Metacognition: This Semester

I've gained something important this year- the ability to put my 'raw' ideas out into a discussion. I always used to refine my thoughts before I shared them, and while that definately keeps me from embarassing myself, I also think there's a quality about a developing idea that's intriguing. When I have a point to make during a discussion, I try to write it down and I can build off of it later as I think of support for the main idea. That way, when I actually share my thoughts with the class, I have the barebones of my idea laid out in front of me, and I can elaborate as I go.My raw ideas also can be interpreted in more than one way, which I think is helpful during a discussion. This new way of recording during class has really helped me when I'm trying to write an essay, etc. later in the unit, because then I have what I was thinking about during the unit right in front of me.

I believe that learning to think both objectively and more 'presentation-oriented' has helped me branch out and think in different ways. I need to keep thinking creatively, but at the same time I want insights I can use later. Writing down notes provides a balance between off-the-top-of-my-head ideas that might need some rethinking and ideas that have been so reworked they lose some of their original meaning. Also, it helps me stay more focused during a discussion, and the energy I have invested in whatever we're talking about is used to listen to other people as well as connect their ideas to my own and elaborate on them. Writing definately ties me down (in a positive way). It keeps me centered and focused. Although I always knew that reading and writing is the easiest way for me to learn, I truly underestimated the power it would have in shaping my thoughts. I think this revelation is the single most important thing I have learned this semester about myself.