Top 5: Fall Term Wrap Up

Trafton B.

December 10, 2009 - 6:14 PM

It's over. A lengthy finals week has finally come to a close, which means that I can put one more academic quarter in the books. I can safely say that this was one of the more challenging, or at least the most psychologically draining terms that I've experienced thus far in college, but it makes life that much sweeter now that it's finished, so I can't be too disappointed.

I feel like I've neglected talking about my academic life this term, so in order to put a cork on this quarter, I've compiled my Top 5 Fall Term Highlights list that doesn't included anything about the Rose Bowl. Some things you may remember, others I forget if I talked about at all, but here goes nothing. Enjoy.

1. Planning, Public Policy & Management. I finally tied the knot between the PPPM department and myself earlier this year by officially applying and being accepted to the major. Now, although it doesn't say so under my picture to the right, I'm a double major in Environmental Studies and PPPM, with a minor in Chinese (only one more Chinese literature class and I'm done with those requirements). I'm really excited about next term because I'm taking two very interesting class. PPPM 434: Urban Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and PPPM 443: Natural Resource Policy. Overall, it's just nice to have a concluding plan for the next two years before I graduate.

2. Environmental Leadership Program. I'm sure I wrote about this earlier. (Check the previous blog here.) The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) is one of a few ways to satisfy the experiential learning requirement for the ENVS department. I'm going to be a part of the Climate Equity Team, and the more I've learned about the team, the more excited I've become since I was first accepted in October. First, one of my good friends and former FIGmate (Freshman Interest Group member), Claire, will be on the team with me. Second, the grad student from our FIG discussion class will be teaching the environmental education techniques class in the winter. And finally, the required reading is Richard Louv's book, "Last Child in the Woods," which I've been meaning to read for a while. I was actually reminded of this book in my PPPM class this term, because Louv's topic of nature deficit disorder came up in conversation about the School Gardens Project (sorry that was a mess of names and acronyms). Long story short, I have a book to read over winter break.

3. Mt. Pisgah & School Gardens Project. Speaking of School Gardens Project, I'm so excited that I've finally heard about a volunteer opportunity that didn't require me to ride five miles in the rain once a week. It's not that I didn't enjoy leading nature tours at Mt. Pisgah; it's just that it was a hefty commitment. If I'd known about SGP and how much fun it is to teach elementary students in gardens, my term might have been different. Especially, after researching SGP and learning about their program through the scope of engagement theory in my PPPM class, I'm absolutely sold on them. I can't wait for spring to roll around because time permitting I will be there.

4. Landscape Architecture. Land Analysis (LA 361) was one of the hardest classes I've taken. Let's just say that I looked at more topographic maps that I would ever care to think about. It didn't help that the professor was a harsh grader and the final exam was four hours long and worth 50% of our grade. I'm glad I took the class, though. For the amount I groaned throughout the term, I learned more than I realize and, if nothing else, I now know that I'm not fit to become a landscape architect.

5. Environmental Justice. Bringing it back to my original major, I really enjoyed ENVS 425: Environmental Justice. Not only was it an interesting course topic, but also it was my first class with less than 20 students. I was nervous at first, but having a discussion-based class is awesome. You learn so much more, and you are engaged every day in class. Also, I learned about some new topics that I plan on bringing to the Environmental Science class that I will teach this summer in the Bay Area.

All right, there you have it. Seven quarters down, and only five remaining. I'm over half way done with my college career believe it or not. (I'd rather not be, to tell you the truth.) Feels good to have one more done.