Final Reflection

The composition section of this course made me realize the importance of point of views and one’s story. Each assignment we had helped me further understand my strengths and weaknesses in writing, understanding, listening, analyzing, and narrating. The uniqueness of each assignment widened my eyes each time on what people think I can accomplish and helped me see the talent that I have within myself.

My experience of writing the outsider essay was very different from the rest. Being my first paper assignment in Sophie Davis I tried giving it my all, while adding a little flare. I didn’t want my work to look boring, so I wrote my outsider narrative in the format of a book. Brainstorming an idea for this narrative, however, was no easy task, as I’ve never openly thought of a moment of when I’ve viewed myself as an outsider. When I finally thought of a time where I got bullied, I was hesitant due to not knowing what style of writing I should perform it make it compelling, and what parts I should omit to make the story user friendly. The next essay being the metaphor was tough because many sophies told us that this besides the final research paper are the toughest papers we’ll have to write. Also, I decided to do my draft the night before it was due which led to me feeling overwhelmed and have a lack of confidence in my work. Then we had the critical lens paper. It was an interesting challenge. The prompt was very similar to the metaphor paper but very different. Considering the fact that I usually don’t weave in quotes and ideas while writing papers, I thought my paper was going to be very long and boring. Finally we got to the final research paper, requiring all of our previously built skills in order to complete this essay. Being able to understand narratives and respond to them, analyzing data and relating it to something though a narrative medicinal lens, and properly presenting findings and theories derived from the information you have was all required from this essay.

During the peer review session, I felt people would give unnecessary suggestions for my work sine I didn’t do peer review in high school. However, this wasn’t the case. Given the fact I was able to get multiple edits. It helped me build confidence in perfecting my pieces. During the outsider peer review, being able to hear everyone’s response to their outsider experience and their relation to mine was very encouraging. During the metaphor paper review, Tyler was my partner. She praised me for my work. I didn’t think I would get such a reaction from anyone, especially her, since she’s known for her amazing work on her papers by her classmates. After getting feedback from her and the professor, I didn’t want it to make the same mistake of turning it in last minute, giving this piece my all to get as good of a grade as possible. The peer review session for the critical paper and final paper were very similar as I had the same partner for both. They all gave me interesting advice on revising the structure of my essay and recommending secondary sources, which allowed me to further shape my analysis and emphasize the importance of my theses throughout each essay.

Some common things I’ve learned while writing these papers include time management, coordination of my thoughts, and communication skills with my peers. “I wrote the introductory paragraph in an hour. One hour for 5 introductory sentences. It’s ridiculous, however, once I got past that monster I hammered away at the rest.” The introduction always seemed as the hardest part of an essay for me. This would be the foundation of my essays and I’d never know how to start off, how to properly write my thesis in it and how to end it. Throughout the course, my peers and the professor allowed me to formulate concise but informative introductions that establish my thesis, but don’t stray away from the main topic of my essay.  Another frustrating setback I usually encountered before taking this course were “I go stare at my screen, go down for food, come back, sigh for ten minutes, then write something horrible.” Confidence was something I lacked when it came to writing papers, and when I got into the program nothing seemed to change. However, narrative medicines assisted in helping me gain confidence in not only writing, but in every aspect of me learning, speaking, and so on. Hearing everyone’s feedback, stories, and even simple exercises in class allowed me to gain more and more confidence each and every day I set in that room.

To be specific, however, each paper brought a handful of new ideas that I will use to further advance myself for assignments in later courses, and life in general. By the time we finished the outsider assignment I was able to appreciate the little details someone adds to their stories. I cherished the good, the bad, and the ugly and was able to adapt and learn from it. Being an outsider enables an experience with plenty of reflection that helps enrich one’s future. The metaphor essay helped me acknowledge two quotes I’m passionate about. While answering the prompt, I was able to express how I truly felt while writing, instead of censoring myself. Being able to stay on task while expressing your passion for your job is an amazing attribute that all doctors should have. The critical lens and final research paper put our analytical skills to the test. I learned to analyze texts and other sources through a narrative med lens, which we will need to use when we are future doctors.

Throughout the course we’ve learned to relate narrative med’s assistance in patient care. We’ve learned to incorporate the value of the patient’s story into the treatment of each individual. As doctors, we’re going to learn how to listen and analyze for the sake of curing symptoms deemed untreatable, whether they be physical or mental. In the end, treatment goals should be in consonance between the patient and the physician, leading to an easier and warmer medical environment for all.

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