Bianca Maycock

       Some activities/ hobbies I enjoy that help me cope in difficult situations involve exercise, walks in nature and video editing. Exercise because mainly I’ve witnessed the cons of neglecting health and the consequences that come with that as a person grows older so working out helps me feel more productive and helps me relieve stress. When the weather is nice and I need some time for myself. I prefer to go out for walks in nature, and listen to music. It’s a very simple activity that doesn’t involve much but I personally tend to be more introverted and need times where I can recharge and just be alone so this time to myself helps me especially if I’ve had a rough week or day. Lastly, video editing has been a hobby of mine since I was eleven and throughout the years I’ve been able to grow and expand my knowledge in this particular field. Movies in general have always been fascinating to me so learning how the art all comes together and then making it myself has ...

                   After watching the video of the author briefly explaining his experiences which inspired the book. I took some time to reflect on my own experiences, especially ones that were painful but provoked change. I believe that both statements have truth in them. The first statement states “we are products of our own environment”, personally to some extent we are but not permanently. Childhood trauma can take an individual years to recover from and if someone grew up in a household that lacked their needs being met. Then yes the potential outcome of that in their pre teen years to young adult years will be affected by that upbringing. However, it doesn’t mean the individual is a permanent product of their environment. There is always room to grow and change especially if they gain the knowledge and gain the access to resources and opportunity for healing. Second statement states “we are products of our own expectations” w...

          Lately the topic of higher education and its cost has been debated in today's society as it continues to increase, leaving many young adults questioning if investment is worth it or not. In the documentary, "The Ivory Tower '' this dilemma is highlighted even further and discusses the impact of student debt and the harsh reality of the job market. As a viewer, this made me think and reflect on how important it is for an individual to map out a specific plan before entering college and weigh out all the pro's and con's. I don't believe the message of the documentary is to be completely pessimistic over the idea of college but more to further explain the risks of investing in a degree that might not instantly help with debt right after graduation. Careers are vast and there are a wide range of opportunities but it all narrows down to what is completely necessary in the end. The impact of the job market and the economy is even heightened now given t...

What does accountability mean to you ? For many, accountability means taking ownership of one’s choices and the consequences that may result afterwards. This has become a debate around the topic of health. Someone doesn’t have to be a brain surgeon to realize that eating a cheeseburger and fries everyday won’t result in a six pack. However, the documentary “What the Health” shines a light on manipulation being done behind the scenes in food advertising. Now then the question changes to “how can one take accountability if they aren’t aware of all the chemicals/ ingredients in their food?” On the surface this discussion may look very black and white but there is a much bigger issue at hand here which is presented very well in this Netflix documentary. In this context, accountability goes beyond individual responsibility and extends to political and systemic levels. The documentary challenges viewers to question mass media and double check the ingredient list for their day to day meals....

 My name is Bianca and I am currently a junior at New Jersey City University. My major is in education with a co major in media arts ! My interest in literature started around the age of fourteen when I started reading books on my own that were in the realistic fiction genre. At the time, I found comfort in reading a good book where I could immerse myself in different worlds, perspectives, and emotions. I found it interesting how I grew to care about characters that were just words on a page. It taught me how captivating storytelling could be and the impact it brings. Before I found a passion for film ( hence my major) I spent a lot of free time hunting down the best books and figuring out if I agreed with other peoples opinions. I learned that every author is different and certain ways of writing are more effective than others. This semester, I hope to deepen my appreciation for literature and improve my skills that will help shape my academic and personal growth.