SLOG has been interesting for me, mostly because I approached it with a little bit of irritation (full disclosure here). I think that overall, it is a beneficial exercise, and I think that the integration of communication and personal reflection into STEM courses (and STEM life in general) can only be a good thing. However, I've been up to my ears in coursework and 2 jobs, and I definitely suppressed a sigh when I realized that there would be this additional piece of the course, as well as the assignments, tests, and labs (the labs I find I spend a lot of time preparing for, only to run out of time despite my efforts and their 2-hour duration!)
Anyway, that was then, this is now. I have actually been enjoying the blogging. Of course, in order to do that, I have had to be fairly casual, and perhaps even irreverent. But I tell myself that a) the TAs can probably appreciate a bit of levity as they slog through the SLOGs, and b) I may be making jokes and posting pictures of hamburger phones, but I actually take the reflection and the topics seriously; I want to be honest, do a good job, and mean what I write.
The nice thing about academic structure is that, when well designed, it forces you (for grades) to do things that are honestly beneficial to you, like reflective writing. If someone told me to keep a journal, I could maybe stick to it for like...a week. Or two if I was good. But the mandatory (well, grade-rewarded, to the extent that that is mandatory) nature of SLOG means that writing and reflective time, which are on the whole healthy and self-bettering pursuits, are built into the daily grind. I'd say this is a win-win.
Way to change my mind, CSC! And thanks for listening to my honesty. It's not the rosy, butt-kissing version, but it's the truth and that counts for something.
<3
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