Blogs

There are plenty of posts to be found here about the blog itself. Most, including one of my one, tend to be a bit negative. While I agree with some of the arguments presented in those posts, I don’t want to just focus on the negatives. Even though it might feel like a chore sometimes, as all homework does, there is so much to this blog that I find incredible!

The insight into the minds of my peers is just one facet I love about the website. Getting to hear new opinions and ideas put forth by the people I go to school with is not only interesting but informative, both of the writers themselves and the topics to which they choose to devote their time. A message that has been drilled into my brain consistently all my life is to remember that I don’t know what is going on behind the scenes in my peers’ day to day lives, and to always respect that. This blog reinforces that message.

Beyond insight into personal character, writing posts can be truly useful. Whether I choose to write about a topic I enjoy, how I’m feeling at a particular time on a particular day, or an essay, writing for a grade is a great incentive to put in the time to convey those ideas. As a direct result of such practice, I improve, building my voice and my narrative skills, and developing my use of rhetoric and persuasion.

With that being said, my personal favorite aspect of the blog is the way I can let loose on it. I’ve written several times about anxiety, as well as schoolwork and its mental impacts, at times when I thought the anxiety was going to overtake me. By expressing those words and being able to confront them as they stare me down, I have defused many moments of panic, and even learned new lessons regarding mental health. I have no doubt others have experienced that as well.

Of course there are negative impacts of this blog, but that goes with anything in life. Besides, the negatives aren’t anything I don’t see in the other homework I receive. Despite the typical nagging feeling of homework and deadlines, I do believe that these blog posts are beneficial, educationally and mentally.

Olivia