future my hard work will be noticed.