Final Notes and Advice

And so this is it.    It has been my pleasure to teach you all this semester.  I hope you have learned some things (ideas and tools) that will be useful to you in future academic studies and in your future personal and professional lives.

Here is a new analogy for you.   I believe that living life is a bit like playing a game (or multiple games).       First, you need to enjoy it or find a way to enjoy it.   Remember though, you must play the appropriate game.  If you are artistic, not athletic, then you should not be playing a sports game.    Fit is important.   Then, you need to learn how to play it well.   Know the rules and know the people you are playing with.   This is what happy and successful people do.       Finally,  you must remember that both people and games change.    Never stop learning and being aware of yourself and your environment.   Remember some of the smart protagonists in the short stories you read this semester.    How did they play the game?

One of my favourite quotes about success comes from a poem written over a hundred years ago.   It was shared with me by one of my business professors at UBC many years ago.

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.

The poem is often attributed to the American writer and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, but it was apparently actually written by Bessie Stanley in 1905.


And to end,   I will share something I wrote some years ago.   I hope that I have already taught you some of these principles throughout the course.   Feel free to open your dictionary.

Leslie Barclay's Recipe for Excellence

1. Know thyself.  (keep a journal?)
2. Develop latent talents.
3. Establish a fit between who you are and what you do.
4. Eschew laziness.  (Instead, work smart and hard.)
5. Study (& emulate) the lives of excellent individuals.
6. Maintain balance.  (Be peaceful and don't kill yourself.)
7. Build context.
8. Have a significant partner/friend/colleague/mentor.
9. Teach what you know and have learned.

Good luck.    Have a great summer and autumn.

Les.

This week

Well done everyone in yesterday's presentations.   I learned a great deal and was quite impressed.

There were various imperfections, but by and large the presentations were of AP5 and post-AP5 calibre.

I especially liked the presentation that began with a skit.   That is the sort of 'pizzaz' that impresses me and will impress others in further academic studies.

I am presently marking your literary essays and expect to complete this today.   As such,   I will have those plus your presentation marks tomorrow.        My plan is to be in my office between 11 and  2.   You can come see me then.   If you are not able to make it,  you can e-mail me.

Enjoy your luncheon today.   Regrettably, I am unable to attend.   I enjoyed our little outing the other night, though.

There will be one final blog post tomorrow.

About Tuesday

A reminder to students about Tuesday's NGO presentations.

They are in building 250, room 215.

Groups 1-4 (I hope you know who you are) must be present from 8:30-10:30 and

groups 5-8 from 11:15-1:15.


Please check all  IT visuals on VIU computers to ensure they work.   Your computer at home at the computer here may not work the same.


Please rehearse together before your presentation.    This is a final exam, so it is important to do a good job and time is tight, so we will not allow for overtime (other than perhaps 2 min.).

Be prepared for someone to be sick and unable to attend.   It happens.   Sometimes it is the person who has the powerpoint file.    Have a back-up and ensure you can contact all your group members in case of an emergency.    You won't have a second chance.   This is an exam.


Also, on Tuesday I will be returning your NGO reflective journals.

I am e-mailing you all your 30-second videos from Tuesday.  Please look at them and think what is strong and weak so that you can improve for next Tuesday's presentation.




Have a good weekend and Happy Easter.

Final thoughts (Part 1)

It's important to have a thick skin.   Look what happened to this fellow.

California suspect went on rampage after being teased about poor English skills: police

Here is a very cool poem put to music.   The meaning is a little hard to grasp, but you've got to love the rhythm.






Compare with the more staid "In Flanders Fields"  with audio files   here




One of my favourite poems by one of my favourite poet's,   Li Po.

Alone and Drinking under the Moon   (the poem with 43 different translations)


And a quote from Les Barclay.   (One the numerous themes I have taught in this class.)

Transcend that which limits you.