Learning Statement
My freshman fall quarter at UW while in Honors 100 I planned out all of the classes I would take over the next four years and set out my intentions for what I would achieve. I pictured myself direct, focused, and determined to reach these goals. However as my time at UW changed myself and my perspectives on the world, these goals changed as well. Although I wanted to be intensely focused only on getting the degree that I had set out for myself, I ended up finding many other subjects and activities around me very interesting. I was taking classes in my planned educational path, but the classes that I ended up enjoying the classes that I took outside of this path much more than I ever thought I would. My sophomore year I took a few honors classes (Rhetoric of Science and The Human Record) that I became very involved in. After the classes ended I talked to both the professors about my interest and was able to find a way to continue exploring my interests. I knew that I did not want to pursue a career or degree path in either of these subjects, and for a while I thought that meant that I shouldn’t spend very much time on them. However the projects that I got to work on were not only enjoyable but also were learning experiences in ways that I didn’t expect. These included a research project on the methods of communication used by scientific professionals to relay information to the public and a podcast about the use of falsified records in covert operations of World War II. I was able to work on my public speaking and communication skills, as well as learn how to collaborate closely with professors.
After these experiences I continued to deviate from the strict path I had laid out for myself. I co-hosted a Rainy Dawg Radio station, took a class while on a backpacking trip in the Olympics, studied abroad, and even found an additional major that added even more to my learning (Community, Environment, and Planning). These experiences made my time at UW even more enjoyable, made my learning in many areas much deeper, and gave me skills that I didn’t know I would be able to develop. In the future I hope to carry this openness to learning and unplanned involvement into participating in my jobs and their communities.
After these experiences I continued to deviate from the strict path I had laid out for myself. I co-hosted a Rainy Dawg Radio station, took a class while on a backpacking trip in the Olympics, studied abroad, and even found an additional major that added even more to my learning (Community, Environment, and Planning). These experiences made my time at UW even more enjoyable, made my learning in many areas much deeper, and gave me skills that I didn’t know I would be able to develop. In the future I hope to carry this openness to learning and unplanned involvement into participating in my jobs and their communities.