Changing the Course

Positive reinforcement changed my course in college. My transition from high school living at home to college staying in a dormitory made my first semester a memorable one. Like some freshmen, I was homesick. While my block mates are enjoying their independence away from restrictions of home, I was sulking in every class. I couldn’t concentrate, everything seemed challenging and even scary.  I felt I was different. Everything was happening too fast, and too complicated and I am too far from my comfort zone.

My dormitory made me homesick, the sight of it reminded me that I was away from my family and I was on my own. I remembered I would start to feel really sad and even cry during my last class for the day which was Zoology I lecture class. My Zoo I lecture class was associated with going back to my dormitory where I will again feel very homesick. My lack of interest and sad feeling was even reflected or transferred to my Zoo I laboratory class which was on a different day and schedule. I was conditioned to feel bad and distracted during my Zoo 1 classes either lecture or laboratory that could have resulted in failing the subject.

However, my situation changed for the better. Even after failing my first quiz and feeling even more challenged, overwhelmed and incapable, my Zoo I instructor said upon handing the quiz results something memorable- “Bawi ka sa susunod, Study more”. A few well said words that served as my reinforcement. I felt that he knew I was better than my quiz results, and I could do better. I started looking forward to my laboratory class and even stopped crying in my lecture classes. My instructor continued giving me feedback, sharing to the class my good performance. I started to do better. I studied, practiced, participated in my laboratory exercises, and performed well in lecture and laboratory quizzes and exams. Not only did I receive good grades in my Zoology 1 but also in most of my subjects in my first semester. This experience demonstrated how powerful positive reinforcement is. It also demonstrated the vital role of teachers in giving positive reinforcement. A simple word of encouragement can lead a long way…it can even change someone’s course. 

As my journey to be a teacher continues, I will use my platform to spread the power of positive reinforcement in learning. As a teacher, I can touch, reflect and hopefully inspire my students using positive reinforcement to strive to be better, to be the best version of themselves. No matter how bleak the situation is, it will be better.