Wellness Passport Reflection: Recreational Services
During our in-class presentation from Recreational Services, I learned of the many different resources the department offers. Recreational Services is “committed to inspiring the lifetime appreciation of a balanced, active, and healthy lifestyle” in the students of UNC Charlotte. Rec Services offers a variety of services including aquatics, sports clubs, intramural sports, fitness, and special events such RecFest, the 49er Gold Rush 5k, and the On The Green Golf Tournament. These activities are hosted in locations all over campus including the Student Activity Center, Belk Gymnasium, and two Recreational Field Complexes. The SAC offers the state of the art Fitness Center where students can exercise using high quality equipment or partake in Group Fitness Classes such as Zumba, Super-Abs, Yoga, Body Pump, Spinning, Kick Boxing, and Cardio Dance. Students can hire a personal trainer to assist them in their workout or exercise on their own or with friends. Also at the SAC, students can run the 1/8 of a mile track, climb the rock wall, or utilize the facility’s sport courts for recreational or team practice. The Belk Gymnasium, which is currently closed for renovation and expected to reopen in the fall of 2015, will offer similar features to the SAC as far as fitness areas and sport courts. In addition, Belk Gym has a swimming pool, racquetball court, and spinning studio. Finally, both the Northeast and Hayes Recreational Field Complexes can be used for Intramural Sports, Club Sports, and free play.
In my first two months of college, I have attended various group fitness classes. My favorites include Cardio Kickboxing, Super-Abs, and Spinning. I plan to go through the Group Fitness certification program so hopefully I can teach some of these classes in the future. After learning more about intramural sports from the presentation, I am considering joining a team next semester. Like many students, I am looking forward to Belk Gym reopening so that I may make use of the pool and more spacious fitness center. Recreational Services is an influential department on campus and I am excited to explore each services I have learned about during my time here at UNCC.
Wellness Passport Reflection: Bounce Back From Setbacks
At the Bounce Back From Setbacks presentation, I learned valuable tools and strategies for overcoming setbacks and working to accomplish my goals. A setback is defined as something that distracts one from accomplishing a goal. Like many individuals, I have certainly experienced my fair share of setbacks and I will most likely endure more. This being said, I am grateful I was able to attend this presentation as the strategies I learned will help me to better cope with the setbacks I will face in the future. The presentation mainly focused on the three keys to getting back on track after experiencing a setback which include setting goals, holding yourself accountable for your actions, and cultivating the motivation needed to accomplish your goals.
When setting any goal, it is essential to make sure that a goal is SMART. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and relevanT. Studies have shown that SMART goals are more likely to be reached as they are practical and provide a detailed plan on exactly how an individual plans to reach his or her goal. Other useful strategies when setting a goal are to write goals down where they can easily be seen, visualizing and evaluating goals, sharing goals with a friend, and seeking appropriate help, guidance and suggestions on ways to accomplish goals. These strategies help an individual to uphold the second key of getting back on track, accountability. Accountability is holding yourself responsible for your own decisions and actions. Being accountable requires that one step away from the victim mentality of blaming other people for their problems and instead become a creator who takes self-responsibility of the consequences that result from the decisions they make. The third and final key to getting back on track is motivating yourself to accomplish your goals. Cultivating motivation can be achieved through identifying why goals are important, stepping outside a known comfort zone, remaining positive, increasing self-confidence, and rewarding yourself for your successes.
Wellness Passport: What’s Your Learning Style
Out of all of the Wellness Passport events that I have attended thus far, I would say that the “What’s Your Learning Style” event has not only been my favorite session but also the session I feel I have learned from the most. At this event, I learned about the three types of learning styles, which are visual, auditory, and tactile. Visual learners are those that think in pictures and learn best from displays. Visual learners have a strong sense of color and can easily remember pictures, graphs, charts, or written words. Auditory learners are those that prefer spoken directions as they most effectively retain the information that they hear. Auditory learners are excellent at remembering conversations and do not need to write information down to recall it at a later time. Tactile learners are those that prefer “hands on” learning. Tactile learners can often assemble things without directions, may have trouble sitting still, and learn best when physical activity is involved in the learning process. While most individuals show a preference to one of the three types of learning styles, I learned it is important to be able to adapt your learning style depending on the given situation.
After studying each learning style, I took a test that determined which type of learner I am. Up until taking the test, I assumed I was a visual learner; however, the test revealed that I was in fact an auditory learner. Now, as I reconsider my strengths in learning, I realize that I am able to recall what people say very easily. I still feel I use a combination of the auditory and visual learning styles, however, because I like to write things down so I will always be able to remember them, even after a long period of time. It was very beneficial for me to learn which type of learning style I prefer as I can now rely more on my auditory skills to learn and remember information.
Upon taking the test, everyone who attended this event split up into groups of people with the same learning style as themselves. Each group brainstormed benefits, problems, and possible tips for individuals with our particular learning style. My group brainstormed the following:
· Benefits: don’t have to write everything down; can decipher the important components of a conversation
· Problems: have to attend all lectures and meetings where information is given
· Tips: Attend all meetings and lectures where important information will be given
Wellness Passport Event: Code Switching
Before attending this event, I had no idea what codeswitching was. Upon attending this event however, I realized what an astronomical role codeswitching plays in my life and the lives of the majority of other individuals. Have you ever noticed the different ways an individual speaks depending on the situation he or she is in or the other individuals he or she is around? I personally notice a difference in the way that I speak when I am around my family members or close friends than when I am at work and speaking to my coworkers and boss. Codeswitching refers to the ability to change from the dialect of your own cultural setting and adopt the language of the majority in particular situations. This event questioned whether or not codeswitching was a positive or negative quality by allowing the students who attended the event to participate in an hour long discussion in which we examined the way codeswitching impacted our lives. From this conversation, I have come to conclude that codeswitching is in fact a negative quality as it forces individuals to compromise a major part of their identity, the way in which they speak, in order to receive the approval of other individuals. For example, two African American students who attended the presentation shared with the group that they felt pressured to speak in a “white people voice” when they were in a professional setting in order to receive proper respect. In addition, another student who lived in the south her entire life often felt like others considered her unintelligent upon first hearing her speak in her southern dialect. The fact that these individuals felt ridiculed for the way in which they naturally speak astonishes me. From this presentation, I have become more conscious of whether or not I codeswitch and ensure that others do not feel the need to codeswitch when they are around me. Everyone should feel free to illustrate every part of him or herself and codeswitching prevents this from happening.
Wellness Passport Reflection: University Career Center
For my UCOL class, I, along with the other members of the Leadership Journey Learning Community visited the UNC Charlotte University Career Center. While at the Career Center, I listened to a presentation from one of the career advisors that was extremely useful as I have recently begun to narrow down what career I would like to have when I am older. During the presentation, we played a game in which we were shown pictures of well-known individuals from J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, to professional basketball players and actors and attempted to guess what they majored in. What we found was that the major we assumed each individual to have was different from what they really majored in. Take J.K Rowling for example. Everyone expected this world famous author to have majored in English when, in fact, she majored in French. The point of this game was to illustrate the fact that while deciding on a major is important, it is still possible to enter a career field that isn’t directly related to the major one chooses. In addition to playing the game, we were also allowed to pick up WCIDWAMIs, pamphlets that explain what you can do with every major Charlotte offers. These pamphlets were very helpful and I have extensively reviewed each one I took in my effort to decide on a major. Lastly, we learned about valuable resources the UCC offers. I learned that in addition to providing career counseling, the UCC can also help you prepare for interviews, set up internships and job shadowing opportunities, and help you write your resume. I know I will definitely make use of these helpful resources during my time here at UNCC!
During our in-class presentation from Recreational Services, I learned of the many different resources the department offers. Recreational Services is “committed to inspiring the lifetime appreciation of a balanced, active, and healthy lifestyle” in the students of UNC Charlotte. Rec Services offers a variety of services including aquatics, sports clubs, intramural sports, fitness, and special events such RecFest, the 49er Gold Rush 5k, and the On The Green Golf Tournament. These activities are hosted in locations all over campus including the Student Activity Center, Belk Gymnasium, and two Recreational Field Complexes. The SAC offers the state of the art Fitness Center where students can exercise using high quality equipment or partake in Group Fitness Classes such as Zumba, Super-Abs, Yoga, Body Pump, Spinning, Kick Boxing, and Cardio Dance. Students can hire a personal trainer to assist them in their workout or exercise on their own or with friends. Also at the SAC, students can run the 1/8 of a mile track, climb the rock wall, or utilize the facility’s sport courts for recreational or team practice. The Belk Gymnasium, which is currently closed for renovation and expected to reopen in the fall of 2015, will offer similar features to the SAC as far as fitness areas and sport courts. In addition, Belk Gym has a swimming pool, racquetball court, and spinning studio. Finally, both the Northeast and Hayes Recreational Field Complexes can be used for Intramural Sports, Club Sports, and free play.
In my first two months of college, I have attended various group fitness classes. My favorites include Cardio Kickboxing, Super-Abs, and Spinning. I plan to go through the Group Fitness certification program so hopefully I can teach some of these classes in the future. After learning more about intramural sports from the presentation, I am considering joining a team next semester. Like many students, I am looking forward to Belk Gym reopening so that I may make use of the pool and more spacious fitness center. Recreational Services is an influential department on campus and I am excited to explore each services I have learned about during my time here at UNCC.
Wellness Passport Reflection: Bounce Back From Setbacks
At the Bounce Back From Setbacks presentation, I learned valuable tools and strategies for overcoming setbacks and working to accomplish my goals. A setback is defined as something that distracts one from accomplishing a goal. Like many individuals, I have certainly experienced my fair share of setbacks and I will most likely endure more. This being said, I am grateful I was able to attend this presentation as the strategies I learned will help me to better cope with the setbacks I will face in the future. The presentation mainly focused on the three keys to getting back on track after experiencing a setback which include setting goals, holding yourself accountable for your actions, and cultivating the motivation needed to accomplish your goals.
When setting any goal, it is essential to make sure that a goal is SMART. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and relevanT. Studies have shown that SMART goals are more likely to be reached as they are practical and provide a detailed plan on exactly how an individual plans to reach his or her goal. Other useful strategies when setting a goal are to write goals down where they can easily be seen, visualizing and evaluating goals, sharing goals with a friend, and seeking appropriate help, guidance and suggestions on ways to accomplish goals. These strategies help an individual to uphold the second key of getting back on track, accountability. Accountability is holding yourself responsible for your own decisions and actions. Being accountable requires that one step away from the victim mentality of blaming other people for their problems and instead become a creator who takes self-responsibility of the consequences that result from the decisions they make. The third and final key to getting back on track is motivating yourself to accomplish your goals. Cultivating motivation can be achieved through identifying why goals are important, stepping outside a known comfort zone, remaining positive, increasing self-confidence, and rewarding yourself for your successes.
Wellness Passport: What’s Your Learning Style
Out of all of the Wellness Passport events that I have attended thus far, I would say that the “What’s Your Learning Style” event has not only been my favorite session but also the session I feel I have learned from the most. At this event, I learned about the three types of learning styles, which are visual, auditory, and tactile. Visual learners are those that think in pictures and learn best from displays. Visual learners have a strong sense of color and can easily remember pictures, graphs, charts, or written words. Auditory learners are those that prefer spoken directions as they most effectively retain the information that they hear. Auditory learners are excellent at remembering conversations and do not need to write information down to recall it at a later time. Tactile learners are those that prefer “hands on” learning. Tactile learners can often assemble things without directions, may have trouble sitting still, and learn best when physical activity is involved in the learning process. While most individuals show a preference to one of the three types of learning styles, I learned it is important to be able to adapt your learning style depending on the given situation.
After studying each learning style, I took a test that determined which type of learner I am. Up until taking the test, I assumed I was a visual learner; however, the test revealed that I was in fact an auditory learner. Now, as I reconsider my strengths in learning, I realize that I am able to recall what people say very easily. I still feel I use a combination of the auditory and visual learning styles, however, because I like to write things down so I will always be able to remember them, even after a long period of time. It was very beneficial for me to learn which type of learning style I prefer as I can now rely more on my auditory skills to learn and remember information.
Upon taking the test, everyone who attended this event split up into groups of people with the same learning style as themselves. Each group brainstormed benefits, problems, and possible tips for individuals with our particular learning style. My group brainstormed the following:
· Benefits: don’t have to write everything down; can decipher the important components of a conversation
· Problems: have to attend all lectures and meetings where information is given
· Tips: Attend all meetings and lectures where important information will be given
Wellness Passport Event: Code Switching
Before attending this event, I had no idea what codeswitching was. Upon attending this event however, I realized what an astronomical role codeswitching plays in my life and the lives of the majority of other individuals. Have you ever noticed the different ways an individual speaks depending on the situation he or she is in or the other individuals he or she is around? I personally notice a difference in the way that I speak when I am around my family members or close friends than when I am at work and speaking to my coworkers and boss. Codeswitching refers to the ability to change from the dialect of your own cultural setting and adopt the language of the majority in particular situations. This event questioned whether or not codeswitching was a positive or negative quality by allowing the students who attended the event to participate in an hour long discussion in which we examined the way codeswitching impacted our lives. From this conversation, I have come to conclude that codeswitching is in fact a negative quality as it forces individuals to compromise a major part of their identity, the way in which they speak, in order to receive the approval of other individuals. For example, two African American students who attended the presentation shared with the group that they felt pressured to speak in a “white people voice” when they were in a professional setting in order to receive proper respect. In addition, another student who lived in the south her entire life often felt like others considered her unintelligent upon first hearing her speak in her southern dialect. The fact that these individuals felt ridiculed for the way in which they naturally speak astonishes me. From this presentation, I have become more conscious of whether or not I codeswitch and ensure that others do not feel the need to codeswitch when they are around me. Everyone should feel free to illustrate every part of him or herself and codeswitching prevents this from happening.
Wellness Passport Reflection: University Career Center
For my UCOL class, I, along with the other members of the Leadership Journey Learning Community visited the UNC Charlotte University Career Center. While at the Career Center, I listened to a presentation from one of the career advisors that was extremely useful as I have recently begun to narrow down what career I would like to have when I am older. During the presentation, we played a game in which we were shown pictures of well-known individuals from J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, to professional basketball players and actors and attempted to guess what they majored in. What we found was that the major we assumed each individual to have was different from what they really majored in. Take J.K Rowling for example. Everyone expected this world famous author to have majored in English when, in fact, she majored in French. The point of this game was to illustrate the fact that while deciding on a major is important, it is still possible to enter a career field that isn’t directly related to the major one chooses. In addition to playing the game, we were also allowed to pick up WCIDWAMIs, pamphlets that explain what you can do with every major Charlotte offers. These pamphlets were very helpful and I have extensively reviewed each one I took in my effort to decide on a major. Lastly, we learned about valuable resources the UCC offers. I learned that in addition to providing career counseling, the UCC can also help you prepare for interviews, set up internships and job shadowing opportunities, and help you write your resume. I know I will definitely make use of these helpful resources during my time here at UNCC!