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The e-mail address for Dr. Ann Walker is

walker@nwscc.edu

STEP- "Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program"

Project Name - "Dreamcatchers"

"PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT"

To Each STEP Participant

"Let Your Personal Vision Inspire You To Work and Reach Toward Your Dreams Each Day."

Good Luck Always!

Dr. Walker

The Elements of "Personal Development:"

          1)  "Vision"

          2)  "Values"

          3)  "Motivation"

          4)  "Self-Esteem"

          5)  "Self-Discipline"

          6)  "Goals"

Staying Focused On Your Goals and Dreams - Don't Let Others Distract You!

Sometimes it's hard to stay focused on a goal or a dream.  Sometimes the result you want seems so far off in the distant future that it seems unreachable.  You are tempted to enjoy the present and let the future take care of itself.  You may want to stop studying so hard and "hang out" with your friends. 

At other times, people may discourage you.  They may make you feel as though you will never be able to reach your dream.  For example, some young people feel pressured to get married early and start having children.

It can also be hard if you are trying to follow an unusual path - pursuing a dream different than those of your peers.  It can be especially hard if you are pursuing a path that most people your gender shy away from. 

Aroma 19, Uganda

"My friends always tease me that being a mechanical engineer is for men.  But I want to get there and feel what it tastes like.  I pay them a dear ear and read hard.  Others can come later."

Sherry, 19, Ghanda

"I want to be a civil engineer.  My daddy is a building contractor and he told me it was a good field.  Ghanda is going.  Anything where there was building and construction will be a good field. But being the only woman, there will be some discrimination.  Even my uncle is against it because women are feeble.  He says that he wouldn't have a woman if he were in a position to decide.  He wants me to go into accounting."

It can be hard to stay focused when other people are discouraging you and telling you, you cannot do something.  It's just as hard to stay focused when other people begin to lighten up and have some fun.

No matter what other people say, stay true to your dream! If people tell you that you cannot do something simply because you are a women or a man, prove them wrong and work twice as hard.  You can do almost anything you "set your mind out to do."  Men and women are equally capable, even if they aren't always given the same opportunities.

If you are facing pressure from your parents to get married or to stop your studies, explain your desire to continue studying.

Early, try to get advice from a mentor, a teacher, a supportive relative, or a community leader.  Ask these people for advice about the importance of continuing your education and training - your dreams are important, and it will be hard to pursue them when you are taking care of a family.  If you already have a family, ask for help from other family members, friends, or your church family. 

You can reach your goals and your dreams when you remain on the path to success.  The time needed to reach your goals may seem long, but "in the end" your hard work and persistence will "pay off" more than you ever realized at the beginning of your pursuit!

"Famous Quotes and Words of Inspiration"

"As You Go Along the Way of Life, You Will Come Along Great Chasms.  Jump!  It Is Not as Far as You Think It Is!

Unknown

"Remember,

Reach for the moon,

And you will always land among the stars!"

Anonymous

"Who Tries, Can,

Who Wills, Does,

Who Learns, Lives."

Unknown

"If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It!"

 Walt Disney

"We Can Do Anything We Want If We Stick To It Long Enough"

Helen Keller

"The River"

You know a dream is like a river, ever changin' as it flows,

And a dreamer's just a vessel that must follow where it goes.

Trying to learn from what's behind you and never knowing what's in store,

Makes each day a constant battle just to stay between the shores.

Yes, I will sail my vessel, 'til the river runs dry,

Like a bird upon the wind, these waters are my sky.

I'll never reach my destination if I never try.

So I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry.

Too many times we stand aside and let the water slip away,

'Til what we put off 'til tomorrow, has now become today.

So don't you sit upon the shoreline and say you're satisfied,

Choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance the tide.

I will sail my vessel, 'til the river runs dry,

Like a bird upon the wind, these waters are my sky.

I'll never reach my destination if I never try.

So I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry.

There's bound to be rough waters and I know I'll take some falls,

But with the good Lord as my captain, I can make it through them all.

Yes, I will sail my vessel, 'til the river runs dry,

Like a bird upon the wind, these waters are my sky.

I'll never reach my destination if I never try.

So I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry.

Yes, I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry.

Music By Garth Brooks

"Good Luck In Reaching Your Destination.  Work Hard, But Enjoy The Journey!"

Dr. Walker

A "special thanks" goes to author, Dr. James Waitley, for allowing me to quote excerpts from his textbook, Psychology of Success.  In addition, this is the textbook for (PSY 107) "Study Skills."  

For all students receiving a NSF-STEP scholarship, PSY 107 (Study Skills) is a required course.  I highly recommend that you "keep" Dr. Waitley's book for personal reference. 

For those individuals not involved in this course, Dr. Waitley's book can be purchased at the NW-SCC bookstore. 

The Website adjoining Dr. Waitley's book is www.mhhe.com/psychofsuccess. 

Each chapter of Dr. Waitley's book offers numerous references to assist students with general knowledge, Websites containing information for use in other coursework, and assistance with "personal insight" and "Personal Development."

For easy access to Waitley's Psychology of Success, consider the following information access.  Thus, complete the steps listed blow.

Go to the NW-SCC Website – http://www.nwscc.edu.com.

From the “drop down” list choose “academic areas.”

From this list choose “distance education.”

From this list choose “Teleweb” courses.

Then, click on "PSY 107/Study Skills" to find the homepage for this course.

From the "lessons" section of the course, access the main Website http://www.mhhe.com/psychofsuccess.com.  Save this Website to your “favorites.”

From the above Website, a drop down list coincides with each chapter of the textbook (you will see a picture of the textbook and a “button” link for each chapter).  In addition, the titles for each chapter appear.

Many additional links are added with this "chapter" feature.  Under the categories of "Professional Development," "Internet Activities," and others, as wealth of knowledge is available.

For example, in Chapter 4, "Self-Esteem," several personality inventories can be found from the "drop-down" list which will help you better assess your own personality traits.

For additional questions/information, e-mail me at www.walker@nwscc.edu.

If any "link" does not work, try typing the link yourself. 

If this doesn’t work, please let me know. 

The next major ingredient of "Personal Development" is