My Half-Way Reflection

Dear student from next semester's ENT3003 course,

Webster defines "tenacious" as "not easily stopped or pulled apart" or "very determined to do something." One of entrepreneurs' most important competencies are their tenaciousness. They persevere, despite all odds, despite waves of negative feedback, and despite failure and rejection. 

Tenaciousness is a skill. You will really find this out in the duration of this course. For me, I have had to be very self-disciplined in the assignments and ensuring that that they are completed not only on time but also to the best of my ability. It is true what Professor Chris says: you will get out of this course only as much as you put in. Some people may hear this and think, "Awesome, so that means I don't need to try very hard and I'll just slide by - I don't feel the need to get anything out of this course." This kind of mentality is such a mistake and ultimately only harms yourself, not only in this course but in life in general. I challenge you to really rise to the occasion and go above and beyond for the assignments - I promise you that you will feel so rewarded and bettered as a person in the end!

Tenaciousness is also about attitude. I will admit that sometimes I would see an assignment and think "This is stupid" or "Seriously, why is he having us do this, I don't see the benefit." A few of those times I succumbed to my poor attitude and didn't do the assignments, deciding I would rather do some extra credit assignments than this task. However, I can honestly say that looking back, I am kinda sad and disappointed in myself for not doing them. I see other people's blogs and their recounts of their experiences with those assignments and I really feel like I missed out. I know that sounds cheesy, its just a class, but I really mean it. It is my own feelings of failure that help encourage me to keep pressing on and doing my best moving forward. I know that I want to complete this course with a real sense of accomplishment, not simply that I "completed" it.

Three tips. Three tips that I can offer to you to have the best possible semester are these:

 1) Please do not make the mistake of thinking that this is a course you should put on the back burner of your studies - look ahead to upcoming assignments and stay up to date with course happenings. You don't want time-consuming assignments to creep up on you! 

 2) Really put forth your best effort in understanding not just the assignments but also the purpose behind them - Each and every task has a purpose behind it and you don't want to miss the true learning opportunity being given to you.

 3) Use this course as a way to really push yourself outside of your comfort zone - Go talk to people, seriously! You never know who you might meet that will become a great friend, a good job connection, or at the very least a funny story of your encounter! In general, I love talking to anyone and everyone and I truly believe that doing so makes me a happier person overall. I know so many different people in all different paths of life, many of whom I met right here at UF. If this is not something that you also already do, then really use this course as an opportunity to do so - You will be so proud of yourself and surprised at how open, kind, and receptive people truly are!

I hope you enjoy this course and have as rewarding an experience as I did!

Best of luck,

Marissa AKA student from last semester's ENT3003 course