10 Weeks of Shifting My Perspective –
Over the past 10 weeks, this course has expanded my knowledge of literature’s incorporation with digital culture and the digital world. I now perceive literature as not confined to traditional forms but as an ever-evolving medium that has the ability to adapt within the digital landscape. After completing Lab Notebook 3, a realization struck me – we’re unconsciously shaping the world of literature. As a society, we’ve gradually shifted from physical copies of written material to embracing digital books, and they’re constantly surrounding us! Kindles, online books, apps for books, and don’t get me started on audiobooks! A person on the other side of my phone reading my bedtime stories? Now that’s what I call redefining the culture of digital and literature! In all seriousness, without this course and the prompts for this lab, I probably would have not taken some time to digest and evaluate the changes within the digital and literature world. I used to see literature as fixed, but now I see it as adaptable, always changing in the digital realm. This course showed me how technology impacts how we read, engage with, and reshape literature, widening my perspective.
This image shows two hands, one holding a kindle, and the other holding physical books. It displays the changes of literature over time, as we move into a more digital world. More information on Amy’s Bookshelf.
Supporting Each Other –
This class allowed me to meet new friends, discuss challenging topics, and navigate the course together. I made it a priority to support my classmates throughout this course, ensuring a mutual understanding of the material. Engaging in discussions during class allowed us to dissect and understand lectures and previous readings. These discussions offered fresh perspectives and broadened our knowledge of the course content. Working jointly during lectures and labs provided an extremely useful opportunity to exchange ideas, enhancing our comprehension. Moreover, when the lab notebooks posed any challenges, my peers and I worked together to clarify directions, ensuring a comprehensive understanding. This collaborative effort significantly contributed to our success and engagement in learning this term. My advice to future students is to find one or two friends in the class, and stick by their side all term! It truly helps to have a person in the same boat as you to expand ideas, clarify material, and support your education.
Future Students, Here is My Advice –
Stay curious, what I mean by that is it is important to approach the course with an insatiable curiosity. Actively engage in discussions, read extensively, and embrace diverse perspectives. Keep asking questions, the more you ask, the richer the experience will be for you. Actively engaging in discussions looks like offering new perspectives, listening actively to others’ ideas, and building upon them to create a dynamic exchange of thoughts and insights. As I had mentioned previously, creating a solid group of peers will only impact your time in this class positively. Lastly, maintaining a balance and managing your time effectively are key. Devote your focus to course materials while also creating time for other aspects of your life. If you ever feel overwhelmed, it is beneficial to prioritize self-care practices. Personally, when I encounter frustration or a mental block, I utilize a simple trick: setting aside time to indulge in something I enjoy before returning to the task. Whether it’s preparing a hearty and nutritional meal, putting on my favorite podcast while tidying up my workspace, or taking a long, hot shower, these activities often shift my perspective entirely, improving my efficiency when I return to my school work. Always remember to prioritize the well-being of your mind and body! If you are like me and enjoy reading self-help articles, here is one from the National Institute of Mental Health, that focuses on certain tasks to ensure you are looking after yourself.
ENG 250 and Future Contributions –
Academically, this course has reshaped my perspective on literature and digital culture, providing a lens through which I’ll approach future studies with a deeper understanding of their interconnectedness. Professionally, it has equipped me with invaluable digital competencies and critical thinking skills, both indispensable in navigating the evolving landscape of modern careers. My perspective on literature and digital culture has undergone a significant shift—I no longer see literature and digital studies as different, but rather as interconnected studies that intertwine and complement each other. A really helpful article that made me see literature and digital humanities in a new light is Comparative literature and the digital humanities: disciplinary issues and theoretical construction. The article dives deeper into similarities between comparative literature and the digital humanities, comparative literature, and other important factors that relate to our course material in ENG 250. I am excited to see where my knowledge from this course takes me in my future endeavors!