Effective Procrastination (10/7/15) - This SLI was extremely informative, especially being someone who procrastinates an excessive amount!  I tried to attend SLI's that really interested me, and could benefit me on my day-to-day basis. Understanding that there are different types of procrastination and that, if you are going to wait to do an assignment make sure you have a good reason, or it could possibly be beneficial. I know that after attending this SLI I began to not procrastinate as much, or if I was going to I made sure that I was being other activities that were just as important as the activity I was waiting to do. I also found the reasoning behind my procrastination being, I feel as if I work better under pressure. 

Event Planning 101 (10/20/15) - I loved the SLI, especially due to the fact that I am an IMC major, and I hope to do a little bit of event planning in the future. I loved going over the steps that need to be taken, epically learning about some that I wasn’t aware of. I think that knowing how to properly plan an event is important to someone in the communications field’s success. Although I have watched events be planned, and I have been on committees to plan events, I have never fully planned an event by myself. I think that being able to delegate tasks as well as being able to take constructive criticism and other people’s idea's is very important. This SLI was very interesing to me and I gained valuable information that I will use in the future. 

Personal Influences (10/21/15) - This SLI was extremely informational, especially in regards to the activities and events that are happening on campus. The SLI allowed for me to look at my background and other things that effect that I am today. Looking at different things really allowed me to understand why I see the world the way I do. Looking specifically at the way we were brought up in regards to traditions as well as the information we were provide in relation to other cultures and other historic events. Everything surrounding us when we are young and still today, effects the way we see the world and everything in it. 

Performing Leadership: Strategies for Presenting Effectively and Calmly (2/25/2016) – This presentation by Elizabeth Bleicher was extremely interesting. I LOVED it, and thought that although the class was smaller, it was effective because she was able to give us each individual attention and recommendations. Focusing on aspects of public speaking, which are difficult for everyone, was extremely useful and I will keep her information and utilize it whenever I question an aspect of presenting. In the beginning of the SLI she asked everyone to identify an aspect of public speaking that they find difficult, I stated that when I get nervous I yawn. This sounds weird, but it is true and something that is hard to deal with now, and something I want to address before I enter the professional world. She went on to explain that this is due to the lack of oxygen that is entering me. I am not to sure about the biology behind it, but in conclusion taking deep breaths will help when I have this issue in the future. 

Women Leaders Series: Professional Confidence for Women (3/3/2016) – This SLI was extremely informative and gave me information that I will use now and throughout my future. We discussed the double standards and discrimination, two things that are present in our everyday lives and will exist highly in our average workdays when that time comes around. One new topic that we discussed that I was not aware of is “Pink Collar Jobs” jobs that are often associated with women, and a position that is very unlikely to be held by a man. Some of these professions are nurses, secretaries, and teachers. Another aspect that I found extremely interesting was the illegal questions that are often asked to women during job interviews. Questions surrounding the topic of planning for a family are illegal. Finally, the last topic that I found interesting was the concept of “Power Poses”. Standing in powerful positions before speaking or completing a task that can be intimidating allows for confidence to be exerted involuntarily. I really enjoyed this SLI and thought that the information was extremely useful, and reliable. I have actually gone on to purchase and investigate the sources that are listed. 

The Beauty of Failure (3/31/2016) - Although SLI’s are supposed to be informational, this SLI specifically was life changing. I attended this SLI on a Thursday afternoon in which I was frustrated with the week that was behind me, but I knew that I needed to attend this to meet the requirement, and I thought that discussing failure would probably benefit me. Failure is something that I find extremely discouraging, it is a factor that effects my everyday life drastically. I am a perfectionist and accepting failure is close to impossible. This SLI began by Marlowe simply asking us to define ourselves, in which he gave an example but allowed us to be creative. He then told us to set it aside and just listen. He explained his situation and a failure that has occurred in his life. They he demonstrated how he defined himself, had changed due to his failure, but they he explained the “game-changer,” failure does not define you. I’m not sure if hearing the concept of failure, as something acceptable from another student made it more comprehendible, but this SLI was life changing. I have completely changed the way I look at failure and I am ready to “#PTW (Prove Them Wrong) whenever necessary. 

Note: The picture displays the defintion of myself, on my mirror, where I look every morning. It always reminds me to be me, nothing, not even failure can get in my way.