Page 393 - Foundations of Learning, 4th Edition (Revised)

The Self-Growth Paper

“Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over
again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the traveling.”

Pat Conroy, American novelist

We have already asked you to assess your performance as a learner. Because you have grown in so many
ways throughout this semester, we are also asking that you complete a self-growth paper. This activity is a
unique and personal analysis and synthesis of the various self-assessments you have performed throughout
the course. Everyone in this class has grown in specific ways in specific areas. As you prepare to continue
your educational and life journey, you can consider this reflection paper as a kind of “map” or “travel
itinerary.” Where did you start this journey? Where are you now? Where would you like to go from here?

Your instructor and/or mentors have no doubt pointed out many of your strengths this semester and also
suggested areas for improvement. These conversations and your own written reflections and assessments
have most likely led to your own increased appreciation for your strengths and areas where you can work
to improve. Capturing these thoughts here will help you to appreciate how important it is to make action
plans that reflect your new goals from one semester to the next.

To prepare for the self-growth paper, you need to look back through this book and your Life Vision Portfolio.
The “research” for this paper will be primary research: you will be analyzing your own words. First, take
a look at the learning skills listed in the introductory “How To Use This Book” chapter. These are the 25
skills you have learned, practiced, and improved over the course of this semester. Next, take a look at the
Methodologies listed in this same chapter. These two items will help you ground your paper in specifics.

Your assignment is to choose five areas that have been, are, and will be significant for your success. In
what areas did you face the greatest challenges? Where have you improved the most? What is one area in
which you feel the most need for growth now?

Even though you may not be asked to write such a formal self-growth paper again, it would be extremely
helpful to perform an informal self-growth assessment at least at the end of every semester. Once you get
into the habit of assessing self-growth and future goals, you may find you do it often, even after you have
graduated. A favorite quote of many instructors is from the Greek philosopher Socrates (469–399 BCE):
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates reportedly said this as he was about to be put to death
for heresy. He encourages his students to think for themselves, which sometimes involved challenging the
accepted beliefs of the time. Luckily, examining your own life here will only have positive results, although
you may find that you are now challenging perceptions that may have held you back before.

PROCEED TO ACTIVITY 14.1 (page 391)

Chapter 14 — Continuing the Journey... 387