NEXT STEPS

1. Write a post for your course blog in which you:
•My topic is how can I find out what I want to do in life, what does it take to get into college, and what do I need to do to go to college.
•Explain how you came to be interested in your topic and why you care about it so much;
-I've been interested in college since I was in the 7th grade and I've always wanted to know what it would take to do to get there. I care greatly about this because my whole family has gone to college and I feel that if I go to college it can help me find out what I want to do in life.
•Predict how learning about this topic will enrich your life and provide value for learners and others in your community who read/see what you do;
- I believe that learning about how to make it to college will enrich my life greatly so when the time comes to apply for college, I won't be in dark about anything. I think others should learn more about how to get to college.
•List the academic disciplines and/or skills the topic requires;
- My topic requires that you have to have at least have 2 years of spanish, three years of math, three years of science, and many other things including a high school deploma.
•Map out how you will begin learning about your topic (it's OK if you don't have a formal plan yet-- in fact, learning how to make a plan in this area may well be your first step);
- I think I should start by finishing all of my qualifications for college, along with that I will maintain at least a 3.0 avereage, next I shall start figuring out what I should write for my college paper, I will also start looking at the colleges I may like to apply to, that Is just the basis of what my steps will be I have not completely figured it out yet.
•Describe the resources you will need (wave the magic wand I just handed you and imagine for a moment that time, money and access are not obstacles. Who do you want to meet?  What materials do you need?  What types of experiences will you seek?);
- I really am not sure what I would need.
•Consider which tools you will use to tell your story.  Will you continue posting on your course blog?  Will you start a new blog, and if you do, will it be on Blogger, or WordPress, or Tumblr, or another platform?  Will you use other media and collaborative tools to curate, remix, and share your learning?  Do you have ideas about what would be cool but you're not sure what's out there?
- I will continue posting on my blog, but it may or may not be on a new one. My blog will be on blogger. I may use other tools to share my learning. Lastly I really am not sure what is out there.
REMEMBER: At this point you are merely dreaming/thinking out loud.  It's important to express your thinking even if (especially if!) you're not sure of something, or if you have questions or doubts.  Plus, we learners are all in the same boat; these are the moments that restore a small sense of humanity to the learning process.  Imagine the comfort you'll provide to a student in New York or New Delhi who stumbles on your post and realizes she's not alone after all.  For us, certainty is overrated and uncertainty is a GOOD thing.  Have a look at what some very bright people have said and written about this.
ALSO REMEMBER: If you're still thinking of this as "homework" or an "assignment" you're missing the whole point.  This is you deciding what you think is important and telling the world about it.  Don't ask how long it needs to be or whether it fits a five-paragraph essay format-- it's time for YOU to decide how to most effectively express your thinking.  (And don't worry, if we don't understand something we'll ask!)  This is your chance to explore fearlessly so that you can: a) get the best information, b) learn something and/or get better at doing something, and c) begin to make a name for yourself in a community of interest, critique, and respect.  Therefore, you shouldn't just answer the items above to check boxes.  Go deep.  Take the opportunity to make this thing your own.  And, at any point you have questions or need help, reach out to Dr. Preston and your peers (and your friends, families, employers, mentors).  We're here for you and we want you to succeed so that we can all hit the ground running when we meet again in January.