Reaction essay of Steve Jobs’ commencement address

Recently, many university students are going to graduate, and all the colleges are busy preparing the graduation ceremony. This made me think of a video I saw a few days ago, which was about the commencement address delivered by Steve Jobs in Stanford University. Steve Jobs is the CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, his commencement address inspired many college students and urged them to have a deeper think about their life and future. After watching the video of Steve Jobs’ commencement address, I will show my opinions of reasons why I disagree about dropped out of college, my view points of gains and losses and my reflections of facing death.

First of all, people should not give up on the halfway and the important of the college diploma are the two main reasons why I disagree about dropped out of college. In the video, Steve Jobs talked about the experience that he dropped out of college because he couldn't see any value in it. He also said that he had no idea what he wanted to do with his life and no idea how college was going to help him figure it out. I really admire his courage, and I also support that he stop taking the required classes that didn't interest him, and begin dropping in on the ones that looked interesting. However, I absolutely disagree about dropped out of college. Because most of the students quit not for finding what they interesting in. Instead, they just tired of studying and wanted to give up. As to a college student, I think they should never give up on the halfway. Besides, almost everyone knows that the college diploma is so important in nowadays. If you hope to hire by some famous companies, the college diploma is something essential to you.

Next, I’ll elaborate my view points that people should not be afraid of losing something and a loss may turn out to be a gain. Steve Jobs thinks he was lucky that he got fired by the Apple Company, which led him to start a new company and fell in love with his wife. To me, people who never loss anything can’t gain something worth. Many people dare not run after their dream because they are too afraid of losing, so they end up regretting and doing nothing in the entire life. Therefore, we should not afraid of losing something; otherwise, we might miss many good opportunities. Besides, I consider that gains and losses are relatively rather than absolutely and losses are not entirely the bad thing. Whether a thing is good or bad depends on the different aspects that you view it. As saying goes, “Every cloud has a silver lining.” A loss may also turn out to be a gain.

At last, I’ll focus on my reflection about cherish every moment I have and don’t waste time doing things that I don’t like. Steve Jobs was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, and he said that death is very likely the single best invention of life. He also mentioned a quote that said, "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." The quote he mentioned really impressed me a lot and it also reminded me to cherish every moment I have. People should never take the time they have for granted, all of us must treasure and make good use of every moment. By the way, Steve Jobs also told the students to have the courage to follow their heart and intuition. It warns me not to waste time doing things that I don’t like.  If my time is limited, I will definitely do things that I love instead of keep living someone else's life. As a result, I think everyone should live a meaningful life by using their time to do things that they enjoyed.

Finally, the commencement address that Steve Jobs’ made truly inspired me. It made me to think deeper and further. I had explained my disagreements of discontinue one's studies, my opinions about gains and losses and what I will think of when confronting death. And I wish that everybody can have their own revelations and being enlightened after hearing Steve Jobs’ speech.

Reaction essay of Steve Jobs’ commencement address (outline)

Outline

l   Background information

l   Reasons why I disagree about dropped out of college.

Ø   People should not give up on the halfway.

Ø   The important of the college diploma in nowadays.

l   My view points of gains and losses.

Ø   Don’t be afraid of losing something.

Ø   A loss may turn out to be a gain.

l   Reflections of facing death.

Ø   Cherish every moment you have.

Ø   Don’t waste time doing things that you don’t like.

l   Conclusion

Thesis statement

After watching the video of Steve Jobs’ commencement address, I will show my opinions of reasons why I disagree about dropped out of college, my view points of gains and losses and my reflections of facing death.

Keeping pets (diary/practice)

Keeping pets

There are so many people keeping pets as companion nowadays, including dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles, birds…… and so on. Some of them keep pets because of their feeling lonely and solitary; others may keep pets for some specific purposes. No matter what reason people wants to keep a pet, we should all take it seriously, rather than just like buying goods.

I had some experience of keeping pets. Because that I am the only child in my family, my mom promise to let me keep my own pet in my childhood. My mom bought me a small, white dog that named lucky. It had just born three months ago when it first came to our house, so we must took good care of lucky to prevent it from getting sick. I was responsible to walk lucky everyday. We went to the park nearby and I really enjoyed to had its’ accompany. We got along with each other quite well and had so much wonderful time. Thanks to lucky, I became braver and no longer feel lonely. My friends and I like to share our experience of keeping pets and exchange our opinions with each other since that we all had different kinds of pet. By the way, one of our neighbors even kept a pet pig. Although it looks strange when he “walk” his pig, it’s obvious that he love his pig very much.

No matter which kinds of pet we had kept or we are going to keep, we should consider of all the details and problems we may met before we decide to keep a pet. Keeping pets isn’t an easy job; it requires patient, space, time and money. Some people decide to keep pets on an impulse, and after a period of time, they may get tired of taking care of their pets, some owners even abandon them rashly. These poor pets usually end up lack of food and died of starvation. So everyone should think twice before we decide to keep our own pets, make sure that we won’t be regret in the future. And once we make up our mind, we should provide proper care for them, and most important of all, never desert them!

An experience of being misunderstood (diary/practice)

I have a very unforgettable experience of being misunderstood. In my first year in high school, I had a good friend. We got along with each other very well and we often talked about our life and discussed the problems we had in school. We always shared our joys and sorrows.

Every time I was in the bad mood or didn’t do well on the test, she would encourage me and made me feel relived. I also listened to her patiently when she got into troubles. We cared about each other so much that we thought of each other as part of our family. One of our ways to communicate with each other is through our own blogs on the Internet. Both of us have the same interest in our free time. We enjoyed reading the article on our blog through the web site. And when the next time we turned on the computer, we would know what happened to each other these days and also understood each other more through the blog.

But one night I got an e-mail from her, in the mail she told me that she felt very disappointed at me, and she didn’t want to be my friend anymore! I was very shocked at that time. I called her back immediately, but no one answer the phone. I was so confused and I didn’t know what to do. So I turned on my computer and tried to figure out what had happened between us. Finally I realized the whole thing. It’s because one of an article post in my blog. In the article, I mentioned that some of my friends’ behaviors made me feel uncomfortable and how they made me feel angry. After reading the article, she got so mad at me because she thought she was the one I talked about in my article. But actually, I didn’t mean it. She got angry at me and didn’t listen to me. I’d tried hard to explain to her, but in vain. She didn’t want to talk to me and even deliberately stayed away from me. I was so sad and also was a little annoyed at her.

Finally, I decided to tell her how I felt and what I thought about on my blog. I typed my words on my blog because I was sure that she would see it. I also told her how much I cared about her and what the friendship meant to me. After a few days, I finally got a friendly response. She passed me a letter and she apologized to me. I was so happy when I saw it. I hastened to her and gave her a big hug. And we never have an argument anymore.

The Negative Effects of Computers on Our Everyday Lives (after peer edit)

Nowadays, computers become one of the most essential items in our life. Most people agree that they must rely on computers to complete their work; some even consider that they can not live without computers in their life. Though computers are so necessary to us, there are still some negative effects. The negative effects of computers on our everyday lives including three disadvantages: regress on the schoolwork, harm our health and form bad relationship.

The first disadvantage is the regression on the schoolwork, wasting too much time and being addicted to the online games are the main reasons that lead to this negative effect. For instance, some of my classmates admit that they often stay up late playing online games just to get an upgrade in their virtual life during the games. Some reports also indicate that about sixty percent of college students spend more than two hours on the computers everyday. Therefore, they don’t have enough time to do their homework and prepare for the exam, which directly cause the regression on their schoolwork. Besides the influence on schoolwork, computers are also harmful to our body.

The second disadvantage is about our health. Research shows that computers are the killers of people’s eyesight. Watching the computer screen everyday makes serious eyes problems, nearsighted and myopic astigmatism are two of the symptoms. According to the medical comments, keep sitting in front of the computers may results in poor blood circulation. And your neck, arms and legs might become numb if you keep sitting in the same pose for a long time.

At last, the third disadvantage is to form estranged relationship. There are so many websites that can help us to make contact with others through computers. For example, we can send and receive e-mails from our friends or chat with people by MSN and Skype. In this case, there’s no need for us to meet each other face to face because everything can be discussed through the computers. Nowadays, people seldom visit their friends in person, and most of them think that writing a letter is too troublesome. Due to the above reasons, many people are bad at communication skills, and they may become unfamiliar with the social interaction.

To do less well on schoolwork, become unhealthy and have an apathetic relationship are the three negative effects of computers on our everyday lives. To improve the situations, we should use the computers moderately and never become too dependent on the computers. After all, computers are just one of the tools that can help us to finish our job.

The Negative Effects of Computers on Our Everyday Lives

Nowadays, computers become one of the most essential items in our life. Most people agree that they must rely on computers to complete their work; some even consider that they can not live without computers in their life. Though computers are so necessary to us, there are still some negative effects. The negative effects of computers on our everyday lives including three disadvantages: regress on the schoolwork, harm our health and form bad relationship.

The first disadvantage is the regression on the schoolwork, wasting too much time and being addicted to the online games is the main reason that leads to this negative effect. For instance, some of my classmates admit that they often stay up late playing online games just to get an upgrade in their virtual life during the games. Some reports also indicate that about sixty percent of college students spend more than two hours on the computers everyday. Therefore, they don’t have enough time to do their homework and prepare for the exam, which directly cause the regression on their schoolwork. Besides the influence on schoolwork, computers are also harmful to our body.

The second disadvantage is about our health. Research shows that computers are the killers of people’s eyesight. Watching the computer screen everyday make serious eyes problems, nearsighted and myopic astigmatism are two of the symptoms. According to the medical comments, keep sitting in front of the computers may results to poor blood circulation. And your neck, arms and legs might become numb if you keep sitting in the same pose for a long time.

At last, the third disadvantage is to form estranged relationship. There are so many websites that can help us to make contact with others through computers. For example, we can send and receive e-mails from our friends or chat with people by MSN and Skype. In this case, there’s no need for us to meet each other face to face because everything can be discuss through the computers. In nowadays, people seldom visit their friends in person, and most of them think that writing a letter is too troublesome. Due to the above reasons, many people are bad at communication skills, and they may become unfamiliar with the social interaction.

To do less well on schoolwork, become unhealthy and have an apathetic relationship are the three negative effects of computers on our everyday lives. To improve the situations, we should use the computer moderately and never become too rely on the computers. After all, computers are just one of the tools that can help us to finish our job.

The Negative Effects of Computers on Our Everyday Lives(Topic Outline 2)

Topic Outline

The Negative Effects of Computers on Our Everyday Lives

Thesis: The negative effects of computers on our everyday lives including three disadvantages: regress on the schoolwork, harm our health and form estranged relationship.

Introduction

I. Regress on the schoolwork

II. Harm our health

III. Form estranged relationship

Conclusion

My new semester resolutions (Final draft)

My new semester resolutions (Final draft)

To have a new semester resolution is important to every college students. A new semester resolution can help students to do better on their academic work. In my last semester, I didn’t do very well in most of courses I took. In order to improve my schoolwork, I map out my study plan, set up the daily schedule and do exercise every week.

     Since I became a college student, some professors told me that map out my own study plan is helpful to studying. As long as I follow the study plan, I don’t have to worry about whether I can hand in my homework on time or whether I can get prepared before test. Therefore, in my study plan, I decided to take an hour to preview the lesson every day. Besides, I’ll review what I’ve learned in class for at least two hours a day; I’ll also write down some notes and mark out the problems that I can’t understand. Following the study plan can help me to study more effectively, but there’re still some problems related to my daily routine.

     I realized that I had to set up the daily schedule to help me use my time well. In my last semester, I wasted a lot of time hanging out and doing nothing. For instance, I often watch TV until midnight which causes me to be late for class the next morning. To make a change, I force myself to go to bed before twelve o’clock at night and get up no later than eight o’clock in the morning. The earlier I go to bed, the more concentrate I can be while studying.

     In addition, I decided to exercise twice a week. As everybody knows, to be healthy is essential if we want to study well. Exercise can not only keep us healthy and improve our immunity, but also reduce our stress; it is good to both our physical and mental health. So I have made up my mind to exercise at least three times a week, and two hours every time.

     Map out the study plan, set up the daily schedule and do exercises can help me make great progress in the new semester. These resolutions urged me to become more active and energetic. I’m sure that with all these efforts, I’ll do my best in this new semester.

The Effects of Computers on Our Everyday Lives ( topic outline )

The Effects of Computers on Our Everyday Lives

Topic Outline

Thesis: The effects of computers on our everyday lives including three aspects: the mental aspect, the physiological aspect and the relationship aspect.

   I. The first aspect

A.         Advantages of the mental aspect

1.          Not feeling so lonely

2.          Read some inspirational literary outputs online

B.         Disadvantages of the mental aspect

1.          Being too relies on the computers

2.          Addicted to the online games of the computers

   II. The second aspect

A.         Advantages of the physiological aspect

1.          Learn some knowledge that related to health

2.          Attend an online health care organization

B.         Disadvantages of the physiological aspect

1.          Bad to the eyes

2.          Bad to the arms and legs

   III. The third aspect

A.         Advantages of the relationship aspect

1.          Know many new friends through computers

2.          Contact to your friends without meeting face to face

B.         Disadvantages of the relationship aspect

1.          Regress of the communication skills

2.          Become unfamiliar with the social interaction

Conclusion

Happiness

Happiness

     Everyone in the world have their different ways to find happiness. It varies with their age, personality, growing background and so on. To me, doing exercise, helping others and achieving goals are the three methods that make me happy.

     First, doing exercise is a good way to help me release the pressure. For instance, every time I was in bad mood, I’ll go play basketball with my friends and classmates. It not only assists me to get the strain out of my mind, but also to aid me to be fully relaxed. Besides exercising, there are still some other ways for me to receive happiness.

     Another element for me to obtain happiness is helping others. I feel honor to help those who in need because it means that I have the ability to give others a helping hand. And I really appreciate to have the chances to offer my assistance; it provides me many special experiences and knows a lot of new friends.

     At last, achieving goals is the third way to make me become a happy person. I am a college student with high ambition and dreams of future. Therefore, achieving goals is a necessary part to me in my study life. Satisfaction was all around my heart whenever I achieve my goals, it also helps me to proof myself and be more confident.

     In sum, participate in sport activities, give people my supports and go after my dreams make my life more colorful. To live a happy life is not so difficult, as long as you find your own way to become a happy person.

My new semester resolutions (Writing Task 1)

    

     To have a new semester resolution is important to every college students. A new semester resolution can help students to do better on their academic work. In my last semester, I didn’t do very well in every course I took. In order to improve my schoolwork, I map out my study plan, set up the daily schedule and do exercise every week.

     Since I became a college student, some professors told me that map out my own study plan is helpful to studying. As long as I follow the study plan, I don’t have to worry about whether I can hand in my homework on time or whether I can get prepared before test. Therefore, in my study plan, I decided to take an hour to preview the lesson every day. Besides, I’ll review what I’ve learned in class for at least two hours a day; I’ll also write down some notes and mark out the problems that I can’t understand. Following the study plan can helps me to study more effective, but there’re still some problems related to my daily routine.

     I realized that I had to set up the daily schedule to help me use my time well. In my last semester, I wasted a lot of time hanging out and doing nothing. For instance, I often watch TV until midnight which causes me to be late for class in the next morning. As a result, in my daily schedule, I force myself to go to bed before twelve o’clock at night and get up no later than eight o’clock in the morning. The earlier I go to bed, the more concentrate I can be while studying.

     In addition, I decided to exercise regularly. As everybody knows, to be healthy is essential if we want to study well. Exercise can not only keep us healthy and improve our immunity, but also reduce our stress; it is either good to our physical and mental health. So I make up my mind to exercise at least three times a week, and two hours every time.

     Map out the study plan, set up the daily schedule and do exercises can help me make great progress in the new semester. These resolutions urged me to become more active and energetic. I’m sure that with all these efforts, I’ll do my best in this new semester.

My new semester resolutions (second draft)

My new semester resolutions (second draft)

In my last semester, I took several courses. But I didn’t do very well in every course I took. In order to improve my schoolwork, I will make my own study plan and reading schedule. I decided to take an hour to preview the lesson every day. Besides, I’ll review what I’ve learned in class for at least two hours a day, I’ll also write down some notes and mark out the problems that I can’t understand. After all these works have done, I’ll check my study plan to make sure I get every exam well-prepared. I’m sure that with all these efforts, I’ll do my best in this new semester.

My new semester resolutions (first draft)

B9805103 蔡富伃 Jocelyn

My new semester resolutions (first draft)

  In my last semester, I took a lot of courses. But I didn’t do it well in all of them, for instance, I got a poor grade in my engineering mathematic course. And I think it’s because that I didn’t get well-prepared before the mid-term and final exam. So in this new semester, I should learn to use my time well and also make a study schedule, and I should also preview the lesson before class and review it after class.