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 Keeping a Journal

  Because writing is a skill, it makes sense that the more you practice writing, the better you will write. One excellent way to get practice in writing, even before you begin composing formal paragraphs, is to keep a daily or almost daily journal. Writing a journal will help you develop the habit of thinking on paper and will show you how ideas can be discovered in the process of writing. A journal can make writing a familiar part of your life and can serve as a continuing source of ideas for papers. Keep in mind that you do not have to plan what to write about, or be in the mood to write, or worry about making mistakes as you write; just write down whatever words come out.

 学生范文：

  Students' Journals: The four student peers share several of the journal entries they have written in response to journal topics that they were given by their instructor.

 Beth

 Topic: Choose a quote that seems particularly significant to you, copy it into your journal, and explain what the quote means to you or why it is important.

  Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.• Helen Keller

   This quote from Helen Keller sums up something that I'm just beginning to realize. I used to think that happiness meant never having anything go wrong in your life. First of all, I don't think anyone has a perfect life, and if they did, they wouldn't get the chance to grow the way you do through coping with difficulty. I thought my life was over when my husband left me, but now I see that I'm a stronger, more self-confident person because I was able to stand on my own and keep it together for my kids. I could have done without all the pain, but if it hadn't happened, I wouldn't have decided to go back to school and become a nurse. I would be sitting at home watching TV and not feeling like I was worth much. Being on my own helped me figure out who I was and what I wanted for myself. I don't think I could have done that any other way.

Tony

Topic: How much do you feel that you control your fate?

      I control my fate much more now than I did when I was younger. In high school, I didn't think of the decisions I was making as decisions. I just went along with what everyone else was doing., so I didn't have control. It wasn't until I made the decision to leave Atlanta and join the Army that started to exert some control over my life. Getting away was the best thing I ever did because it gave me the perspective to think about  what I did and didn't want in my life. Going back to school is a big step for me, but it's a choice I'm making, so I feel good about it.

 Dan

Topic: What will pose the biggest challenge to your success in this class this semester?

     The biggest problem I'm having do far is feeling like I'm too old to be in college. It's hard to ignore that I'm the oldest person in the class, and I keep feeling like a fish out of water. Going back to school seemed like a good idea, but now I wonder if I haven't made a big mistake. I keep feeling like I shouldn't be here. DO these kids think I'm a loser for being in this class at my age? Or is it me who is starting to feel like a loser?
    I've got to get over this feeling or I won't be able to stick it out. But just thinking about quitting school makes me feel like more of a loser than anything else would. How could I face Diane and the kids if I quit? No way. Going to school is a step in the right direction for me-I just know it. I know what I want and why I'm here, which is more than most of the kids in the class can say. In some ways I'm more ready to be here than they are. I just have to get over this hump of felling out of place.

Alicia

Topic: Describe a custom or celebration in your culture that others may not understand.

  Everyone thinks Christmas is celebrated on December 25th, but in many Latin countries, gifts are given, not on Dec 25th but on Jan.5th, Three Kings' Day, or El Dia de Los Reyes. Three Kings's Day was chosen for the exchange of gifts because it makes the day the three kings brought gifts to the baby Jesus. As a child I remember putting out hay and water for the three kings' camels rather than milk and cookies for Santa. I admit that as a kid it felt strange to be exchanging gift at a different time than all of my friends, but now I'm glad my parents held on to their traditions. Exchanging gift on Three Kings' Day was also practical for my family because my parents could avoid the crowds of Christmas shoppers and take advantage of the after Christmas sales. When I have children, I plan to continue the tradition of exchanging gifts on Jan. 5th both to avoid the stress of the Christmas season and to keep my kids in touch with their heritage.