(Study break) Blog Three Checkpoint
- Natt Pano
- Jul 19, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: 14 hours ago
{Quick note: I've been sick twice during this study break (not the healthiest person, heh). Therefore, I am trying my best to get as much as I can done with my current state. I am now physically and mentally struggling, slayy š š»š}
Context and current process:
A quick recap: I am designing a capstone project within 12 weeks, which I will document in my blogs and show my progress on Miro. During the study break, I made progress with my miro board (somehow, hehš„¹). I completed the new frameworks I had considered incorporating in the empathising and defining phase. The frameworks include answers influenced by the participant's responses, which was helpful throughout this project. The empathising and defining stage semi-done and dusted allows me to understand and design a more impactful virtual environment prototype. Additionally, it creates time to continue considering the essential aspects of the research question,Ā "How might we support New Zealand's international university students' mental health, improving their interactions with domestic students by creating a comfortable environment in a Virtual Reality space?", which are the mental health, student interactions and the comfort in the virtual space. My current process for this week (7) is to finalise the project's prototyping idea and aesthetic aspect. I aim to get to the prototyping stage as soon as possible, as there's still a lot to complete in the limited time provided. Ā
New tools:
Maori framework:Ā Te whare tapa whÄ. I considered this framework based on the advice from one of the experts I spoke to. She recommended this framework as it helps to understand the participants and the project's goal from all well-being perspectives. I completely agree with this idea. Therefore, I have decided to fill the form based on how I could incorporate or resonate the framework categories with the participant's spiritual, physical, mental, social, and root/ land well-being. Some aspects have a strong connection, specifically, the root and land, which is bonding with an environment, both virtual and University, and the mental well-being, which is the primary focus; stress category, such as loneliness and being misunderstood.Ā
TheĀ Value Proposition framework helps me enhance my understanding and connection with the participants and their thought processes about the project experience. It is to help organise the possible cons and pros of the project.
TheĀ Sustainable Business Model framework allows me to understand my project idea further and how it would benefit the participants. In addition, it will help dig deeper into the elements of the project, discovering if it would operate well in the real world.
Chosen Model:
I will continue to incorporate the 'What? So What? Now What?' model in this blog. I have grown a connection with itš. On a real note, I want to improve how I use this model within my reflective writing.
[Figure 1: Rolfe et al. (2001) reflective model What? So what? Now what?]
What?
[August 25th - September 3rd] Although I have been trying to recharge and get work done simultaneously, I'm somewhat behind. However, the work that needs completing is not the problem. I understand what I need to do and how I will do it, but my mental blockage decided to stay with me longer. Therefore, I'm like fighting mental battles, trying to complete as much as possible before I feel stressed (it's slowly happening, heh). To be frank, I don't want to experience that. I'm literally writing this on my phone to trick myself or somethingš. Moving on from the mental category, because I could write a whole essay about it (not joking), I feel the project prototype planning progress is going as decent as possible. All I know is that I'm proud of myself for not giving up. Honestly, that's a whole achievement in itselfš. I had trouble with how and what I needed to achieve my project idea, but with my design brainpower, I figured out a way to solve it. All I can say is that the brainstorming aspect will look scrumptiousš š».
The issues, however, would be how I will do the VR environment and help myself stay on track with the course schedules, like the check-ins. I still need to take time to reflect on that matter. However, I'm not going to freak out about it yet. That won't do shit all (sorry, language). I'm saying this because I learnt the hard way (again, not bluffing. I wish I wasš„¹). Maintaining a peace of mind will get you further than you think, and that's on Periodt š©š»āš³š¤š».
[September 4th] I realised how much work I actually have to doš. I was mentally planning where I wanted to be before the second half of the semester began. Let's say I'm nowhere near my expectations. Excuse my language, but I'm kinda shitting myself just by thinking about it. I feel like not knowing the future process was more peaceful. Right now, I'm not sure what to think. Welp, I am going with the flow like always.
[September 5th - 7th] I'm not going to lie; it's getting annoying. I'm currently trying to do as much as I can for the report writing and just realised how I would need to completely change some things, precisely one of the case studies. I lowkey spent a long time on them (including breakdowns), and the fact I have to get rid of one of them makes me want to go into Minecraft, dig a hole, jump right in it, and hide myselfš. Also, don't get me started on how much I'm not fond of research. I genuinely think that my anxiety and depression come from that aspect of University. Literally an hour ago (1:11 am), I had experienced a deep burden of sadness and the feeling of being mentally stuck. I don't know how to explain it, but it was unpleasantš„ŗ. I'm also lowkey lacking more sleep because of this research part. Anything for University, I guess hehšš. I had to hardcore motivate my brain to do it. Although, it shouldn't be this challenging. It's okie, though. Once the research stuff is out of my way, I can peacefully do the creative aspect. (Please don't misunderstand me. The class and lecturers are very helpful and supportive, which I'm grateful for. I sadly lack research skills in general. You guys are slayingš š». I apologise if I offended you in any way.)
[September 8th - 9th] As of now, I have a decent idea of the approach I want to take and the aesthetic I aim to achieve (I'm still in the process of completing the aesthetic aspect). However, before proceeding to the next step, I want to ensure that my work is at a satisfactory standard. I will achieve this by asking the same participants for feedback and the fablab expert's advice on the chosen prototype idea. I feel like including this pausing stage to confirm my project can help identify if this project will be impactful or if it needs modifications. I am genuinely surprised but proud of how far I've come, even when lacking motivation or mental energy. Also, the fact that I'm sick. Thank you, godšš».
The project idea at this moment is an art exhibition type of environment that will have space for digital drawing, considering it a virtual reality project. It is like a game associated with group work and creating new friendships through art. Art can be many things, like typography, patterns, and landscapes. I want to keep the options open so all students can participate, even those who can't draw. There will be tasks for them to follow and work together to pass the rounds of drawing. It's hard to explain at the moment. I feel like when I have everything finalised, then it would be more straightforward.
So what?
In terms of mental health, I would not be able to discover ways of fixing or avoiding it.Ā Your mental health heals with time. I could have just not overcomplicated my thoughts or not procrastinated as much as I did. However, it is easier said than done. A little off-topic (more like an example), but one thing that really had me reflecting was when I filled in a form for my fellow friend, which focused on burnout of students. I realised that I procrastinated so much because of feeling burnt out. I avoid work not because I feel lazy but because it's a coping mechanism. I try to avoid the thing that's causing me to feel burnt out, which is University. The reason for leaving work till the last minute is because I would consider remembering feeling burnt out for a couple of days rather than for a more extended time. You get me? I don't blame you if you don't. I tend to have difficulty understanding myself hehšš„ŗ. Ā I slowly realised that I needed to see the positive aspects of things, like what I had achieved, more than what I could have done better.
Getting back on topic (sorry), if I were to consider my actions in my process, I would have to think about my future more. I feel like leaving the VR environment elements till later on might impact the process in the future. I need to acknowledge my time and use it wisely so that if any challenges occur, I will have time to solve them and complete the project successfully. I am a perfectionist, so that will make things take longer. How do I know? Experience š. One thing I most certainly know is that procrastination and perfectionism don't go well together. That's like asking for mental chaosš. Welp, you will see when that occurs during the end-of-the-year blog submission. (I might need a therapist after this year, not going to lie). Oh my, being dramatic doesn't help either.
As for staying on track with the course schedule, I feel like I could have found other solutions that don't involve having a negative mindset š„¹. I should have taken a calmer and more mindful approach to maintain a straightforward thought process and complete the work I planned for that week.
Now what?
I can stay on track with schedules by maybe finding a friend who's in a similar situation as me. Therefore, we could motivate each other and work together to meet the course deadlines. Assurances and encouragement from the right people can do so much, for realšÆ. I can also take the workload step by step. I keep telling myself this but end up forgetting. I need to realise how important it is to balance what I have on my plate.
I could try treating myself. I can buy food or boba as a treat for making progress and meeting deadlines. It can also be for not panicking but instead remaining peaceful (yo, dumplings have been hitting hard nowadays. The new Starbucks pumpkin spice latte is outš¤©).
I can consider asking for more help from the experts and discovering other ways to make the prototyping process more straightforward and less burdened.
As for the virtual environment process, drawing the settings and determining how I would approach it could help a lot. I feel that visually presenting a plan could help me understand the process better. Also, finding the downloads I could use in the VR space. Although the functioning aspect may be challenging, I feel that preparing the components beforehand will help.
My mental health can not be suddenly cured. It takes time to heal. You have to work with what you have š (truth hurts, heh). I guess I can express how I feel to my close ones so the burden does not overwhelm me. This reflection blog writing actually helps. However, I don't want to put additional stress on them. So, I guess I could write down how I feel when it gets unbearable.
Miro Progress:
{I'm sorry if it's not enough. I'm highkey freaking out about that. I will get it done, I promise.}
[Figure 2: Overview, my miro]
[Figure 3: Close-up of process, my miro]
Here is a relatable but funny video to help us get through this busy semester (I know you got lots to do as well, so I hope this make your day :)).
Credit: Expressiveeasel1. Tiktok.
References:
Borton, T. (1970). Reach Touch and Teach: Student Concerns and Process Education. McGraw-Hill, New York.
Ddocs. (2024 April 10). GrammarlyĀ (8.912.0 version) [Large language model].
Driscoll, J. (1994). Reflective practice for practise. Senior Nurse, 13, 47 -50.
Expressiveeasel1. (2024, March 28). ExpressiveEasel. Tiktok.
Panossian, N. (2024). Close-up of process. Miro.
Panossian, N. (2024). Overview. Miro.
Rolfe, G, Freshwater, D., Jasper, M. (2001). Critical Reflection for Nursing and the Helping Professions: A User's Guide.Ā Palgrave MacMillian.
The University of Edinburgh. (2020). What? So what? Now what?Ā The University of Edinburgh. https://www.ed.ac.uk/reflection/reflectors-toolkit/reflecting-on-experience/what-so-what-now-what
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