PERSONAL LEADERSHIP
Reflections and Events.
PLANNING REFLECTIONS
TRELLO
I made use of a personal Trello board to divide and keep track of my tasks relating to my portfolio or projects. In previous semesters I deviated from the default "To Do-Doing-Done" approach and instead ordered my tasks weekly.
At the end of Semester 2 however, I was given feedback by a teacher that the default approach is more the industry standard, and I tried it for this semester. I found that it actually made it more difficult, as all of the tasks were piled up in one list rather than spread throughout the week.
I'm glad I tried it to see how it would go, but I find that my previous approach works best for me.
PLANNER
I have trouble integrating planning apps like Google Calendar or Outlook into my work ethic, and switching between two different platforms to plan things is too much.
I decided to buy a physical planner instead, which really helped me keep things central. Planning was a lot easier too as I just had to write things down instead of cycling through a bunch of options every time.
GENERAL REFLECTIONS
USE OF AI
I've made use of ChatGPT to help understand and fix code, as well as checking grammar and spelling. Late in the semester I was advised by my teammate Mila to also use Copilot, which improved my workflow for the following reasons:
- I didn't have to switch windows to use ChatGPT as often anymore
- I could more easily view what the AI would actually change
- Copilot would suggest auto-completes for not only my code but also my content, which gives me a base to write from when I'm stuck.
It wasn;'t perfect though, and due to Copilot's answers being shotty at times, I would still mix it with ChatGPT when needed.
I am very much against simply copy and pasting AI outputs without edits or understanding, so I always try to know what I'm pasting and why it works before going along with it.
FEEDBACK AND FEEDPULSES
I try to get feedback on my work very often, as I've come to learn that it greatly improves my creative process and final product. There are times that my need to have something "worth showing" gets in the way of asking. It makes it difficult for me to get feedback during the process as a result.
This is partially the reason for my lack of feedpulses this semester, though I feel the main reason was because most of the feedback I did get was from my teammates and from testing. These feedback oppurtunities aren't loggable in Feedpulse, and so it gives an inaccurate idea of the feedback I've gotten and used.
MY PASSION
I consider ICT to be one of my many interests, however prior to this study, I'd only ever used it as a platform to tell stories. I am also an active musician, but it is very risky to pursue. So I chose to follow an ICT related study as a safety net I could fall back on in case music doesn't take off immediately. This along with my general interest in ICT made it seem like a no-brainer.
I came to realize, however, that by doing this I've begun to actively pull myself in two different directions. As the study continues, it naturally demands more of my attention and input. As a result I'm putting less time into both when really I could be putting all of it into the one I'm most passionate about.
During my second portfolio review, I was asked a few questions that made me begin reconsidering my choices. It was a hard pill to swallow, as I had to question something I was so sure of up until that point. But when I ask msyelf where my passion lies, it really is music.
When I think about the connections I need to make in the music industry, ICT really won't get me there. The people I'd meet and the things I'd do would not benefit me nearly as much as a music study would.
I attempted to pull the brakes on ICT and tried looking for a music study to switch to, however I came to find that the only studies available were past the admission dealine or required proficiency in reading sheet music, something which I was not going to pull together in the week or so I had left.
While I wish I'd figured all of this out earlier, it gives me the opportunity to think about it for the next year until I can apply again. I'll give ICT one more shot and see how I feel, and based on that I can make a more informed decision.
STUDENT+ PLAN SUPPORT
As a result from having emotionally shifted gears away from ICT, I had a very grueling time dragging myself back into it. I slowed down heavily on portfolio documentation and only really did work for my team Studio Myo. My semester coach recommended I go to Student+ for help with my planning and motivation issues. I was initially somewhat skeptical as I have a fixation on the idea of doing things alone and not depending on something else, so going to Student+ seemed more like a last resort thing.
Later I had another meeting and was once again recommended to go, and so I went to Student+ and began attending Plan Support every Wednesday. This gave me a dedicated day in the week to plan things, as well as recommendations such as:
- Making deadlines with another person such as my semester coach, instead of making deadlines alone as I can easily ignore or postpone them.
- Changing my perspective on dependency, as I'm still the one doing the work in the end to help my work.
Even though I got into it quite late into the semester, this still really helped my work ethic and I intend on continuing next semester.
PRESENTING AND PERFECTIONISM
For this semester I chose to present for almost all my group's presentations. I have received positive feedback about my presenting from both teachers and students, and so I took on the responsibility of communicating the group's progress and selling our ideas.
Looking back on my presentations, I noticed my performance suffered when the presentations were more important to me. I'm a lot more worried about getting things perfect, and when I mess up it ruins my entire perception of the presentation.
I've been aware of my perfectionism, but never questioned it and just accepted it as a part of myself. However, when reflecting on my past I can now see what lead to me developing this behavior, and I'm taking the steps (internally) to correct it.
I have to let go of trying to make everything go "right", because I'll only push myself into further disappointment when it doesn't. I feel a lot better when there's not much at stake, because I just work with what ever happens. I'm the one making it feel like there's something at stake, at least more than is really needed.
FIELD EXPERIENCES
SPECIALIZATION CAREER DAY
On 17 April a Career Day was held to explore possible options for both internships, minors and study choices for the next semester. As I found the study choices to be more relevant to me, I did not put much time into looking at the internships or minors, though I did take some quick looks around.
After looking at the various specializations, I was initially torn between Media Creation and Game Design. Media Creation appealed to me as I always preferred creative design work over development.
However, all my life I have always wanted to do something relating to Game Design, as I am inspired by the work of companies such as Valve and SEGA. Having to think about what makes a game fun really appeals to me.
Pairing this with me already having done 3 semesters of Media Design, I feel it's the perfect chance to bring variety to my study. I found this Career Day to be very insightful and it was fun to see the various panels with my peers.
THE ART DEPARTMENT
On 20 March a Field Day at the The Art Department Festival was planned for Semester 2 and 3 students. I chose not to attend this event for the following reasons:
- That day I was meant to audition a new drummer for my band.
- At first glance, I didn't really think it would be relevant to my personal or professional development and so I didn't bother to go.
It turns out, I was among the majority of students who did not go, much to our teachers' dismay. Upon reflecting, I have a few thoughts on the matter.
Regarding the lack of student participation, I think this could've been avoided if the students' interests were gauged beforehand, or if the event had been labeled as mandatory. The former would have avoided wasted tickets and both cases would have justified consequences for not attending.
However, I do understand the argument that as professionals, the students should want to go out of their own interests, especially when the opportunity is handed to them. I heard from my peers that there were some panels and guests at the event that did in fact interest me, and I would only have known had I been there.
I wish I had attended in retrospect, and I now value events like this more than I did before. Even though my reason for not going was valid, I still should have notified my teachers beforehand. In the end, I learned a lot from this experience, and it's something I'll keep in mind for the future.
TRELLO
I made use of a personal Trello board to divide and keep track of my tasks relating to my portfolio or projects. In previous semesters I deviated from the default "To Do-Doing-Done" approach and instead ordered my tasks weekly.
At the end of Semester 2 however, I was given feedback by a teacher that the default approach is more the industry standard, and I tried it for this semester. I found that it actually made it more difficult, as all of the tasks were piled up in one list rather than spread throughout the week.
I'm glad I tried it to see how it would go, but I find that my previous approach works best for me.
PLANNER
I have trouble integrating planning apps like Google Calendar or Outlook into my work ethic, and switching between two different platforms to plan things is too much.
I decided to buy a physical planner instead, which really helped me keep things central. Planning was a lot easier too as I just had to write things down instead of cycling through a bunch of options every time.
USE OF AI
I've made use of ChatGPT to help understand and fix code, as well as checking grammar and spelling. Late in the semester I was advised by my teammate Mila to also use Copilot, which improved my workflow for the following reasons:
- I didn't have to switch windows to use ChatGPT as often anymore
- I could more easily view what the AI would actually change
- Copilot would suggest auto-completes for not only my code but also my content, which gives me a base to write from when I'm stuck.
It wasn;'t perfect though, and due to Copilot's answers being shotty at times, I would still mix it with ChatGPT when needed.
I am very much against simply copy and pasting AI outputs without edits or understanding, so I always try to know what I'm pasting and why it works before going along with it.
FEEDBACK AND FEEDPULSES
I try to get feedback on my work very often, as I've come to learn that it greatly improves my creative process and final product. There are times that my need to have something "worth showing" gets in the way of asking. It makes it difficult for me to get feedback during the process as a result.
This is partially the reason for my lack of feedpulses this semester, though I feel the main reason was because most of the feedback I did get was from my teammates and from testing. These feedback oppurtunities aren't loggable in Feedpulse, and so it gives an inaccurate idea of the feedback I've gotten and used.
MY PASSION
I consider ICT to be one of my many interests, however prior to this study, I'd only ever used it as a platform to tell stories. I am also an active musician, but it is very risky to pursue. So I chose to follow an ICT related study as a safety net I could fall back on in case music doesn't take off immediately. This along with my general interest in ICT made it seem like a no-brainer.
I came to realize, however, that by doing this I've begun to actively pull myself in two different directions. As the study continues, it naturally demands more of my attention and input. As a result I'm putting less time into both when really I could be putting all of it into the one I'm most passionate about.
During my second portfolio review, I was asked a few questions that made me begin reconsidering my choices. It was a hard pill to swallow, as I had to question something I was so sure of up until that point. But when I ask msyelf where my passion lies, it really is music.
When I think about the connections I need to make in the music industry, ICT really won't get me there. The people I'd meet and the things I'd do would not benefit me nearly as much as a music study would.
I attempted to pull the brakes on ICT and tried looking for a music study to switch to, however I came to find that the only studies available were past the admission dealine or required proficiency in reading sheet music, something which I was not going to pull together in the week or so I had left.
While I wish I'd figured all of this out earlier, it gives me the opportunity to think about it for the next year until I can apply again. I'll give ICT one more shot and see how I feel, and based on that I can make a more informed decision.
STUDENT+ PLAN SUPPORT
As a result from having emotionally shifted gears away from ICT, I had a very grueling time dragging myself back into it. I slowed down heavily on portfolio documentation and only really did work for my team Studio Myo. My semester coach recommended I go to Student+ for help with my planning and motivation issues. I was initially somewhat skeptical as I have a fixation on the idea of doing things alone and not depending on something else, so going to Student+ seemed more like a last resort thing.
Later I had another meeting and was once again recommended to go, and so I went to Student+ and began attending Plan Support every Wednesday. This gave me a dedicated day in the week to plan things, as well as recommendations such as:
- Making deadlines with another person such as my semester coach, instead of making deadlines alone as I can easily ignore or postpone them.
- Changing my perspective on dependency, as I'm still the one doing the work in the end to help my work.
Even though I got into it quite late into the semester, this still really helped my work ethic and I intend on continuing next semester.
PRESENTING AND PERFECTIONISM
For this semester I chose to present for almost all my group's presentations. I have received positive feedback about my presenting from both teachers and students, and so I took on the responsibility of communicating the group's progress and selling our ideas.
Looking back on my presentations, I noticed my performance suffered when the presentations were more important to me. I'm a lot more worried about getting things perfect, and when I mess up it ruins my entire perception of the presentation.
I've been aware of my perfectionism, but never questioned it and just accepted it as a part of myself. However, when reflecting on my past I can now see what lead to me developing this behavior, and I'm taking the steps (internally) to correct it.
I have to let go of trying to make everything go "right", because I'll only push myself into further disappointment when it doesn't. I feel a lot better when there's not much at stake, because I just work with what ever happens. I'm the one making it feel like there's something at stake, at least more than is really needed.
SPECIALIZATION CAREER DAY
On 17 April a Career Day was held to explore possible options for both internships, minors and study choices for the next semester. As I found the study choices to be more relevant to me, I did not put much time into looking at the internships or minors, though I did take some quick looks around.
After looking at the various specializations, I was initially torn between Media Creation and Game Design. Media Creation appealed to me as I always preferred creative design work over development.
However, all my life I have always wanted to do something relating to Game Design, as I am inspired by the work of companies such as Valve and SEGA. Having to think about what makes a game fun really appeals to me.
Pairing this with me already having done 3 semesters of Media Design, I feel it's the perfect chance to bring variety to my study. I found this Career Day to be very insightful and it was fun to see the various panels with my peers.
THE ART DEPARTMENT
On 20 March a Field Day at the The Art Department Festival was planned for Semester 2 and 3 students. I chose not to attend this event for the following reasons:
- That day I was meant to audition a new drummer for my band.
- At first glance, I didn't really think it would be relevant to my personal or professional development and so I didn't bother to go.
It turns out, I was among the majority of students who did not go, much to our teachers' dismay. Upon reflecting, I have a few thoughts on the matter.
Regarding the lack of student participation, I think this could've been avoided if the students' interests were gauged beforehand, or if the event had been labeled as mandatory. The former would have avoided wasted tickets and both cases would have justified consequences for not attending.
However, I do understand the argument that as professionals, the students should want to go out of their own interests, especially when the opportunity is handed to them. I heard from my peers that there were some panels and guests at the event that did in fact interest me, and I would only have known had I been there.
I wish I had attended in retrospect, and I now value events like this more than I did before. Even though my reason for not going was valid, I still should have notified my teachers beforehand. In the end, I learned a lot from this experience, and it's something I'll keep in mind for the future.