Dear reader,
Hello! My name is Meredith A. and I’m a junior studying Political Science and English at Texas Christian University. I am originally from Dallas, Texas so the quick fifty-minute drive over to Fort Worth initially turned me away from applying. However, I decided that living close to home would have its benefits and decided that the school was a perfect fit for me.
If I were made chancellor of TCU the first thing I would change would be the construction on campus. The new dorms and University Union are beautiful but the small campus I once loved has seemed to double in size. If construction has to be done I would suggest that they remodel the library. During finals the library is so crowded students are forced to sit on the floor. As chancellor, I would provide students with more places to study.
In my opinion, what makes a good professor is their ability to relate to students. At TCU, my favorite teachers have been those who I feel are genuinely interested in their students and furthering their education. A teacher who “tries to fail” students just doesn’t make sense. A good student, to me, is a student who actively participates in classroom discussions and has a good attitude.
If I could have dinner with any three people living or dead I would invite, Jesus Christ to ask questions about my faith, my great great great great great grandfather to ask him what his original goals were when he immigrated to the United States and if he felt like my family has lived up to his expectations, and Prince Harry so we could meet, fall in love, and live happily ever after.
Three things you should know about me are that I am a very hard worker, I am my own toughest critic, and I am extremely excited to see what this semester has in store for me. I would like to know why you chose to teach at TCU, what made you become an English professor, and if you could teach at any school (other than TCU) where it would be.
I chose to take this course after reading the course description on my.tcu.edu. When I was younger, my family took a trip to Salem, Massachusetts to learn about the witch trials. Ever since then, I have been intrigued by that part in our nations history and eager to learn more.
This summer while I was in the bookstore I noticed a stand filled with what Barnes & Nobel considers the classics. I decided then to read as many of those books as possible. I truly love reading and do it often in my spare time. I am currently reading Great Expectations and have quickly fallen in love with Charles Dickens writing. Other than papers for class, my writing primarily consists of emails back and forth to friends and family. I think that I am a fairly decent writer but tend to be very critical of my own work. Writing a blog will be difficult because it is hard for me to let other people read my work.
At first glance, the bright colors and fonts in my blog might prevent people from taking my arguments seriously. However, if they take a chance to read the material, I think they will find that I make valid points.
I have read, understand, and agree to the terms of the course syllabus which we see as a contract for our course.
-Meredith A.
4 comments:
Meredith,
I enjoyed reading your first blog entry. It seems we have a decent amount in common... besides the fact that we're both interested in the Salem Witch Trials. :)
I agree that the TCU Library could do with some improvements. It's okay now, but I, like you, feel that there is a lot more that could be done with it. More study space would be good, but I think the library would also be nicer if it took on a regal, Classical decor rather than the contemporary one it already has. The former is much more academic, therefore much more suited to the environment the university is trying to promote.
I was so excited to see that you enjoy Charles Dickens!!! I've always been hard pressed to find many Dickens fans; one of my professors and I have an unofficial "Chuck is Awesome" Fan Club. Unfortunately, we're the only members. Have you read *A Tale of Two Cities*? That is my favorite Dickens by far. It's good to know you can recognize literary genius. ;)
Mer-
Well obviously I have known you since I was born and we have been best friends our entire life and even ended up at the same college! So basically I love you!
I agree with living so close to TCU because it makes going home when we want to a lot easier.
Also, I am very shy at revealing my work too so I was nervous to create a blog and let others read my work.
I must admit that I thought about first majoring in English after I discovered you were and how much you liked it.
I am so happy we are in this class together!
I am so glad we have class together again! I had so much fun with you in King Arthur and Rhetoric- especially when we got to watch "The Mists of Avalon." What a classic.
Your first post was fun to read and really sounded like you. But I understand that it is nerve-wracking to have other people read your writing. I thought it was interesting that you went to Salem when you were younger. I have always wanted to go their, because learning about the witch trials was one of the most interesting parts of history class for me. I think it's incredible the way fear and ignorance can control the human psyche and just take over. And the results are horrible!
Finally, good for you for being such a reader over summer! I need to read more of the "classics." I am taking that Jane Austen class I told you about so i'm sure that I will be reading plenty. Great Expectations is such a timeless story. You should rent the movie version with Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow. It's a modern adaptation but very moving.
Meredith!!
First of all, I just have to say that I am very excited that we have a class together. I didn't know that you were an English major as well and it makes me very excited!
I can definitely see your points on changing the construction on campus, I, too, think that it has gotten out of hand and made TCU seem a little less homey. I think it’s really neat that you want to have dinner with an ancestor and ask him those questions, I didn’t think of that but I’m sure it would be a very interesting conversation.
I enjoyed reading your blog and look forward to our after-class Thursday get-togethers that we need to plan! See you tomorrow!
Post a Comment