My love from nature stems from the interactions that give rise to the diversity seen in environments all over the world. Every organism is highly evolved to serve a purpose; every plant, animal, or microbe has a place. This creates a beautiful mosaic of life in an environment. As I travel or study different environments, I see this mosaic everywhere. My perspective on nature gives me a lot of joy in my everyday life, so I try to appreciate nature in several ways. One way I appreciate nature is through hiking. I try to hike frequently so I can be immersed in nature. Being able to see a wide variety of plant and animal species and how they change throughout the year gives me a deeper appreciation of how nature is constantly changing. This extends to hiking in unusual weather, as hiking in the rain or in windy conditions can offer a new perspective on how weather impacts the world around us. I also try to appreciate nature through discussion with other people. This is done by pointing out different plant/animal species on group hikes/walks, talking about different conservation strategies they can use in their everyday life, and encouraging young people to appreciate nature more. These discussions help create curiosity and a willingness to explore nature in people of all ages. Lastly, I appreciate nature through conservation. By growing produce for my family, composting any food waste we create, and recycling, I feel more connected to the natural world. Growing produce and recycling help reduce my carbon footprint, and composting allows me to see the process of decomposition and how it contributes to ecosystems. Altogether, my relationship and appreciation for nature are important to my daily life.

The primary study strategy I use to achieve academic success is focused on creating and reinforcing a physical connection to the content I am focusing on at the time. The first step to this process is achieved through writing notes in class as opposed to typing them. This action connects a physical action, writing, to the introduction of new information. This connection is relatively weak, but can be reinforced by rewriting my notes. During this time, I minimize looking at my original notes, as the reinforcement relies on recalling information and putting it into my own words. After my notes have been rewritten, the physical connection to the subject being studied is strong. However, the information may be overwhelming or difficult to sort through in my mind. To combat this issue, I begin to diagram the information as a secondary study strategy. Drawing diagrams of the processes I am trying to learn not only reinforces the physical connection to the information I am learning, but also helps me learn how to visualize the processes and how they connect to one another. Even a diagram as simple as a concept map helps me organize the information I am learning. Once rewriting and diagramming are complete, a third study strategy is to teach the subject to another person. I ask a friend or family member to meet with me, and then walk them through all the information while they use my notes to check my accuracy. Teaching a subject helps my brain focus on the core concepts I would need to know for an exam and helps me learn how to explain those concepts in a short answer format. Altogether, these three study strategies have helped me immensely as I pursue higher education.