Turning Slides Into Strengths – A Look Back at IS101

IS101-3205 has been one of the most useful courses I’ve taken. Before this class, I had very little experience with PowerPoint, so working on and creating my A3 and A8 slideshow presentations really pushed me out of my comfort zone. At first, I focused mostly on just completing the assignment, but as I learned more about slide design, transitions, and speaker notes, I started to enjoy the creative process. By the end, I felt proud of how much better my final slideshow looked and how confident I became in presenting ideas clearly.

I’m especially thankful for Professor Wu—not only for his clear guidance and detailed feedback, but for how available he makes himself to his students. It’s easy to see he has a real passion for what he does, and that passion has made a big impact on me. I’m taking the most from him with me after this class, both in knowledge and in mindset. I also appreciated reading my classmates' reflections—it reminded me that many of us were going through the same learning curve, and that kept me motivated. I’m walking away from this course with real skills I’ll use in everyday life and future classes, and I’m proud of the progress I’ve made.

I found 6.5.3 – Handout and Notes Masters to be especially helpful. My company does a lot of presentations for different contractors, and being able to print handouts for them to follow along and take notes on is a game changer. I used to struggle with figuring out how to fit multiple slides on one page, so learning how to customize handout layouts was really useful for me and something I’ll definitely continue using at work.

Formulas, Frustrations, and Finally Figuring It Out

Looking back on Phase 2, I feel like I really pushed through and came out stronger—especially with Excel and the topics around URL components and social engineering. At first, Excel felt intimidating, but A4 Fun with Functions and A5 More Fun with Functions helped things start to click. It was actually fun seeing how different functions could make organizing data easier and faster.

Out of the three, A6 ended up being my favorite. I enjoyed putting everything I’d learned into action. It was conceptually the easiest, but it took me the longest since there wasn’t any built-in feedback. I had to rely on myself to check my work, which made it more challenging but also more rewarding.

For the D4-style reflection, I picked Chapter 5.7.7 on Excel error messages because it applies directly to my job. We work with shared spreadsheets, and now instead of waiting on someone else to fix an error, I know how to check the issue myself, or decide if it’s okay to ignore. It’s a small shift, but it’s made me more confident and useful at work.

I’m already using what I’ve learned outside of class—whether it’s working more efficiently in Excel or being more cautious with links and emails. It’s been really practical and relevant.

Heading into Phase 3, I’m ready to push myself creatively and not just do what’s required. I want to really take ownership of what I’m learning and see how far I can go with it.

These last two weeks definitely kicked my butt—with the flu, work, and personal life all getting hectic. But I pulled through without falling too far behind. I plan to stay on top of everything, especially the chapters, since those are usually where I tend to fall behind. Staying consistent is going to be key moving forward.

How’s It Going? Here’s the Update on My IS101 Adventure!

So far, I think I've done pretty well in IS101-3205, Spring 2025. Although there have been some challenges, I’ve been able to keep up with the lessons and assignments, and I’ve noticed improvements in my digital skills. I feel more comfortable navigating the course material as time goes on. Moving forward, I want to focus more on my LabSim since I know those are key elements to passing my certification test. They help me practice and build the hands-on experience needed to succeed.

Going forward, I plan to work on my time management to make sure I don’t fall behind, especially during busier weeks. If I fall behind on lab simulations, I’ll try my best to catch up, but I also make sure to stay on top of everything else so I don’t get too far off track.

To prepare for the upcoming MO-110 Word certification exam, I’ve been reviewing key features in Word, like formatting, document setup, and creating tables. I’m also going over the practice exercises and ensuring I understand all the exam objectives so I can feel confident when it’s time to take it.

One skill I found particularly useful was from section 4.10.8, "Reference Tips." This skill will definitely help me when making future research papers. A lot of my English teachers ask that we cite our sources, add page numbers, and use different formats like MLA or APA. This section really helped me understand how to properly format and cite my sources, which will be a huge asset for any academic writing I do in the future. It’s by far the most helpful section I’ve encountered in the course so far.

Overall, it’s been a great experience so far. I’ve learned so many new skills, and I look forward to continuing to improve and gaining even more knowledge as the course progresses!

Reigniting My Passion for Learning: My First Impressions of CSN & IS101

Hi, I'm Paulina! 🌎✨

I'm a Las Vegas local with roots in Mexico City, always looking for ways to grow and challenge myself. Currently, I'm furthering my education in business and diving into IS101 to enhance my knowledge and open new doors. I believe learning is the key to moving up in the world, and I'm excited for the journey ahead!

Beyond academics, I love horseback riding, enjoy classic shows like I Love Lucy, and have a soft spot for anything burgundy (seriously, best color ever!). I recently joined a book club that mainly reads psychological thrillers, which is totally new to me, but I'm excited to explore this genre!

Life is all about balance, so when I’m not hitting the books, I’m spending time with family, friends, and my twin boys.

Excited to see where this path takes me!

My first impression of IS101 is that it’s going to be a valuable and insightful course that will strengthen my tech skills and help me in my professional journey. I’m excited to learn more and challenge myself with new concepts!

As for CSN, I’m resuming school after nine years, and from the moment I started, CSN gave me a warm welcome and created a great environment to reawaken my passion for learning. It feels like the perfect place to grow, challenge myself, and achieve my goals!

I also have to say that Professor Albert Wu is great at what he does. He shows tough love, but it really pushes you to think critically and solve problems independently. I appreciate that he makes himself available to his students, which makes a huge difference in the learning experience.

By configuring my work computer’s web browser, I was able to enhance my privacy and security. Adjusting the browser settings helped block third-party tracking, preventing websites from collecting my search data. As a result, I no longer receive unwanted ads based on my browsing history. This simple yet effective change has made my online experience more private and less cluttered with unnecessary advertisements.