PED 266

Sure, I've been using a computer since I was about five years old. Playing games, surfing the web, exploring and teaching myself how to do all sorts of things. I've been using Microsoft Word since elementary school, and typing information into Microsoft Access for my dad's wrestling camp for over five years...but, there is so much more to know, and only so much you can teach yourself. Before taking PED 266, I knew the basics of Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and very little about Excel and Publisher. I must say, SkillPort taught me a lot about these programs. I learned how to do a lot of really cool stuff. These applications really aren't hard to use, there is just a lot to learn about them and a lot of different ways to go about getting your desired results. Also, I was accustomed to using the 2003 edition of Microsoft Office, but just got a new computer at the beginning of the semester. Because of this class, I was able to quickly get adjusted to the 2007 edition. Through the "Plan" and project, I got to mess around with Powerpoint 2007 and experiment with all of the awesome new styles and tools. I had a lot of fun with it. It was also good to learn how to make charts and graphs in Excel, as this will really benefit me with other classes and in the future. Another interesting aspect that I've gotten involved with is, obviously, blogging. To be honest, I wasn't much into blogging before taking PED 266. I didn't get the point of it. Now, I think it's pretty cool. You can get honest input from others just like yourself, can learn about almost any topic imaginable, and share your experiences and inputs with people all over the world. It's a great form of communication, and a terrific way to get your word out! I am really glad I took PED 266. I have gained a lot of new knowledge, brushed up and improved old techniques, and learned some great tools that I can carry with me throughout schooling and into the workforce!

THE FUTURE (dun dun dun)

Everyone is always telling me I need to plan for the future. It seems that a day doesn't pass where somebody is asking me what I want to do with my life and what career I want to pursue. It is a lot of pressure to have to decide what you want to do with the rest of your life when you are just nineteen years old. Sure, I know my interests and have ideas on what I am good at, but I surely can't guarantee that what I think I am interested in now is going to be what I will want to do ten years from now. Unfortunately, college students are rushed into making decisions quickly. As a result, many of them aren't graduating in the standard four years. Between changing majors and growing up, they are extending that four years into five or six--sometimes even more.
With that being said, you've got to do what you've got to do. I figure this--in order to get a great job it is almost imperative that you have some sort of graduate level training--whether it be a master's or doctorate degree. I realize that in most cases you can get your bachelor's degree in one thing and then go to graduate school for something completely different. Rather than waste my time going back and forth between majors and stressing over what it really is that I want to do, I have decided to choose one thing and stick with it. I am majoring in exercise science with intention to go to graduate school for physical therapy. Whether I go to PT school or study a completely different occupation, I will at least have a degree and be ready to further my education. In the meantime, I will take advantage of my learning opportunities, work to the best of my ability in my classes, and volunteer at different practices to help me decide if PT is right for me.

Here is a link to the path I am currently on...

http://www.uncw.edu/uc/documents/0708cas-ped-exsci.pdf