Week 8

3 Accomplishments from the week:

Getting through my presentation has to be the biggest accomplishment of this week. However, getting the script and slides done for my presentation was a major accomplishment that made it possible for me to present. I was also able to finish up the draft of my research paper, and it was a major relief to accomplish that. 

3 things preventing my best work this week:

This week, the main thing that prevented my best work was nervousness about the presentation. I was also struggling to come to terms with this REU being over and trying to maximize my time with the friends I made while being here. Finally, the last thing preventing my best work was trying to balance my time finalizing my project and presentation with packing my things. 

3 things I learned this week:

This week, I learned that I tend to overexplain when I get nervous during presentations. Learning this helped me to keep my presentation at the right length. I also learned how to make my maps and slides better because of the critiques that I received. Finally, I learned about voter suppression, floods, education, homelessness, conscription, the Freedmen’s Bureau, and insurrection hysteria from listening to the presentations of the other cohort members throughout the week.

The next action/step/thing I need to do for my research:

My research is mostly complete, but I will be looking to refine my paper and submit it somewhere for publication.