EDLD 5303 BLOG 1: Transitioning from Overwhelmed to Achieving Success: How to Navigate Your Initial Blog and Portfolio Setup

Starting my first blog and creating a portfolio was a journey filled with new experiences and challenges. As someone who was new to blogging, I initially felt overwhelmed by the process of building a website. Besides sharing my thoughts and opinions online, I had little knowledge about website creation. For weeks, I spent countless hours after work trying to figure it all out.

Surprisingly, my older laptop, which operated slower than desired, added to the tediousness of the process. Aligning all the images, titles, subtitles, buttons, and pages perfectly took much more time than I expected. I probably still need to fix a few fonts. Despite these challenges, I persevered, and you will too, even if you feel weary during the journey.

The effort will pay off in the next semester. You’ll find that with a simple click, you’ll be able to add to your portfolio, whether it’s a blog post or an assignment. Here are a few tips to help you along:

1. Choose the Right Web Creator: Find a web creation tool that works well with both your needs and your computer’s capabilities. (Ring & Ramirez, 2012)

2. Invest in Your Tools: Consider upgrading to a newer laptop to make the process smoother and more efficient.

3. Search for Tutorials: Look for specific tutorials related to the website creator and features you’re using. Many platforms offer step-by-step guides that can help you troubleshoot issues and learn new techniques.

4. Focus on Content: Prioritize your content and assignments over perfecting the alignment of every title page. I know it’s tough for those type A personalities, but content is key!

5. Connect with Classmates: Reach out to your peers. I couldn’t have navigated my first semester without the support of my classmates. We were all figuring things out together, and we made it through.

Remember, while the process may seem overwhelming at first, once your portfolio is set up, you'll only need to make additions. Stay determined, and soon you'll find yourself managing your portfolio with ease.