Savanna Meadows

As a child my parents hardly ever read to me. They were often preoccupied with work. It

never bothered my due to the fact as a child I never cared for being read to nor did I like listening

to stories. As I grew older things didn’t really change. I didn’t like reading as much in

elementary school. My teachers made it seem unenjoyable and all I was interested in was

pictures. Middle school came along and not much had changed. I still had no interest in

reading. I would read selections word-for-word but usually nothing would stick. I

grew into the habit of skimming through paragraphs just trying to find the key words that were

essential for answering the questions of my assignments. Later on in middle school, I started

reading The Clique book series.  I enjoyed reading about teenage drama and

romance. I remember reading all the books in that series and after that I stopped reading as

frequently. Now to this day I still don’t read as much except for my Audrey Hepburn biographies

or my baking recipe books.

I was taught reading and writing strategies before and being completely honest,

I couldn’t tell you what they are because I hardly remember. It’s been two years since I’ve been

in high school. The only thing I can for sure say I remember learning was how to do the most

appropriate format to successfully write an essay. I do firmly believe reading and writing was

important to my success in high school. I was in an advanced writing class as a senior. That

class really helped me get comfortable with writing essays. Which has indeed prepared me for

college to a certain extent. I am grateful for that because I know lots of people struggle with

writing essays. Not only though did that class prepare me for composition but for reading a little

bit as well. Reading wasn’t my favorite but I did enjoy writing.  I’ve never listened to any

audiobooks. We use to just read to ourselves. I never even considered audiobooks as an option

back then. Now looking back on it, that probably would’ve been very helpful to me.

           
I am not a first generation college student. This is something my family really never

discusses. I honestly know little to no knowledge of my parents’ college careers. My father was

briefly in the navy. I believe my mother graduated majoring in cosmetology. I know I will be

the first in my immediate family to graduate majoring in a Science degree. As far as expectations

go for college level reading, I know it will serve me a bit of a challenge. In high school I wasn’t

a poor reader. I definitely wasn’t a strong reader. I struggle with ADD so at times it’s hard to

stay focused. I usually have to re-read things over and over gain. Sometimes I can read

something and not even pay attention to what it’s about. It is most definitely something I have

difficulties with from time to time, but it hasn’t slowed me down.

I have learned a lot from my English class this semester. I learned how to take better

notes, how synaptic firing works, how to think critically, expanded my grammar skills, what

exactly plagiarism is, and better studying techniques. The one of most important thing I learned

this semester was learning more about grammar and punctuation. Poor grammar is a pet peeve of

mine. When I mess up with punctuation, I get so mad at myself. I always want my sentence

structure to be perfect. I learned a lot about where commas are necessary or unnecessary. I do

admit, my punctuation still isn’t perfect. It definitely has improved though. One of the other

topics I felt was the most important of what I learned was how exactly the neuron works and

what synaptic firing is. I found it very fascinating how our mood can affect how we do in school.

That really gave me a different outlook on everything. It really helped me in my classes knowing

that all I had to do was to think more positive. How this affected my college career is that it

helped me with academic reading. I use to dread reading long paragraphs. I would think

negatively about it until I would become annoyed with it. Now before I read I think positive

thoughts and the material becomes easier to read. This also comes into play with critical thinking

as well. This is something that could help me for the rest of my life, not just college. It’s kind of

a key to success. Which I am very grateful for learning about.