As I reflect on this semester and this class, I feel like I have truly learned and grown a lot. I am a business administration major so a majority of my classes are not structured like this one nor are they as engaging as this. When I signed up for this class, I was just filling a requirement but I am so glad that I chose it, as it has been very eye opening for me. I didn’t know about or hadn’t actually thought about most of the information that we read and discussed about. Diving into the topics of environmental literature, ecological themes in storytelling, and the symbolism of mermaids has been enlightening. It has challenged me to look at the interconnectedness between literature, culture, and the natural world in ways I would have never before. The ideas and different perspectives the people in this class have brought up in discussions have broadened my own perspective and have allowed me to learn in such a different way. This class has deepened my appreciation for literature and I now am able to look at text in a different way. My close reading skills have definitely been improved as I really didn’t have much experience before this. I love that now I am able to notice the deeper meaning when I read and can question the why’s and the so what’s. My writing has also gotten a lot better as a result of this class and I am excited to end the year a stronger writer. This class did challenge me a bit though as it was out of my comfort zone, but I found myself actually wanting to go to class and learn. Overall, I really enjoyed the time I had in this class and I am sad it’s coming to an end.