Acumen - Word of the Week

Our word of the week is Acumen. Acumen refers to keenness and depth of perception. A keen mind is a stress-less mind. Therefore, as students of learning, you must develop techniques of dealing with stress while enhancing your acumen. Mainly, stress occurs when your demands begin to erode your emotional and mental well-being. Then you are unable to grasp a situation quickly that minimize your acumen. Yet, as students of learning, your time is very valuable. Henceforth, reviewing how to cope with stress will definitely improve your acumen. So check out this short video on Coping with Stress to develop your strategies.
 

Perturbation - Word of the week.

As students of learning, you must deal with perturbation. So our word of the week is perturbation. Perturbation means anxiety; mental uneasiness. It also means a personal feeling of upset or nervousness, or can be a physical disruption of some kind. Being a college student, I know that you may experience feeling of perturbation at some point during your academic experience. Whether it is attending your first day of class, waiting to take a big test, or registering for that math class that everyone is talking about that is so hard. Although these feelings are common and not unusual, the key is to find ways to overcome your perturbation so that you can excel in your academic career.

By Shanisty White

Check out this YouTube on the Management of Test Anxiety to develop techniques to reduce perturbation.
 

Legacy vs Resolution

At the beginning of each New Year, we tend to make New Year’s resolutions. Since 2020 starts a new decade, I challenge you to think differently during this decade. Instead of making a resolution, think about starting your legacy. A legacy is something that you transmit to benefit your ancestors or predecessors. Often times, we think that a legacy is only a gift of money or personal property granted by the terms of a will. Nevertheless, a legacy can also consist of a declaration of how you lived your life to impact others which is more than setting and achieving goals. To begin your legacy one must stop thinking linear, but elevate your mental capacity vertically. When you think linear, you focus on a specific timeline to achieve a set of goals in a series of progression. However, if you elevate your thoughts with positive affirmation, the negative emotions and pessimistic views will subside to a minimum effect as you experience life. You will become more focused on the quality of life while discovering meaningful knowledge even when disappointments occur. For instance, vertical thinking allows you to turn your failures into lessons learned, while paving the way for your legacy. By thinking vertically, you will realize that your life really does matter as you create your own story line, consisting of your crucibles and accomplishments as guides for others to emulate.

So, I challenge you in 2020 to start your legacy for future generations. Remember, a New Year’s resolution is just a tradition to change an undesired trait about yourself. Whereas, a legacy will benefit the next generation and the next, while improving your quality of life. Right now, start creating your legacy by stamping your approval of the future for others. 

Word of the Week - Idiosyncrasy

The word of the week is idiosyncrasy, which means a characteristic, habit, mannerism, or the like, that is peculiar to an individual. As students of learning, you will meet so many people who are not like you nor share the same interests as you and that is fine. Being different and expressing, our own individuality is what makes each of us unique. Below is an audio of a Texas high school student who was told that his shoulder length dread-locks were a violation to the school dress code, and in order to participate in his senior graduation, he will have to cut them. DeAndre’s hair is an idiosyncrasy to him so he refused; listen below to see what happened next.

by Shanity White

Click the link below to hear an interview with DeAndre

Student Suspended over Dreadlocks Invited to Red Carpet at Oscars

Watch the Hair Love to really appreciate idiosyncrasy as relating to unique individuality. 

Prognosticate - Word of the Week

 As student of learning, you can PROGNOSTICATE your learning outcomes. Prognosticate means to predict; therefore, as students you can prognosticate the outcome of courses like math by witnessing lessons learned from others. For instance, we host an ALEKS Panel Discussion as an intervention strategy that features panelists who discuss their techniques for completing math courses successfully.  When students of learning attend similar events, you will successfully prognosticate the outcome of courses by implementing similar strategies in your studying plan.    


Now get that tassel at Wallace Community College.