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Mella Sluyter
230147176
ENGL 281
Professor Lisa Dickson

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Teamwork, equality, taking time to find joy in the little things. Strength of mind, character, will. All of these things hold a place in my heart, and I hope to embody them all. As a new generation, one trying to break free of the wrongs created in the past, we strive not for just enough, but for more than enough. For abundant happiness, for safety in the streets and our homes. We seek not only justice, but truth for lives lost and ruined. This is the value held by our generation. Our goal. Truth, justice, peace.

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As I stated in a prior Padlet "Education: a word that's thrown around quite often these days. What is education, truly? I believe that education is the furthering of knowledge, the creation of connections, and the nurturing of new ideas. It is what gives our curious society it's life force, what allows the underprivileged to lift themselves up out of ignorance and into the world of possibilities. As one of my professors frequently states, to become educated is to join a community of scholars, a network of information. Now, education does not always take place in the classroom. It often comes from our elders, from  our peers, our environment. Education is not a one-sided coin, and it is different for everyone. Therefore, it's definition is fluid and ever-changing."

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The thing that drives me to succeed... definitely feeling the need to match my parents. My father is a heavy duty mechanic who decided he wanted more out of life, went back to school, and became a teacher. He has two degrees, one of them a Master's. My mother is an English immigrant who became an English-French teacher with a double literature and languages degree (in English and French) with an almost degree in Social Work. Both of them are well travelled, have excellent diction, and are extremely talented in their respective fields of education. Seeing as I dream of becoming an English teacher myself, you can probably see why I am so driven. I need to make my parents, but I also want to prove to myself that I am their equal. This has been my motivation for as long as I can remember, and will probably continue to be for quite some time.

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As someone who values teamwork, equality, and finding moments of joy in a life of flitting from work to sleep to work, these images embody what I represent. Being an army cadet for the past 6 years has taught me the value of hard work and dedication, of independence and strength. However, it has also taught me to accept relying on my teammates, to view them as an extension of myself as opposed to a sign of weakness. When I train new hires in my place of work, I try to pass on this piece of wisdom. It is always okay to ask for help, as admitting defeat and learning how to fix the problem is far better than never finding the solution at all. Something to note: while teamwork is indeed the best thing in many scenarios, one must also learn the value of alone time, and find the will to say "no". No I cannot come over everyday, I need to rest. No, I won't go to that party, I have homework. To take care of your mental and physical health FIRST is to unlock the secret of life. This is something I have chosen to work on this year, and I hope that the strength of my values will only grow as time goes on.

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What is the best learning environment for me? I imagine such a place to be small, yet comfortable, an apartment-like space with a friend. Their company keeps me focused, driven, and yet they also give me the social interaction  I so crave. Our home together is filled with plants, green tendrils drifting down from every available surface. The windows are large and always open, and cool breezes occasionally drift in. When I stand up for my stretch breaks I can take a glance out of my window and see the cozy sitting area by my favourite trees. Freyja, our rescue cat, makes guest appearances for strokes and attention. The scent of lavendar and other herbs is on the air, and we have all sorts of delicious study snacks in our tiny kitchen. When at last my brain cannot absorb anymore information, I can collapse on my bed and absentmindedly wind my fingers through the tendrils of the ivy above me. The learning space that works for me is calm, organized, neat. Yet at the same time, it is covered in plants, candles, and cat scratches. This is what works for me. Would it work for you?

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When I think of what learning means, I think of many things. However, you may think of something different. Why is that? It's quite simple. We are all, as human beings, strange. No two are alike. The bubble of peace I create for the sake of my mental health may cause you great anxiety, but it works for me. Keep this in mind as you listen to the following song, "Strange" by LP.