I didn’t want to take this course. This course terrified me. This course seemed dangerous to my future. I am in “United States History Research Seminar” today because I know what I’m good at, and this is not something I’m good at. It is a concept that I’ve learned sometime during my thirteen years at OES; Doing something you like and are good at is so much less valuable than practicing your insecurities.
Similar to my research and time management skills, my endurance was, shall we say, ‘lacking’ in 6th grade. I was a bit pudgy, a little out of shape, and I desperately wanted to change that as I began my middle school career so I started the year off with joining cross country. Never had I ever enjoyed running but I knew it was good for you so I put myself in the uncomfortable position of being terrible at something for the sake of improvement. Sure, there were kids on the team who were fast and fit and did it because they loved to run! But running because I knew I was terrible at it was something special to me because it taught me self reflection by recognizing my weakness, as well as a driving need to improve upon those weaknesses. Unfortunately, I didn’t find passion in running, but I did my best and even placed 16th in a meet (which seriously guys, for a fat 6th grade girl isn’t too shabby), proving to myself that I could run if I wanted. I just didn’t much care to.
How does this story of an awkward middle schooler relate to studying our history as a nation in a research setting? I can’t do research because I can’t plan out my schedule and get things done. It’s a terrible habit to lose track of time but I believed that in enrolling myself in a project based class and thereby setting myself up for failure, I will force myself to work harder and utilize research skills better. Without these skills that I’m forcing myself to learn and use, there’s no way I’ll stand a chance in college and I guess my future is kind of important, right?
The USHRS Blog 
clarabeau
October 24, 2012
Hi Georgia (please don’t be creeped out that I commented on this post so quickly, I swear it just popped up in my email),
I really like the way you approached your blog post! I not only found the title very interesting, but what you wrote about is something that I’ve been feeling recently too. What do you think it is about research based learning as opposed to lecture based learning that is difficult for you? I don’t know if you took Age of Ex last year, but if you did, do you think the increased flexibility in the curriculum design of USHRS makes it more difficult, or easier than Age of Ex’s more set design?
Thanks and nice job on your post!
Clara
Mike Gwaltney
October 24, 2012
Hi Georgia and Clara.
I also just tripped over this post tonight, before heading to bed, and it caught my eye, and I too have the questions Clara posed.
I’d love to hear from you both about the curriculum design aspect. One of the hopes I have for USHRS is that you students (collectively) will take some ownership of our direction and studies, as you’ve probably noticed. I have the sense that you’ll be more engaged by the course material if you get to choose more that interests you than in Age of Ex, for example. I welcome feedback on this.
Mike
Adrienne
October 29, 2012
Hey Georgia,
I loved your post! Your style of writing, personal story, and ideas made this post really relatable and interesting. I too am someone that tries to live by the motto of doing something uncomfortable every day. I have always been someone that had to be coaxed out of familiarity and my comfort zone; but as I’ve gotten older I’ve started to value the importance of new (albeit uncomfortable) experiences. They’ve helped me grow and strengthened many of my skills.I think it’s impressive that you started to do this even in 6th grade! It’s good to do things you don’t think you’re good at in order to build the skills you’re lacking.
From a more retrospective perspective, do you think you’re researching and time-management skills have improved? Is this class what you thought it would be?
Good job again!
Adrienne
mattbaker45297343
October 31, 2012
Hey Georgia,
I agree with you, I was skeptical on how this class was really going to be. I had never done anything related to USHRS like work and I was not technologically savvy with wordpress or blogging. Your story is a very interesting read and I have one question for you; do you think choosing to come out of your “comfort zone” (cliche, I know) has affected you in other ways?
Loved your post!
Matt