Abandoned but Not Alone

Oliphant takes a strong position against Alan Keyes and some of the other parents whom he accuses of "parental abandonment because [their children] happen to be gay". Do you think Oliphant's argument is reasonable?

Oliphant's argument is reasonable because there are extreme cases where parents are kicking their children out of the house for being gay. These parents should raise their children to be whoever they want to be and be able to express that. These boys and girls shouldn't have to hide if they're gay or not, they should feel comfortable enough to tell their parents. They shouldn't be scared to tell the two people they should be able to confide in. Disowning your own kid is disgusting and horrible, he/she is your child and you should love them unconditionally.

Symptoms of Math Anxiety

List the reasons that Tobias gives for why people suffer from math anxiety. Can you relate to any of the situations that she describes? Do you think the problems she points to are unique to math or have you ever experienced or seen someone else experience these symptoms in other disciplines?

Tobias explains how students have a fear of making mistakes, they feel like everyone else understands what they're learning in math and they don't. I can relate to these situations because I always had trouble with math and it seemed like everyone in my class understood it quickly. Many students have anxiety due to many classes they take it isn't just math it could be any subject. Math is one of the main subjects I believe that students struggle with the most.

Making Connections #2

Write personal narratives that rely on honesty and introspection to make points that are relevant and relatable for others. Share a story from your own life that you think might be useful or meaningful to other people because of the unique insight you have about the situation or about yourself.

When I was younger I was very close with my dad's family. I would go over my uncle and aunt's house all the time, it was my favorite thing to do. But we lost touch with them and they wouldn't call me on my birthday or any holiday anymore. They were complete strangers to me, one time my uncle came over and my dad asked if I remembered him and I had no idea who it was. Family is one thing that means a lot to me and the insight I acquired was that you shouldn't lose touch with the ones you care about. Family is family and you all have to support each other. Some people don't know the true meaning of that.

Making Connections

A number of selections in Chapter Two suggest that students sometimes get mixed messages about such things as sexuality, drinking, and the value of education. Discuss an issue about which you have gotten "mixed messages." Describe those messages and where they've come from, as well as how you've come to develop your own point of view about this issue.

I believe getting "mixed messages" or "mixed signals" is very easy to come by. Some people can give the wrong impression to someone else and they think it means something totally different. In high school I liked this guy and I thought he felt the same way about me. He would text me all the time and always ask to hang out and I thought he liked me too. But after a few weeks he ended up getting a girlfriend and I was very surprised when this happened. I didn't see it coming. Getting mixed messages happens very easily.

Drinking Deaths Draw Attention to Old Campus Problem

To what degree do you think students themselves are responsible for the amount of drinking that goes on at and around their colleges? What steps do you take to prevent the kind of problems that occurred at the University of Colorado?

I believe that if you can't handle alcohol then you shouldn't be drinking in the first place. Students are responsible for themselves. They shouldn't get to the point where they're so drunk that they need someone else to take care of them. Students should know their limit and be safe about it. Being safe is the number one priority. The steps to prevent this problem is just for the students to beware of the dangers of drinking and for them to be responsible about it. Mr. Lane in the article said that "I think it's more individual responsibility". Students will find a way to get alcohol either way it's just how responsible you are about it which really matters.

Focusing on Friends

Characterize the qualities of your closest friendships and consider what they have in common and how they are different. What accounts for the similarities and differences? Is it your friends' ages, genders, attitudes, cultural backgrounds, or something else that makes the friendships vary? How much of the difference can you attribute to yourself? Why do you think you behave similarly or differently with these different friends?

I have four people I consider my best friends. Each friend has a different quality that makes them but my friends have some of the same qualities. My best friend is very outgoing, responsible, charming and polite. My other friends have some of these qualities but also have other ones also. My friends and I act the same and share the same qualities. I believe once you start hanging out with a group of people you all begin acting like the other person. All my friends have different attitudes and they all react differently. I act like my friends because we're all similar to each other and have the same interests and that's why we became friends.

Are Students Working Too Much

Whom or what does Kramer blame for the problem of students working too much? Based on your experience as a college student, how valid are Kramer's indictments?

Kramer blames the price of college being so expensive for students working too much. Students are trying to get a good education but in the mean time college is very hard to pay for. Most students feel the obligation to help pay for college so they end up getting jobs. Some students will spend most of their week working at their job. This is very hard because some may say school is also a job. To keep up with both is very difficult. As a college student I know how easily students go through money. Getting a job is a good way to pay for college but it's also taking away time where students could be studying.