From the beginning of the course our epigraph specifically states that “If we’re not your animals, if these are adult things, accept the risk. There is risk, Gatoi, in dealing with a partner” by Octavia Butler emphasizing that there is a big deal within one’s life, for example as a college student and as a first generation student we have risks. This idea as college students of having the ability to take their own risks, has a huge impact in one’s life, for example having to decide whether or not to retake a course all over again or choosing between having to change one’s major, like for example I know that as a biology major it has been tough for me to debate whether or not I should continue taking all of the science courses I’m originally taking or taking the risk of majoring in sociomedical sciences, which is something I know I am good at in order to get to the profession I desire doing. Having to decide whether or not taking the risk of going to college is a risk one has to take necessarily as a first year generation, or taking a course that has nothing to do with your major, socializing and choosing whom you can trust on campus, and the level of difficulty that challenges oneself to build upon. As discussed in class, the idea of the example of the Good Samaritan policy demonstrates that if any person who is unconsciously ill should be getting rapid attention and looked after for immediate care. It is demanded of that person assisting to follow along with the policy, it is a risk they choose to take o avoid facing consequences. This example, makes me think of the same exact idea of a college student because the same exact example falls for us in the reason that college students are expected to pay attention and pass all their courses, purposely stressed by professors, but needed especially if they want to have a job or a career in the long run. Like for example relating back to some of our class discussions with professor McCoy, where professors are supposed to stress students out on certain assignments needed to be done, and participation being a part of their grades. In class professor McCoy stressed the need for more participation involvement in the classroom to keep the momentum going, have different points of views, and to feel comfortable.
It has been pointed out throughout class discussions that for the HIPAA law if you are assisting on a patient you are not authorized under the law to discuss about your patient’s cases under any circumstances unless fully directed to do so by the patient themselves, unless if they specifically tell you that they would like to discuss their health information with someone else. This shows that as a doctor you are obligated to follow the rules the same way as college students have to obey certain laws and rules while they are still students on campus like for example, following the school code of conduct & while living on campus, you have to follow certain rules in most residence halls led by your RA’s (Resident Assistants) in which you can and cannot perform. Although, all these ideas help to set some serious goals within my lifestyle routine as a full-time student on campus, and develop some critical questions for myself to better solve and act upon for this course about the risks and rewards of academic partnership because it is important for me to fully dedicate my time and participate to the best of my ability throughout this course if I want to succeed and pass the course, and know what is right or what is not right for me to do, especially if the cost is that I want to become a very successful professional leader. There are consequences and risks that lead me to take so I can accomplish my goals in order to reach that state. This class is a risk that I choose to take to reach my goal as a future professional doctor even though I am a biology major, I am required to take this course outside of my major in addition to graduating within the next 3 years. On the other hand, I am a very shy, more likely to keep to myself type of person and I do not enjoy socializing with others as much, because I am usually afraid of what others have to think about my other points of view and experiences.
In order to become successful within this course I would need to face my fears, and get out of my comfort zone so that I can become a better student within this course and for myself. This relates to “Bloodchild” because T’gatoi plays a very important role, where she has chosen to take the risk of looking after Lien’s family. When it was time to rip out the eggs out of Gan’s sister’s body, he chose to take the risk of refusing to let T’gatoi make the decision to perform this act, and instead he has stepped up to place his need of why he should take over rather than let him witness his sister’s birth, this is where he becomes independent of his choices. This relates to how“taking risks” comes into play and becomes helpful in strengthening my ability to work effectively and think outside of the box more. Being able to create a partnership with my peers gives me the opportunity of listening more to what they have to say, and have the capability of summarizing from their perspective to touch more upon the idea, not only does it help me summarize off of what they think but it can help me take it to a different level and have a different perspective of it. Once I learn from their experiences or become more responsive I am more likely to respond in the form of disagreeing and agreeing when entering into a conversation without directly coming at them in a negative matter as it has been stated by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein where they provide templates when it comes to clarifying a specific point. Within our last class discussion I feel that once you are in a group setting you have to think about the risks of being able to draw upon on a point you have to first allow yourself to think thoroughly and bake the cake before you add your own frosting to it, in this case your templates which best fulfills the sentence.
This concept can help others to fully understand and possibly learn from the thoughts of others and their experiences to apply it to oneself or something related.. My goal for this course is to continuously ask curious, confusing questions to fully be able to challenge myself in a situation where I am uncomfortable in doing so, not only that but gain feedback back to further develop my points. If I take this into consideration I am more likely able to understand what it would feel like to receive responses and focus my attention on the phrases and the ideas that are being used by the responder. Also, it is more likely to help me elaborate upon their point and get thinking. This not only can help me become a great student but it can help me better build upon my growth of ideas, communication, writing and vocabulary when completing papers and centered into class discussions. If I am the type of person to ask more, I will receive, and if I receive more often I am more prepared to perform as once read in a book called “The Secret”. The Secret is a book about the Law of attraction that helps readers to think upon their actions and draw their attention onto a different direction thorughout their lifestyle. Following back to the epigraph, this falls into the whole “Adult like things” because this whole concept prepares me very well in becoming a very open-minded, and informative student. Once I am better prepared to learn how to take risks for myself without wanting or needing to back out on opportunities, I am more capable of doing anything that I believe is impossible for myself but possible to achieve and it would only make me stronger and incredibly successful throughout the end of this course.