#9 Your Small Group Novel News Story

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/lung-cancer-now-top-cancer-killer-for-women-in-rich-nations-1.2944804

This news article relates to my novel because it is about lung cancer. The main character, Hazel Grace, is diagnosed with this. It states "Globally, there were about 14 million new cancer cases and 8 million cancer deaths in 2012, the most recent year for which numbers are available." Hazel also talks about how many people are diagnosed with cancer and that it kills many. 

#8 The Small Group Novel: First Half

The most memorable part in the first half of The Fault In Our Stars, is on the first page. It is when Hazel Grace is talking about cancer and dying. She says that cancer booklets always say depression is a side effect of cancer. But, in fact, depression is a side of dying. She also states "Cancer is also a side effect of dying. Almost everything is, really." I chose this moment in the book because it makes you realize that everything in life is leading towards your death. Some people don't look at life that way, but people with depression do. It shows you how they value their life and how much stuff means to them.

#7 Your Small Group Novel

My small group novel, The Fault in Our Stars, is very interesting. The relationship between Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters is getting very intense, as they continue to hangout more often. Cancer is unfortunately becoming more popular within our society, so this book is becoming more relateable. It gives the reader a very clear view of what it is like living with cancer. I am happy with this book so far, as it is becoming more and more climatic.

#6 The Vaccination Question

My thoughts on vaccinations and school attendance is that you should not have the threat of your education being taken away because you do not want to get a shot. Sometimes parents don't agree with the shot, so the student should not have to 'take the heat.' Also, it may be against a religion to do so, which they are not supposed to go against. I think there should be a different kind of punishment for not getting the vaccination, such as a fine. That way the education of the student is not at risk.

#5 Mental Health in Schools

Yes, I think we should talk about mental health in schools because not enough people know enough information about the issue. They only know what is on the surface. Also, children/adolescents need to be educated on how to cope with the situation they are in. They need to be educated on how to help a friend in need and know what to do when it happens. But, they need to educate this at a younger age instead of in grade 11/12. This is because by that time it is way too late and every 1 in 5 students have some sort of mental health issue. They can be taught that mental wellness is not the only important thing that people need to know about, but mental health is an important issue too.

#4 How Big Of A Problem Is This?

I think that this could potentially be a major problem because in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms it states that everybody has fundamental freedoms. This means that people have the freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication. If Smart T.V. continues to 'eavesdrop,' then that will go against these rights. Also, this will start an upbringing within society because the people will not agree with the decisions made by Smart T.V.

#3 10 Facts Learned In The Article

Ten Facts I learned while reading the article are:

1. Ryerson University’s centre for student development and counselling in Toronto saw a 200 per cent increase in demand from students in crisis situations: “homeless, suicidal, really sick,” 

2. Fully a quarter of university-age Canadians will experience a mental health problem, most often stress, anxiety or depression.

3. About 51 per cent reported that, within the past 12 months, they’d “felt things were hopeless.” Over half felt “overwhelming anxiety.” A shocking seven per cent admitted they’d “seriously considered suicide,” and about one per cent had attempted it.

4. 7.5 per cent of students who started university with no history of mental illness developed some symptoms. About five per cent who did have a previous history of mental illness saw symptoms increase while at university.

5.People in their late teens and early twenties are at the highest risk for mental illness; in these years, first episodes of psychiatric disorders like major depression are most likely to appear.

6.  the average grade of incoming students at Queen’s in 2011 was 88.1 per cent, up from 87.4 in 2007. 

7.Of 525 respondents, 20 per cent said they’d used stimulants non-medically at least once in their lifetimes, most commonly to “improve academic performance,” “study more efficiently” and “increase wakefulness.”

8.In July, the unemployment rate for Canadians aged 15 to 29 was nearly 12 per cent; having an undergraduate degree doesn’t make job candidates stand out like it once did. 

9. 15 per cent of students had cut, burned or otherwise injured themselves. This behaviour is most common at the end of the day, when they’re supposed to be winding down into sleep.

10.Over 20 high schools and 12 post-secondary institutions in Ontario joined in the Jack Project’s year-long pilot, involving a series of workshops and presentations.

#2 Why I Picked The Book I Did

I picked the novel, the Fault In Our Stars, because I have heard a lot about it. I have heard many good things, especially that the novel is better than the movie, I want to see if I feel the same way as many others. I really enjoyed watching the movie, and I love emotional novels, which will make me want to continue reading the whole novel.

#1 Goal

A goal I have for this semester is a mark of at least 70%, I hope to over-achieve this goal with close to an 80%. I hope to improve my essay writing, as well as my 'book smarts.'