The Oak Tree: A Comparison of the Oak Tree to Suceess In Academics
Shannon L Livingston -Mock
Gen101 Foundations for University Success
January 26, 2015
Abstract
Student success, specifically mine, will be based on the mastery of the skills that have been presented in the “Foundations for University Success” course. Beginning a college career with these very basic yet essential tools will prepare a foundation for success in academic learning and probably other areas in life.

The Oak Tree by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr. A mighty wind blew night and day
It stole the oak tree's leaves away
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark
Until the oak was tired and stark

But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around
The weary wind gave up and spoke.
How can you still be standing Oak?
The oak tree said I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two
Carry every leaf away
Shake my limbs and make me sway

But I have roots stretched in the earth
Growing stronger since my birthYou'll never touch them for you see
They are the deepest part of me

Until today, I wasn't sure
Of just how much I could endure
But now I've found, with thanks to you,
I'm stronger than I ever knew.

When I signed into my first course with University of Phoenix, I was in full acceptance that, like both of the colleges that I have attended prior to University of Phoenix Uof P, I would be thrown into core academic classes. I expected that the heavy-duty learning would start with day one and that the expectations for skills such as citations, APA format or note taking would already by high. I was wrong. I discovered upon that very first sign-on that Uof P was different. I am and have been, so happily surprised with the University of Phoenix and it’s course offerings such as “ Foundations for University Success”. It is said that Will Rogers once remarked, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” and I agree. What a great first impression, University of Phoenix!
One should, however, be under no assumption that the University of Phoenix’s methods of approaching learning are substandard in any way to some of the leading brick-and-mortar type colleges. Uof P may not start with English 101, but one could argue that courses such as the foundations for success course are both basic and core to a student's success. In a recent study performed by the Department of Education, the following was found true. "Students who took all or part of their classes online performed better, on average, than those taking the same course through traditional face-to-face instruction.” ( AngiellO R. Study Looks at online learning vs. traditionalinstruction 2010.) The University of Phoenix's opening course could the roots of a very old oak tree. The roots must be deep into the ground, strong and viable in order to support the tree above, providing nutrients and protection. Like that old oak, a new student will need to start with a resolute foundation that provides the ideas, skills, and basis on which to support everything that they are about to acquire.
Just as that old oak tree has the goal of growing big, strong and living a long and prosperous life, students have the same goal. We have the goal of acquiring skills and knowledge in order to live that same long and prosperous life. For me personally, I could contribute to that prosperity in my own life. I could attain a college degree in the field of human services and use that degree to land the case worker job that I've set my sites on for years. In order to achieve these large goals of mine, there are many small goals along the way. I will need to acquire, like that old oak, a thick skin, or bark. I‘ll need strong “roots” of knowledge from achieving high scores in my classes, and I’ll need to be able to bend with that mighty wind when times are tough, or persist. I know already that I’ll use each and every resource available to me. I will take with me,