What is an “Initial Reflection?” It certainly implies that there will be a Final Reflection, and you are correct! There will be final reflection at the end of the course. Reflective writing is one way for you to see how your knowledge, understanding, and goals evolve over time. This assignment is designed to give you an anchor point for who you are and what you know as you enter this course. You are “reflecting” on what you know – in other words, describing for yourself and me, a little of all the good things in your brain/heart at this point in time. Then, at the end of the course, you will have a similar assignment so you can “reflect” on what has changed and what has not.

For this journal entry, you have three options on the formatting list below. We are all different so tend to have different ways we deal with stress, reflect, etc. So choose the option that best fits you! Keep in mind the final reflection at the end of the semester must be done the same way.

1) Write a minimum of 3 paragraphs (roughly 300-500 words) but you may have more than 3 if you wish in a narrative essay format.

2) Write the paper in question/answer format. This needs to be a minimum of 300-500 word narrative (that is only counting your writing portion, not the question that is listed portion) or can look at it as a whole with the questions being included so at least 500 – 600 words listing the questions. You should still have an introduction paragraph and a summary paragraph.

3) You also have the option of doing it in video style similar to the way we did the “Intro discussion board assignment” where you are saying the question out loud then answering.

Your writing/video should flow more like a story or the way you would speak in a conversation. The way that I am writing these instructions is an example of the style/tone I’m describing to you.

In your paper/video incorporate  all of the following items:

1. What do you know about stress in yourself?
2. What types of stress do you observe in your community?
3. What are your biggest questions and/or concerns about stress in yourself and in your community? Is there a relationship?
4. Describe how you handle stress in general.
5. What would you like to change about the way you handle stress and why?
6. What resources are you currently aware of that would help you make these changes?
7. What do you expect to learn in this course?
8. What would you like to learn in this course?