Candy, Always Candy by Lauren

Candy, Always Candy by Lauren - December 2017 Scholarship Essay

Creative freedom is essential to growth. School projects are my favorite type of classroom assignment because I am able to create something and challenge my understanding of a topic. In all my years of school one constant has continually come to fruition. The rubric, for the end of the year project, is always provided in the syllabus on the first day.
I would be lying if I were to say I went home on day one and started the project, worked on it 20 minutes a day, and ended up finishing a month early. I don’t think that has ever happened in the history of college and I would be skeptical of anyone who claims to be that diligent.
For me, the benefit of getting that rubric early is that I have a chance to read it. On day one the rubric may not make sense fully. It will be likely that the project is on a topic you haven’t learned or researched yet. However, I have found that reading the requirements far in advance simply helps with the brainstorming. As I learn in class I can jot down examples and ideas that relate to the topic of the project. It is much more easy to know what you are listening for and mark it then it is to attempt to recall details of a lecture or relocate a fact in a large textbook.
Once I have compiled notes, chosen a topic, and consolidated my brain storming notes the fun part begins.
I have the type of brain that is creative rather then analytical. School Projects give me a chance to flex my creative muscles, as they always require a class presentation. The formula I have come up with always consisted of: a hand out, a power point, an interactive component, and candy, always candy. If I have learned one thing over my educational journey it is that peers respond to food.
I have found that as long as I follow directions, mention facts that cover many points of the semester, and include my peers in my presentation then I do well. It is my personal ultimate strategy for success on a school project.