1

Shamira Coye
Dr. Loskot
ENGL 105(02)
July 2, 2020
End of semester reflection
There are many ways to view the world and everyone has a different way. Before

enrolling to this course I had no interest in learning more about literature, worse about the

application of theories. Theories have been haunting me throughout my academic career at Galen

University. I had never place any interesting in learning any theories and their theoretical views

before this course. I guess the way it was taught to me was frankly boring. Reading has always

been a challenging thing for me to do. I am a person that has to read a paper several times before

understanding it. At the beginning of this course I was very reluctant because I knew we were

going to work with theories. My overall goal was to simply pass the course and get over with it. I

had my first class session and heard that the person teaching this course is strict and grades hard.

I got even more scared knowing that but I took the challenge and decided to make my own

perspectives of the course and the professor. The first assignment had me engaged as for the first

time I felt I really had to wear my thinking cap and write something with sense.

As the course went by and the theoretical views were introduced I was surprised of how

much my perspective of the course had changed. I looked forward to each class sessions. The

stories used to interpret the theories made it more exciting that some class sessions seemed short.

These stories are written by a Belizean writer that managed to portray many political, cultural

and social aspect of our country at that time and which we continue seeing in our present day.

Each theory intrigued me to want to know more, even though if that meant doing several

research to fully understand its context. My mind was open to a wider view of what life is. I
 2

liked that we were placed to think out of the box. Doing several active reading and critical

thinking helped me gain knowledge in literature and its literary work. I understood that literary

gives us a certain way of looking at a text. I realized that a good reader is one who can read a text

and apply multiple lenses to the text and see how different theories can inter-connect with one

another. I believe that there is so much to know about literature. Being introduced to these

theories helped me open my mind and become more confident with my writing. I have begun to

enjoy writing and applying critical theories. Writing my final paper has been very challenging

but I am proud to say that I was able to complete it. I know I need to improve in many aspects of

my writing but I know now that my level of writing has advanced. I know now that my

knowledge in literature is wider and better than before. Learning to apply literary theory has

allowed me to see myself as a different person. I am able to understand the behavior of children

differently and finally understand why Galen focused a lot on theories. I question myself how

would I have become an efficient teacher without the use of theories? I am so glad that this

course was taught by you Dr. Loskot. I look up to you and wish that one day I can become an

exemplary teacher as you are. You are the first teacher that causes an impact on my life and

makes me see thing from all angles. This English course was the best and I am glad to have been

part of it.