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Take time to really think about your project.

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Take time to really think about your project.

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In my experience, the project assignments took the most time but were also the most rewarding. If you take the time to research a topic that actually interests you, the project can be really fun. I always looked forward to these assignments!

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It’s so easy to lose track of time and start falling behind! I would highly encourage you to do the assignments when you have some extra time on your hands! It’s a very interactive class, and I’ve learnt so much from it! To fully experience that, stay on track!

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Don't be a perfectionist in this class! It is much better to get the assignments done in the time frame then not doing them and missing the points.

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Don't be a perfectionist in this class! It is much better to get the assignments done in the time frame then not doing them and missing the points.

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At the beginning I had a schedule that I followed so that I would do all my assignments on time, but as the semester got more and more busy I started to fall behind. This class is super fun and engaging, so make the most out of it and do not overwhelm yourself.

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You may start to feel yourself getting lazy as semesters go because there are so many extra credit opportunities. STAY ON TOP OF YOUR ASSIGNMENTS EACH WEEK AND DON"T TRY TO SKIP A WEEK! It is so much easier on yourself to do the work then when it is due. Don't take advantage of the fact that this course provides a lot of extra points. Just get your assignments done weekly so you don't have to worry about all that at the end of the course!

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Honestly, I let myself fall way behind this semester because I saw that there was so much extra credit within the class. I thought if I missed one or two days, it wouldn't matter very much. Well, one or two days turned into a week and then another week and then I was struggling to pick up my grade by doing all of the extra credit the last couple weeks of class. If you just stick to a weekly schedule and do all of the assignments when they are due, you'll pass this class with ease. When you start to blow it off is when you start to struggle and the class gets miserable! So long story short, just stay on a schedule and do the work on or before the day it's due!

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My biggest tip is to ask for help when you need it. It feels so simple but if you neglect to ask for help when you realize you are overwhelmed, the work will keep piling up and you will drown. Laura is seriously one of the best professors I have ever had. If you communicate with her and tell her you need some assistance she is willing to work with you as much as she can. She is truly incredible and so is the class if you let it be!

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My biggest tip would be to communicate with Laura as much as possible! She is a great resource for the class and a wonderful person to talk to. I really valued her tips and support throughout the semester.

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Create a schedule and stick to it. Treat it like a "normal" class.

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Create a schedule and stick to it. Treat it like a "normal" class.

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There are so many opportunities for points in this class that it's easy to think that you don't need to do every assignment. It's easy to think that you can just do it all in one day. But listen to me. YOU CAN'T. Or even if you could - that just takes all the fun out of it. This class is an opportunity to learn more about interesting topics and express yourself! Don't make it stressful. Make sure you create a schedule and stick to it. Treat it like a normal class. I had some problems with this, and I've still enjoyed the class, but I know I would have liked it a lot more if I had spaced out my work!

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Don't miss a week of assignments and assume you'll just make up for it with the extra credit. You will come to find that this creates a habit. Also take advantage of the extra assignments along with the required assignments so that you can finish the class early. Your professor has given you a great set up for the class so take advantage of it!

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I won't lie and say that I didn't procrastinate, but it definitely made the class harder than it needed to be! This class is so fun, especially when you stay caught up and get to focus on enjoying coming up with and reading new stories! I have always loved writing, and this class helped me realize how much I miss it and inspired me to start writing again! Have fun with it and you'll have a great semester!

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Have fun with the storytelling assignments :)

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Have fun with the storytelling assignments :)

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They are a really good opportunity to be creative and develop your own writing style! I was super nervous about writing assignments that other people were going to read, but everyone is super nice and sometimes the feedback you receive can be really helpful/inspiring

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it might feel weird at first but just go with it!!

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it might feel weird at first but just go with it!!

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Being a science major, I was really hesitant/nervous for this class! I'm not a writer at all and I didn't want people to laugh at my stories. But I eventually realized everyone else was also a little nervous/out of their element too !! Once I realized this I felt more free to explore my imagination and my stories became more creative and I had a lot of fun.
And if you fall behind-- there are so many options to make those points up so take advantage! Laura is also one of the nicest/most involved/understanding professors I've had in a while so don't ever feel shy reaching out to her:)

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This class gives you so much  freedom, one of those freedoms is the option to work ahead/ finish class early, which is totally awesome! I have taken both sections of this course now, Indian Epics and Myth/ Folklore.  It is super easy to get ahead (and finish early if you want). I've learned that it is best to stay at least
a week ahead of my assignments (its easy to work ahead during syllabus week), that way you are prepared if something happens and you cannot complete one week's assignments!

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I realized over the course of the semester, as I fell more and more behind in the class that I needed to find the assignments I liked. I love doing the blog comments and reading other people's storybooks as well as writing biographies! I felt like that helped me finish the class and focus on stuff I really cared about and liked!! Take advantage of the flexibility and really have fun with it :)

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As an engineering student, often artistic creativity is something you don't get to flex in many (or any) classes. This class is a great opportunity for students in a similar situation to mine have a creative outlet for everything they have had to bottle up throughout the years. So my advice, when it comes to the creative portions of this class, which is most of it, don't hold back and try to have as much fun as possible with it. This was one of the few classes where a good grade is attainable while also having fun!

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I am not gonna lie, it is the night before the class ends (12:30 am) to be precise and I am just now getting everything finished. Dr. Gibbs makes the class so manageable that I completely blame myself and COVID for getting behind. I think my biggest advice is to create a schedule for this class at the beginning of the semester and really stick to it. This is not a hard class to manage and the stuff you read is super interesting... SO make it a priority and you will do great! I also suggest investing in the readings and really trying to understand some of the messages. My favorite has been the Jataka Tales because they give you some important life lessons if you read them deeply.

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I think the most challenging part of this class for me was that I didn't really stick to the schedule I had set. I have a lot of other commitments and I let myself slack off a lot. Fortunately for me, COVID-19 happened and I'm able to take the P/F option. That will likely not happen again, so be sure you put in the work to get the grade you need in this class!

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This course is flexible and 100% accommodating to each and every person. Laura is SO awesome and encourages you throughout the entire course. Take advantage of the extra credit opportunities!! And truly try to soak in every bit on this non-traditional course- it's unlike anything you've taken at this University!

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A schedule is the best way to help yourself out over the semester. In the beginning of this class the professor will help you build a schedule, and the best thing you can do for yourself is stay true to the schedule. In the story project the best thing you can do is reread your posts before you post them. It is so easy to miss your mistakes when writing. Rereading will help you out.

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One of the best things about this course is the abundant extra credit opportunities that are available each week. If you take advantage of these in the early few weeks of the semester, it'll set you up better for when midterms and finals come around and you can slack off a bit. Laura is extremely understanding and caring. She gives great feedback and tips on where to go with your story if you get stuck! This class is pretty awesome because you get to explore your creativity and recreate stories, so don't be afraid to have fun!!

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One of the best, if not the greatest, aspect of this course is the flexibility that's allowed. If you're having a tough time in other classes, it's completely okay to miss assignments in this course to change your priority to ease the stress of other classes. On the flip side, when things aren't hectic in other courses, there's a bunch of extra credit that lets you stay on track.

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Like many of the others say, the number of assignments can be overwhelming. My best advice is stick to the plan you create in the beginning of the semester so you don't fall behind at any point in the week and miss assignments/ have a ton to do over the weekend.

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It's easy to get overwhelmed by the number of assignments that you have to do but it becomes super simple if you have a plan that you can stick to.

Finally, communicate with Laura. If you're like any college student you never take advantage of office hours. She is always there to help you if you need it!

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Throughout the semester it can be difficult to manage your classes and find a way to stay on top of things, especially if you get behind in the beginning. Laura is an extremely understanding and flexible teacher and truly gives you all the necessary advice for how to succeed in this class. I often found that this class was a good break from the other classes I was taking, but be prepared to spend a good chunk of your time working on this class. In the beginning, it can be difficult to manage all the different pages and tabs when setting up your blogger and story book sites, but if you follow the directions, it is very straight forward. Also I recommend finding a style of stories that you enjoy reading using the useful tabs at the bottom of the reading pages. For me this was collections of short stories. Once you have all that figured out, find a schedule and stick to it! This was the most difficult thing for me to do, but if I could go back, I would have set a more realistic schedule.

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Get the Assignments Done and Out of the Way!

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Get the Assignments Done and Out of the Way!

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I found that for me, dedicating a day to finish the week’s assignment helped me stay on top. I found the assignments becoming more and more time consuming as the semester progressed so finishing the weekly assignments all at once was very helpful. I took biochemistry with Prof Sims and that class alone required all of my time. A class like this also required time especially if you’re a perfectionist. I spent a lot of time on writing my stories and you write almost every week. I enjoyed developing my stories which required a lot of my time. Also, there’s a grace period that is super helpful. Anyways, those are my two cents on this class. I know we’re not all the same but this method definitely worked for me.

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Yes to absolutely everything on this page. Work ahead, be creative, have fun with it... BUT ALSO: be consistent. If I could bold and highlight and underline and italicize those 2 words, I would. But yes do all of that - but with consistency. You might start the semester off real strong and keep up with every single assignment the first few weeks. But if you're like me, you might start taking the class for granted thinking, "Oh this is a super easy class and I'm off to a good start anyway. It can wait." And then the slacking commences... and then it bites you in the booty. Also Ms. Gibbs is the sweetest professor ever! She gives you so many chances to do well. So don't take her for granted either!!!

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As you can see from the other advice notes on this page, working ahead is so important! But if you're anything like me, then motivation will plummet as the semester moves on. This class offers a lot of flexibility, so you can literally pick some extra credit assignments that you can have fun with! Things like scrolling through wikipedia, writing meta-fiction, writing your own biography, etc. Pick assignments that sound fun and it will make doing the work so much easier!

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This class is unexpectedly fun and you can really learn some interesting stuff! I hope that you have some interest! The other thing is just take the time every day and knock out the work. It is worth it and a good way to form your habits! Also be creative with your stories! Make it 10x better! -Chris

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Everyone says to stay on top of the assignments and work ahead, and they're absolutely right...but if you are a chronic procrastinator or just have a super busy schedule, the grace period is literally a lifesaver. I'd usually do the assignments the morning after they were due, during the grace period which was until noon. The assignments usually go pretty fast, so as long as you do a tiny bit of budgeting and wake up on time, you can definitely get everything done.

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I got an email from Laura before the semester started that she was opening up the course a week early. I love working ahead and finishing early, and I knew I didn't have a lot to do during the week before school anyway. I ended up finishing over 3 weeks of the course before the semester even started! A lot of people probably finish the class a few weeks before the semester ends, but I am on track to finish the class in less than one month. If you like being done early, you can do that too!

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I really enjoyed this class because it gave me an outlet to write creatively. Yes, absolutely work ahead and do the extra credit assignments because it'll give you a much-needed buffer for crazy college schedules, but my main advice is to take your time with the stories. That way, you'll put forth your best work and maybe get some work for a portfolio for the future! It also just feels good to learn about cool mythology and folklore stories then transfer that knowledge into a creative space. Have fun with the class and stay on top of your work, and your semester will be great :)

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I think the most important tip for this class is to give yourself room to be ahead! Time management and being on top of the assignments are very important. Aside from staying on top of things, have fun with the class! This class is an opportunity to be creative and think out side of the box. Take the time to enjoy it and write fun stories! Also read the stories because each one can be a way to learn about other cultures!

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Be smart about time management. Just because the professor graciously offers more time to submit weekly work, it's always better to stay on task and do the work on the given day or before! It's never fun to scurry at the last minute to get the full points. Also, there are many extra credit opportunities to use to your advantage; you can even finish the class sooner, if you do the extra credits in conjunction with assigned work. Overall, enjoy learning the new cultures presented throughout the epics!

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In this class, you get the opportunity to be creative in almost any way you want, using the readings for the class as the basis for your creativity. Branch out!! With the creative writing assignments, write in a style you are unused to, with humor or drama, about whatever you want. Have a good time writing, and it'll make the readings more fun, too.

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This class is so awesome! You get to learn so much about Mythology and Folklore. The best part of this class is how flexible the schedule is. There are due dates set to keep you on track but everything is open so you have the full opportunity to start working ahead. And there are so so many extra credit assignments that you can do to help you get ahead that you can finish this class early. This class will help you bring out your creative side with the stories you will write so enjoy the freedom you get to be as creative as you can be.

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This class is amazing! I learned so much about Mythology and Folklore this past semester. I also improved as a writer and storyteller, which was my initial goal. Additionally, it’s a great way to be creative and connect with other students in an online environment. Now, when I say work ahead, I mean /work ahead/. Don’t be that person writing a short story, a blog post, and multiple blog comments at 10pm on a Sunday night (yes, I’ve been that person). Good luck and happy writing!

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This class is incredible, but it also a lot of work. To be honest, I wish I would have taken what I read here a lot more seriously. When it came down to the last few weeks I was behind on points and had to work extra to make them up. If you do each assignment as they are due, you will have no issues and even finish early.

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Use this opportunity to learn about your culture or other cultures.

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Use this opportunity to learn about your culture or other cultures.

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The stories you read come from all over the world from all different times. A lot of them are fun to read and are just the result of someone's imagination. Others were told as a way to pass down information important to a particular culture. You can learn so much from just reading the stories and you can learn even more when you do the research to write your own. This class is a lot of fun and there's so much you can learn.

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There aren’t many classes that give you the opportunity to take chances and be creative without worrying about your grade. Take advantage of the opportunity that Laura is giving you, that’s what really makes this class worth it.

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I did most of my work the day it was due in this class, but in the last 5 weeks, I worked ahead and it made my schedule so much easier! Also, make sure you work on projects and stories you can have fun with. Sometimes I got intimidated by my storybook topic but once I sat down to write it, it was a blast. It made the work feel like a break from the rest of my classes!

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It's so easy to get into the last minute headspace. But there is so much extra credit, and the assignments can actually be fun start early! It doesn't always feel like homework because it gets entertaining. I have a habit of overthinking, but it's not too bad. Just take it one step at a time and you'll get through.

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There are SO many options for extra credit in this course, so it makes getting ahead a little bit easier! I regret not doing more of them each week. I have never taken a course with so much extra credit and it's incredibly helpful if you want to either work ahead or need to miss an assignment for the week. They're so nice to have!

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Don't procrastinate and get creative with this course

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Don't procrastinate and get creative with this course

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Honestly, this class is like no other at OU, but it is definitely an unforgettable class to take. The schedule is flexible, but do not let it sneak up on you because it will get you in the end. There are many extra credit opportunities at the end of each week, but do not use that to your advantage to get behind on assignments. I regret not staying on track and using the extra credit opportunities to get ahead in the class. If you can, please take advantage of extra credit assignments to get ahead, instead of getting back on track. One last thing, remember to be creative with this class and let your mind go wherever it takes you. Do not hold back on the creativity because I did, and now I regret doing so.

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Don't Procrastinate and Have Fun with the Assignments

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Don't Procrastinate and Have Fun with the Assignments

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The class is structured by weeks, so at the end of every week, those assignments including the extra credit are done. This means that if you missed the readings the previous week, you need to do a couple extra credit assignments this week. Being consistent throughout the semester is the easiest way to get the grade you want. This class is very open so have fun with the assignments. Be creative. Think of new ways to tell the story or add something new. Good luck!

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For most college majors, professors don't want to hear new and original ideas; they just want you to repeat information they teach. This class provides a rare breath of fresh air for your inner creativity to blossom. This class is a lot easier if you get passionate about what you're writing about because ideas will start to flow easier. Once I got into my storybook, I actually looked forward to writing more stories for it and had a lot of fun making stories I was proud of. Also, take advantage of the extra credit because it gives you a lot of opportunities to save your butt if you forget to do some assignments.

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College is hard. There is no way around it. Everyone has the moment in college that they think there is no end to the homework and other obligations. This class was an amazing way to get away from the the hardship of college and just relax and write. If you enjoy what you do in this class it becomes one of the best classes at OU. Just enjoy what you do in class, and you will instantly have a outlet to relax.

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Use this class as a creative outlet! This class is most likely not like any other class that you will take or have taken already at OU... and be glad! There is no wrong answers in this course, it is all you. Learn, have fun, and really take advantage of this class to de-stress.

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This is such a fun class and has so many learning opportunities! However, whenever you are in the thick of the semester it is really easy to put things off until the last minute! So many times I was trying to do my Project, Project Feedback, and Blog Comments late Sunday night and into Monday morning. On the few weekends that I got a head start on my activities, I found that I was a lot less stressed and I was really able to enjoy the material instead of stressing out about getting it done. Also, if you do fall behind, or if you don’t get everything done, meet yourself with understanding and just do the extra credit. It’s there for a reason and in the end you can still get all of your points that you need.

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The stories really are fun to read. Make sure you don't have any distractions around you while you read so that you can really understand what's going on. Set the mythfolklore UN-textbook as a favorite on your phone so that you can read the stories during down time.

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It's so easy to fall behind in this class if you don't put the effort in. Telling yourself "I can do that tomorrow" could be your demise. This class can be a lot of fun, and it's up to you to make that choice. This class gives you the opportunity to be flexible with your schedule, but don't put things off too much. When it comes to the writing itself, this is your opportunity to test your merit as an author and channel your voice into literature so make each story your own. You got this!!

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The flexible schedule is great, but if you don't make sure you're turning everything in, it's easy to fall behind.

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Figure out what timing works for you! This course is great about letting you get things done in your preferred time, just make sure to keep up with everything!

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This class was amazing! The flexibility of the schedule is something that is really helpful when you have a million other things going on with your other classes. With that said, be careful to not let it get away from you. Although there are open "deadlines" once the week is over, those assignments are gone. Work ahead if you can up front so that way you are able to plug in assignments for later weeks with your other coursework. Also, take advantage of the extra credit as early and as much as you can. This has been a lifesaver for this class. If you do all the extra credit available early on, then you can finish up the class early! The extra credit makes it a forgiving schedule if you have to miss a week or a couple of assignments. Most of all though, have fun and enjoy! This class made writing fun! (From an accounting major)

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This is a "do as I say and not as I do" tip: I had big plans at the beginning of the semester to work ahead and do extra credit every week, so that I could finish this class early and be able to focus more on my other classes as the semester wound to a close. That said, I developed a habit of telling myself that I would do the extra credit/work ahead later on during the week, and eventually I'd get to the end of the week and run out of time. So, when you have breaks between your other classes or just a few free moments during the day, I recommend using them to tackle an extra credit assignment or two. Most of them aren't terribly time consuming, and the points really add up to help you finish early, or if you have a week when you just run out of time!

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This class is a perfect opportunity to exercise your creative talents. Do not be afraid to branch out and try new styles of writing or poetry! It really makes the class more fun. I will also say that if you are interested in what you are creating it will feel less like homework and more like an extracurricular activity. The reading in Indian Epics can be complicated at times, but there are always synopsis at the end written by the professor that will help you understand all the twists and turns of the Epics!

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Laura is so giving with the amount of extra credit in this class! Take advantage of it. It is so easy to not do an assignment because you think that you can catch up later, for the schedule is forgiving. But if you don't do that and do one extra credit each week--You'll get done so much quicker!

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A piece of advice I would give is to not marry an idea you have at the beginning of the semester. As you build your project, you might end up changing somethings, finding a better theme, and ending up with a better idea than what you started with! Also, always read the feedback you get in your comments because some are actually so helpful with great ideas!

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It is not often that you take a class where you have so much freedom to choose what kind of assignments you'll do and where you don't have to worry about your work being assigned a grade. With that in mind, have fun! I had forgotten what it was like to read and write without having to worry about strict deadlines and grades. In this class you can just enjoy your work and let go of worries about how well you are doing. You get to define what success is for you in this class so take advantage of that!

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At the beginning of the class, especially if you're new to online classes, the amount of resources available to you can feel a bit overwhelming. My advice is to bookmark, and bookmark early! Rather than letting tabs just pile up open in your browser, or losing pages that you'll want to keep coming back to, make a folder in your bookmarks for this class, and save anything that seems remotely helpful.

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If you're like me, writing assignments are probably your least favorite thing in the world. At least they were for me before I took this. With these writing assignment, there's no template you have to follow, no strict rules, you can write almost whatever and however you want. Let your creativity be free! Use this class as an opportunity to finally let yourself enjoy creating through writing. And have fun!

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I stayed on top of my work, but I only worked ahead a few times throughout the class. I didn't do much extra credit until the end of the class, but I really wish I would have done extra credit throughout the semester, because I could have finished the class a few weeks sooner.

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My biggest piece of advice for this class is to stay on top of your work. Although the professor makes this class very doable and user friendly, it can become a lot of work if you let it pile up! All in all, it truly adds up to be about 4-5 hours a week- take that number seriously!! The content/assignments are enjoyable and Laura wants you to succeed, so just take it seriously and manage your time accordingly!

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Don't be afraid to use stories as building blocks

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Don't be afraid to use stories as building blocks

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It's great to retell a story as is with your own styulistic twist, but structural changes can also be very interesting. Don't be afraid to try using a story from the readings as a part of one of your stories, a sub-story within them, or even as a frame story for a different story! You'll be surprised by the interesting combinations you come up with.

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The best advice I can give is to work ahead. A great thing about this class is the structure that gives you the freedom to work as far ahead as you want to or can. I was able to get a good head-start at the beginning of the semester and it really made life much easier (especially since I got a bit behind by the end). This is a fantastic class and I know that you are going to get a lot out of it!

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Find a story for the storybook that you are passionate about and write about that. You will never run out of ideas for story!

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Write first, plan second, rewrite third. Find what works best for you, and do that, instead of setting in stone what you think is best.

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Accepting feedback was something that I really had to work on in this class and I know that it will help me, especially going into graduate school soon. My advice is: don’t get caught up on your original idea. Between your own revisions and the suggestions of others, your stories may shape into something completely new. Let it happen. The finished product is still yours, maybe just not in the form that you originally imagined it.

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Don't be afraid to take risks. On my UZOO test (take it if you haven't), I'm a koala and an eagle. Neither of those take risks as a personality trait, but I have taken risks in my writing this semester and it has paid-off entirely.

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Don't feel like your writing has to be perfect at first! Just get some ideas down, and then go back to improve it (and keep revisiting it as much as you feel like you need to).

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Don’t be afraid to submit what you have. If you’re like me at all, you just can’t bring yourself to finish editing a story because it “isn’t perfect yet.” Like, something feels off about it, or maybe you get that feeling similar to embarrassment when you think about publishing a story so you procrastinate actually doing it. Honestly, you’re in a classroom environment. Stay inspired by the epics and your classmates will provide helpful feedback, so you don’t have to fear being judged. Everyone is here to learn and read some unique takes on the epics; all stories are welcome.

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Look for ways to connect to the stories. Although the stories may seem hyperbolic at times, they are rich in expressing the human condition and they have some of everything. Don’t just rewrite a story with different names, seek to discover how you may connect with the mythical characters, and tell your story through them.

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Definitely always save a draft! Working on Google Docs was helpful for that because it would autosave.

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Do something that is fun…something that you enjoy; making your storybook or portfolio project something you look forward to doing each week is wonderful motivation to put time and effort into it. The end product will definitely reflect the growth you’ve nurtured.

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My advice: to take your time and not to worry about making a story perfect on the first try. After many revisions it will become perfect!

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My advice to future students would be don't be embarrassed or afraid that your writing isn't good enough. Everyone is still learning and you are your strongest critic. Also, work ahead! That way, if you have a busy week, you can skip some assignments and not feel guilty.

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I would say to actually take the time to read through all the stories. Whether it is your own or others. You can certainly learn a lot from reading, but you will also enhance your own writing skills. Additionally, you will certainly get out of this class what you put in. Make sure you spend the effort to create something that you will be proud of by the end of the semester. It is such a fantastic feeling to be able to show your peers or family a final product of what you have been doing all year.

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I practiced a lot of research-based storytelling. It is so cool to read other's works and then come up with stories about those same characters. Although it was challenging at times, I really enjoyed the process. Be sure to ask Laura questions. She is always so ready and willing to help you in any way that she can and there are no dumb questions.

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Firstly: get creative, clever and have fun! Another thing to keep in mind is that if you stay on top of your work and turn things in on time, you can dedicate a much more focused and relaxed mind to your work. That makes the class more enjoyable!

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When I first began my portfolio I had no idea where I was going with it. I honestly just wanted to make it easier on myself. So I began with my favorite story I had written. As time progressed my portfolio eased into a theme without much intent on my part. I remember looking at past students portfolios and thinking about how good they looked, and wondering how they did it?! Just know, they did not do it all at once. Sometimes I bet they did not even have a big idea in the beginning. And that is okay.

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I would advise you to definitely take the planning stage seriously; if you don’t have a concept you’re excited about it’s going to be really hard to force yourself to work on it. I would also say to choose your Storybook stories as early as you can so that you’re not spending time trying to decide what to work on, on top of doing the actual writing.

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My advice would be to develop a routine that works for you and keep it consistent from week to week. This way you know exactly what YOU have to do for that week to be "finished"

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Take this opportunity to be creative. You have so much liberty to express yourself and create something you have full control over. Have fun with it!

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Mrs. Gibbs gives so much room for extra credit that if you need to take off a week you'll be able to, just make sure you reach your goal in terms of the amount of points you need for the letter grade you want! I recommend doing the extra blog comments, it doesn't take too long and it help you see what everyone else has been doing and ang gives you time to share what you think about their stories! While there is a lot of work involved, you can do it throughout the week, or if like me, it's somewhat manageable if you put it off till last minute.

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But if the semester catches up to you and it's not feasible to continue working ahead, definitely still stick to a schedule.  And don't feel like just because you missed an assignment means you're going to be behind all semester- there are plenty of opportunities to catch back up!

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Writing can be difficult to do, if you're like me and it's not something you did a lot before this class. But if you're struggling to decide what to do for a project or just one of the weekly stories, try to pick something you do in your life and see how you can use it to rewrite a story. I used my hobby outside of class to inspire my Storybook, and it worked out great! Don't forget that when you rewrite a story, you can do whatever you want to it, whether have it take place in the future or even future in the past. Do make sure you manage your time wisely!

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Professor Gibbs' class is not hard at all. In fact, it can be one of the most fun classes you take at OU if you really focus on your storybook/portfolio project early in the semester. Make sure you find a topic that is truly interesting to you. If your project is boring to you it is going to feel like it is taking 100x longer than it should. Other than that, you might consider working one week ahead in case you run into and emergencies around deadlines. Make a routine schedule and stick to it. You've got this!

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Don't Fall Behind, But Don't Get Burned Out!

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Don't Fall Behind, But Don't Get Burned Out!

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The general advice people get when this course begins is to work ahead, which is obviously good advice. That being said, my advice would be to pace yourself and don't get too far ahead too soon. Doing so may burn you out a bit, and you won't be energized or motivated when the rest of the class catches up! Taking it piece by piece, and using the extra credit assignments, are sure-fire ways to help yourself persevere and get an A!

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This class is awesome for its content and grading system, but it only works out if you actually do the work. There's about six assignments total each week, but together they take several hours and that's why it's important to spread it out over the week. In addition to that, though, there's also extra credit each week, so don't feel bad if you miss an assignment; just do an extra credit assignment or two to make it up! It's also a good idea to do a couple anyways so you can finish the class early!

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The biggest problem I had starting out (other than being slightly overwhelmed with all the assignment possibilities each week) was coming up with ideas because I was afraid it wouldn't be accepted. So I just went out on a limb and made a completely ridiculous story that had a crocodile transforming into Shrek. And it was totally fine. Don't let your creativity be constrained by others', or even your own, perceptions about it! If you think you have a good idea for a story, just start writing! You can revise it later!

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Before this class, I had always been insecure about my creative writing skills. It can be nerve wracking to write your first story, on a deadline, and then publish knowing your professor and classmates will read it. But guess what? Everything you're feeling, your classmates are also worrying about. It is okay to make mistakes, and even if you don't think it's your best work, if you don't start somewhere you will never get anywhere. Write what comes naturally, whatever instinct tells you. Be confident, and don't be afraid to be weird. Write about what you feel like writing about. Good luck and have fun!

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One great part about this class is there is not *too* much stress about getting a good grade (given extended deadlines, etc.)- it is quite attainable if you put in the basic work. However, it is much easier when you actually put in the work. I know Laura stressed this at the beginning of the course, but definitely make time for the suggested times. I found the assignments to be much easier and worthwhile when I put the effort in rather than simply trying to finish a task. Each assignment helps with the other; reading the stories helps with retelling, taking time to retell helps cut down time with portfolio editing, etc. We have all the resources to explore different topics, so definitely take advantage of it. I learned so much about Indian culture but also other topics. Additionally, it is a great opportunity to improve as a writer and student when you take advantage of the opportunities.

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This class is definitely designed for students to explore topic and concepts that they are unfamiliar with. It gives you such a unique opportunity to create content that might be outside of your comfort zone. Go for it! And be sure to have fun along the way.

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Sometimes finding new stories to write can be difficult, and there is a lot of writing you have to do for this class. But it can be easy and a ton of fun if you pick something you enjoy. For me, that was stories about Lakshmi. Once you've got your niche, explore it. There's a lot of opportunity for free reading. Follow your passions and end up knee-deep in stories you truly enjoy reading.

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This is such a unique and interesting class you must take advantage of it! I have not taken a class with this much freedom before. With that being said it is crucial that you stay on-top of your work and deadlines. Also I think that it is important to workhead so that you have time to be creative with your work. Really invest in the class. Due to this class being entirely online it can be confusing to navigate at first if you aren't tech savvy like me but trust me once you get the hang of it you are good to go! Have so much fun in this class! Best of luck!

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I haven't had another class at OU where you can set your own Schedule, work ahead (and finish early!), and do as much Extra Credit as you need. Therefore, I think it's the perfect opportunity to not only explore and make the most out of your experience, but to really enjoy it. There are so many options and places where you can do what you like, and fit the course to something you are actually engaged with. So, enjoy yourself!

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At first this class seems to be a bit daunting. But once you get on a regular schedule, it honestly doesn't feel like a 'class'. I usually used these assignments as a break from my regular homework. Mixing and Matching is the best way to get through. Sometimes, I just couldn't come up with any stories to write, so instead, I did extra credit. The work schedule isn't meant to stress you out with self imposed deadlines. It really helps to not have to make time for your work at the last minute. This class goes by quickly, so make sure you enjoy it!

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I would recommend working ahead immensely depending on how many other classes your taking in the semester. If you are taking 5 or more classes this class can be very demanding of your time especially if your a professional writing major. I would strongly encourage working ahead so that you are not having to do a lot of work in a short amount of time. I also encourage people to write things they are passionate about because it will help you when creating stories. I would also recommend taking this class if you are a senior and have about three classes in the semester because this class provides a break from the mundane aspects of your degree.
DO THE EXTRA CREDIT AND WORK AHEAD! you won't regret doing both.

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This class was so incredible, and the way it's designed lets you explore so much. The flexibility and need for creativity scared me a little at first because I don't consider myself to be a good creative writer, but I ended up writing a bunch of stories about Wonder Woman, of all things, and it ended up being so much. Take full advantage of the flexibility of this class, and read things you normally wouldn't. I fully plan on exploring the myths and folklore of other cultures now, especially non-Western ones. They offer so many different perspectives, and it was an absolute blast.
Also, DO THE EXTRA CREDIT! So worth it.

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When I first started this class, I took advantage of the midnight deadlines a bit too much. This lead to me hanging out with friends all day, and when I came home I was busy with HW for other classes and I would completely forget about this class's HW so I would stress super hard. Eventually, I decided to work ahead whenever I got the chance. Whenever I had free time, I would work on the readings or HW and I found that this tactic made this class SO much more enjoyable. When you aren't stressing to finish a reading or write a story, you can actually have fun with them and enjoy it. Plus, it allowed me to finish the week's HW (including weekend HW) by Thursday or Friday night so I could enjoy my weekend without any assignments looming over me. Take it from me, working a little bit ahead goes a long way and I highly recommend it. This class is fun and its not meant to stress you out, so have fun with it!