1. UNV 103 Week 4 Module 4 Journal Entry Form
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Module 4 Journal Entry Form
Journal Background:
To reflect on what you have read or studied so far in a course is an essential part
of understanding. This journal entry form will provide a place for you to take some
time and reflect on the prompt below.
Journal Instructions:
A GCU student learns that personal accountability is vital to success in
academics as well as in a chosen career field. Demonstrate your understanding
of personal accountability by picking two of the following stories and answering
the applicable questions after each. Then, answer the wrap-up questions.
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Story 1: Susie Single Mom
Susie enrolled in the online Bachelors of Science in Marketing program at GCU in
the fall of 2010. She is a single mom with two children under the age of 10 and
she works fulltime as a cashier for Target.
Susie graduated with honors from high school, but got married and had children
early so she was not able to attend college like all her high school friends. After
being married for 8 years, she now finds herself as a single mom with no college
degree.
Susie decided to attend GCU online because she dreams of starting her own
business one day and wants to provide a better life for herself and her children.
She enrolled in online courses because they are convenient for her. But she is
finding it hard to manage her time due to her job hours and her children’s
afterschool activities. She works nights three days a week and days twice a week
so she often does her homework late at night. Although she enjoys chatting with
classmates on the Class Wall, she lacks support from family and friends. Using
the online library is a challenge for her as well because she has trouble
navigating in the LoudCloud classroom.
Now, after completing two courses online, Susie is considering dropping the
program because of the stress, coursework, and lack of family support. She really

2. does not want to quit school because she is a good student and knows that a
college degree can make a difference in her life, but she is extremely frustrated.
Story 1 Questions:
1. What GCU resources could Susie have used to discuss her frustrations with
someone at GCU?
2. What tools/resources could Susie have used to help her manage her time
better? How could she have prepared for unforeseen problems?
3. How could people at GCU, including her instructor, have assisted Susie
throughout her time at GCU?
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Story 2: Mark, the Married Dad
Mark, married with two teenagers, works full time as a computer tech and
although he enjoys his job, he wants to become a Physician Assistant and earn
more money to send his kids to college. Mark started working right out of high
school, so he never took any college courses, but he recently read that
individuals with college degrees earn more money. So, even though he has family
commitments and plays basketball in a city league on the weekends, he decided
to enroll at GCU online.
Even though Mark was comfortable with computers, he still contacted his
academic counselor (AC) before his course started to go through the online
classroom in LoudCloud because he had never taken an online course. After
“walking” through his class, Mark decided to e-mail his instructor to ask about the
course. Mark felt better after communicating with his instructor because his
instructor provided some study tips for Mark as well as instructions on how to
submit assignments in the LoudCloud classroom. Mark then bought extra printer
supplies-paper and ink cartridges- so he would be prepared. He also downloaded
all course materials ahead of time.
After taking two courses online, Mark felt so at ease navigating through
LoudCloud and the GCU Web site, that he was able to assist his fellow
classmates with LoudCloud on the Class Wall. He also posted on the Class Wall
some tips he learned about time management and resources he gathered from
the GCU Web site. Mark found a “technology buddy” in the Discussion Forum
who could contact the instructor for him in case he experienced computer
problems. Most importantly, he was able to network about career opportunities
with his classmates in the Discussion Forum. After completing his first two
courses online, Mark had confidence to complete the degree program and
graduated with honors from GCU with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.

3. Story 2 Questions:
1. What did Mark do to ensure success at GCU?
2. What resources did Mark take advantage of to assist him in completing his
course?
3. Why is it important to be prepared before class starts?
4. How can you prepare beforehand to succeed in your courses at GCU?
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Story 3: Harry, the High School Graduate
Harry flew through high school with little effort and low grades. He was satisfied
with average and below average grades as long as he could spend his free time
playing video games. Harry approaches college with a similar view, not seriously
considering the worth of college in terms of his future. Pressure from his single
mom, who has a high school diploma and works two jobs, compels him to try
college. But high school was easy, so why would college be any more difficult?
He registered for two courses at GCU online and immediately had problems with
turning in assignments on time, classmate responses to his posts in the
discussion forum, and his grades. The feedback from the instructor seemed
brutal. Harry’s spelling, grammar, and writing style were the major targets of the
instructor’s comments. Taking notes online proved to be a challenge for Harry as
was using the GCU library because the online classroom was so different than
the campus setting he was used to.
Harry considered dropping out of college, because the college route “wasn’t for
him.” But he decided to e-mail his instructor to ask questions about the feedback
on his assignments. His instructor encouraged him to stay in school and use GCU
resources to change his bad habits and improve his skills. Harry listened to his
instructor’s advice and visited the Student Success Center where he made an
appointment with a GCU tutor.
The tutor provided some writing tips, study strategies, and note-taking advice for
the online classroom. The tutor also connected Harry to the librarian, who
explained how the GCU library can help students. Harry began to feel better
about completing his degree program. With his new strategies in place, Harry
completed his courses and looked forward to the next ones.
Story 3 Questions:
1. What must Harry do to be more successful at GCU?

4. 2. What resources can Harry use to get him back on track?
3. What resources can Harry use to improve the quality of his assignments?
4. What must Harry do to master skills while completing the degree?
5. How could he have prepared for unforeseen problems?
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Story 4: Frank the Fulltime Yuppie
Frank excelled in high school and planned ahead for years to attend college. He
earned scholarships to GCU and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in
Business Administration. After working for two years for a large corporation,
Frank decided it was time to move up in his career because he wanted to earn
more money.
As a young entry-level professional, he decided to head back to GCU and earn a
Master of Business Administration in Leadership degree online. Frank jumped
right into his first two courses with his usual enthusiasm, but began to struggle
with how to manage his time. His work hours kept him at work until late, so he
had to find time to study during breaks. The online environment was new to him
and confused him at times. The course work was harder than he anticipated, so
he struggled with tests and some homework assignments, as well as with using
the GCU library.
Frustrated, Frank quickly contacted his academic counselor (AC) and explained
his issues. His AC referred him to the Student Success Center in the LoudCloud
classroom where Frank was able to view some tutorials about the library, learn
writing tips, and gather tools for success at GCU. She also showed Frank how to
utilize the GCU Web site resources, chat with classmates about what time
management strategies they use, and call his instructor with questions about
assignments.
As a result, Frank stayed in his degree program and learned how to problem
solve using GCU resources as a tool. Frank will graduate in 2012 with his
master’s degree and pursue that manager position he has always dreamed
about.
Story 4 Questions:
1. What could Frank have done better to prepare for the GCU online
environment?
2. What important first step did Frank take to find solutions to his problems?

5. 3. In what ways did GCU assist Frank in staying in his degree program?
4. Explain how Frank took personal responsibility for finding solutions to his
problems.
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Wrap-up Questions
After reading the stories and answering the questions, complete this journal entry
form by answering the following questions:
1. Of the people you read about, were their expectations realistic or not?
Explain.
2. How do you relate to the people in the stories you read?
3. What can you do to meet the expectations that you face as a GCU student?