Work Log #20
May 19, 2023
I have finished distributing my bags. Again, I visited teachers that I had in the past and also people I have never met. I think it was a general reaction of surprise and gratitude again, which is always nice when it's early in the morning. Yesterday, I submitted my project verification form and community/volunteer component form online so they are out of the way. I just have the presentation left. Today, I found out my room assignment along with who the teachers will be and who the students/community members will be. I'm choosing to do my presentation on Wednesday, and two of my friends are with me, because I have something else on Thursday and I don't want both on the same day. My presentation, as I mentioned beforehand, went fairly well and I just need to make some edits and practice a bit more by the presentation date and I should be good. I did save a bear though, so I plan to use that as a tangible object during my presentation. I might have enough for a stress package as well, although I don't know how many supplies I have left. I'm almost done and I cannot wait to be finished.
May 19, 2023
I have finished distributing my bags. Again, I visited teachers that I had in the past and also people I have never met. I think it was a general reaction of surprise and gratitude again, which is always nice when it's early in the morning. Yesterday, I submitted my project verification form and community/volunteer component form online so they are out of the way. I just have the presentation left. Today, I found out my room assignment along with who the teachers will be and who the students/community members will be. I'm choosing to do my presentation on Wednesday, and two of my friends are with me, because I have something else on Thursday and I don't want both on the same day. My presentation, as I mentioned beforehand, went fairly well and I just need to make some edits and practice a bit more by the presentation date and I should be good. I did save a bear though, so I plan to use that as a tangible object during my presentation. I might have enough for a stress package as well, although I don't know how many supplies I have left. I'm almost done and I cannot wait to be finished.
Work Log #19
May 18, 2023
I started distributing my stress packages and the crocheted bears to the teachers, staff, and faculty at Northgate. Most of the reactions have been initial confusion and then gratitude I think. I've approached teachers that I've had in the past and currently have but I've also been giving them to teachers that I've never actually met so sometimes it's funny because I just go up to them and give them a bag and say "Hello, I just wanted to give this to you. It's for my senior project." I don't know if they don't know that they've never had me but it feels great all the same to give them something that might make their day a bit better and less stressful. In addition to that, I was able to speak with some teachers that I haven't spoken to in a while. After school got hectic with college applications and tests, I wasn't able to just go to their classrooms and have a chat but when I visited some of them today, we were able to have a short catch up and it was really nice to do that. I have some bags left because I wasn't able to distribute them all today so I'll finish distribution tomorrow.
May 18, 2023
I started distributing my stress packages and the crocheted bears to the teachers, staff, and faculty at Northgate. Most of the reactions have been initial confusion and then gratitude I think. I've approached teachers that I've had in the past and currently have but I've also been giving them to teachers that I've never actually met so sometimes it's funny because I just go up to them and give them a bag and say "Hello, I just wanted to give this to you. It's for my senior project." I don't know if they don't know that they've never had me but it feels great all the same to give them something that might make their day a bit better and less stressful. In addition to that, I was able to speak with some teachers that I haven't spoken to in a while. After school got hectic with college applications and tests, I wasn't able to just go to their classrooms and have a chat but when I visited some of them today, we were able to have a short catch up and it was really nice to do that. I have some bags left because I wasn't able to distribute them all today so I'll finish distribution tomorrow.
Work Log #18
May 16, 2023
Today I did my practice presentation and it went quite well. I was only able to practice like twice last night so for that, my presentation actually went pretty well. I tried to hold eye contact and avoid reading off the slides, and I think my timing was pretty solid at the area I wanted it to be. I still have to finish the stress packages and then add those pictures to the slides but I think I have enough time to add that in and still be in the time limit. I need to elaborate more on my project and the "so what" part of the presentation, but other than that I think I did good. I also brought a small crocheted bear and I think people liked that so I will bring that to my presentation as well. I might be able to make an extra stress package if I have enough materials and if that works out, I'll bring one to my presentation as well. Sign ups for the actual presentation are tomorrow though and they open at 8AM so I am going to try and get the first day because I have an AP Statistics presentation on the next day and I don't want two presentations on one day. I'll continue practicing but I feel fairly confident because I actually know the content of my project.
May 16, 2023
Today I did my practice presentation and it went quite well. I was only able to practice like twice last night so for that, my presentation actually went pretty well. I tried to hold eye contact and avoid reading off the slides, and I think my timing was pretty solid at the area I wanted it to be. I still have to finish the stress packages and then add those pictures to the slides but I think I have enough time to add that in and still be in the time limit. I need to elaborate more on my project and the "so what" part of the presentation, but other than that I think I did good. I also brought a small crocheted bear and I think people liked that so I will bring that to my presentation as well. I might be able to make an extra stress package if I have enough materials and if that works out, I'll bring one to my presentation as well. Sign ups for the actual presentation are tomorrow though and they open at 8AM so I am going to try and get the first day because I have an AP Statistics presentation on the next day and I don't want two presentations on one day. I'll continue practicing but I feel fairly confident because I actually know the content of my project.
Work Log #17
May 15, 2023
I've got my plan for the stress packages. I bought the supplies during the weekend and will begin assembling them this week. I hope to distribute them by next week or perhaps even the end of this week. In each stress package, I'll have a tea packet, a piece of coffee candy, a Hershey's kiss, a joke, and a QR code to my podcast. I think that's all. Each one kind of represents something in the project; the tea packet is for taking a moment to just breathe; the piece of coffee candy is like a kick of energy to represent acute stress; the Hershey's kiss is for taking a moment for yourself; the joke is to make you laugh; and the QR code is for a quick and abridged version of my research. I wanted to give others tools to help them reduce their stress, as well as give them a minor understanding of what stress does to them, so I'm hoping this helps. My practice presentation is tomorrow and I have to start actually practicing today. My slides look alright; I think I have a good balance between words and pictures, and I intend to bring a crocheted bear with me for a tangible item during the presentation.
May 15, 2023
I've got my plan for the stress packages. I bought the supplies during the weekend and will begin assembling them this week. I hope to distribute them by next week or perhaps even the end of this week. In each stress package, I'll have a tea packet, a piece of coffee candy, a Hershey's kiss, a joke, and a QR code to my podcast. I think that's all. Each one kind of represents something in the project; the tea packet is for taking a moment to just breathe; the piece of coffee candy is like a kick of energy to represent acute stress; the Hershey's kiss is for taking a moment for yourself; the joke is to make you laugh; and the QR code is for a quick and abridged version of my research. I wanted to give others tools to help them reduce their stress, as well as give them a minor understanding of what stress does to them, so I'm hoping this helps. My practice presentation is tomorrow and I have to start actually practicing today. My slides look alright; I think I have a good balance between words and pictures, and I intend to bring a crocheted bear with me for a tangible item during the presentation.
Work Log #16
May 12, 2023
I continued working on my slides but I am nearly done. I've got my crocheted bears ready and I'm thinking of what I should put in the stress packages. So far, I think I'll add a tea bag and chocolate but that's all I have in mind at the moment. I do know that I will be giving those bears and stress packages to teachers and staff at Northgate because I feel like it's been a stressful year, as usual but maybe moreso, and so I wanted to give them a thank you for their hard work and constant support. Besides the project, I've been in touch with my mentor and I've been keeping her updated on my progress. From the looks of it, I'll be able to send her my forms next week so she can sign them off and return them to me by next Thursday. I really don't have much else to talk about at the moment. My stress packages are in progress. I need some time to finish off recording the last few episodes for the podcast. I have been communicating with my mentor. Everything should be smooth once I start practicing my presentation, and for that I just have to get those slides done. My practice presentation is on Tuesday, so wish me luck.
May 12, 2023
I continued working on my slides but I am nearly done. I've got my crocheted bears ready and I'm thinking of what I should put in the stress packages. So far, I think I'll add a tea bag and chocolate but that's all I have in mind at the moment. I do know that I will be giving those bears and stress packages to teachers and staff at Northgate because I feel like it's been a stressful year, as usual but maybe moreso, and so I wanted to give them a thank you for their hard work and constant support. Besides the project, I've been in touch with my mentor and I've been keeping her updated on my progress. From the looks of it, I'll be able to send her my forms next week so she can sign them off and return them to me by next Thursday. I really don't have much else to talk about at the moment. My stress packages are in progress. I need some time to finish off recording the last few episodes for the podcast. I have been communicating with my mentor. Everything should be smooth once I start practicing my presentation, and for that I just have to get those slides done. My practice presentation is on Tuesday, so wish me luck.
Work Log #15
May 8, 2023
This weekend, I finished drafting another script for my podcast and I also recorded another episode. The episode I recorded was about chronic stress, so it was a much longer episode compared to the previous ones since I had more to say about how chronic stress affects our minds and bodies. Besides the podcast, I also finished making the bears. I have 10 of them and I don't think I have time to make any more, so I'm debating if I want to donate them to a hospital or if I should just distribute them to teachers at school. I'll have to ask Mrs. O'Neil, but giving them to teachers would seem more realistic in my eyes because I don't know how to explain to a hospital that I want to donate 9 crocheted bears. I'm saving one bear for my presentation as a touch-and-feel interaction part. I am planning to make stress packages as well but I still don't know what I want to include in them. I know tea packets will be included but I have to think about some small things that others might be able to use to destress. That's basically it. I've been working on my senior project presentation as well but I've also got to finish my AP tests because those come up first.
May 8, 2023
This weekend, I finished drafting another script for my podcast and I also recorded another episode. The episode I recorded was about chronic stress, so it was a much longer episode compared to the previous ones since I had more to say about how chronic stress affects our minds and bodies. Besides the podcast, I also finished making the bears. I have 10 of them and I don't think I have time to make any more, so I'm debating if I want to donate them to a hospital or if I should just distribute them to teachers at school. I'll have to ask Mrs. O'Neil, but giving them to teachers would seem more realistic in my eyes because I don't know how to explain to a hospital that I want to donate 9 crocheted bears. I'm saving one bear for my presentation as a touch-and-feel interaction part. I am planning to make stress packages as well but I still don't know what I want to include in them. I know tea packets will be included but I have to think about some small things that others might be able to use to destress. That's basically it. I've been working on my senior project presentation as well but I've also got to finish my AP tests because those come up first.
Work Log #14
May 5, 2023
Everything is going alright so far. I just finished one AP test so now I have one less class to study for. I recorded another podcast episode on acute stress two days ago or so, and I also finished crocheting the base for the bears. I still have to finish the scripts though, and the bears still have some work to do, but I have a lot more done than I thought I would. I started my presentation slides but I haven't been updating my portfolio as much as I should be. The thing is, I have photos of myself working on my scripts and recording and crocheting but it looks very... boring. I have the necessary evidence but I don't think it's that appealing. So, all in all, I think I've made a fair amount of progress on my project considering everything going on at the moment. I'm about 70-80% done with my podcast and I just need to get that spread around. I've made quite a few bear bases and just have to finish putting on the eyes and nose, and then I have to buy materials to make stress packages. I'm thinking of buying tea bags and some other things people can use to just de-stress their lives. Besides that, I just have to finish my presentation slides and practice them and then I'll be all good.
May 5, 2023
Everything is going alright so far. I just finished one AP test so now I have one less class to study for. I recorded another podcast episode on acute stress two days ago or so, and I also finished crocheting the base for the bears. I still have to finish the scripts though, and the bears still have some work to do, but I have a lot more done than I thought I would. I started my presentation slides but I haven't been updating my portfolio as much as I should be. The thing is, I have photos of myself working on my scripts and recording and crocheting but it looks very... boring. I have the necessary evidence but I don't think it's that appealing. So, all in all, I think I've made a fair amount of progress on my project considering everything going on at the moment. I'm about 70-80% done with my podcast and I just need to get that spread around. I've made quite a few bear bases and just have to finish putting on the eyes and nose, and then I have to buy materials to make stress packages. I'm thinking of buying tea bags and some other things people can use to just de-stress their lives. Besides that, I just have to finish my presentation slides and practice them and then I'll be all good.
Work Log #13
May 1, 2023
As of right now, my essay has probably been graded but I haven't received my grade nor my paper back yet. I am not nervous about my paper because I did as much as I could, and at this point in the year, I'm just waiting to finish everything and graduate. With the comments I received from Mrs. O'Neil and Shannon, I have enough confidence in my paper to know that I at least will pass. For my project, I've been a bit stalled because of upcoming AP tests. I'm trying to study as much as I can, and I know that cuts into my senior project time but I have to study for the tests first. I've got the basic bones of my podcast going and I only have two more scripts to write, and then I'll be able to record everything. My community service portion is pretty much finished though. I just have to finish crocheting the bears, make some stress packages, and then donate them somewhere. I'm thinking of giving them to a medical facility or hospital or something similar, like Kaiser, because medical professionals are probably constantly stressed. I'll have to reach out first but I'm hoping they will accept my donations.
May 1, 2023
As of right now, my essay has probably been graded but I haven't received my grade nor my paper back yet. I am not nervous about my paper because I did as much as I could, and at this point in the year, I'm just waiting to finish everything and graduate. With the comments I received from Mrs. O'Neil and Shannon, I have enough confidence in my paper to know that I at least will pass. For my project, I've been a bit stalled because of upcoming AP tests. I'm trying to study as much as I can, and I know that cuts into my senior project time but I have to study for the tests first. I've got the basic bones of my podcast going and I only have two more scripts to write, and then I'll be able to record everything. My community service portion is pretty much finished though. I just have to finish crocheting the bears, make some stress packages, and then donate them somewhere. I'm thinking of giving them to a medical facility or hospital or something similar, like Kaiser, because medical professionals are probably constantly stressed. I'll have to reach out first but I'm hoping they will accept my donations.
Work Log #12
April 24, 2023
Today, we finally turned in our Senior Project research paper. I had to make minimal edits according to Mrs. O'Neil's feedback, and Shannon, my mentor, said that there was nothing she thought I had to revise. Most of what I had to do was add some more analysis in some areas and introduce some people. Shannon actually said that I went into further depth than she expected, so I'm glad I met her expectations for my paper. In terms of my project, I have been writing the scripts for my podcast but AP test season is right around the corner so I've had to mostly put my project on hold at the moment. I've only got a few more scripts to write and then I can start recording them into episodes. I am also crocheting bears for the community part of my project so I also need to work on that, although I have ten heads at the moment so I've made decent progress. I have not started my presentation, however, because I wanted to get more of my project done before I started putting my slides together. I might just start soon though because I really have to get a lot done and I don't have time to think about anything, with AP tests, other projects and presentations for other classes, and college preparation. There's way too much right now and I'm getting stretched in all directions.
April 24, 2023
Today, we finally turned in our Senior Project research paper. I had to make minimal edits according to Mrs. O'Neil's feedback, and Shannon, my mentor, said that there was nothing she thought I had to revise. Most of what I had to do was add some more analysis in some areas and introduce some people. Shannon actually said that I went into further depth than she expected, so I'm glad I met her expectations for my paper. In terms of my project, I have been writing the scripts for my podcast but AP test season is right around the corner so I've had to mostly put my project on hold at the moment. I've only got a few more scripts to write and then I can start recording them into episodes. I am also crocheting bears for the community part of my project so I also need to work on that, although I have ten heads at the moment so I've made decent progress. I have not started my presentation, however, because I wanted to get more of my project done before I started putting my slides together. I might just start soon though because I really have to get a lot done and I don't have time to think about anything, with AP tests, other projects and presentations for other classes, and college preparation. There's way too much right now and I'm getting stretched in all directions.
Work Log #11
April 12, 2023
Update! I didn't get my wisdom teeth pulled during spring break but I did get sick and got a fever. However, I still managed to work on my project and began crocheting small bears for the volunteer part of my project. These last few days, I worked on my podcast by writing out scripts and practicing them, which is a mostly simple but tedious process because I'm basing off a lot of the content on my senior project paper. During spring break, I also conducted my second interview with Jonathan Parker, another licensed marriage and family therapist, and we were able to do an interview over zoom. I don't know if he is a resident of California, but I believe he is licensed in both California and Texas. Our interview was quite nice, as we covered both the questions I wanted to ask and had time to talk a bit about his past at Northgate. Anyway, Mrs. O'Neil returned our essays and I got some feedback on it. It wasn't much and I already made some corrections, and I also inserted a quote and analysis for my second interview so my final draft is basically in its starting stages. I've sent the draft and the mentor critique form to my mentor, so I am waiting for the form's return. About the presentations, I am nervous about them because I don't really enjoy public speaking and 8-10 minutes is a long time. I think I will focus on my project for a little bit longer and then switch gears and put more focus on the presentation once I have more of my project done. My practice presentation will be May 16, so I've got some time but my plan is to make the draft of my slides and then practice a portion of it on a regular basis to work up to doing the whole thing.
April 12, 2023
Update! I didn't get my wisdom teeth pulled during spring break but I did get sick and got a fever. However, I still managed to work on my project and began crocheting small bears for the volunteer part of my project. These last few days, I worked on my podcast by writing out scripts and practicing them, which is a mostly simple but tedious process because I'm basing off a lot of the content on my senior project paper. During spring break, I also conducted my second interview with Jonathan Parker, another licensed marriage and family therapist, and we were able to do an interview over zoom. I don't know if he is a resident of California, but I believe he is licensed in both California and Texas. Our interview was quite nice, as we covered both the questions I wanted to ask and had time to talk a bit about his past at Northgate. Anyway, Mrs. O'Neil returned our essays and I got some feedback on it. It wasn't much and I already made some corrections, and I also inserted a quote and analysis for my second interview so my final draft is basically in its starting stages. I've sent the draft and the mentor critique form to my mentor, so I am waiting for the form's return. About the presentations, I am nervous about them because I don't really enjoy public speaking and 8-10 minutes is a long time. I think I will focus on my project for a little bit longer and then switch gears and put more focus on the presentation once I have more of my project done. My practice presentation will be May 16, so I've got some time but my plan is to make the draft of my slides and then practice a portion of it on a regular basis to work up to doing the whole thing.
Work Log #10
March 24, 2023
I have not conducted my second interview but I've emailed over five people and nobody has responded. Yesterday, I asked my mentor for some help and she gave me the contact information of another former Northgate counseling member, so I hope they respond to my email. If they do respond, I think conducting the interview next week or the week after spring break will be best and it will likely be online because they are no longer a resident of California. Also, I'm having some wisdom teeth pulled out during spring break so I'll likely be out of commission for a few days and I don't want to spend time interviewing a person while in pain when I should be recovering. I have begun brainstorming and outlining how I want to make the podcast for the project portion. I've got ideas on what topics to cover and it will probably mirror the components of my research paper but with some more in-depth information. I also want to spend a bit more time discussing methods to reduce stress, so extra research will have to be done for several parts of the podcast. I am not really excited at all for my project. I'm just feeling anxious and ready for it to be done because I don't want to speak more than I have to.
March 24, 2023
I have not conducted my second interview but I've emailed over five people and nobody has responded. Yesterday, I asked my mentor for some help and she gave me the contact information of another former Northgate counseling member, so I hope they respond to my email. If they do respond, I think conducting the interview next week or the week after spring break will be best and it will likely be online because they are no longer a resident of California. Also, I'm having some wisdom teeth pulled out during spring break so I'll likely be out of commission for a few days and I don't want to spend time interviewing a person while in pain when I should be recovering. I have begun brainstorming and outlining how I want to make the podcast for the project portion. I've got ideas on what topics to cover and it will probably mirror the components of my research paper but with some more in-depth information. I also want to spend a bit more time discussing methods to reduce stress, so extra research will have to be done for several parts of the podcast. I am not really excited at all for my project. I'm just feeling anxious and ready for it to be done because I don't want to speak more than I have to.
Work Log #9
March 20, 2023
The draft of our senior project research paper is due tonight, but I submitted it during the weekend. It was a mediocre draft in my opinion, and it's definitely not my best work, but it should pass as a draft. I did put a lot of effort into it though; I both followed my outline and added more to the draft because there were some parts that were missing and I thought some places could use more analysis. Ultimately, my outline saved me because most of my thoughts were already scribbled there so I could just go back and copy and paste what I put there to my rough draft. Some alterations were made but the outline was a solid backbone to start from. However, since our rough drafts are done, we have to start the project, and I am not excited about that. I decided to make a podcast, and I really don't know why I chose it, but I'll have to make drafts of what I'm going to say and then record myself reading them. I don't really like speaking more than I have to so this at least will fulfill the "challenge yourself" part of the project. The first step is sometimes the hardest though, and I'm hoping this is the case and that everything will be better once I actually start.
March 20, 2023
The draft of our senior project research paper is due tonight, but I submitted it during the weekend. It was a mediocre draft in my opinion, and it's definitely not my best work, but it should pass as a draft. I did put a lot of effort into it though; I both followed my outline and added more to the draft because there were some parts that were missing and I thought some places could use more analysis. Ultimately, my outline saved me because most of my thoughts were already scribbled there so I could just go back and copy and paste what I put there to my rough draft. Some alterations were made but the outline was a solid backbone to start from. However, since our rough drafts are done, we have to start the project, and I am not excited about that. I decided to make a podcast, and I really don't know why I chose it, but I'll have to make drafts of what I'm going to say and then record myself reading them. I don't really like speaking more than I have to so this at least will fulfill the "challenge yourself" part of the project. The first step is sometimes the hardest though, and I'm hoping this is the case and that everything will be better once I actually start.
Work Log #8
March 14, 2023
Now that my outline is finished, I have to start the rough draft of my research paper. My outline was decently thorough so I have a lot of thoughts to work with on my essay, but there are definitely some parts I need to edit and revise because at some point, it gets repetitive. I feel alright writing my essay. It's actually the only part of the project that I don't mind. I have the main ideas that I want my essay to cover and though it will be long and possibly boring to some people, it will be a compilation of interesting research in my own eyes. I will be following my outline for the most part and interspersing transitional phrases and restating some analyzing statements where they are needed. But after the essay, we have the project and I am absolutely not excited about it. I don't want to make a podcast and I really don't want to talk more than I have to, but this is the fate I have resigned myself to and I'm hoping I make it out in one piece. I really, really, really wish I had chosen something else but I didn't have any other ideas and there wasn't much I could have done in the first place. I have a lot of regrets and this is definitely one of them. After the essay, it's all downhill from there.
March 14, 2023
Now that my outline is finished, I have to start the rough draft of my research paper. My outline was decently thorough so I have a lot of thoughts to work with on my essay, but there are definitely some parts I need to edit and revise because at some point, it gets repetitive. I feel alright writing my essay. It's actually the only part of the project that I don't mind. I have the main ideas that I want my essay to cover and though it will be long and possibly boring to some people, it will be a compilation of interesting research in my own eyes. I will be following my outline for the most part and interspersing transitional phrases and restating some analyzing statements where they are needed. But after the essay, we have the project and I am absolutely not excited about it. I don't want to make a podcast and I really don't want to talk more than I have to, but this is the fate I have resigned myself to and I'm hoping I make it out in one piece. I really, really, really wish I had chosen something else but I didn't have any other ideas and there wasn't much I could have done in the first place. I have a lot of regrets and this is definitely one of them. After the essay, it's all downhill from there.
Work Log #7
March 7, 2023
It has been a struggle finding a second person to interview. I don't know who would be appropriate to contact and at the same time, those who I think would be a good idea to contact are probably too busy to be interviewed by me. Ideally, I want to find someone who has conducted research in stress and health but researchers most likely have a packed schedule being in educational institutions. The first person I interviewed was my mentor, Shannon Brueckner. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of California, and it was wonderful to learn from her perspective about certain topics I wanted to cover in my project. As for my essay outline, that has been going decently well. I have the basic ideas down but I just have to find the rest of my sources and write down the notes so I can put all my thoughts together on one page. I have almost finished the first paragraph outline and the second, but I just need to find one more quote and I should be set. After I turn that in, I think I'll start compiling all the pieces for my essay into one document.
March 7, 2023
It has been a struggle finding a second person to interview. I don't know who would be appropriate to contact and at the same time, those who I think would be a good idea to contact are probably too busy to be interviewed by me. Ideally, I want to find someone who has conducted research in stress and health but researchers most likely have a packed schedule being in educational institutions. The first person I interviewed was my mentor, Shannon Brueckner. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of California, and it was wonderful to learn from her perspective about certain topics I wanted to cover in my project. As for my essay outline, that has been going decently well. I have the basic ideas down but I just have to find the rest of my sources and write down the notes so I can put all my thoughts together on one page. I have almost finished the first paragraph outline and the second, but I just need to find one more quote and I should be set. After I turn that in, I think I'll start compiling all the pieces for my essay into one document.
Work Log #6
March 6, 2023
Not much has changed since my last entry regarding senior project. I think the book source that I've found should suffice (it has sections that discuss Hans Selye and his work, which are related to stress and health) and I just have to add that to my senior project notes, but I have yet to contact anyone for my second interview source. I will probably have to send out some emails today but I don't know who I should contact because most of the people that I want to ask are most likely too busy with their own research. I feel that I should start my actual project soon though. April will be busy for me for more than one reason so I will most likely have to start the actual podcast-making this month, or at least plan everything out for that. My essay outline is going smoothly, and it contains the basic ideas that I want in my essay. I should technically start my essay soon. I've got the introduction down so far and that's it. There are many parts of the senior project that I should work on but I can't find myself too motivated to do any of it. I really should get more done though.
March 6, 2023
Not much has changed since my last entry regarding senior project. I think the book source that I've found should suffice (it has sections that discuss Hans Selye and his work, which are related to stress and health) and I just have to add that to my senior project notes, but I have yet to contact anyone for my second interview source. I will probably have to send out some emails today but I don't know who I should contact because most of the people that I want to ask are most likely too busy with their own research. I feel that I should start my actual project soon though. April will be busy for me for more than one reason so I will most likely have to start the actual podcast-making this month, or at least plan everything out for that. My essay outline is going smoothly, and it contains the basic ideas that I want in my essay. I should technically start my essay soon. I've got the introduction down so far and that's it. There are many parts of the senior project that I should work on but I can't find myself too motivated to do any of it. I really should get more done though.
Work Log #5
March 2, 2023
My senior project has been moving very quickly these past few weeks. I contacted my mentor and we had our first meeting a few days ago, where I managed to interview her and get some information. We established what was expected from her as a mentor and discussed some themes in my research, and she gave me some of her insight in those topics. Besides contacting my mentor though, I haven't been doing much. I should probably start the podcast soon but I am actually a bit lost on how to start. I have been working on the research paper outline and it has been helpful putting my ideas into a format that will eventually become the final product. Each paragraph has a distinct focus and I have enough research to supplement each one, so this will hopefully make writing the final essay an easier process, but sometimes I get stuck on what to write. I think I'm juggling with writing in my own voice versus a completely professional one. It's difficult because I'm not actually sure what I'm doing. But other than that, I'm doing okay at the moment with my senior project.
March 2, 2023
My senior project has been moving very quickly these past few weeks. I contacted my mentor and we had our first meeting a few days ago, where I managed to interview her and get some information. We established what was expected from her as a mentor and discussed some themes in my research, and she gave me some of her insight in those topics. Besides contacting my mentor though, I haven't been doing much. I should probably start the podcast soon but I am actually a bit lost on how to start. I have been working on the research paper outline and it has been helpful putting my ideas into a format that will eventually become the final product. Each paragraph has a distinct focus and I have enough research to supplement each one, so this will hopefully make writing the final essay an easier process, but sometimes I get stuck on what to write. I think I'm juggling with writing in my own voice versus a completely professional one. It's difficult because I'm not actually sure what I'm doing. But other than that, I'm doing okay at the moment with my senior project.
Work Log #4
February 16, 2023
I finally finished my commitment board and it turned out all right. It wasn't the exact image I had in mind but I was running out of ideas and I just wanted to get it done. It has a brown background and the words are written in black ink on beige paper, and I used other paper and markers to write down key words around the board. In the middle, I twisted wire into the shape of a brain, an hourglass, and a person to represent the three things that I'd be focusing on. I do think I put enough effort into the board, but I guess it would have been better if I had started a bit earlier. Then again, I've been busy. I was nervous for presentations because I didn't know how to really explain my background on the project. It was a rather simple path for me; I wanted to do something with psychology and stress was interesting to me. There wasn't much to discuss, so that made me nervous for presentations. I contacted a few people about mentorship but one was unable to, one hasn't replied, and I think I might have found someone but I need to see if they answer my email. I reached out to someone that used to work at Northgate that now does her own counseling services so I'm hoping she can help with guidance and discussion over my topic of stress and health. My research is going alright though. I've been finding good sources and relevant information, so I'm hoping I'll be able to compile it all together.
February 16, 2023
I finally finished my commitment board and it turned out all right. It wasn't the exact image I had in mind but I was running out of ideas and I just wanted to get it done. It has a brown background and the words are written in black ink on beige paper, and I used other paper and markers to write down key words around the board. In the middle, I twisted wire into the shape of a brain, an hourglass, and a person to represent the three things that I'd be focusing on. I do think I put enough effort into the board, but I guess it would have been better if I had started a bit earlier. Then again, I've been busy. I was nervous for presentations because I didn't know how to really explain my background on the project. It was a rather simple path for me; I wanted to do something with psychology and stress was interesting to me. There wasn't much to discuss, so that made me nervous for presentations. I contacted a few people about mentorship but one was unable to, one hasn't replied, and I think I might have found someone but I need to see if they answer my email. I reached out to someone that used to work at Northgate that now does her own counseling services so I'm hoping she can help with guidance and discussion over my topic of stress and health. My research is going alright though. I've been finding good sources and relevant information, so I'm hoping I'll be able to compile it all together.
Work Log #3
February 6, 2023
I already got my letter of intent back and I have a few ideas of what I want to do for my volunteering aspect of the project. I'll either try and find an organization to volunteer for or I'll make stress packages. I started my commitment board over the weekend and I'll be honest, it doesn't look as great as I imagined it to be but it should get the job done. I wasn't able to take a shopping trip to get supplies so I'll just write on the words and add some of my own flair. I have a rough idea of what I want in my mind but executing it will be more difficult. My commitment board presentation hasn't even crossed my mind because I've been rather burnt out and busy, so we'll see what happens in the upcoming days if I feel any more motivation to get anything done. I also have not reached out to anyone so this is a major problem that I have to focus on. It's also difficult because I don't really know who would be involved in my topic besides researchers and I would assume that many researchers are busy. I suppose I could try and contact a professor or health professional but everyone is busy these days. So, my checklist for the week is to work on the commitment board, to send out some emails to potential mentors, and to decide on what to do for my volunteering aspect of the project.
February 6, 2023
I already got my letter of intent back and I have a few ideas of what I want to do for my volunteering aspect of the project. I'll either try and find an organization to volunteer for or I'll make stress packages. I started my commitment board over the weekend and I'll be honest, it doesn't look as great as I imagined it to be but it should get the job done. I wasn't able to take a shopping trip to get supplies so I'll just write on the words and add some of my own flair. I have a rough idea of what I want in my mind but executing it will be more difficult. My commitment board presentation hasn't even crossed my mind because I've been rather burnt out and busy, so we'll see what happens in the upcoming days if I feel any more motivation to get anything done. I also have not reached out to anyone so this is a major problem that I have to focus on. It's also difficult because I don't really know who would be involved in my topic besides researchers and I would assume that many researchers are busy. I suppose I could try and contact a professor or health professional but everyone is busy these days. So, my checklist for the week is to work on the commitment board, to send out some emails to potential mentors, and to decide on what to do for my volunteering aspect of the project.
Work Log #2
February 1, 2023
For my commitment board, I hope to showcase some of my creative skills. At the moment, however, I don't have anything in mind. I should start working on it soon but there's also a lot going on outside of this and I'm finding myself rather tired. I think I'll try to find some letter stickers I can use to decorate the board and maybe some images as well, but if not, I'll just draw some things and make them look pretty. I have also not contacted anyone to be my mentor and this is definitely something I need to start working on. I did fill out the form that could hopefully put me in touch with someone from the community but no one has reached back so I think I'll have to contact others myself. Besides these issues, I will say my research is moving along fine. I am finding good sources that relate to my topic and have found a lot of helpful information from those sources. So far, I've learned that severe and long-lasting stress during childhood and adolescence could lead to enduring illness in adulthood and beyond. They are also at a higher risk for certain disorders. In addition, a short period of stress can improve mental abilities, as I previously thought, but if encountered repeatedly it could lead to problems.
February 1, 2023
For my commitment board, I hope to showcase some of my creative skills. At the moment, however, I don't have anything in mind. I should start working on it soon but there's also a lot going on outside of this and I'm finding myself rather tired. I think I'll try to find some letter stickers I can use to decorate the board and maybe some images as well, but if not, I'll just draw some things and make them look pretty. I have also not contacted anyone to be my mentor and this is definitely something I need to start working on. I did fill out the form that could hopefully put me in touch with someone from the community but no one has reached back so I think I'll have to contact others myself. Besides these issues, I will say my research is moving along fine. I am finding good sources that relate to my topic and have found a lot of helpful information from those sources. So far, I've learned that severe and long-lasting stress during childhood and adolescence could lead to enduring illness in adulthood and beyond. They are also at a higher risk for certain disorders. In addition, a short period of stress can improve mental abilities, as I previously thought, but if encountered repeatedly it could lead to problems.
Work Log #1
January 31, 2023
My senior project will be about stress and health, which ties into my interest in psychology as stress can affect both the mind and body. I am looking forward to learning about the difference between acute and chronic stress since I already know that short-term stress can be potentially beneficial whereas long-term stress can lead to illness. Previous knowledge about this subject directed me towards my question because I wanted to learn in depth how stress could modify our physiology and impact our mental health. Mrs. Krnich was my teacher consultant, and she provided advice on my topic that I found helpful. Initially, I was nervous about my letter of intent because I realized the "academic relevance" and "community component" slots had not been approved, but after further discussion with the person who approved my letter, I should be able to proceed without a problem. I was also missing the "community involvement" portion of my project but was able to brainstorm a few things that should suffice. This is the start of my senior project, where by the end I hope to answer the question: how does stress alter the physical and mental health of an individual in the short-term versus the long-term?
January 31, 2023
My senior project will be about stress and health, which ties into my interest in psychology as stress can affect both the mind and body. I am looking forward to learning about the difference between acute and chronic stress since I already know that short-term stress can be potentially beneficial whereas long-term stress can lead to illness. Previous knowledge about this subject directed me towards my question because I wanted to learn in depth how stress could modify our physiology and impact our mental health. Mrs. Krnich was my teacher consultant, and she provided advice on my topic that I found helpful. Initially, I was nervous about my letter of intent because I realized the "academic relevance" and "community component" slots had not been approved, but after further discussion with the person who approved my letter, I should be able to proceed without a problem. I was also missing the "community involvement" portion of my project but was able to brainstorm a few things that should suffice. This is the start of my senior project, where by the end I hope to answer the question: how does stress alter the physical and mental health of an individual in the short-term versus the long-term?