Personal Awareness and Responsibility: How I Manage School-Related Stress

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Self-Assessment:

1. When I get stuck on a problem, I have strategies for what to do next. They include…
Taking a break, asking a friend or teacher for help, and breaking the problem down into smaller parts. Sometimes I watch the organic chemistry tutors videos to help me understand whatever I am confused about. I try not to sit and stare at the problem for too long because that only builds more stress.

2. I can prevent some school-related stress by…
Making sure that I understand a concept before moving on, along with using some of my time outside of school to understand better whatever I have troubles on.

3. When distractions are getting in the way of my work, I can…
Turn off notifications, put my phone in another room, and set a timer for focused work (I use the Lofi countdown videos on youtube or I rewatch one piece). Creating a focused space helps me stay on task.

4. When I am feeling anxious about a test, I can calm myself by…
Reviewing my notes calmly and reminding myself that I’ve prepared. Keeping myself active, I enjoy badminton, muay thai and weightlifting-all of which I use as an outlet to manage my stresses. I try to focus on doing my best rather than being perfect. After exams have concluded, I rarely dwell on the results rather choosing to accept that either I may want to study extra next time, or reflect on certain mistakes I made and question why I made them.

Kindred Book Club Reflection

Curricular Response

One challenge I faced while reading Kindred was confronting the uncomfortable and painful themes surrounding slavery and systemic racism. The vivid descriptions of violence and oppression made me feel uneasy, yet they were essential to understanding the protagonist’s experiences. To work through this discomfort, I reminded myself of the importance of learning about these harsh realities and discussed my feelings with my group, which helped me process the material in a meaningful way.

Something I admired about Butler’s writing style was her ability to evoke strong emotions through detailed and realistic storytelling. Her narrative forced me to confront these topics directly, making the story deeply impactful. However, I occasionally found the pacing uneven, especially during some of the shifts between Dana’s modern life and her journeys to the past, but re-reading those sections helped me maintain the flow of the story.

Core Competency Self-Assessment

Strength:

I worked cooperatively with other members of my group and was willing to help with any task. For instance, I facilitated discussions about the uncomfortable themes in Kindred, ensuring everyone had a chance to express their thoughts and feelings. This helped our group explore the book’s deeper meanings.

Area for Improvement:
I need to improve my focus during important group discussions by minimizing distractions. This includes staying fully present, actively participating, and contributing meaningfully. My goal is to ensure I am fully engaged in both the tasks and the conversations.

Chem 11 – Lab 20C

Curricular Competency Explanation:

Titration is a technique used to determine the concentration of an unknown solution by gradually adding a solution of known concentration until the reaction reaches completion. In this lab, titration was used to find out the concentration of a hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution by neutralizing it with a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution of 0.100 mol/L. The endpoint of the titration is reached when the amount of base added completely neutralizes the acid. This point is typically identified by a noticeable change in a physical property, such as the colour of the solution. In our experiment, the endpoint was observed as the solution changed colour due to the phenolphthalein indicator, signaling that the acid had been fully neutralized by the base. Based on the volume of NaOH required to reach this endpoint, the concentration of the HCl solution was calculated to be 0.137 mol/L.

Core Competency Reflection:

I chose to reflect on the critical and reflective thinking competency for this lab. Throughout the experiment, I used analytical reasoning to ensure accuracy in measurements and calculations. For instance, I carefully controlled the flow of the sodium hydroxide solution to prevent overshooting the endpoint. I observed the colour change closely to determine when to stop adding the base. Additionally, I used the data collected to calculate the acid’s concentration, cross-checking the math for precision. This process reinforced my ability to analyze evidence and draw conclusions. If I were to perform this lab again, I would focus on improving my pipetting technique to minimize potential errors, further enhancing the reliability of my results.

Science 10 Core Competency

Acids and Bases Lab

I can analyze evidence to make judgement. During this lab we were tasked with the challenge of figuring out whether our solutions were an acid or a base. I was prompted to mix two solutions together to identify its properties. Through this lab I was able to come to my own conclusions based on the scientific data we collected. I was successfully able to identify the solutions properties and determine the formers, pH range. This allowed me to have hands-on experience with the topic, further allowing me to deepen my own learning, while supporting my group members simultaneously. This lab was a true testament of my abilities as a scientist. I collected evidence and data of the solutions and came to my own conclusions on what they were, based on their physical/chemical changes.

Core Competency Self-Assessment

I can reflect on my thinking.

This was displayed during my physics test #1. I was able to comprehend the information, apply my practical knowledge to the exam, and reflect back on the original question. During this exam, we were tasked with multiple questions that required us to think more logically about the situation. I was able to think and reflect, allowing me to prove my knowledge.

Image

During this lab, we were able to learn more about static electricity through a van de graph. This allowed us to visualize more what was happening and comprehend what we were actually learning about. I would like to have a better understanding of how charges came into existence.

ADL- Collaboration and Solutions for Financial Literacy

Data And Solutions

3 Years to net $120,000 (15% Down Payment of $800,000)

S&P 500 Fund Annual Return of 11.88%

$10,000 per year through employment

First Year = $80,000 + 11.88%(80,000)

End of First Year = $89,504 + $10,000 = $99,504

Second Year = $99,504 + 11.88%(99,504)

End of Second Year = $111,325 + $10,000 = $121,325

Third Year = $121,325 + 11.88%(121,325)

End of Third Year = $135,738 + $10,000 = $145,738

Created on PowerPoint

Justification

With an Annual yield of 11.88% The S&P500 fund is by far the most consistent way to quantify and hold your money. Hypothetically if the index fund was to take a dip, the % would still, far pass the other two options (A, [1 Year 3.5% annual non-redeemable GIC], B [3 year 4.2% non redeemable GIC (4.2% annual return per year)]) The S&P500 Consists of the top 500 largest U.S company’s and has proven to yield a consistent increase (Even beating inflation). This option suites me best as A. I enjoy making money, B. Although there may be slight risk, if one of your companies was to dip, you still have 499 companies making up for the loss.

Collaboration and Contributions

As, I was elevated into a grade 10 class during my second semester, I did not have a chance to work with anyone.

Core Competency Reflection

I can analyze evidence to make judgements – I displayed this while gathering information to see which investment options will yield me the biggest return the fastest.

I can reflect on my thinking. – This was displayed during my explanation/justification of my idea. This was a good representation of how I reflected on my ideas..

I consider more than one way to proceed in an investigation. – This was displayed during the process of determining which solution was the greatest. I explored multiple options such as (Mutual Funds, Roth IRAs, ETFS, Crypto, Stocks) and came to the analysis that the S&P500 Index fund resulted in the most amount of growth.

I can take on roles and responsibilities in a group; I do my share. – I took on every single role and responsibility.

Citations

Canada Inflation Rate – April 2023 Data – 1915-2022 Historical – May Forecast. https://tradingeconomics.com/canada/inflation-cpi. Accessed 23 May 2023.

“S&P 500 Average Return.” Investopedia, https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/042415/what-average-annual-return-sp-500.asp. Accessed 23 May 2023.

Math Self Assessment

What is your strength in group work? How do you use this to actively contribute during group work activities?

During Group work my greatest strength is my ability to include others into the process. I believe to truly understand a concept is to be able to explain it to others. I am generally a very social person I enjoy and work best when I can bounce my ideas off of someone else. During group activities this is a significant aid, as group dynamics are not awkward and everything is fluid. Being a grade younger then all my peers originally seemed like it would be an adjustment, but due to my social skills, I am able to not only work, but contribute with the others in my groups.

How do you prepare for a test? Does this seem to work for you? Are there changes you need to make to ensure your are successful?

To prepare for my test I ensure that all my homework is finished and done to the best of my abilities. Outside of school time, I constantly review previous lessons, taking a look at the previous days notes and trying to understand them. So far, I am not where I want to be. The aforementioned habits, have helped me develop some sort of an understanding of the topics, but I still have a lot of learning to do. A change I can make to succeed in this course is to acquire a peer tutor to review over the concepts learnt in class. I believe this will help me develop a deeper understanding and increase test scores.

English 9 Final Reflection

My Artifact

Identity Poem – “Advice from a Hypocrite”

Create and Communicate: What did you learn during this assignment or task and how did you grow in your writing, speaking, or representing skills? 

During this assignment, I learned a significant amount about myself. I explored topics I generally don’t like opening up about and poured my entire soul into it. It taught me that I can find another way to cope and relieve myself of everyday troubles. I showed significant growth in my writing. I was able to express myself in a style of writing that was completely unfamiliar with me. I believe I grasped the concept exceptionally well and I will certainly pursue this as a hobby in the future.

Share the experience of creative thinking for your artifact (Consider how you formed or developed your ideas, built upon others’ ideas, any strategies that helped with generating new ideas, and what you would improve on for next time). 

During this assignment, the ideas from my poem were compounded off each other. I took the struggles I was facing at the time with my own identity and used that to express my feelings on the topic. When writing something so personal I found that the ideas kept coming. Metaphors kept revealing themselves in the writing as I was constructing it. I believe in the future I could work on sharpening the flow of the poem better so it is easier to consume.

Advertisement Persuasion Project

My Advertisement

Persuasion and Advertisement Techniques

Persuasion and Advertisement Unit Reflection

Considering all of the examples of ads you saw and the ones you created, what did you learn about who benefits from advertisements?

After reviewing the contents of this course we have learnt that the company providing the product benefits the greatest: the models gather exposure and generate a paycheque and any third party with a “referral” code.

· Why is the who important to remember when you view an advertisement?

It may seem that you are benefiting from the product but, realistically it is the company behind it.

· Discuss the effectiveness (or not) of each form of persuasion: logical, ethical and emotional on an audience (and on you).

Logical persuasion works, as the advertisements make the product seem like the best deal. Ethical persuasion

· Choose 3 advertising techniques and explain why they are effective in the advertisement.

The use, of Celebrities in marketing, is a form of emotional persuasion, as it makes you think “The person you look up to does this, therefore you should too.” A massive sale sign is a form of logical persuasion, obviously, when you see something massively reduced, you feel it to be a great deal and buy in. The use of comparisons, for example, a fast food ad, with some sort of percentage explaining to you, that it is a “healthier” version of the same thing, without giving a proper comparison.

·Add a conclusion sentence (Therefore or Overall, this is what I learned about advertisement)

Throughout the last couple of weeks, we’ve learned multiple different ways persuasion is used to make us buy a product and how we can use it firsthand into persuading. We have learned how companies draw us in and now have the knowledge to combat it, and really think whether or not what we’re buying is truly a good deal.

Core Competency Reflection

I knew my group is working well together when I heard/ saw.

All of us worked together, bouncing off of each other’s ideas, and being able to communicate when we felt that there was something that didn’t make sense. A specific example was when one of my partners didn’t agree with one of our ideas so, we improvised and incorporated what he felt was best, into the overall assignment.

I showed others that I truly valued their contributions by…

I constantly made sure everyone felt included, always asking for others’ opinions. My language was very inclusive with phrases such as “I agree” or “That’s a good idea” and I made sure every idea was pasted onto a word document, further analyzed, then incorporated into the final project.

When there was disagreement within the group, I found it helpful to…

Hear out both sides to the fullest. Make sure there wasn’t anything left out of the discussion, then I was able to create a compromise with both opposing sides.