Karlee Lambert and Lydia Newnum: How have paleontology and music class helped prepare you for future jobs?
Micah Gray: When I originally came to Appalachian State University, my major was paleontology. After I started taking classes, I decided I wanted to change my major to music because I want to be a choir director. Even though I changed my major, I think paleontology has helped me prepare for a real-life work experience. This summer I was supposed to travel with my Finding Fossil Friday Group to Colorado to get a full experience of digging for fossils, but unfortunately, it got postponed due to the pandemic. My music class has helped me prepare for when I want to start and form my own choir after I graduate from college. There were so many words that I didn’t know or have not heard of before; now that I know what they mean, I can’t wait to use them in the future. My music professor has offered me accommodations to help me in the class and to prepare me for my future as a choir director. For example, whenever it came time to present projects, my professor would put me into a small group to present in order to make me feel more comfortable. From having this accommodation, I am able to participate in class, but to an extent that works best for me.
Karlee Lambert and Lydia Newnum: How have your test-taking skills improved? How has this helped you? How has the Scholars with Diverse Abilities Program (SDAP) prepared you for graduation?
Micah Gray: Since coming to college, my test-taking skills have improved a lot. Before college, I was struggling to make a passing grade on my tests. It seems like I’m doing much better; I’m getting higher grades on each assessment that I take. I believe that I have improved my test-taking skills through studying my materials for classes more and by having awesome student supports. Student supports are some of my fellow students that help me with things like schoolwork, notes, and assessments. My student support helps me with reading my material, as well as breaking down questions for me when I have a hard time understanding. I have benefited from having student support because they have helped in teaching me more efficient ways to study and take tests. The Scholars with Diverse Abilities Program has taught me time management and work ethic, along with more skills. Although SDAP is an academic program, I have learned a lot of life skills through my college experience.
Karlee Lambert and Lydia Newnum: What happened in the dorm? How was it living with a roommate? Do you think you’re more mature from this experience?
Micah Gray: I lived in Summit Hall in the fall of 2019 and half of the spring of 2020. I really liked living in the dorm because I had the experience of living away from home for the first time. Although I really liked the dorm, I missed my family every day; one word to describe how I felt is tragic. I had a rough relationship with my roommate. We didn’t agree on much; for example, we would argue about whether the window should be open or closed. I would say that living in the dorm made me more mature. I learned how to handle conflict with others more effectively and I learned how to go about fulfilling my responsibilities on my own.
Karlee Lambert and Lydia Newnum: How has gospel choir helped you, or how has it improved your social skills?
Micah Gray: To preface, I have a big passion for singing and for being in the choir. Gospel choir has given me the opportunity to come together in a group, to make new friends, and it has helped me become more comfortable with performing in front of large crowds. Gospel choir has also made me become more involved with my church. Church means a lot to me, so being more involved has been really meaningful.
Karlee Lambert and Lydia Newnum: How has transitioning from in-person classes to online made you feel in light of the pandemic?
Micah Gray: At first, when we had to move out of our dorms and leave campus, I was upset because I felt my full college experience was cut short. I was not used to online Zoom classes at first when we transitioned, but doing Zoom throughout the day and the week made me feel more comfortable because I began getting used to using Zoom. My paleontology class in person was enjoyable because I felt I could learn about different rocks through seeing it in person through my professor. I struggled with the course online at the beginning but learned how to adapt based on the format of the course. I became more on top of things because I was able to break down more information on my own time; I did this by keeping a schedule and constantly going over it throughout the day to make sure I was completing all of my assignments. My transition as far as my 2020 semester has been well. I feel more comfortable doing online than in person due to the pandemic.
Karlee Lambert and Lydia Newnum: How did you learn to maintain a calendar? How has keeping a calendar helped you in school and in life?
Micah Gray: My mom was the main person that taught me how to maintain a calendar. She taught me what things should go into the calendar, such as due dates for assignments. In high school, I had a planner; I kept track of important dates, such as field trips, tests, and birthdays. To me, keeping a calendar is very important because it helps me to remember things that I need to do, like attending doctors’ appointments. Keeping a calendar has helped me a lot throughout my college journey. I have all of my class times programmed into Google Calendar so that I never forget to attend a class. My calendar also helps me in school because, since I have my class times logged, I know when I can commit to other responsibilities.
Karlee Lambert and Lydia Newnum: Regarding the previous chart, how did you use the chart as an organizational tool to complete this essay?
Micah Gray: The chart helped me organize my thoughts in a visual, central location. I was able to group my thoughts into rows and columns, which ultimately helped me to further breakdown my ideas for this essay. My student supports asked me what I think about when I hear the words career, academic, social, personal, and other. The first thought that popped into my head when I thought about career was paleontology and music. I thought about paleontology and music because the word career means “job.” I am very interested in paleontology, but I am studying music to help me in my future career. As far as academics, I thought about test-taking skills and my future graduation. We used this same process throughout the entirety of the chart.