To My Freshmen

To think back a few years ago and still remember the beginning of high school, and now look at where you are. College is a different environment where you will have to adapt to and learn many new things and ideas that will guide you through your time here. I have a few recommendations for you to be a successful student and be ready for what’s coming towards you.

One of my first recommendations is to first adapt to the new environment and get to know the school a bit more because you will be spending a great amount of time at school during your semesters and finals week. When I started I felt like I didn’t know the school well enough and would go straight home because I didn’t feel comfortable being at different places of the school and usually would study at home which was also a distraction. The reason why I’m sharing this with you is because by knowing the school you can find places to study, eat lunch, or meet up with friends. It also helps you stay more into the school mode and motivates you to actually do your work.

The second thing I want to share with you is stay up to date with your courses. Well what I mean is always look back at your notes and make sure you understand them while the ideas are fresh. Usually in big lecture halls your grade is based on the test you take and sometimes if homework is given. For my sociology class my grade was based on two test and some quizzes we took, it became hard because I wouldn’t look at the notes and would leave the work to the side and not worry until the test was near and then I would end up getting a not so good grade. Just have time at least those days you have that class to spend about and hour or so reading the notes, highlight concepts you don’t understand and ask questions because it will make the course easy for you.

            My third tip I want to share with you is invest in a planner. My planner became like a best friend to me because it helped me keep my work organized and I was able write things I needed to do and when I had certain things due. Not having a planner can be hard to keep track of all the work you need to do and you might even forget. With a planner you can write assignments, highlight them and make them standout so that you don’t forget. It was a really helpful tool during my first year and I hope you can take this advice because it will come in handy.

My fourth tip and the most important is DO NOT PROCRASINATE. Yes I know everyone does it and as much as you tell yourself don’t do it is when you most do it. Now we are in college and professor expect you to keep track of your things and turn them in when the due date is. Some professors don’t care if you didn’t turn it in; it makes it easy for them to grade one less assignment. I am guilty of this issue where I had a homework assignment for my math class and I forgot about doing it and asked if I can turn it in later and my professor denied it and got really upset. Just do it on time the professors give you enough time to start projects, homework, and assignments so why not do it the day you receive it and not worry about it after when you have other classes to worry about.

The last tip I’m giving you is balance your time.  There will be times where you will feel overwhelmed and tired of school, but if you balance your time you can get through those worrisome days. Have time for yourself, for friends, and especially for school. Remember school comes first then fun; don’t let distractions get to you. Relax when you can because it’s not the end of the world and study early. Set up times at least two hour for different things you have to do. And if you work make sure you don’t exceed the maximum of 20 hours. When I started working it was hard to balance time and I would get things done, but I learned that I was wasting my time on unnecessary things. Do your best and you will become a successful college student.

When you take English 114, devote time to the class because it is a fun class where you learn about your self and about you writer side. Get involved in the class because discussion time can be one of the interesting things you do in this class. Spend time in your writings and always keep in touch with your professor because they will gladly help you. I wish you the best in this adventuress journey through your first year and hope that you learn a lot while being here. Good luck and stay positive.

Best,

Astrid Noguera 

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Disneyland and the happiness of others

 Walt Disney has been one of the most known men during the decades. One of his biggest goals was to entertain families and create an atmosphere that would allow others to feel the presents of happiness. On July 17, 1955 Walt Disney opened his first Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California. With only twenty attractions, about 28,000 where invited on the day before it opened to the public. Many of the attractions that were built during that time were dedicated to the kids and even adults to capture memories from early on cartoons and be inspired by the greatness of their childhood. During the years Disney created more parks around the world and renovations like the new Disneyland California adventure park, which open in 2001 by the old Disney parking lot. Disneyland was created to promote an environment where families can go out and have fun. Disneyland has become one of the biggest leading companies around the world. It owns TV channels like ABC Family and has its own channel called Disney channel. The first studio, Walt Disney studio is now used for movies, music, and even cartoon animation.

             Disneyland is a place where the environment is filled up with happiness and smiles. People around the world visit the park occasionally. Many say, “I love the happiest place on earth Disneyland and having a premium pass has its perks.” People love Disneyland and can’t get enough of it. I chose this quote because it shows how well Disneyland company are doing their job to keep people happy and satisfy with all their offerings at the park. No matter the price of attending the park peoples also say, “It's definitely worth every penny (I'm referring to the Annual Pass, NOT the dining).” People send tons of money attending the park, but they know that no matter the bucks spend they will get something in return which will be the memories and happiness they will spend with their loved ones. Being a visitor at both parks, I was able to understand and see that Disneyland Company does promise people with the amount of fun they will have at the park. Disneyland provides great offerings to their visitors by guaranteeing their happiness at the park, but in reality the happiness of Disneyland is the amount of money visitors spend at the park and not the joyful moments they have.

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Disneyland Analysis

Disneyland Park is one of the biggest theme parks around Southern California. Disneyland contains many divided sections that include a theme to them. This allows people to navigate around the park easier and have a less chance of getting lost. The park is surrounded with a lot of trees and flowers to keep the park clean and fresh, and so that people are able to sit on freshly green grass. This is significant to the park because it shows that the park is an environmental friendly atmosphere. At the center of Disneyland you are able to see auroras castle, one of the classical princesses Disney created. Her castle is important because it reflects a part of the character and her royal family. It is important to the visitors because it makes them feel as if fairy tales were realistic. One of the most famous rides mentioned in Disneyland would be it's a small world. It shows the amount of diversity and cultures Disney encounters. From different languages to cultures, it makes people feel at home because they know Disneyland shares some special part of their cultures to others that are not aware of them. Another known spectacular would be world of color at California adventure. This show brings color to people's eyes as they present a water show along with bright colors and clips from classical Disney movies. This is a special part in people's visit because many of the movies shown in the show can signify their childhood and how growing up influenced them with great character and great memories. The inspiration behind the show brings people to feel like Disneyland is their second home.

  Disneyland is one of the biggest multi millionaire commercial industries, selling their happiness by having people send tons of money and be part of a magical world. Disneyland has not always been the happiest place on earth, as many have argued that behind all that magical adventures lie those big business men trying to make money. One of the biggest achievements for Disneyland Corporation is to please people. Disneyland was created for families to have fun and enjoy a day full of adventures and fun. As the years progressed Disney prices went up, making that their number one thing to collect money from visitors at the park. One of the things people disagree with is the price of water. The park requires a lot of walking, therefore people get thirsty, but I don't think it's right for visitors to pay about four dollars for a water bottle that will be gone within seconds. We already spend about one hundred plus dollars for just entrance to the park. Disneyland aims to be the happiest place on earth, but hides the happiest place to make money part.

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A day at Disneyland

Disneyland is considered to be the happiest place on earth with about 40,000 people present. As soon as you step ground on this theme park you feel the sprinkles of pixie dust falling on you, as you become a magical character. Nature surrounds the park with many trees and flowers making the park smell like an essential fresh aroma oils. You can hear the noise of many excited children awaiting the presence of their favorite Disney character. You can also hear the magical music that’s playing around the main enterence.as I walk around the park I notice auroras castle. The castle is two stories tall, surrounded with an opaque grey, rosy pink and a sky blue design as the reflection of the sun reflects a sparkle in the castle. As people walk through the castle looking like royalty the stop to take pictures of one another. Moving away from the castle we find a place to rest and await the parade. Near by you can smell the freshly made churros dazzled with cinnamon sugar along with a cold refreshing coke. You suddenly start to hear an echo from a song that appears to be the celebration song. Later on in the day as I wait in line I notice many girls wearing Minnie mouse ears. Some of the Minnie mouse ears and silver with sparkles, others are different colors, and mostly some have the Minnie mouse hat to protect themselves against the sun. It seemed to be a day of celebration as many people had pins of them being first timers at the park, birthday celebrations, and anniversaries. While riding it’s a small world I notice many different cultures, languages, outwear, different ethnicity, bright colors and music. While attending California adventure I waiting to see the world of colors show. As the show starts you man see many colorful lights different water patters and small clips of the classical movies like lion king, Cinderella, Pocahontas and many more. As the night ended you can see everyone heading to the gift shops to buy for their loved ones and others were exhausted from all the fun and heading home.

normal is the new...

The article “next to normal and the persistence of pathology in performances of psychosocial disabilities” by Scott wallin argues and talks about many of the missing pieces the musical does not show by creating stigma and the well beings of individuals facing psychosocial disabilities. People who are labeled with mental illness can result in emotional, social, and psychological elimination. Wallin also states that these individuals are different in ways that a fence is created in their lives by not allowing them to do daily activities like having an education, work, and do things around the house. Brian Yorker and Tom Kitts think the musical can create a positive message among all the negative influence attitudes. The musical was created to raise awareness with the people that encounter this disability. As Lawrence toppman says about Next to Normal, he considers it as “brutally honest”, considering that the musical understands the fundamentals of facts about psychosocial disability. The author also point out that the musical shows a positive attitude presented in the contemporary bio medical model. Toppman also write how many people who encounter psychosocial disabilities understand and relate to how the musical is portrayed.  Toppman also says that the musical can be used to understand certain concerns that affect psychosocial disability, but it is often missed by society that rely on medical model. Toppman also makes a clear point on how individuals live off to what is considered normal in society by not realizing how it affects their lives. Topper talks about Yonker stating that normal is considered as a separation between individuals, harming the ones that are not able to meet the standards. Topper ends the article by stating that the language used creates a frame to psychosocial disabilities and their behavior to be seen in members in society who consider themselves normal.

The article presents some main points that make his position and my position agreeable. I think that the musical present a positive message to its audience in which it create a picture that allows these affected individuals to go on and open up to the world and not hide the true feelings. The musical has a lack of understanding of how these individuals really are and how stable or unstable is their metal position. Studying about psychosocial disabilities I have a simple explanation of how these disabilities can become a big part in peoples lives where things go out of hang and more than doctor visits are needed. Next to Normal portrays a message of how these individual can better himself or herself when facing this disability that cause a great amount of distress in their lives.

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