Initial Reflective Essay Assignment

In your life, up to this point, you’ve had many experiences. You’ve read many things, seen many films, heard many songs, seen a good bit of visual imagery, participated in many discussions, and had a number of adventures. All of these things have contributed to the person you are today. In the PDP program, we identify four dimensions of a person’s development: intellectual growth and discovery; emotional maturation and physical health; ethical and spiritual growth; and citizenship and community responsibility. Together, these dimensions describe the development of the whole person.

In this initial essay assignment, we ask that you take some time to reflect on the person you are today. Describe for us how you’ve developed in each of these dimensions to this point in your life, using your past experiences and thoughts as examples and explanation. Describe to us what sort of person you are in terms of your intellectual curiosity and development. Give us some idea of how much you’ve matured over the years, and how you’ve developed physically and emotionally. Give us some insight into your spiritual and ethical development, your understanding of values and the sort of principles you live by. Give us some idea of your understanding of what it means to you to be a contributing member of society. Illustrate your thoughts using examples and anecdotes from your past experience. Think about books or films that inspired you; think about all the influences that have gone into your development as a person.

The initial reflective essay should be 3-4 pages long—type written and double-spaced in 12 point type.

Text should start at the top of the page just under a centered 14 point heading similar to this page. Your name, class and date should be in a small block on the top left. See example below:

Ray Schneider

PDP-150 F07

Section <number>

<date>

Initial Reflective Essay:

My Life in Starfleet

You can put a colorful subtitle that appeals to you but it should reflect a theme you develop in your essay.