As a student in the capstone course, I am very proud of the research and effort I put into this project. I feel great about my overall research project now that I have finished it. I know it will help inform a lot of individuals on the impacts of social media on elementary-aged children. I worked very hard on it, and I hope individuals will see that and take it into account. Writing helped me think through complex ideas by writing them out, which made it more beneficial to think through. I had a lot of ideas but, writing them helped me choose the more appropriate path for my research. I narrowed my research down to health effects instead of making it broad by bringing in demographics. My research process is tedious and organized. First, I pick a topic, and establish the main points, I want to mention. Second, I start looking for sources such as books, articles, or journals. Then, I read the sources and take out quotes for evidence that will aid my research. Next, I begin writing my paper and structuring my paragraphs. Finally, I read my essay for grammar and structure. My ability to conduct research has improved. After taking this class, I am better able to look for accurate resources that support my argument. When I did research projects before, I did not thoroughly search for resources to use as evidence for my project. Therefore, I struggled to do my research essay. Now I have improved drastically in conducting research. Taking time to organize my findings, write an outline to better structure my essay, and conduct interviews have enhanced my ability to become a better researcher.

     The best part of the Research Expo was that I got to present my research just not in person. The process of switching it online was tedious and stressful. I struggled to readjust to the new directions but, I enjoyed the finished product. I am glad that I got to share my overall research with both students and professors alike. The most important part was that I got to share my research and findings with the community. I wanted individuals to walk away knowing that social media for elementary-aged children, is detrimental to a child's health. As long as they are informed of the mental, emotional, and physical impacts of social media, I feel accomplished. My writing process starts with setting the format. After the form is set, I begin writing and using the MEAL plan to form my paragraphs. Then, I read over my paragraphs to make sure I stay on topic. I like my writing process because it keeps me organized, and it works for me. The process allows me to finish my essay and stay focused on my writing. If I could change anything about the writing process, it would be how I write. When I do write papers, I tend to get off track and write off-topic. Implementing away in my writing process, where I can make sure I stay on track and not write fluff will improve my overall writing and writing process. In terms of strengths and weaknesses, I discover and improve on a weakness every time I write. My strength's as a writer are finding good sources, organizing paragraphs, and explaining a topic to the fullest. My weaknesses are grammar, structuring of paragraphs, and interpreting quotes. To work on my weaknesses, determining where I go wrong is first. Once, I find the problem area, improving them will make me a better writer. As for the relationship for writing for school and my future professional life, it would be quite similar. I plan on receiving my doctorate, which requires a lot of research. Hopefully, I will retain what I have learned for future research projects and essays.

     The best part of doing my website was the design and pictures, I got to do. It was fun designing my webpage to fit my research project. Adding colors, fonts, and designs highlighted the process. The most challenging part of my website was formatting and structuring. The pages were a nightmare to get still. The alignment for pictures and text struggled to stay in place. If I had more time to work on this project, I would have made better pictures for my presentation and conducted more interviews regarding children with social media because it would have added a more solid glimpse of my project. Given the situation with Covid-19 my original picture plans were disturbed. The photos for my project were not what I had in mind, but overall, they turned out well. This project has furthered my professional goals to improve my ability to conduct a research project. If I do pursue higher education, the ability to research is vital. I have become a better researcher because of this class, and I am honored to have taken it.

     My definition of sustainability is preserving something to be enjoyed by future  generations. It means keeping something alive and well-nourished for others to enjoy. I learned a lot about sustainability while living in Strong as well as the importance of it. Fieldwork is research you do out in the community to obtain data and research evidence. I like to think of fieldwork as you the researcher collecting evidence, that benefits their research. The researcher is in control of what evidence, observations, and data works for their research. What I have learned in terms of the importance of sustainability and fieldwork; is they both involve work and preservation. Sustainability is important because it demonstrates that many things are worth preserving for others to enjoy in the future. Fieldwork is important because the researcher is collecting the data, which will benefit future research. After all, it shows the importance of researching an issue and preserving that research. I feel most comfortable with the fieldwork method of interviewing individuals because there is something about getting a first-hand account yourself. During interviews, a researcher is more engaged with the interviewer. For improvement, I would like to see myself improve in the fieldwork of observing. I feel awkward watching people, but I know it is vital to my research. I recognize that sustainability as a political issue affects my education in terms of protecting certain opportunities and rights. As a student, I have the right to vote and protect rights that are important for me and future generations.

     As a student in my residential college, I have grown to become a better student and have taken leadership skills. Throughout the semester, I have become more involved in committees, meetings, and activities within Strong and the UNCG community. The most important part of my strong experience was the new friendships I made. It is not easy to make friends when your reserved and quiet like I am, but they understood me. Their more like a many family to me now. Hopefully, we will continue to be friends for a lifetime. If I could change anything about my experience, I would not change anything about my experience because if I did, I would not be the person I am today. I have grown exceptionally as a person and discovered many new things as a result. My residential courses and UNCG courses had many connections. The most important one was sustainability, each class stated that the subjects we learn about are important for the future. Future generations need to be aware of the topics we learn about because they are vital in future society’s. One of my professors referred to everything we learn about as history. Explaining that it will one day be essential and help improve the future. While a member of Strong college, I have inspired other people to consider or join the college. Past experience here in strong and UNCG has helped me with both students inside and outside of Strong. I am now used to recycling that I now do it at home. At home, I have also encouraged my parents to recycle and sustain certain items instead of throwing them away. It is a challenge to get them to comply, but it has become a lot better. I met so many people within my residential college from different backgrounds, states, and countries. This encouraged me to try and communicate with other people from different backgrounds around UNCG. Thanks to my experience in Strong college, I have made friends from various places, because of my friends in, strong college who made me more comfortable starting conversations. Throughout my time in Strong, I have improved working with others, time management, and have become more independent. I am excited to spend another year at Strong Residential College as an Upper-class mentor to mentor current and upcoming freshmen.

     As a first-generation college student, I am ultimately proud of the work I have done. Both my student hood and education are going great and improving every day. As a great student, continuing to do my best in school is my top priority. In all my classes, I turned in all my assignments on time. The reason for this is because it allows me to improve my time management and get things done in time. I always follow directions when it comes to all my assignments. Plus, I am not one to break the rules or not follow the directions. In terms of my future, my goals are to hopefully work with children and families in health-related or government-related agencies. While maintaining my job, I hope to pursue my master's and a doctorate in the process. To prepare myself for my future career, I have met with professors, talked with graduate students, and interviewed people in my field of study. If I could change anything about my student life so far, it would be to become more open. I would be more confident in my ability to lead and touch more lives. If I would have done this earlier, I feel like, I would have been better off socially. Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed this class and the many lessons, I have learned. Taking this class has made me a better writer and researcher. I enjoyed this project and all the things I have learned in class. I hope future students will enjoy the process of putting together a research project and enjoy their finished product.