Sebin's Portfolio
Connections like DNA
This class is somewhat similar to the structure of DNA. DNA carries our genetic information and it makes us who we are and how we look. In other words, the arrangement of nucleobase pairs: adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine decide our biological phenotype such as the shape of our hair and the color of our eyes.
The two phosphate backbones of DNA are connected to each other with the pair of adenine and thymine, and the pair of guanine with cytosine. If this class is the DNA which represents who I am now, each nucleobase, which improved me to be a better writer and a confident person, can be expressed metaphorically as my classmates (peers), our professor, my other classes, and my future plan.
Among the connections that I have made with this class with other elements, I would like to focus on three things, which are 1) my classmates, 2) my future classes and PCAT exam, and 3) verbal ability
Connections with classmates
Due to the characteristic of my major, I always enrolled in the classes with 80 to 100 students in one classroom. The class is based more on lecture style teaching, where a professor explains about theories and formula, and then I take notes. Unlike these science classes, UWRT class made strongly connected me with all my classmates by discussing about our project with group members and sharing feedback with each other. Throughout conducting this process repetitively, I started to know each of my classmates better in a social way, not just as a classmate. For example, I had to borrow a laptop from the library in order to use it in the class. So, I used to walk with Trevon to the library to return the laptop after class. We talked a lot about topics such as Spanish, Japanese Animation, and K-pop. Therefore, we could find similar interests between us. When he had trouble finding a parking lot, I could explain to him where it was. When I needed to use my USB for something but I did not have my laptop, he was willing to help me by using his laptop and emailed me what I needed. For me, it is not easy to make a friend through a class because the next semester we are separated again. However, this class allowed me to know about my classmates personally and it gave me an opportunity to make friends.
Connections with my future classes and PCAT exam writing section
I have been writing so many lab reports based on my experiment and research, so I was confident about writing facts. However, when I had to think about my opinion for an argument in a certain subject, I always had a trouble because my brain was not developed enough to critically think about one subject. As I mentioned in my mid-term reflection, this class required me to think a lot in many different subjects. If I was a fickle person who did not know which one is right or wrong, now at least I can argue about something and support my reasons appropriately. Since I am almost finished with my science classes, most of my classes are humanity classes such as philosophy, sociology, and public speaking. These classes will definitely require me to think critically and argue in a subject while supporting my opinion with proper evidences. Since I was well trained to find the point of argument and thinking about it through this course, I believe that I am prepared and ready to get a good outcome in my future classes. Meanwhile, my PCAT exam contains a writing section. When I tried to solve my PCAT practice book, I was very frustrated with the writing section. For example, when I saw the example question: Discuss a solution to the problem of preventing terrorist attacks in a country, such as the Unites States, that traditionally imposes few restrictions on individual freedom, I was about to cry and gave up pursuing pharmacy school. However, now I know how to approach writing in a certain subject by thinking about the topic as deeply as possible. I am still taking a long time to come up with an idea, but I no longer fear writing.
Connections with my Verbal ability
I’m usually a quiet person but I talked a lot in this class when my professor gave us time to talk to peers. It could be sharing feedback, chatting, or discussion. I was passive at talking especially when there were not many chances to talk to students since I came to UNC Charlotte as a student because there were not many classes containing discussion activities. My husband can understand Korean, so whenever I couldn’t express myself, I used to use Korean. Therefore, my verbal ability always had a limitation. However, I couldn’t use Korean with my peers in this class so I tried to find a way to make them understand. This process gave me an opportunity to unconsciously raise my verbal skill in English. One day, my mom in law visited our house and she was amazed that I started using more advanced vocabulary compared with before. Also, my research lab colleagues said that they felt that I became talkative during this summer. All these changes is welcoming.