The 4th and final post!! ( ;´ - `;)

Coming into IS101-3205, I was already very confident in my computer skills. I’ve always been someone who picks up tech quickly, so I didn’t expect to learn that much, but I was proven wrong in the best way. This class helped me take what I already knew and go even deeper. I learned so many new techniques, shortcuts, and tools that I hadn’t explored before, and it’s made me faster, more efficient, and way more polished in how I use programs like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

One of my favorite lessons from Chapter 6 was 6.6.1 SmartArt. As an artist, I’ve always loved finding ways to bring visuals into my work, and learning how to use SmartArt to organize ideas in a creative, clean, and artistic way was genuinely exciting for me. Anything that helps me bring more design or visual expression into my assignments is something I’m immediately drawn to, and this made it way easier to blend structure with creativity.

This semester wasn’t easy by any means. I was in a car crash that totaled my car, and the injuries from that took a toll on me physically and emotionally. It was hard to stay on top of everything at times, but I kept going, even when I felt drained. And honestly, finishing this course feels like a big personal win. It reminded me that I’m capable of showing up and pushing through, no matter what life throws my way.

Professor Wu, thank you for being such a kind, patient, and understanding instructor. You made the material clear, and you always treated us with respect and support, which I appreciated more than I can explain, especially during a rough semester.

To my classmates, it’s been really cool seeing all your work and reading your reflections. We’ve all grown a lot since week one.

Here’s an image from my slideshow. Even when things felt chaotic, I’m proud of what I was able to create, and this project reminds me of that. ^-^

My Third Post!! (⸝⸝๑﹏๑⸝⸝)

Phase 2 was quite a challenge, and I’m proud of how I kept at it. I honestly had my eyes opened more to the power of Excel, not just for organizing the data but also for analyzing and solving. Functions really threw me off for a while, but once I got gradually through A4 Fun with Functions and A5 More Fun with Functions, things started making sense. I could see how even simple formulas-for example, SUMIF save time and reduce errors when used properly. 

Then A6 Spreadsheet Analysis with Trailer took it one notch up. Reflecting on it now, I can honestly say I grew a lot through the process. What stood out most was how A6 brought everything together from earlier parts of Phase 2. After getting familiar with functions in A4 and A5, A6 gave me the chance to apply them in a more complete and realistic way. Using formulas to calculate totals, averages, percentages, it stopped being abstract and started to feel like I was solving actual problems.

Now that I’ve done A6, I’m starting to notice how I use Excel in everyday things, like budgeting, tracking goals, or organizing information. It’s one thing to learn a tool, but when you start using it naturally outside the classroom, that’s when it really sticks.

Chapter 5.9.1 Conditional Formatting was actually really fun to learn because it makes spreadsheets way more visual and easier to understand. I like how you can set up rules to automatically change the colors based on the values, like highlighting high numbers in red or low ones in green. It helps the important stuff stand out right away, which saves time and just makes everything look more organized without having to do a bunch of extra work.

Looking ahead to Phase 3, I’m feeling more confident and ready to bring a creative mindset. A6 helped me realize that there’s a big difference between just getting by and really owning what you do. I want to aim for that next level, not because it’s required, but because it feels good to make something that reflects effort and intention.

My Progress and Plans! ^-^

Looking back on Phase 1 of IS101-3205, I succeeded in staying on top of my tasks and understanding the key topics in class. I adhered to my readings and actively participated, which improved my learning retention. However, I could have managed my time better, most notably reviewing material up to quiz times.

For future terms, I plan to adjust my studying habits by dedicating more time to practicing key ideas rather than reviewing notes alone. I will also pay closer attention to bonus quizzes, as they provide extra practice along with an opportunity to better my grade. 

The skill that stood out to me the most from Chapter 4 was Task 4.9.4: Word Theme & Style Facts. As someone who loves art and creativity, I found learning about themes, styles, and templates especially interesting because they allow you to bring a polished and cohesive look to a document. I’ve always felt confident working with basic formatting, but I realized that using styles and headings can elevate the overall design and readability of any document. Understanding how to apply and modify styles will help me save time and make my work more visually appealing and professional. Moving forward, I plan to focus on reviewing practice exercises and using tutorial videos or guides to deepen my understanding of how to effectively use Word’s style features.

To prepare for my MO-110 Word exam, I will:

• Review Course Material: Revisit lecture notes, practice exercises, and assigned readings.
• Complete practice tests that can easily be accessed to acclimatize myself to test format and time constraints.
• Use Online Tools: Learn using Microsoft Word tutorial resources and preparation courses to reinforce key skills.
• Hands-On Exercise: Exercise on Word files to ensure I can use my know-how effectively.
• Time management: Develop a study timeline to learn every exam subject before the test date thoroughly.

By following this process, I will be assured and thoroughly prepared to sit for the certification exam.

Success in every class is all about consistency, dedication, and flexibility. Whether it is IS101-3205 or any other subject, it is most important to remain active, use your time well, and make every learning experience count. And if you are pursuing a certification like MO-110, practice is key—don't merely memorize, but use what you learn!

About Me! 02/01/2025 - IS101-3025

Hello! My name is Skyla Jahanfar!

I am currently a student at CSN with sophomore standing, and I will be graduating in two semesters with an Associate of Applied Science in Business Management.

At the moment, I am on a semester break from my job at the CSN Help Desk, and I couldn't be more grateful for this opportunity to focus more on my classes and rekindle my hobbies, such as art, reading, and knitting!

Art has always been a significant part of my life, but so has technology. Over the years, my love for both has grown immensely, leading me to become an official digital artist. I currently take art commissions, bringing people's ideas to life with my talent and an iPad. Beyond art, I am also a dedicated gamer. I enjoy playing various types of video games, especially rhythm games and first-person shooters. My current favorite games are OSU, Valorant, and Marvel Rivals.

Another passion of mine is dance, specifically Color Guard. I was involved in Color Guard from 7th grade through my senior year of high school. Initially, I was part of the Lake Travis High School team in Austin, Texas. However, in 2020, my mom and I decided to move to Las Vegas, where I became the captain of the Palo Verde High School Color Guard team! One of my small dreams is to be part of a professional Color Guard team for WGI.

My first impression of IS101 was quite interesting. I applied for classes late in the Spring 2025 semester and originally hoped to take an online course. However, all online classes were full, so I had to enroll in an in-person class. While I was initially concerned about the commute, my first class with Professor Albert Wu showed me that attending in person might actually be more beneficial for my learning style.

In Discussion 2, I wrote about how learning email organization rules has helped me stay more organized. Previously, all my emails were cluttered in my inbox, making it difficult to find important messages, and I would often miss crucial emails. Creating rules and organizing my emails into different folders has made managing my inbox much easier. Now, I feel much more confident that I won't miss any important email!