YIPPIEEEEEEE!!!! =D

I'm FINALLY done with the research project! Since I'm planning on presenting in the spring’s Research Symposium, I want to further  my research, because after spending so much time doing this study, I realized how I can improve my survey and interview questions.  Now, I know EXACTLY what to do in order to get significant differences, meaning that there are positive correlations in my findings, regarding the development of resilience in college-athletes.  Additionally, it would have been GREAT if I would’ve conducted interviews in other universities, such as Nova Southeastern University, Barry, and Florida International University.  I’m INSPIRED!  Since I’m part of the Research Interest Group, I will be mentored by Dr. Pickens, a psychology professor at STU, who’s currently doing research in the Miami Gardens community.  Therefore, he’s willing to help me with my research and will guide me through the survey and interview questions.

I learned so much in my Multimodal Research & Writing Course!  Just because the class has come to an end, it doesn’t necessarily mean my blogging will, as well.  I’ll keep you guys updated on additional research studies I will be conducting during the spring semester, along with several other STU students.  We are actually thinking about doing animal behavior, which is Psychology of Learning.  We will be visiting Miami Seaquarium quite often, doing an observational study to understand how marine animals (i.e. dolphins, whales, seals, etc.) are trained using positive and negative reinforcements, operant conditioning, etc.  If you are interested in doing research, please let me know J

Blessings,

ENLIGHTEN7

REVISED :)

After all, I’m really happy about the topic I chose for my semester-long research.  It has actually changed my approach to challenging situations in a more positive way.  In fact, I use to avoid challenges rather than seek them, and after all my findings and readings, I’ve realized the importance of obstacles.  The only way to become stronger, whether it’s physically, emotionally, or psychologically is being challenged- it’s that simple.  As bad as it sounds, it’s good to get heartbroken (emotionally challenged) a few times because it prepares you for what is yet to come.  You should be grateful for intense practices because if you can get through them, you know you have accomplished something and you are continuously becoming physically and psychologically stronger.  Your mind and body might tell you to quit, but your heart tells you to keep going.  Countless of people complain about teachers who assign group projects, because there will always be that ONE person who screws everything up.  To make matters worse, some professors will deduct points off your overall grade if you decide to change to a different group.  So, what should you do…drop the class? Of course, not!  It will benefit you in the future.  Foremost, you’ll learn how to deal with people who are irresponsible, annoying, disrespectful, and so on.  When you start your career, the odds of having a LOVELY boss are very low.  So what should you do…quit? Of course, not!  You should get the best out of it by taking a different approach and having a positive view.  Every time you’re confronted with negative people, just remember that it’ll help you grow as a person; it will build your character! =) So, if you’re wondering how resilience is linked with challenges, resilience is merely developed through adversities! Seek them, appreciate them, and learn from them. Build your resilience because life isn’t easy, but it’s worth living!

Whatever it takes... :)

           After all, I’m really happy about the topic I chose for my semester-long research.  It’s actually changed my approach to challenging situations in a more positive way.  In fact, I use to avoid challenges rather than seek them, and after all my findings and readings, I’ve realized the importance of obstacles.  The only way to become stronger, whether it’s physically, emotionally, or psychologically is being challenged- it’s that simple.  As bad as it sounds, it’s good to get heartbroken (emotionally challenged) a few times because it prepare you for what is yet to come.  You should be grateful for intense practices because if you can get through it, you know you have accomplished something and you are continuously becoming physically and psychologically stronger.  Your mind and body might tell you to quit, but your heart tells you to keep going.  Countless of people complain about teachers who assign group projects, because there will always be that ONE person who screws everything up.  To make matters worse, some professors will deduct points of you decide to change to a different group.  So, what should you do…drop the class? Of course, not!  It will benefit you in the future.  Foremost, you’ll learn how to deal with people who are irresponsible, annoying, disrespectful, and so on.  When you start your career, the odds of having a LOVELY boss are very low.  So what should you do…quit? Of course, not!  You should get the best out of it by seeing it from a different perspective.  Every time you’re confronted with negative people, just remember that it’ll help you grow as a person; it will build your character! =) So, if you’re wondering how resilience is linked with challenges, resilience is merely developed through adversities! Seek them, appreciate them, and learn from them. Build your resilience because life isn’t easy, but it’s worth living!

                                        

                                   

“Come on! Keeping going…Don’t give up!”

God bless you =)

Enlighten7

Finally... =)

Hello everyone,

Hope everyone is doing great! =) My project is gradually coming to an end…not a complete end, but a DEADLINE!  I feel like I learned A LOT from it, although I wish I had more time to get in-depth, but it’s definitely something I’m looking forward to for a further analysis in the future.  I finally completed my interviews, and observations.  I have to admit, I’m a little disappointed that the MAJORITY of my surveyors were female athletes, but I got a good number to work with- 31 respondents.  At first, most people informed me that they refused to take the survey because they thought it was a SPAM.  After posting it MANY time, continuously, they finally got the picture that it wasn’t a SPAM.  My project not only answered many of my questions, but it also revealed many techniques that help with reducing stress and simply taking every obstacle as a challenge, rather than a threat.  Resiliency is something that can be obtained, but it’s the person’s decision whether they want to be resilient or not.  Whenever you’re put in a very difficult decision and you feel like quitting, just remember to KEEP GOING.  If you are defeated, try AGAIN; setbacks are there for a reason- to help you grow.  Interestingly, resiliency is built through challenges, which is something MANY people avoid.  Athletes, on the other hand, or competitive athletes (I should say), love and seek challenges.  Psycho-education also helps you build resilience because you become aware of the stressors and you learn to control your reactions in a more positive way.  It allows you to reflect rather than impulsively react to an unfavorable situation.  A piece of advice: NEVER get too comfortable where you are; always strive to become stronger psychologically, emotionally, and physically!

               

You see that guy above?  He could’ve easily given up when his legs were amputated, but he decided to go a little further!  He knew he’d be comfortable remaining in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, but he strived through the challenges and now he's stronger than ever!

Blessings!!!!!! =)

Enlighten7

Athlete's Competitive NATURE =)

As you may all know, my research has been changed to, “How do Athlete’s Develop Resilience?”  With that being said, I decided to create a multimodal that will present the mind of an athlete, which is distinct from non-athletes.  You see, athletes acquire a competitive nature, a desire to triumph over their opponent, whether it’s a person, a situation, or a mental challenge.  They are willing to go the extra mile and get dirty, whatever it takes to win.  When an athlete is being threatened by fear, doubts, anxiety, pressures, and so on, they tend to attack those feelings the same way they attack their opponent in their sport.   In other words, athletes attack life challenges the same way they attack their opposing team.  Sometimes, athletes will allow their “opponents” (e.g., setbacks, doubts, pressures, criticism, etc) to control their life.  Other times, they will do whatever it takes to win the battle. 

 As you may all know, my research has been changed to, “How do Athlete’s Develop Resilience?”  With that being said, I decided to create a multimodal that will present the mind of an athlete, which is distinct from non-athletes.  You see, athletes acquire a competitive nature, a desire to triumph over their opponent, whether it’s a person, a situation, or a mental challenge.  They are willing to go the extra mile and get dirty, whatever it takes to win.  When an athlete is being threatened by fear, doubts, anxiety, pressures, and so on, they tend to attack those feelings the same way they attack their opponent in their sport.   In other words, athletes attack life challenges the same way they attack their opposing team.  Sometimes, athletes will allow their “opponents” (e.g., setbacks, doubts, pressures, criticism, etc) to control their life.  Other times, they will do whatever it takes to win the battle. 

The End :)

Be back soon! :)

Blessings!!!!!!!

Enlighten7

SURVEY ANALYSIS :)

Hello everyone, :)

I'm super excited because more students are completing my survey, after posting it 1,00000000000000000000 times on Facebook!  As you may know, you can analyze individual survey by clicking "Browe Survey" on Surveymonkey, and I've noticed a pattern.  Nearly ALL athletes struggle with balancing school and their sport, which was described as their most difficult challenge to endure.  However, social support varies by sport.  Basketball players agree to have a supportive team and coach.  One of the players emphasized on how their coach supports academics by giving GPA awards in the Athletic Award Ceremony, while other coaches simply emphasize on athletic performance.  I will be leaving to South Carolina tomorrow morning with the cross country team, and I will definitely OBSERVE their behavior.  Without a doubt, we are a very UNIQUE team :), in a good way.  Despite our differences, we got along pretty well...sometimes.
I'm off to practice :)

BLESSINGS! =)

ENLIGHTEN7

Is it Spirituality or Religion? :)

                I’m getting more and more in depth in my research! J It’s exciting because I feel like it’s going somewhere, and I’m getting productive feedback from others.  I found an article entitled, “Spiritual Well-Being and its Influence on Athletic Coping Profiles”, which reveals the positive outcome of spirituality in NCAA Division I athletes.  The authors, Heather Ridnour and Jon Hammermeister, found that “athletes who scored higher in spiritual well-being also displayed a better athletic coping skills profile for sport performance.”  In this study, spirituality does not necessarily mean a belief in One God or many gods, but a strong connection with others.  Spirituality is what links mental and physical health together, making it a vital component for not only athletes, but all human race.  The researchers made a great point in their study: “The terms religion and spirituality are often confused and misrepresented” (82).  Religion can easily be corrupted because it divides people; it’s a tradition and if certain rules are broken, separation may occur.  Spirituality, on the other hand, is having an intimate relationship with God (from a Christian perspective).  The same way you spend time with a friend to get to know them better, you spend time with God in prayer.  The same way your friends text, calls, or emails you, God does the same through His Word- the Bible.  In my research, my objective is to understand the impact of spirituality, not religion.  The belief in a high power may reduce anxiety in many ways, increasing the confidence in athletic performance.  To be continued... :)

BLESSINGS =)

-Enlighten7