Reflection

What did you enjoy about this project?

This project enhanced my understanding of the university that I attend. By researching Jim Potter and all the amazing things he implemented to the university I learned things about the university that I previsously did not know. For example, the university did not have the Bell Center until Jim Potter was at campus. I spend almost all of my time at the Bell Center rather it be for basketball or for work. It is hard for me to imagine what my expereince would be like without it. I really enjoyed learning new things about the campus that I call home. 

What surprised you about this project?

I was suprised by how much my original project changed once I began to do the research. I first started off wanting to know about the intramurals program at Trinity and I knew that Jim Potter was instrumental in it. However, as time went on and I began to do more and more research I discovered a more important story that needed to be told. That of Jim Potter. I realized that once you begin a historical research project you will discover things that you never knew you would and your entire research project can shift.

What was the most challenging aspect of the project, and how did you manage it?

The most challenging thing of this project was finding the sources and keeping track of them. Jim Potter not only served over thirty years as the Intramural and Outdoor Recreation Director but he also was a student at Trinity as well. While researching Jim Potter immense amounts of primary sources would come up making it difficult to know what was important and what was not. I ultimately began to write down which sources had valuable information and which ones did not. This helped me know what I had already looked through and what I had not. 

If you could start over, what would you do differently?

If I could start over I would begin writing down sources and keeping track of them from the beginning. I did not realize how important this would be until the third Progress Report when I forgot what I had already researched and read. Once I realized this, I began to write them down and keep track. It would have saved a lot of time if I would have doen this from the beginning. 

What did you learn about history and/or the historical process through this project?

I learned that primary sources do not tell you the entire story. Luckily Jim Potter is still around Trinity's community so I was able to hear his story from him, first hand. It made me realize how much the primary sources left out or did not tell me. Not that they were bad sources, but actually being able to talk to your subject is very powerful and provides insight that an article written by someone else can not give. 

What did you learn through this project that can be applied to life outside the classroom?

This project taught me to look critically at what I am researching and to not just accept what I read. This can help me navigate future history classes as well as day-to-day life. In a world where so much can be put out and labeled as "news" it is important to be skeptical and critical of what you are reading instead of just accepting it. I learned that through this project and will definitely be using it in the future.