The most fascinating thing about life is how we are always learning. English 100 is no different and has taught me many things about English. For starters, I have learned that one cannot get an accurate first impression of a book by looking at one page. Not only does this intimidate the reader, but also gives a feeling of dread. This is unfair to the author and his/her hard work as well. The biggest lesson I have learned in English 100 is to lower my expectations. In high school, I was basically sheltered in the English department. The class read what was always acceptable and in some ways cookie cutter examples. In English 100 this semester, I have had to practice embracing works that are not set at any standard but that of the author. Learning to lower my standards has also helped me think outside the box and thoroughly understand what I read. This ability has made me more open-minded and willing to try and read new materials. I will say that it has been difficult getting past my mental block of understanding hard material because English came very easy to me up until college. Although this has been frustrating, it has also given me the chance to learn and improve my English skills. Thinking back on this semester so far, I have also improved in my overall learning skills and that is one of the most rewarding aspects of taking this class. It’s weird to realize that even if one does not realize it, one is always learning.
