Link to project: https://spark.adobe.com/page/zx3dlt4cznlIx/
Through working on this project, I have learned so much about the impacts of childhood trauma and how much literature plays a role in creating a narrative around the whole issue. Before reading, I was skeptical about how accurately an author could capture the after-effects of facing trauma. Extremely loud and incredibly close was one of the first books to touch the subject of 9/11 but it turns out that Oskar’s experience closely mimics that of the real world. Reading a new voice that I would not have normally read was an eye-opening experience and definitely worth it.
Listening to Dr. K’s interviews that I linked in the project was also very interesting. Asking the question about where each thought comes from and a psychological perspective really helps navigate the complexity of childhood trauma. Being able to control the release of the emotion and reprogram certain thoughts through meditation are techniques we can all use to better understand our past. I really enjoyed learning about the intersection of science and literature and how authors can use this to make their stories more realistic and enjoyable.
The most important thing I learned throughout my time at North was how important the small steps are.
Especially this year, most days felt like a constant grind of school work and college work. But four years ago, I could not have imagined all the accomplishments and successes that I have. I think this is known as the one percent rule, where improving just percent per day will make you 37 times better at something over the course of a year. Even this year, having to write hundreds of college essay drafts has made me an exponentially better writer. Basically, my point is to always get your homework done on time because it really helps. Not allowing yourself to turn things in late will help keep the senioritis under control.
Going along with that advice, make sure to participate in activities you are very passionate about. There is no such thing as that will “look good” on college essays. Colleges will see through that, plus school already will require you to take some classes that you will not enjoy, but that is okay because it is meant to be broad. So, give yourself the freedom to participate in fun clubs. The last piece of advice is to start your college apps yesterday (it is never too early) your future self will thank you.
Hi! Your project is really nice. I really like how it flows, but it isn’t all jumbled up. I also liked the videos you used as they were unique but still addressed your research question really well. Regarding your blog post, I thought your advice was really good. I wasn’t able to figure out what I really enjoyed till junior year, and I wish I could have figured it out much earlier.
Hi Jimit,
I also read the same choice book so it was very interesting to see your project and compare it to my own. I also really liked your thoughts on what you learned through high school and the importance of the little things in life. I think that this year especially through the pandemic was definitely an experience that we will always remember.
Hey Jimit, thanks for sharing your project and high school experience! I found that your topic was a voice I would be really interested in studying because I can’t relate to it whatsoever. Personally, I think that makes learning about how trauma can drastically change people, and children in their developmental stages, is important regardless of whether I have trauma or not. Looking through your page was really cool and the different types of media you included was awesome. I couldn’t watch the video due to it being blocked, but the poem really stood out to me. Your advice is super good! And congrats on all your achievements. High school is always about growth and the 1% concept is something I hope I can put into practice for college. Good luck next year!
Hi Jimit,
I looked at your project, and I think the concept of controlling our emotions is one that I found very interesting. I also really like your advice about taking small steps, it is one that I realized in high school. I wish you the best with your future at UIUC and beyond:)
Hi Jimit, I think your focus on investigating the depiction of childhood trauma in literature is really insightful. Exploring this topic from a psychological perspective, as you mentioned, really allows for an intricate study of all the emotions and thoughts that accompany recollections of childhood trauma. What you said about the importance of small steps is also really interesting—I’ll be sure to keep that in mind. I think, especially in high school, we think a lot about what we can do to grind for college and not so much about our smaller, daily achievements. I also wrote about participating in things that you are truly passionate about and spending this summer picking up some activities that you may never have time for again.
I completelty agree with how eye opening that reading a voice of someone you wouldn’t typically read was. It make the process of not only reading the book but researching for the project much more interesting. I really like the advice that you give to incoming seniors because I feel like there was a lot of pressure to do things for the sake of the “looking good” on our college applications. I agree that it is important that students find hobbies and things that they truly enjoy doing.