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Ahhh… a much needed three day weekend! This school week was only four days due to labor day… Thank goodness! During these chaotic and tiring times, plenty of students, myself included, have felt like a hamster frantically running on a wheel. Repeating the same cycle of working till late, and starting days early eventually takes its toll. It is hard to believe we’ve been in school for five weeks now. Next thing you know, the semester will be over! 

Our routine since the first week of class has been to have a check in. Check-ins, while being a small part of our time together, allow me to feel heard which isn’t something I have experienced in my other classes at UNC. This week, our check in was relatively positive! Consequently because of our three day weekend, most students finally had the chance to hop off the wheel and rest. Overall, most students feel as though they are finally getting settled in. As sad as it sounds, this was the first week since school started where I didn’t feel like I was on the verge of tears. After being booted off campus and moving back home for two weeks, I finally moved into my new apartment! During such a hectic time where there are so many unknowns, it’s important to create a routine; it seems like many of my classmates are creating one of their own which should ease up stress.

Let’s eat Grandma! Uh oh! We’re eating grandma? In class this week we covered the importance of grammar, punctuation, proofreading, and local errors. English grammar is difficult to learn even for native speakers. In an article by Science Daily, the findings of a study conducted by Northumbria University in 2010 suggest that most native english speakers cannot understand basic grammar which can be made worse due to their education. This is concerning because for years, the idea that people of the same linguistic community should share a basic understanding of grammar stood true. Noam Chomsky, sometimes referred to as the “father of modern linguistics” has a theory in which it assumes that “all children learn language equally well and that there must therefore be an underlying common structure to all languages that is somehow “hard-wired” into the brain.” (Science Daily 2010). However, this theory doesn’t line up with the ability of all Americans to accurately use grammar, which is an issue. Myself along with many other students struggle with grammar so, Mr. Blom’s powerpoint on grammar was much needed. In class, we discussed the basics like what nouns and adjectives are, then we moved onto different types of sentences as well as different punctuation. As a writer, it is important to use proper grammar to ensure that the appropriate message gets across. It’s especially important that we covered this in class seeing as our final draft for Unit 1 is due this upcoming week! 

Over the past few weeks we have been working on feeder worksheets in preparation for our Unit 1 project in which we are writing an article in the natural sciences. This week our class turned in their rough drafts of our Unit 1 project. In past weeks, we have given and received feedback on our peers’ rough drafts through workshops. In past years, I’ve had a difficult time allowing others to read my work which has negatively affected my writing. However, in Mr. Blom’s class, I don’t feel as much pressure to have perfect writing. My class is full of kind, understanding individuals so it makes it easier to share and collaborate. In addition, in past weeks we have gone over constructive feedback to give to our peers which has in turn strengthened my writing and boosted my confidence in my writing ability. 

During this time, I’ve had to make many adjustments. To name a few: living away from home, becoming more independent, and changing my studying habits. These have all proven to be difficult. While this has been a burdensome time for all students at UNC, we’ll benefit from it and come out of this year stronger. I have no doubt that I will continue to grow alongside my peers both as a writer and a person; I’m excited for what is to come and the many stories I’ll have about being part of the COVID-19 era. 

 

Works Cited

“Many English Speakers Cannot Understand Basic Grammar.” ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, 6 July 2010, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100706082156.htm.  

 

Featured Image Source:

Hilburn, Scott. “In a Comma” Cartoon. Universal UClick, 2012, https://www.happyshappy.com/idea/753508410323257 

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