Celine Vidal - Group One - Reflection #2

 Why Education and Economy Matter Together. And What I Learned From It

By: Celine Vidal

Our group’s project was about the connection between education and the economy. The more we worked on it, the more it made sense how much these two things depend on each other. If we want a stronger economy, we have to support education more. That sounds simple, but there’s a lot behind it. Through this project, I learned not just from my own slides and research, but also from seeing what the other groups presented. It helped me understand how things like family, mental health, and social life all play a part too.

What I Covered in Our Group Project

In our group (Group 1), I was in charge of creating the brochure and the slides for “Why This Link Matters,” plus the key terms for both the economy and education. I made the entire brochure myself, and I’m actually proud of how it came out. I kept the design clean and focused on what people really needed to know. I also added references and visuals that matched the project style the professor wanted, while still keeping everything clear and easy to follow.

The biggest thing I wanted to get across was that education isn’t just about school. It’s an investment in our future. Education helps people develop skills, get better jobs, earn more money, and be more confident overall. When individuals succeed, the economy gets stronger too. I explained terms like “economic growth,” “human capital,” and “long-term impact,” and how education can improve not just lives but entire communities. I made sure it was written in a way anyone could understand, but still meaningful enough to leave an impact.

How I Felt About Presenting 

I was the first person to speak during our group presentation. Last time I presented, I was a little nervous and not fully prepared, but this time I felt way more confident. I practiced my speech ahead of time and made sure I was ready. I didn’t freeze or stumble through it. I actually felt calm and focused. Even though I still get nervous when I speak in front of people, I felt in control of what I was saying. That was a big improvement for me. I think it helped that I worked so hard on my part of the project, because I knew what I was talking about. It made a difference.

What I Learned From Group 2

Group 2’s topic was Mental Health and Social Life. Their presentation really stuck with me. They explained how things like anxiety, stress, and feeling alone can make it hard for students to focus or even show up to school. One of their slides gave examples of how not having mental health support can lead to low grades, bad attendance, or even dropping out. That was something I hadn’t thought much about before. It made me realize that mental health isn’t just a personal issue, it’s something that affects learning, and that affects everything else, like graduation and career chances.

If we care about education, we also need to care about mental health. If students are emotionally overwhelmed or don’t have a support system, how can we expect them to do well? That really opened my eyes. Support from school counselors, teachers, and even classmates can make a big difference.

Group 3’s Message: Family and Potential

Group 3 focused on Family and Potential. Their message also connected with me. They talked about how a supportive family can keep students motivated, while a difficult home life can make things way harder. They showed how not all students have the same resources, like parents who can help with homework, money for supplies, or even just encouragement to go to college. That kind of support (or the lack of it) really does shape how a student performs.

One of their points that stood out was about potential, how every student has it, but not everyone has the same opportunity to reach it. That connects back to funding and resources too. If schools don’t have the money for tutoring, after-school programs, or technology, some students fall behind just because they don’t have access to what they need. I thought that was really important to include.

How We Got Our Message Across

When we were putting the project together, we all tried to make our message clear in different ways. Some of us used facts to prove our point, while others gave real-life examples or talked about things people could relate to. I focused on keeping the slides and brochure easy to follow, without adding too much. I didn’t want it to feel confusing. I also made sure my words made sense, like something I would actually say. I think that helped me come across more confident when I was presenting. It wasn’t just about saying things, it was about making sure people understood why it matters.

Seeing the Bigger Picture

One thing I liked most about this whole project was how all three group topics were connected. Our group focused on the economy. Group 2 focused on mental health. Group 3 focused on family and support. When you look at them all together, you see the full picture. You can’t expect students to succeed in school, and later help the economy, if they’re mentally overwhelmed or struggling at home. It all matters.

Education isn’t just about grades or standardized tests. It’s about giving students the tools, the support, and the opportunities they need to succeed, not just in school, but in life. That includes strong family support, mental health services, fair access to resources, and of course, proper school funding.

My Final Thoughts

Overall, this project taught me so much more than I expected. I learned how connected education and the economy are, but also how things like mental health and family support are part of the picture too. I’m proud of the work I did, especially since I made the brochure myself and was the first to speak for our group. That took confidence, and I know I’ve improved since the last time. I was more prepared, more organized, and I felt more in control.

I’m also really glad I got to see what the other groups did. They helped me understand even more about what students go through and how those challenges affect their futures. This wasn’t just another class project, it actually changed how I think about education. I now see why funding schools properly is so important, not just for students, but for our whole future.

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