Reflection Paper on FYS Class and Learning Experience at West Coast University

This reflection paper discusses the author's experiences in FYS class at West Coast University, including time management, blackboard assignments, critical thinking, and learning about APA formatting. The author reflects on their strengths and weaknesses and the benefits of reviewing exams of ATI.

Running head: FYS CLASS REFLECTION PAPER 1
FysClass Reflection paper
Yewubmit Nielsencruz
West coast University

FYS CLASS REFLECTION PAPER 2
In the following pages, I would reflect on my experiences in taking in FYS class. I would
also reflect on the policies of West Coast University, which describes the way of doing a
research paper or taking tests. I will reflect upon my learning about managing time and the
experiences and strategies of doing assignments on the blackboard. I will also reflect on my
strengths and weaknesses related to time management and study. In the final section, I will talk
about the benefits of taking and reviewing exams of ATI.
Reflecting upon my journey at West Coast University, I wasn’t prepared when I started
my college life. One of the first classes that I took at the university was FYS class. I can vividly
remember that there were a lot of students in the class and we all were trying to know each
other. Our teacher encouraged us by saying that the key to success is knowing your classmate
and having a group. I was utterly bewildered by this statement as all through my life I have done
my assignments by myself. This is the reason I did not wish to have anybody’s number as well.
On the first day, we engaged in icebreaking sessions to know and get comfortable with
each other. We also reviewed the syllabus and set up the ATI account. Since I already had my
ATI account, I found myself in a superior position as compared to my class. I, therefore, relaxed
as my other classmates struggled to set up their accounts. I also felt a sense of superiority by
seeing my classmates struggling in doing something that I had easily accomplished.
I was working fulltime then. Full-time students have to write a lot. However, my strength
has always been in Science and Mathematics and therefore found it challenging to accomplish
the writing tasks. All my life, I have been an early riser and have preferred to do my studies in
the morning. However, since I was working now and had to work in the morning shift, I found it
challenging to manage time and prioritize activities.

FYS CLASS REFLECTION PAPER 3
Duffy has remarked that college life would be different from any other (Dufff,k.
(2015,P.6). I was experiencing these words first hand in my life at WCU. During the second
week of my course, I went to the campus for taking the pretest of ATI. At the exam, my
professor informed me that I had already missed two assignments amounting to 100 points. If I
had been communicating with my classmates regularly, I wouldn’t have lost 100 points. This
loss made me suffer until the end of the course as I struggled to make up for the shortfall of those
100 points.
Reading topics and exercises in the 3rd, 4th and 5th week included managing time, doing
assignments on the blackboard, taking notes, reading, listening, the strategies for taking tests, etc.
I found these topics to be particularly essential for me. Hockey has remarked that there is no
particular technique of managing time, and it is for the individual to find the method that works
best for him or her (Hockey,2015 p.23). For instance, I work best during the morning. I have also
found that my efficiency increases if I take breaks in between my study or works. Through the
course, I have also come to know about the techniques of spiritual, mental, emotional and
physical renewal. I have also come to acknowledge the fact that energy management is
synonymous to time management (Hockey,2015).
I learnt the strategies of reading in this course. I understood that it is essential to take
notes while listening. This ensures that the listening is done actively. These things that are
learned or actively listened to, tend to stick in mind. I also learned that during the tests it is
important to be relaxed and breathe in a lot of oxygen. This helps one to feel relaxed and give the
exam easily. It is also an important strategy to take notes during studies. Reviewing the note
before taking the exam can contribute towards earning high grade points. Doing assignments
using the blackboard is something new to me. During the initial days of the course, I was

FYS CLASS REFLECTION PAPER 4
submitting the assignment at the wrong location in blackboard. As a consequence, I lost a lot of
points for FYS and other classes. However, being a visual learner, I adapted quickly to the
blackboard.
Learning about the basics of APA got me very excited during week 6 of the course. I was
equally happy to learn the art of thinking critically. However, I also missed one of my
assignments during the week. While talking about the basics of APA, Jeffery emphasized on the
importance of Title page, in-text citation, reference page and citation (Jeffrey, 2016). Some of
the other essential elements of the APA rulebook include Times New Roman in 12 Font, double
spacing in body, primary, secondary and tertiary sources of reference, indentation, etc.
I learnt during this period that plagiarism is posting someone else’s work as own and not
giving credit to the rightful owner of a work. I enjoyed doing exercises and learnt the right way
in which a research paper should be written. During this period, I missed another APA
assignment, and it was painful to see my grades going down. I also learned about the importance
of critical thinking in this lesson and understood that rather being a one-step task, it is a five-step
process. Baker denotes these five steps as identifying the problem, gather information, evaluating
evidence, choosing conduct and considering implications (Baker,2015.p.21-22).
The last lesson learned in the FYS class was related to taking the ATI post
examination. Although reviewing science, language, math and reading seemed fun to me; I found
it extremely stressful to give the test within a stipulated time. There are a lot of things that I
learned by reviewing each module. Although I am comfortable in studying and providing an
exam in the morning, the timing of my ATI exam was 6 pm. I was initially nervous with the
timing of the exam but was able to make it at the end successfully. While studying and preparing
for the exam, I made use of my critical thinking skills and strategies for learning. I usually am

FYS CLASS REFLECTION PAPER 5
better in math and science as compared to my language subjects. However, this time, I excelled
in language as compared to my other subjects.
Previously, I used to be inadequate in writing. However, after the studies and review, I
am now more confident than ever in expressing my ideas through writing. I have also committed
to continuing with the writing exercise in future. I have also improved my thinking abilities
through critical thinking lessons.
I was not fully prepared at the start of this course. This led to downgrading of my grade
initially. However, over time, I have come to learn a lot of essential lessons, including time
management, the art of using blackboard etc. I have also become aware of the policies of WCU
related to plagiarism and copying others work. During the initial days of the course, I struggled a
lot and missed several assignments. However, the lessons learned in this course, such as critical
thinking, time management and writing process will not only help me during the university
curriculum but throughout my life.

FYS CLASS REFLECTION PAPER 6
Reference
Baker,A.R.(2015).Thinking Critically and Creatively. T. C. Priester, (Ed). Foundations of
Academic Success: Words of Wisdom (pp.21-22). New York, NY: Open SUNY
Textbooks.
Duffy, K. (2015), Practice, Practice, Practice. T. C. Priester, (Ed). Foundations of Academic
Success: Words of Wisdom (p.6). New York, NY: Open SUNY Textbooks.
Hockey, C. L .(2015).Time is on your side. T. C. Priester, (Ed). Foundations of Academic
Success: Words of Wisdom (p.23). New York, NY: Open SUNY Textbooks.
Jeffrey, R. (2016). About writing: A guide. Portland, OR: Open Oregon Educational Resources.