Habit+of+Mind+1


 * PERSISTING... STICK TO IT!**

REFLECTION I believe it's number one for a reason. Persisting means to continue firmly and obstinately in a course of action despite the difficulty of the situation. Without persistence, your key to learning, you would not be able to discover and learn the concepts taught in class. When I meet a hardship, I admit my first reaction is to walk away, leaving the wall unchallenged. In chemistry, there was a time when we had to complete 6 separate stations about average atomic mass, basics of atomic structure, model of an atom, spectra and electrons, the periodic table, and finally electron configuration. The hardest looking one--the one I read and kind of went "huh?"--was the spectra lab. It was the last lab that I finished, mostly because I dreaded facing the complicated looking formulas and their relation to physics (which is definitely a hard science for me). The lab provided several links for us to read and attempt to understand how the spectra worked. Unfortunately, I didn't absorb it in too well. After going through all the links, I felt a little discouraged because I had gone in only to come out knowing slightly more than I did before, but still not a strong foundation. I put it off for a little longer. What re-sparked my interest, however, was the presentation Mrs. Knowles gave us one day. She brought out and showed a hydrogen spectrum tube using a diffraction grating. Pretty colors... now that's one of the reasons why I joined chemistry! Intrigued, I decided to re-tackle the spectrum challenge, to overcome this wall. The presentation was key--I'm much more of a hands-on person so I was able to visualize the lab after I saw the red, blue, and violet waves myself. Now came the time to understand the formulas... I took out the Chemistry Handbook (which proved quite useful) and flipped to the page where it explained the spectra. Chemistry Handbook (pg. 41 & 42) Yes, I'm definitely a hands-on person. After persisting and going out of my way to read the textbook itself as well as the handbook, I finally believed I had a steady enough foundation of my knowledge. I even tried out the practice problems (left side of picture), and was delighted to see that I was correct! Every time I tackle anything related to physics and get it right...you wouldn't believe how happy I get. IT'S AN ACCOMPLISHMENT, TO SAY THE LEAST. If I had not tried as hard, persisted, to understand the spectra, I would've likely failed that part on the test. I even transferred my knowledge to another student, Julia, before her test and I hope I helped her out! (: I credit help from my friends, this handbook, and the packet; they became my holding stones (is that what they call the colorful rocks on the climbing wall) as I defeated the challenge!

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