Project 2 Reflection: Interesting

Project 2 was a very interesting project for myself. Normally I wouldn’t be asked to make a map for an English class or let alone come up with a topic for a map of my school. However, I really enjoyed this part of the project. The nice part about this project was the freedom in which it allowed each student to have. This way, everyone could do their project on something they like or something they are interested in. Also, this project really got me to think about my topic and how it applies to real life, even away from this campus. I felt like my map and my research on my topic of coffee shops and caffeine use on campus was the best part of my project. Going to the workshop about how to create the map and place it into the blog was extremely helpful for this. Also, by using the ASU library and the library website I found really great sources to include in the synopsis part of the project. I struggled with the actual evaluation part of the project. I know that I had to answer the question if the topic was good/bad helpful/harmful, but I found it difficult to go on after I answered this. For example, I thought that the coffee shops around campus were helpful for students due to the services it provides to students, that service being caffeine. It was difficult for me to go on after this without rambling and going off on tangents, which were unnecessary.  I think that I need to just have a more open mind going into things and realize that I do not only have to write about if caffeine is good or bad or helpful or harmful to students, but rather explain the effects of the caffeine and why students are so dependent on it in order to get through the day. I feel like it would have benefitted me to go to the workshop about evaluating, but from what I understood about it I did my best. I think this can be applied in the real world in many ways. For one, I can evaluate people, places, and things that happen in life with a new outlook. Evaluating can help one to weigh the costs and benefits of something and possibly even help in decision-making. Overall, Project 2 was an interesting experience. Although different, making a map and blog was actually kind of fun. I like having something to do other than writing, and something that is somewhat creative. While at school, it is almost like we are not in the real world because of how we have everything right here for us, and this project allows one to reach out and think about life on campus as different, but also to make connections with the outside world.