Thomas Delancey

Professor Leah B. Murray

FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR I - UCCP 1101 – 491
12/4/2019

Final Reflection

Opening Remarks:

Throughout the semester there have been several topics that we have learned throughout

our first-year seminar and political science courses. In particular there were two topics that we

learned that were at the center of class discussions. These were called “health of our democracy”,

big data and communication. In talking about the “health of our democracy” there was a plethora

of information that we learned about this idea. For example, we talked about how the influence

of interest groups like the “La Raza” having a major influence on government decisions, such as

the right to vote. The second topic that we talked about in political science class was about big

data. An example of this can be seen, in the discussion that we had about electioneering which

was were politicians would sway the votes of certain pieces of legislation in their way. The final

topic that we talked about in political science class was about communication. An example of

this idea can be seen in the discussions that we had about testing in public schools because the

Texas board of regents would have to communicate with the local district schools about the

examination being administered throughout the state of Texas.

My Engagement this Semester:

Throughout the semester I felt as though I was not engaged as much I would I have liked.

Although with this in mind I still contributed to some portions of class discussions and in the

presentation that was presented to the class for first year symposium. While in the beginning of

the semester I felt that I could accomplish the college workload, not too long into the semester I

found myself being overwhelmed by major college assignments and due dates that were always

rapidly approaching. After realizing that I could not do this alone I reached out to family and my

professors which were more than willing to help me succeed throughout the process. I also took

advantage of the center for student achievement (CASA) which is offered to students on campus.

The success achieved by asking for help will make more prepared for my second semester. I will

utilize the services like CASA and the professor office hours more often, and earlier in the

semester. Since I was not engaged like many other classmates mine were the thing that I would

do to correct this issue by forming study groups and joining clubs on campus earlier in the

semester.
Reflecting on the Integrative Experiences Assignment and the Process:

I felt as though my Integrative assignment did not go as I had originally thought would be

the outcome from day one of working with my first-year symposium group. This is due to the

fact that the members in our group all have busy schedules as it is, plus the added stress of this

assignment and the constant confusion of when certain things were due for this project, the lack

of practicing our scripts, and the lack of interest in the topic as the project went along, are factors

that I think that contributed to the project being presented poorly at First year Symposium, which

took place in the anchor ball room inside the University center. For this assignment the process

that we took to prepare ourselves to the best of our abilities within the time frame we had was by

relying on communication through a social media group that our “hustler” in our group had

created for us. We would also meet sporadically in the library to work on the poster board that

was to be presented at first year symposium. Finally, when the day came to present our

information about our topic that we researched as a team, we basically just got dressed up for the

event and didn’t rehearse our scripts before that time. Now in speaking about what I will take

away from this project is that of being more mindful of other people’s busy schedules, and that

the skill of communication and collaboration is key to getting anything done within a group

assignment. After such a high-pressured senior year of high school where I had to carry the

weight of group projects, I struggled at times with motivation in group projects this semester.
What I learned this semester in regard to Metacognition & a First Year Islander:

Although I did not mentally nor physically recognize how I personally developed as an

individual throughout the semester before my professors and family members did. I look back on

this now, and now realize the personal growth that I have achieved throughout the semester. This

is due to the countless reflection assignments that I have been assigned throughout the course of

the semester. These assignments made me realize my full potential because they would reflect

the mistakes that I had made and would make try and correct them on the next exam or next

assignment that I would be assigned. As a learner I feel as though I have progressed from

grasping ideas and concepts in high school very slowly to grasping ideas and concepts in college

more quickly, effectively, and concisely. As an islander freshman at TAMUCC I identify myself

as a more educated person because in high school our teachers would just teach how to take

exams and not really understand the material while in college the professors are more about you

grasping the information rather than just taking test that mean “nothing” if you don’t understand

the works of the material. A recommendation that I would have for future islanders that will be

attending is, I strongly advise against procrastination from day one classes and to also talk to

your professors more often as they are very understanding about students struggle in their first

year of college.
Spring 2020 Game plan:

I plan to return to Texas A&M Corpus Christi. This wasn’t always the case. In fact, I had

even filled out my withdrawal papers halfway through this semester, so I didn’t even think I was

going to last a semester let alone a whole year. For the spring I want to start strong. I didn’t start

the fall in a successful way. I was adjusting to the culture shock I was experiencing and

neglected my work the first few weeks because I was overwhelmed. In the spring, I want to use

the resources I found such as CASA and the student tutor I work with to make sure I get ahead

and stay on pace with my work. I have an advantage in the spring that I now know what to

expect with work. I also am taking similar classes such as political science, freshman seminar,

business math and a science. I hope to do a better job with my grades. I need a 3.0 to continue

my program and I know I am going to have to work hard in Math to maintain it.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I am very proud of myself. I really did not know if I was going to finish the

semester. In hindsight, I was very close to going home but I finished and my confidence in

myself grew as the semester progressed. If I could go back, I’d change some things to try and

change how overwhelmed I got but the fact that I didn’t give up is very important. I learned how

to ask for help and follow through on some of the help. I can always do more but am proud of

what I did. This class really helped break down the process of college assignments and how to

properly use sources and prepared me for academic settings. I hope to build upon the lessons I

learned the last few months, both in the classroom and out, to continue to be successful in the

TAMU system and beyond.