justplainbil

Just Plain Bill

Assignment:

“Write about the high points in your life.”

Some of my most rewarding experiences as a community college teacher of business writing skills are when my students share their feelings, their hopes, their dreams, as well as their regrets in a free-writing exercise. They are asked to answer the following in 50 words or less: “Write about the high points in your life.” Responses are to be written by hand, as the students are required to do weekly throughout the semester.

First off, all students write many more words than required. In many cases, the quality of the mechanics – grammar, spelling, syntax, etc. – is outstanding – in spite of not having the advantage of spell-check. (I teach them to focus on words they know how to spell or to learn how to spell the words they like to use.)

I continue to be amazed by the depth of emotion and deep insight many reveal, expressing heart-felt experiences all want to share. Each semester, my students range in age from 16 to 80, so their responses range from school experiences to major life events that each deems a very personal “high point.”

Allow me the privilege to share excerpts from a few examples:

·      “…My parents gave up a much better life they had in Italy so that my brother and I would benefit from all the opportunities America has to offer…They personally proved to me that anything is possible and they are the reason why I am the young adult I am today. “

·      “I have always tried to take the path less traveled…One of the greatest things I have ever done is completed the AIDS bike ride, from San Francisco to Los Angeles over seven days, raising $1,400 to help others.”

·      “…I didn’t have it easy growing up, as I was sent away to get control of my anger…It may sound strange that I see this as a ‘high point’, as I came back better able to appreciate whatever happened to me.”

·      “…Traveling has been the most positive contributor to who I am and where I’m going. I’ve been blessed to visit seven countries, contributing to my world views, helping me to understand all types of people…”

·      “…Being a soccer official has helped form my view of life, learning about political pressure to win at all cost…working with all nationalities of players from dozens of countries allowed me to teach by example and expand my understanding of how important culture is in forming your ‘high point’ in life.”

·      “…Being pushed out of my comfort zone has expanded my view of who I am… Having to continually learn new things has taught me so much about myself and what I can contribute to the lives of others…”

·      “…Life is filled with peaks and valleys and I’ve been fortunate to focus on the peaks – which would not have occurred if I had not addressed and overcome the valleys…I’m excited about the peaks that are yet to come my way…”

·      “…To not take the everyday, mundane things that come my way for granted…keeps the ‘high points’ coming my way…”

·      “…I’m blessed with high points daily as I raise my three wonderful children, helping them benefit from the love I received growing up…”

My “high points”? The growth in skill and confidence my students demonstrate in the span of one semester of school, year after year!