Reflection 2 vianka villota

 

Reflection 2

I went into these class presentations expecting them to be yet another group project—something to complete, show, and move on from. But as the groups began presenting, it became clear very quickly that this was more than just a checkmark for the semester. People had actually given some serious consideration to what they were presenting. There was something genuine about how the subjects were met, for example, everyone was able to devise a means through which they would apply their assigned problem back into regular life.

Our Group: The Relation Between Social Life and Mental Health

My group addressed the manner in which our social life impacts our mental health. Rather than just regurgitating facts or figures, we wanted to make it realer and more relatable—such as the nervousness of being constantly online, feeling isolated when with other people, or how hard it is to set boundaries within an online environment.

We tried to make it truthful but not too much. We focused on the need to recognize early warning signs for burnout, carve out time to rest, and understand that "being connected" is not necessarily the same as being okay. It felt like something that we all really experience, rather than just a school presentation.

Group One:

The initial panel addressed how work is evolving with technology and changing forms of work. They talked about things like how the gig economy is growing, the impact of AI on things, and how fewer people are pursuing conventional career paths. It may have felt distant or too technical, but they made it accessible.

What stuck with me was their point about adaptability—how staying flexible and willing to learn is just as valuable as having a clear career plan. That hit home, especially since it feels like there’s so much pressure to have everything figured out by the time you’re in school. Their message reminded me that it’s okay to grow and change direction.

Group Two

The second group addressed the ways in which families and schools influence students' success, especially when there is a language or work constraint. The one that really got my interest was their discussion of students who are parents themselves—something not really talked about.

They not only identified the problems; they actually made recommendations, like more adaptive communication between staff and families and school policies that consider different life situations. They also used local examples, so their points seemed to ring true and count. It made me think about how schools can improve to actually reach students where they are.

Even though each group spoke about something different, all of the topics appeared to be connected. Whether it was school, work, or mental health, each presentation came back to one common point: people need understanding and support in order to succeed.

No one planned it that way, but the themes naturally overlapped. It became clear that so much of what shapes our lives—school, family, work, relationships—relies on communication, empathy, and the systems we’re part of. That shared message made everything feel more meaningful.

Final Thoughts

I will not tell you that the presentations were groundbreaking, but they did seem to count more than I expected. Everyone approached their topic with seriousness and effort, and you could feel that people were speaking about matters that mattered to them.