I use this same post every year because it is generic and all-encompassing. As the year progresses, the questions you encounter will become much more conceptually dense and will require a great deal of cerebral introspection.
For now, though, we start here.
Welcome to your very first 204 blog post. We will be using this blog frequently, both as a tool and a resource to get the most out of our time, and as a place we can go to share thoughts and valuable information and ideas whenever we need to. Each week, there will be a question posted that you all must respond to in the allotted amount of time.***(Usually, 3 days, but it could be shorter. Plan well.)
These questions may be a jumping off point to class discussions, a support activity to lend insight or knowledge to what we are doing in class, or simply a thought-provoking way to get you to look at the world around you and marvel at your place in it.
These questions will not be simplistic, and they should not be done when you only have 5 or so minutes on the computer; rather, they are questions designed to make you think and your posts should reflect that. You will be graded on your responses by their content, so I would encourage you to try to not leave them for the last minute. Each one will have a word minimum, but don't be discouraged by that. I care much more about the quality of the thought you put into your responses rather than the quantity of the words you use.
Now that the formalities are finished, I would like you to consider the following: You are now entering your junior year. Some people say that this is the toughest, most demanding year of high school for a variety of reasons. What do YOU think? Do you have any expectations about what this year should bring? What are you hoping to get out of your AP Lang class and your junior year in general? What are your fears about this class and/or about 11th grade? Are you where you want to be academically, socially, physically etc? If so, how do you know? If not, why do you think you aren't?
To say that junior year is tough would be an understatement. I don’t know about the others, but I am already physically and emotionally exhausted by school. I came into junior year knowing it was going to be a battle and without a doubt, it is. What used to be eight hours of sleep has slowly deteriorated into five. Along with homework and projects, sports are also making it increasingly difficult to actually have a social life outside of school! But I’m not here to complain about my inability to successfully balance academics and social activities. Junior year is my most important year, not only because it’s the year colleges mainly focus on, but because it’s the year that I have all my hardest and most demanding classes. Numerous people have told me, “Don’t take Lang, you’re setting yourself up for disaster!” I obviously didn’t listen or else I wouldn’t be doing this right now, but that’s beside the point. I came into AP Lang in effort to challenge myself. English has always been my weakest subject and if I ever want to be successful in my future career, I’ll need to learn how to effectively read and write. I’m not afraid of this class. I’m not afraid of the work load that comes with this class. What I am afraid of, is not being able to do my best and achieve what I know I can achieve. My expectations for myself are set high and I don’t intend to bring it down. What’s the point of making goals if they’re easy? At this point in my high school career, I’m comfortable in where I am academically, socially and physically. But what’s the fun in being comfortable? My dad constantly tells me that if I’m comfortable, I’m not doing it right. You’ve got to push yourself to go beyond your comfort zone. If you get an A on a test, go aim for an A+ on the next one. If you’re able to run five miles without collapsing, don’t stop till you can do six! There is always room for improvement and there is always room for success. No matter how content you are, keep pushing forward. I always say to myself, “Do something today that your future self will thank you for.” Everything you do has an effect on your future, whether it be tomorrow or ten years from now. I took AP Lang not because I wanted to prove to others that I could do well and pass this class, but because I know it’ll help me out in the long run. I hope junior year turns out to be a great year for me, academic wise and sports wise, but only I can determine my own success.
ReplyDeleteI agree English is one of my hardest subjects, math come easiest to me. But I plan to work hard to better my skills in this subject. Also so I can make it in the business world just like you because we all know that reading and writing is important.
DeleteWow, you really have an ambitious spirit! I have to say it is quite admirable. I especially love your point that there is no point in goals if they are easy. I never thought about goals that way. I always thought to make numerous goals that acted more like steps leading up to an ultimate accomplishment. I do this because it makes the task seem more easily attainable. However reading your post, I am starting to see how making things seem more easily attainable ruins the purpose of setting goals to challenge yourself. Not to mention it creates room for the possibility of getting side tracked. Adding to that, your dad is certainly right that if you feel comfortable you are doing something wrong. It reminds me of what my band director always tells us to make sure we march with proper technique. He says, “if it hurts and it’s hard, you’re doing it right.” I guess there really is something genuinely valuable in both statements.
DeleteI like how you didn't listened to what others had to said about AP Lang. To challenge yourself is one of the greatest accomplishments in life and I'm sure once you have accomplish your academics and sports you will feel more unstoppable.
DeleteI can relate to this completely Paula! We both have a lot of the same goals not only as students but as student athletes. As one of your best friends i will be here all along if you ever need any help!
DeleteJeez Louise,Go Paula! Grab the bull by it's horns and conquer this year! Knowing you, you're going to do awesome this year, but not without complaints. I believe in you and I'm sure you can manage a social life, you social butterfly, you. i wish i had your attitude about trying to handle everything but I'll just sacrifice.
DeleteI love the fact that you want to push yourself. True success comes with great efforts to do better and better. The fact that you don't want to take the easy route shows that you are absolutely willing to work hard. Like me you are not as strong in English as you are in your other subjects. I completely understand you wanting to overcome AP Lang. As long as you keep to your goals you will do better each day in Lang.
Delete"A journey of thousand miles begins with a step." I think this quote says it all because in order to progress in life you must start from somewhere. I think all years of high school should be put into great thoughts as they will be beneficial ones we start applying for colleges. My goal for this year is to ;
ReplyDelete1. pass all my classes.
2. Join NHS
3.Get a good score on the SAT, ACT and the Ap Exams.
Stav--this post, while honest, is not an answer to the question in its entirety. Please read the questions again, and answer them as completely as you can. Let me know if I can help.
DeleteFrom the years where I could first decipher letters and words to be able to read, my parents always told me that school is the most important part of my life. And as I got older, the stakes got higher. Getting good grades would put me in higher classes. Higher classes would make me stand out. Standing out would put me in a good placement for when I got into high school. And everything I did in high school would send me into college: the holy land. It all seemed like out of far reach, but here I am, in junior year, where it’s supposed to matter the most. As I start my first week of classes, I’m already really stressed out. The early years of high school are all about getting into the swing of things. Now, I’m supposed to be a role model in the general student body, and in the groups I’ve been involved in. I’m set at standards higher than I ever thought I would have to meet because I am now under the watchful eye of universities that may very well deal out the cards of what the quality of my life will be. I know I’m a fairly talented writer. Since the first years of my schooling, I guess my teachers saw something different in me and I was always pulled out of class to be in the “gifted groups.” My grades in English were always high and when I received perfect scores on my state evaluations, I got a lot of praise. In addition, I’ve always had a great love for reading on my own. But in this class, I’m not going to get the same old “good job, pat on the back” kind of responses that I usually get. In this AP Lang class, my main goal is to overcome the long hauls of work, impress the AP test makers, and gain a one up on what my future life in college will bring. By taking this AP Lang class, I am hoping to be able to become a better writer. But when I say better writer, I mean be able to finally grasp the ability of being able to put all of my free ranging thoughts into an essay that sounds as good as the ideas running through my head. Overall, I’m already under the impression that junior year is going to be extremely tough. With AP classes, scholastic and club soccer and track, choirs, and drama, I’m not exactly sure how I’m not going to wither away and die halfway through the year. I’ve made it through my last two high school years in the same fashion, but in addition to the balancing act, this year I want to try to fill in the shoes of the leading roles in each aspect of my life here at Oakcrest. I’m scared for what the outcome of this year may be because I feel like I am in the complete unknown. However, I guess that’s what’s going to make this year interesting and one to remember.
ReplyDeleteI really agree with the whole having to be a leader thing. Freshman and Sophomore year, you can get away with not really being a role model because, "Hey, give the kid some slack, it's their first year here." or "They were just a Freshman last year." In Junior year that just stops all of a sudden, you now have to be one of the people the freshman and Sophomores look up to, and its very jarring. Though while I'm incredibly nervous about it, I'm also ready, because I want to make an impact on someone the way the juniors and seniors of my first two years made one on me.
DeleteIt is always easy to give up but it is harder to preserve and try to overcome the many challenges that are ahead of you. But I know you can survive Maggie. You are a very rounded individual from your intelligence to your athleticism and the fact that you are in many clubs. I am a little bit jealous of you because have a whole a lot of confidence. You are a very confident woman because you join all these clubs and sports team even though there a chance your grade will drop or you will fall behind in class. I am afraid that I will never get caught up in class so for two years I really didn’t try to join many clubs. Maggie it be a tough year but you will make it through.
DeleteAs I reread my original entry, I didn't realize how much it sounded like almost bragging...which was not intnded at all. I meant to somehow explain that with my obsessive way of making my college transcript look good with the ridiculous amount of sports and activities, balanced with academics in general and the new leadership roles, it's going to be a tough year. See Bunje? This is what I meant by learning how to actually get my original thoughts on paper the way I want it to sound! Thank you Michael and Tom for your support, however. But not to sound cliche, but we're all in this together this year. We're going to be pushed past our limits so in return, we'll sail by senior year into the most successful lives we can make for ourselves. I wish you both and the rest of our AP block luck.
DeleteMaggie you are extremely bright, and I'm sure whatever you put your mind to you will succeed at it. You are willing to take these classes to challenge yourself and make you a better at writer. These are the exact reasons I want to take this class. As long as you work hard I am sure you will do well in AP Lang.
DeleteMaggie I totally agree with you when you say that we are under the “watchful eye of universities”. Our junior year like you said is the most important year for college. I’m sure with how well you said you have done in school ever since Hess and with all the activities you are involved in that you will be going to a great college. But having smarts also comes with great responsibilities. Students look up to us as the smartest kids in the school, and teachers expect more from us and although we make it look easy, as you know it’s extremely hard to maintain. This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes, “The only thing harder than getting to the top is staying there.” With this being said I’m sure you will be able to remain as one of the smartest kids in school, so never give up and keep trying no matter what.
DeleteWow,that's a new one, having a teacher ask what I think, I may just get used to it. But as for the question of what I think about junior year so far, I'll have to get back to you on that, I currently have a precalc take home I need to take care of, as well as two other pieces of precalc homework I need to throw together, because I had to push them off because I had two lang assignments due this week, entirely at the fault of my own, might I add, not to mention that my history and physics teachers, while they don't give out much homework, put it out on the least opportune days, causing me to have to throw myself around like a ragdoll on a ceiling fan. So, if I'd have to use one word to describe junior year, it would have to be hard. I've never felt this challenged in school in my life, and in a weird cosmic sort of way, I really, really like it, maybe this year, I can be bothered enough to fix my godawful work ethic, and finally become the student I know I can be. What I have expected of this year has come true so far, although its the first week, so its hard to tell, but I definitely expected that I would be doing a lot of hard, if relatively rewarding work this year, and that I can't do well this year if I keep screwing around and furiously procrastinating at the very last possible second, it simply just won't fly. But my main fear about the 11th grade is that, despite my best efforts, maybe I wasn't really meant to be an AP student, maybe I should just swallow my pride and just accept the fact that I may just not be as smart as all of my friends. But that would be why I have vowed to myself to go down with this ship I have dubbed AP Lang, whether I sink or float, to prove my own insecurities wrong more than anything else, to prove to myself that yes, in fact I am an AP student, and hopefully a very good one, but only time will tell (the whole doing the wrong reading log thing isn't helping my case much.) But what I'm hoping to get out of the class itself is well, a good grade, though I think we all want that. But on a deeper scale, I just wanted to learn more about writing, from who I've heard is one of the hardest, but also one of the best teachers in the school. Now, as I'm sitting here, typing out this blog post that is the most writing I've done since school started, I look at the last question, and I really think "AM I really where I want to be?" Well, for academics I have been more lackluster than I should be, and physically, I could definitely get into better shape, you can always be in better shape than you are now, in most cases, there is always a way to improve. But I'd have to say socially, I have never been happier going to school, this is the first year people have actually started to like me and accept me for who I am, and that is a great feeling, to actually be fine with going to school in the morning, and I wouldn't trade it for anything at this moment. So in closing, I'm both looking forward to, and dreading my junior year, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
ReplyDeleteMan Tom, as I was reading most of the points you were making it felt like you were reading my mind. Most of your concerns and other feelings about this year are super similar to mine! Everything you were saying is so true, I often find myself questioning whether or not I really have what it takes for AP. I also agree that to learn more about writing is really what I am in this class to do! Finally I just really enjoyed reading your post, not only could I relate but also I just really like your writing style and I look forward to reading more blog posts by you!
DeleteTom, my thoughts about the workloads are basically similar to mine. However, I wouldn't say that you're not "meant" to be an AP student. To be in AP means that you're willing to do the work. Being smart has hardly anything to do with it. And who is to say that comparing test scores and GPAS determines how smart you are compared to your peers. You have to give yourself credit. You made it this far, and I think you are going to make a great leader in choir, the drama club, and the general student body.
DeleteOther than the fact that junior year demands so much like taking so many standardize tests and staying on top of academic achievements, the hardest part of junior year is realizing that we’re growing up. Adulthood is right around the corner. Over the summer I read Catcher in the Rye and I was amazed at Holden’s experiences that transitioned him to adulthood. Holden was accustomed to stay at boarding schools throughout his life, but ended up walking the streets of New York in the middle of the night. Towards the end of the book, there is a part where Holden admires a museum because it never changed. While everyone was growing up and changing, everything inside the museum was in place and didn't change; the bones, the paintings, the ledges were all in the same place as Holden could remember. When I finished the book, I couldn’t believe my eyes. While the moon and the sun and Storybook Land were still in the same place, doing their jobs like they did ten years ago, human beings changed and evolved and entered new phases in their lives. I have to admit, there were instances where I cried, but growing up is something I would like to skip.
ReplyDeleteThe expectations I have this year are to become a better student and to improve my test scores. The reason why I took Lang or any AP class, wasn’t to get a ten point increase in my grade or to impress colleges, but was to become a better writer and reader. Because I had Bunje last year, I’m really not that scared of the workload. Last year, when I had Bunje for Debate & Discussion (the best class to have walked the halls of Oakcrest), I was taught everything I needed to know to become a better debater and discusser. All the work I had wasn't meant to lower my GPA or to stress me out, but to make me a better student than I was the day before. Don’t get me wrong, I feel exhausted at the end of the day from going to school for seven hours, going to cross country practice for two hours, and doing homework for four hours, but I know one day, everything will be worth it. If I wasn't working hard, I would be comfortable where I am and I wouldn't dare try to push myself.
I can really identify with the whole having to grow up thing. I'm terrified of that. I remember being a Freshman and thinking about how I have 4 whole years in this school, and how that should be forever. Then being a Sophomore, and being excited for another 3 years in this school. Then coming into junior year, realizing that I only have 2 years left, and then its done, I'll be saying goodbye to most of the people I've known for years and going to college. But then there's the fact that doing that opens up whole new experiences with new and exciting people. So there are positives and negatives to this whole icky growing up thing, and I'm still debating with myself over which are more important to me.
DeleteI definitely agree with you on how junior year demands so much. We have only been in school for couple of weeks and already assignments are pouring into my to do list. Teachers are expecting a lot from us. For example none of my teachers accept any late assignments. I guess this also goes along with you saying junior year is suppose to be the year we grow up.
DeleteDave, you brought up something that I believe no one else has addressed yet. Our transition into adulthood is depressing! I am perfectly happy with where I am now. I am just old enough to know my way around the basics of life and just young enough to not be taken so seriously. I also admire how you managed to integrate “The Catcher in the Rye” into your reasoning. I never stopped to realize how much the thematic desire to pause time could relate to my own life. I also think this is a smooth transition from Honor’s English 2 into AP Lang because Hawthorne and the transcendentalists were particularly fond of childhood and cautious of adulthood. Taking this very common literary theme and advancing it into our own lives has reaffirmed the notion that literacy is only done well when placed into the context of humanity. Hopefully AP Lang will continue to advance this topic for all of us.
DeleteSkip growing up? SIGN ME UP! You really brought an awesome point up, the transition from childhood to adulthood scares me so much that it practically paralyzes me just thinking about it. We are at an age where we are old enough to make our own decisions and to follow our own paths but we are still too young to be burdened with the responsibilities of work, and bills, and all the jazz. I can’t imagine high school being over in just 2 years, what am I supposed to do. I know college is a thing but what do I want to, where do I want to go, who do I want to be? I know I sound horrified but it’s also exciting to think about. I think it’s really cool that you brought up the topic of adulthood and it’s even cooler that you used “Catcher in the Rye” to show some perspective on the idea of getting older. All and all, awesome blog post
DeleteDave, you have no idea how surprised I am to here you say that you took this class to become a better writer. I thought that everyone was in here for college credits (I know that's one reason why I'm here). I have a great deal of respect for someone who will take a class to help improve what they already know. I applaud you for being able to juggle track as well as your current work load. I wish you the best of luck in all that you do. Keep up the good work.
DeleteDavid you are one of my many great friends and that why I think I could relate to you. I never though of taking an AP class just for ten points. No because these AP classes are for learning opportunity and we should take in everything as much as possible. David, I understand that growing up is tough but with years of experience you will be a better person. Usually childhood is the happiest time of everyone life but we have to grow up. Growing up entitle us to so many responsible left by the ones that came before us. We can make a difference in the world. We are becoming the pillar to support the next generation of mankind. I really also like how you incorporated that you read the Catcher in the Rye because that was a good example to support your reasoning. David with your dedication to learning you will pass this class with your head held high. David your blog was awesome and it will only get better if you stay in this class so remember to never give up.
DeleteI’ve never looked at growing up from your perspective before but it honestly gives me comfort. Though we have to grow and change there are things that never will. I think that the most beautiful part of those things is that by holding our childhood memories close there is a part of us that doesn’t grow up. We still have a sense of the same innocence and sheer joy we had when we were untouched by the world. The memories that I have give me hope for the future because despite our difficulties we can still look back and see that unique and magical time. I don’t like to think of myself as almost an adult, but I do like the significance that it gives being a child. I’ll keep moving forward and persevering, but I will always look back. (I also most definitely agree that Debate and Discussion was the best class I’ve ever had)
DeleteYou guys are doing great--keep it up! I'm able to get a sense of who you are through these blog posts, and from what I can see so far, well, let's just say I'm looking forward to learning more.
ReplyDeleteJunior Year, I thought that I would only be saying that I'm a Junior in my dreams as a young child. Although I have just branched out into this academic year, I feel like I have already learned more than in my previous years of schooling. This is truly the most difficult year of my life, school wise. It is filled with challenges that I am more than willing to overcome. I am setting my expectations of myself extremely high. I want to be the best and to be the best you must learn from the best. When I say this, I dont just mean my teachers but, also the material that I am learning. I ask myself these questions every day. Did I push myself hard enough? Did I do better than I did yesterday? Will I be better tomorrow? The questions I ask myself make me strive to be better. In AP Lang, I feel I can challenge myself more than before. I hope that I gain insight on how to overcome my weaknesses of English. Also this year I hope to better understand all of my subjects and I hope to find myself in the process. I dont believe in fearing what is ahead of me, I only see a way to overcome these obstacles. Therefore AP Lang/Junior Year doesn't frighten me.Overall, I hope to be better at every aspect in my life whether it be academically, socially and everything else. I am not perfect but I strive to be as close as I can. I hope that my year is full of success, knowledge, growth, and happiness.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you I intend to grow this year mentally, and I plan to do that by challenging myself just like you have to. I feel like I learned so much already too not just in this class but in everyone which I believe to be a good thing I mean it’s only the second week and I already have information that will help me in the future. Finally I believe we should all make this year a good one and that I will try my best to do that.
DeleteNot going to lie ever since I started high school all I’ve been told is “Keep your grades high, work hard, especially junior year where it counts the most!” My expectations for this year were set high way back when I walked through the doors of Oakcrest for the first time. I knew it was going to be tedious and that sacrifices were going to have to be made very early in the year. Right away the first thing that got taken from me was sleep. Though sleep may be important to me sports and school are my top priorities. As a student athlete I feel that a lot more responsibilities are put on your shoulders right away. You have practice everyday and on top of that you have a ton of work. Work that you know for a fact your parents couldn’t do. Most of you know that last year in February I had knee surgery for the third time. Since this was during the school year it meant I missed a good three to four weeks of school. Yes, this affected my work ethic drastically. With the stress of trying to recover so I can play soccer and my sports again I struggled to find the importance of keeping up with my work. I always had the trouble finding that balance. My fear about taking AP Lang this year is that I will suffer while in the process of trying to balance all my studies and sports. Would I say I am where I want to be academically? Heck no. Honestly, I made a promise to myself that this year I would stay focus and regardless of the amount of sleep I get at night, the amount of hours I spend on one assignment I will get the job done. I want to leave this class regardless of my final grade or my grade on the AP Exam with my head held high and I hope to be able to say that I did my best and that I have no regrets on my work. While balancing all these things I am so thankful that I have great friends by my side and push me through it all. Socially people go through high school trying to fit it while me coming as a freshman and now as a junior I trust everyone unless they give me a reason not too. Sure you may get hurt but you may also find friends that will last you a life time. I will always be the first to welcome a new comer, help a freshmen get around or just make someone’s day. I feel as though all of us in 204 are a family and I hope we can all work together to achieve our goal to succeed as 2013 Langers this year!
ReplyDeleteGreat reply, Dom.
DeleteAs a former student athlete, back when dinosaurs roamed, I understand the challenges being faced everyday. I admire the commitment it takes and I have full confidence in your abilities to be a force both on and off the field.
I can relate to what you say about getting the work done no matter what the cost. I will have a hard time balancing school work and practices but others have done it so why can't I? Finding a balance will be the hardest part but once it is found, life gets that much easier.
DeleteThis may be biased, but it’s true; student athletes have to work much harder than most people who just come to school at 7:00 a.m. and leave at 2:25 p.m. We come home around 5 to 6:30 p.m. every day, exhausted from practice, yet we know we can’t go to sleep till we finish all our homework and study for all our tests. It’s tough, I know, but I believe we can get through it. We’ve gotten this far, so what’s stopping us? We’ve got two years left in what has become our second home, Oakcrest, and I don’t intend to let my time here go to waste. Sooner or later (hopefully sooner) we’ll learn how to effectively balance academics, athletics and sleep. If you ever need help on homework, need a study buddy, or even just someone to talk to, you know I’ll be just a phone call away. Like you said, we’re all in this together (cue High School Musical)!
DeleteBeing a student athlete really does add so much extra stress onto our already stressful home work. All the sleepless nights and early mornings definitely add up over time. But we're all in it together, and we all have to keep pushing through the hardest times to achieve our goals. In the end we will be better for it. I admire you so much for your dedication to your recovery from yet another major injury! You care so much about your team, and your school work. I know you can find the balance and succeed in all areas.
DeleteLike Bryanna and you previously said, sports really do affect your willingness to keep up with your school work. But I'm right with both of you! This class and this year will help us for the better and prepare us for the balancing act of college in so many positive ways.
DeleteLike all of the above comments about being a student athlete, I can totally relate to all of your struggles. If you're up all night, I'll be right with you! We can help eachother out this year since we'll be doing homework around the same time (12:00) ;) But like Maggie said this class is going to be preparing us for college, and I can't wait to see all of us succeed and graduate with gold tassels! :)
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ReplyDeleteAh junior year. It came so fast, I remember walking into Oakcrest during freshman orientation thinking that all these upperclassmen are lame. Who cares about spirit? Well, in the couple years I've spent in this school, I've learned much. Honestly while I know this year is going to be tough with all the work and time I have to put into my class just to pass, I sincerely want to make this a great year. I feel like my freshman and Sophomore years have been wasted due to circumstances out of my control. Now that the circumstances have changed, I can walk my own way. I know as a junior, the lower class men look up to me and the rest of us as role models in some way. So I think this year is going to involve me helping out in many different clubs and activities, some I would've never thought of my freshman year. Balancing that and my ap classes and all the sports I do will be a challenge, but if I can balance a net ionic equation along with all the proper phase symbols and charges, I can balance my life. When it comes to my AP classes, I don't really have expectations. I know what people say, and I know what I've seen so far. I'm going to take this whole year one step at a time, that's the way I do everything. Every step counts, but if you just walk as fast as you can then you can't see what you're missing and baby, I don't wanna miss a thing (that totally flowed well, I'm proud of myself for that.) My only fear about this class is oddly enough not the work because I know if I spread out the work between days so i won't get deluged in work (haha sat word). What really scares me is not being good enough for myself because I'm my own worst enemy and I tend to give up on myself easily. Finally, academically I know I am not working to my potential but I'm fixing that this year. Socially, well I have my few close friends who will help me through anything and several friends who are willing to lend me a hand when I need it. I'm completely content with my social life being taken away as I never had one in the first place. Physically, I feel like I could do more but I am decently fit from the different sports I do. So in a nutshell, junior year is like a dog that bites you at first but once you control it, it can be your best friend. So yes, junior year is a dog. A Husky to be exact.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm really wondering how I'm going to balance school and activities as well. I mean I don't do a sport,so I have a bit more free time, but I'm still doing a lot of stuff. But the thing that's making me nervous is that most of the stuff hasn't even started up yet and I'm already feeling swamped. I don't know how I'm going to balance school, drama, choir, stuco, and some other clubs that I still might join, because apparently I'm a masochist. But I guess time can only tell how much work this year is going to wind up being. But at the moment, I'll bet 75 to 1 that the adjective used to describe it will be something like "soul-crushing".
DeleteI agree with you Danielle I don’t know if I will be able to balance everything considering crew is a life in its own. But I know I will try no matter what and I like your new work ethic it will be good it makes things much easier. Also as long as we take one step at a time I think we might just do this.
DeleteFirst off, I love your connection between chemistry and life. Very poetic. In addition to that, I admire your determination to change your work habits for the better. Taking each day one step at a time is a good strategy from which everyone could benefit. Not only does it prevent you from being overwhelmed but it also reminds you to step back and smell the roses of life (even if the roses are really the sweaty bodies of high schoolers). I do have to say though, I am surprised you believe you greatest your greatest enemy is yourself. You always seem to be quite confident in yourself in school, and have a right to such confidence. I also have to say a Husky to symbolize junior year is the perfect choice of breed.
DeleteI agree with you Danielle! It is very hard to balance all the activities while having a lot of work in AP. As this year goes along the best would be to slowly learn how to balance things. I as well need to do the same in order to be sucessful this year! I am always here if you need me!
DeleteDan, I love your chemistry reference. Someone has finally given vindication to Matlack’s opinion that knowledge of chemistry will literally change your life. Joking aside, this was a great assessment of junior year. Time management is definitely a universal concern among Langers. Something I specifically I relate to is being my own worst enemy. It’s interesting how much we mentally up the stakes of our classes. It’s not our grades that drop if we do poorly, it is our sense of self worth. It will be interesting to see how our identities change when we come out of junior year. On a brighter note, your puns amuse me and definitely enhance your style as a writer. I will definitely look forward to reading your future posts!
DeleteAt the very least Dan, if you can balance a net ionic equation, "you will be a good husband or wife." I have a feeling that this year will be the one you really stand out. Also, I look forward to enjoying your humor during my classes. I loved the Husky metaphor. The comparison to our feelings as freshmen is also making me oddly nostalgic. Was that really two years ago? I won't let you give up on yourself this year; we'll make it through this year together. And if we need a release, we can always Battlefield (assuming we aren't "deluged" in work). The general tone I get from your post is that of cautious optimism, which is very refreshing. Although the work may a bit more than what you give it credit for, I'd rather you keep your outlook. It's far more comforting.
DeleteEvery year as I enter a new grade, I find that my school life is becoming more and more complicated. This year, being in eleventh grade will be my hardest year ever. Junior year is very important because it is the one year in which colleges really looks at, for deciding admission to their school. This is the year in which I can really only take five AP classes. I have heard of all the rumors about AP Lang, but I still took this class with many other AP classes (probably because I am crazy). However taking many AP classes will help increase my chances of getting into a good college but it will be a great challenge for me. Regular classes are boring and hardly any works get done. With AP classes I can learn new and exciting stuff but it comes with a lot of hard work. The work will be tough but I believe I can handle it. I just want to see if I can accomplish my goals even with all these extra work and dealing with very high level of stress. I am already losing many hours of sleep. My body, mind, and stress level are at a new high, but I am not going to give up. Besides the common goals of getting a 4 or a 5 on any AP exams, getting all A’s, or just getting into the top ten which are still my goals, but not what I want from this class. What I am hoping to get out of this class is a free college education. My grades are important to me but that will only affect the present me. I am more concern about the future me because by suffering now I will ultimately become a better student and will have a lot of opportunities in life. The point of taking an AP class is to get a five on the AP exam but I want to learn stuff that I will use later in life. But that is only if I don’t take the easy way out and give up. My fear in this class is the fact that there will be a moment of weakness in me that wants to give up and a bad decision will come from that. I have never given up before and I still don’t plan on giving up but within two weeks of the school year somewhere deep inside my consciousness there is a seed of doubt that is slowly growing. All I can do is to work hard so that seed would never bloom. What I want from this year is to leave room 204 every day with my head held high and to know that I learn something new. Academically, I am where I want to be but the problem is keeping it up. Maintaining my grades will be tough and I will be under a lot of stress but that is one of the challenges this year. Physically I want to get stronger, faster and increase my stamina because one day I hope that I could challenge for the number 1 position on the tennis team. Socially I wish I could be more involved but I am kind of awkward around people. I have a lot of greats friends but I don’t hang out with them and I only see them at school. This year I hope I could develop my friendship with my friends and be more involve in my school act ivies like clubs and organization like NHS.This year will be full of challenges, but it will be fun and very exciting. Many students have graduated through the door of 204 and I want to be one of those students. So I may have to stay up all night and go through the day with maybe four too five hours of sleep, but if I get a four or a five then I will be very happy.
ReplyDeleteThe same reason why I took AP. I also wanted to challenge myself as a student. Knowing that AP Lang might be difficult, I took it anyway. I just knew it was challenge that was waiting for me. I do also expect staying up all night, working on homework or even studying for a test/quiz. I am 100% sure if you do work hard you can place yourself in the top 10. Good luck!
DeleteMichael, your idea to work harder is great and I agree, but what about the fun? There are so many AP students, including myself, whose goal is to work harder, but what about having fun? From reading the other posts there are quite a few who say that they sit in their room doing hours of homework, which to me sounds quite painful. The world was meant to discover and those who haven’t discovered read only one page. It’s sad to say that many AP students are saturated in schoolwork and don’t have any fun. Let’s make junior year an exploration, not a pool full of schoolwork.
DeleteMike, seeing your blog post hit me with a torrent of nostalgia. It brought me back to 7th grade, when I first met you. I couldn't understand a word you said. To see how far you've come since then is so uplifting. I'm proud to say I was a part of it. The focusing on the real meaning of the education we are getting is, in my opinion, the most genuine on this entire blog. You care about your grades and you make no attempt to deny that. That's what I believe gives your post more sincerity. As to Dave's comment (above), sometimes I like to pretend that I am having fun doing schoolwork. There's a time for work and a time for fun. I think we will all have to define for ourselves what exactly that balance is.
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ReplyDeleteWow I don’t know where to begin. All these comments I hear about junior year makes me very nervous but excited at the same time. What do expect? Should I expect more challenging work throughout the year? I guess I will never know until I actually experience my junior year and not go for what other people said which I’m really looking forward to. I am an A student who sometimes like challenges and go for what I believe is right. I took AP classes because I knew that I had to challenge myself in anyway as possible. I knew that if I don’t challenge myself now there will be a point in my life where I wouldn’t want to challenge myself. Also I knew colleges look for AP and honors classes in your transcript. I will describe myself as a book warm. I never go anywhere without getting my homework done first or even studying for a test. To me academics should always be the most important thing on your list. Your academic level is your ticket to the future you plan to have. I think about my junior year I think about the challenges I may have to take as junior year goes by. There are all those rumors about how junior year is the toughest year of your high school career and how it’s the year when you have to start looking into colleges and start taking your SAT. In my opinion I think junior year will be challenging and demanding in some classes. The reason I said this is because most teachers expect the most from you once you’re a junior. Teachers expect you to challenge yourself more as the days goes by and be more serious when it comes to assignments and tests. My expectations for junior year are that I have to study hard and give 110 % in all of my classes. I don’t want to be the one who slacks off on homework assignments and assignments in general. I am hoping to achieve more knowledge in AP Lang. As for my junior year in general I want to challenge myself and get myself prepare for college. My fears for junior year are I might get left behind on my work, GPA drop down and not being able to understand any concepts of the assignments. On an academic level I would classify myself as where I want to be because so far I am pretty much satisfied with my GPA. Yes, I would like for my GPA to increase but I know that will only happen if I put my overall effort into it. I have goals I’ve set for my junior year and to be honest I will go to the extreme to accomplish all of my goals. That means one mistake I make won’t put me down for any reasons, but if there is a time I do get down I will just pick myself right back up and tell myself “it’s too late to give up on your dreams.” I do plan to go to college and be the best student I can be. Achieving at a high level is the only thing on my mind for junior year. I won’t stop achieving until it’s my last breath. That’s my motto I guess.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I may not be entirely qualified to judge which of my four years at Oakcrest will be the hardest for the simple reason that I have only just begun my third, I do feel my junior year will be the most perplexing. Setting up my schedule with my guidance counselor sophomore year, I could see the look of skepticism on her face when I informed her of the difficult year through which I plan to put myself. I simply thought in my head as I walked out of her office, “challenge accepted.” Junior year is the year on which colleges scrutinize you the most. The way my older siblings have phrased it: senior year is more about applying to college than getting perfect grades to get into college. Adding to that, I allowed myself to be persuaded into taking five AP courses. My persuader was mainly my brother. Also, this is the year when I will have to take the majority of my standardized tests like the SAT. Needless to say, my expectations are simple, lots of work with the hopes of lots of positive return. My brother, very poetically, put it as having no life for 180 days.
ReplyDeleteI know for one thing, taking Lang will certainly help me become a better writer and be more proficient in expressing myself clearly. I have always struggled in perfecting the combination of purposeful writing and strong voice. Out of my junior year in general, all I hope for is to be prepared for college. In fact, college is one of the only reasons I am putting myself through a rigorous schedule. The other reason is just to see if I can conquer this mission.Of course the stories my older siblings tell me of never getting any sleep and drowning in homework scare me. However, the thing that frightens me the most is my junior year going by too quickly. As a freshman you are always told high school goes by too fast and I am only now starting to see the truth in that statement. But, on second thought their comments have also made me prepare for the worst.
As for the question of am I where I want to be, the answer is mostly yes. Socially I might be a little lacking because of school work but at this point, I am used to it.School is a place to learn and focus, not just socialize.I feel comfortable saying I am where I want to be because this is how I envisioned my life to be in years past. I still remember in Davies looking at the Oakcrest building when we were outside for gym. I thought about how different and difficult high school would be and luckily, I was pretty much right. Regardless of the hardships however, I am genuinely excited for my junior year and know that it very well may pass by all too quickly.
I think you really highlighted why junior year is going to be so hard; it's mostly just an overabundance of work. I actually completely forgot to think about all the standardized tests, probably on purpose, so thanks for getting through my mental blackout about that. But one thing you touched upon that I can really agree with is how you said junior year and high school in general seem to be going by way to fast. As much misery as high school brings me, I'm terrified of going off to college because it is going to be an utterly alien life to me. And high school really is going by fast. Sometimes I just have to stop what I'm doing and consider the fact that I'm an upperclassman and all now and sort of how a freak out over that all over again. I just keep getting older and more and more responsibilities are piling on. Wouldn't it be nice to go back to kindergarten when the most you had to worry about was if you would get to play with your favorite toy that day? And kindergarten also had nap time. I really want nap time in high school.
DeleteTommi, I can’t agree more that high school is going by too fast. You made me notice through the piles of work that time is still passing by. And it frightens me as well. No matter what we will eventually be sent off into the world with nothing but ourselves as a guide. Also my older siblings told me just about the same thing about having no life and basically living in Oakcrest. They tell me constantly to enjoy high school because college won’t be a lovely walk in the park. And they told me that junior year will be challenging, but it will just push you further into the game of achievement.
DeleteI admire your humbleness in how you approached evaluating the difficulty of junior year. Many people forget that we are barely half way through high school. School is supposed to teach us how to draw conclusions off of given evidence, and it is not always the best idea to draw those conclusions prematurely. Why so many students, especially AP students, do is beyond me. I will remember this blog post next time I get myself into a panic. I also relate to feeling that my writing is in need of refinement, and that junior year should serve the purpose of preparing us for college. If not now, when? Oakcrest brags about its abundance of college prep classes. However, if you were to ask the average student here if they felt prepared for college, they would probably suffer a miniature nervous breakdown.
DeleteAll I can say right now is good luck. That and you may want to take a test to see if you're still sane. Five aps is crazy. But I have faith in you Tommi, you're not only a hard worker, you're also a invigorating spirit that is sure to enlighten 12th period Lang.
DeleteTommi, what you said about being in Davies and looking at Oakcrest really made me think. I used to just stare at this school and wonder what it looked like inside. Now I know every corner and turn of the school. Also, about high school passing all too quickly, I agree completely. I have always been an advocate of enjoying high school, I never liked when people would say they hate Oakcrest or they hate high school. I know some day ill look back on these days and I want to be able to have many different memories in this school to smile back on.
DeleteBefore I get to the actual question asked, let me address something first. I am at an odd point in my life right now in regards to how I feel about myself. Miraculously, I think I'm a pretty fantastic person and I'm happy with who I am. My personality, my interactions with people, what I do with my time, how I spend my time- I am content with all this. And I still haven't quite figured out if I'm happy because I have finally learned to accept who I am as a person or if I can accept all this now because I've just been feeling so great my brain decided to give me a break. It would be an awful shame to ruin my good mood, after all. My parents may be fretting over me because I sit alone in my room all day but I don't think they realize that I've been doing so much better as of late. Maybe it's because of that whole 'sitting alone in a room all day' situation, but it's not like I'm up there crying my heart out or anything. I've made a ton of really good friends online in the past year or so that helped me through a rough period of time whether they were aware of it or not. But I'm getting a bit too far away from the topic here; the point I was trying to make with all those words is that I feel really good right now. Probably the best I've felt in a long time thanks to some really fantastic people, among other things. But there is a price I have paid in return for this new found happiness- because of course there just has to be one. In order to avoid constant panic attacks and stress and live out my nice happy days I have descended deep into the dark pits of Apathy. To be more specific, it is apathy for my school work. The way my mind works I must either worry over school so much I send myself spiraling into a breakdown or I avoid thinking about it or caring about it as much as possible. It certainly exacerbates my slight laziness problem but I have decided somewhere along the line that not putting my all into my work is better than being sent home every day because I was crying too much. So yes, I have started junior year with a vow to not care so much for the sake of my own personal happiness and wellbeing. Which is proving to be a bit hard when every other person I meet is stressing how important it is, the most important, like it's some sort of death match in which I either win or my cold dead body leaves the halls of Oakcrest in a body bag. It doesn't help that when I go home the only sort of conversation I can have with my father is about college this, college that. It's absolutely amazing how school is so effective at making me feel terrible about myself. Not caring about school and focusing on my actual interests is what makes me happy but I'm beginning to feel terribly guilty about my lack of effort. It's all just a vicious cycle- try not to care as much, feel bad about it and try to put more effort into my work, get so stressed out I can hardly function, rinse and repeat. Junior year will certainly test how well my coping mechanism will work under increased pressure but I can already feel cracks forming on the edges of my bruised self-confidence. Perhaps this is too much personal information to spew out on the very first blog, but my mental state is so important to how this school year will or won't go that I felt the need to elaborate on it. I can only hope that I don't end this year the way I started sophomore year: as an anxious sobbing wreck.
ReplyDeletePaige, I can definitely relate to having parents who think something is wrong with you because you spend most of your time in your room. My philosophy has been that although they love to claim that they went through high school just like us and made it, the reality is the high school experience has changed radically over the years. There is so much more at stake now. It’s like if you don’t get into college you might as well dig your grave with your new found spare time. Yet, even if you do go to college there is no guarantee you will be successful. When our parents went to college they graduated with practically a warranty attached to their degree. My point is, don’t let your parents make you think there is something wrong with you. Talking about you specifically, you have no need to worry about school work, your blog alone was impeccable. My final remark is that you are not unaccompanied in believing that school makes you feel terrible about yourself. I’m in that boat right beside you.
DeleteWe’re more alike than you think, Paige. I can easily relate to you about the constant fear of having a panic attack when you least expect it. When I felt too overwhelmed with a particular situation, I couldn't help but crawl up in a ball and cry myself to sleep. But just as you did, I learned to keep my emotions in check and to let go of things that didn't need to be held on to. In addition to panic attacks, I also have to deal with the constant nagging of my parents about college. I've got an annoying mother who constantly pushes me into a major that I know I won’t be happy with, and I've got a nagging father who thinks I should just go to Stockton. I’m not saying I don’t like Stockton, but why should I settle for less? I know I can get into one of the top schools for Broadcast Journalism, so why should I let him stop me? Lastly, I know sophomore year was tough for you, but the past is the past. Don’t let what happened before define who you are and your future. Your parents are always going to be worried about you; that’s their job. Let them think what they think but remember, you can ALWAYS prove them wrong. You’re an impeccable student and a wonderful person. Don’t degrade yourself to something you’re not. Keep your head up!
DeletePaige, I thought I was alone when it came to the feeling of being so stressed that my brain just let apathy take over to save itself. It makes me feel more confident in my ability to work around that issue knowing that someone else is also saying no to their apathy. I really like the idea of committing yourself to your work but also not letting yourself care too much. Probably should have addressed this first but I can also relate to the hanging out alone situation. Some people enjoy constantly being in the company of others and other people just don’t, that doesn’t make us depressed, that just means that we aren’t part of the normal crowd. I for one find a lot of comfort just being in my own company sitting and enjoying the peaceful feeling of not being surrounded by others and I hope you can relate. To wrap things up, your blog post kicked butt, and it made me feel a lot less alone about some of the things I worry about in school and at home, so Thank you!
DeletePaula, I can totally understand about that Stockton thing... my parents keep pushing me to go though because it's guaranteed I would get a full-ride scholarship, but I really think I can do better and that I could find a college I would like more. I think we should all believe we can go a step higher and try to reach our goals, not matter how absurd they might seem at first (even if some of us don't have the willpower or motivation to act upon it, I admit I might be one). I think you should definitely go for what you want and try not to let your parents influence you too much; college is the time where you finally get away from your parents, after all. You wouldn't want their decisions and opinions to still haunt you once you're gone, right?
DeletePaige, don't feel guilty for feeling apathetic toward school. You deserve to be stress free. Stress is not healthy for you at all, you could end up developing ulcers. Please keep this in mind, school is not your life. School is a PART of your life. You need to spend time thinking about your health and your wellbeing like you stated in your post. You need to take time out to just breath. I don't like seeing you upset, so if you need anyone to talk to, I'm the ultimate distraction and you know that. "keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about"--Marilyn Monroe.
DeleteIt's crazy to think that something that is supposed to benefit us causes so much mental and physical damage. I live through the majority of my school year in constant stress even when I don't need to be. I'm glad to see that you have gradually learned how to stay calm when everything seems too overwhelming. This is something I am hoping to master. The amount of stress school gives us is definitely not healthy and sometimes it's good to not care so much. Health is more important than school and sometimes we all forget about that. Focusing more on what makes you happy is the best thing you can do for yourself and in the end, school is not worth your stress. No one deserves to be so upset over something only taking up a portion of your life.
DeleteI think you should just do what you have to do to be happy. I would put happiness over the stress of school any day, but I just don't have the guts to do that. Don't feel guilty about being apathetic. If that is what you need to do to be happy, do it. Never feel guilty about being happy. Never.
DeleteOh goodness. I understand you so well it almost hurts. And that was just not the direction I expected that to go in at all. But it was an unscripted kind of honesty I think we all appreciate. As the kinds of kids we mostly are, half-killing ourselves with work day after day with various reasons and attitudes the biggest problem we face is that we do sometimes just care too much. I can't just tell you to let it all roll off your shoulders, because that'd be incredibly hypocritical, so instead I'm just going to say you're right in not wanting to settle, college-wise. You're better than that. And don't feel guilty about anything you do either. In a sense, a good dose of apathy can be pretty beneficial. I know how much you used to worry, so in a way I'm sort of relieved for you, too. Anyway, I'm glad you're happy. When you get down to it that's all that really matters.
DeletePaige, I agree 100%. Except, I'm the exact opposite with the way I deal with things. Instead of being by myself in my room, I NEED to be out of the house. If i think about my problems then they pretty much just swallow me up whole. My parents think its a problem that I'm never home. But "home" is where I least want to be. This year in Bunje's secrets are going to spill out whether it's on this blog, through our essays, or occasional papers we're gonna learn about each other and we're gonna be there to help each other.
DeleteJunior year, I would have to say that I’m both anxious and dreading what it is going to bring to my life. My whole life people have told me to do well in school, to always get the best grades I can so that one day I can go to my dream college, graduate, and start my life. Junior year I have been told many of times that it is the most important out of all my years of high school. With all the tests, classes, GPA, clubs, activities, and still maintaining a social life I can already tell it will be a tough one. Even though this year is the year and I will be stressed out of my wits, and worked into the ground I plan to make it a memorable one. It will be scary because as this year rolls on many realize that we are growing up and college or whatever you plan to do next in life is right around the corner and we realize that it’s a harsh world to be booted into but in the end we can get through it. This year I plan achieve the biggest goal for myself and that it to push myself harder than I ever have not just academically but athletically too, and rise above the physical and mental pain of school and sports. The reason I want to do this is because I was working myself so hard for other people, to be what they wanted me to be. I finally realized that everything I have done and will do is for me and as long as I can walk away from everything without a regret saying “I could have” or “I should have” then it will benefit me. Something I plan to get out of AP Lang is a challenge, which I enjoy greatly especially when the feeling of accomplishment sinks in. This class I know we can complete no matter how bizarre or how much of a struggle it can become. When we all walk out of this class at the end of the year we will be so proud of who we become and how we grew together and accomplished what many people could not. Socially, academically, and physically I’m pretty much where I should be. Maybe I could run a little more but socially I’m in a perfect spot I have two of the best friends I could ask for and many other friends that support me and I them. Academically I’m where I should be because I would not be accomplishing the grades and work I am if I was not in the right position, but I plan to challenge my academic placement so I can be in a better one.
ReplyDeleteYou and I are on the same page when it comes to wanting to push harder both academically and athletically. Building that physical and mental strength will definitely be benefited from in the long run. And learning to maintain such a hectic and stressful lifestyle will have us prepped for various situations that we’ll encounter. I agree this year will be a tough one, but not an impossible one.
DeleteI don’t think there’s such thing as you being in the “right position” or being where “you should be” as you called it. There’s always something to improve on and something to aim higher for. This post made me realize that a lot of what I’m doing right now isn’t because of something I chose to do, but because of something that someone else told me to do. However, the statement I just made isn’t entirely true because I was still the one who made the last decision. I agree with you when you said that walking away with no regrets would benefit you. There’s been way too many instances where I’ve walked away from something saying, “Dang, I should have taken this,” or “I could have done that.” The remorse that I felt after it is probably one of the worst feelings ever. AP Lang will be a challenge, but I’m glad that we decide to take it on and we would be able to say, “I’m glad I took the challenge,” not, “I should have taken that challenge.”
DeleteEntering my junior year, I had the idea that this year, of all years counted the most. That each grade, or project, and every math problem counted almost double the amount compared to last year. I tried to mentally prepare myself for this coming year, and found that quite difficult. But we are here now, and I know all the juniors myself included can get through this year. I can agree that junior year is one of the toughest, most demanding years of high school. Sure I just started but I have the impression of what could be ahead of me; majorly, college of course. One of my long term goals, and has been since pre-school, would be to go to college, preferably a university, and graduate with a major degree in which I would look forward to founding a career in the nearby future that would suit me well. With that being said, colleges look at junior year grades, which put a lot of pressure on us as we make our way through junior year, but with motivation and organization, I know I can get through it. I manly expect this year to bring a lot of work; classwork, homework, late night study sessions, etc. I can imagine I’ll be up very late many nights due to the overload of work to complete, which causes the amount of sleep I get per night to lower. Balancing six hours of school, 3-4 hours of gymnastics practice 4-6 nights a week, and sometimes 4+ hours of homework each night, doesn’t leave much time for relaxing and or just the ideal want of sleep. It gets rough, actually really rough but my love for my sport keeps me dedicated to keep working towards my goals. Of course after taking the AP Lang class, the major goal is to get a 5 on the AP test. Knowing that this class in general is one of the hardest classes for juniors, I’m hoping to expand my writing, to fully understand different concepts of English grammar and ways of writing. I want to increase my use of vocabulary, and of course once all is said and done, I hope to pass the AP exam with confidence. Aside from my AP Lang class, I’m hoping to do really well in each of my other classes. On top of my gymnastics I am juggling 3 AP classes, yes a lot of work, but I’m hoping to be able to get through each class with a well understanding of what we did in each course. Apart from doing well in each class, I am hoping to enjoy my junior year to its fullest value. I only have two years left of grade school, the time as flown by and I don’t want to waste a day not enjoying myself. One of my most favorite sayings is ‘Live life to its fullest’, I look at it in which, each day should be filled with amazement, excitement and happiness, and to not live life with regrets. ‘Do or do not, there is no try’- Yoda. There are fears still that run through my mind each day, especially for the AP Lang class. I fear I may not understand lessons as quickly as other students which could put me behind in the class, though I know with extra help hopefully soon after I could understand more clearly. I challenge myself each day when it comes to school and gymnastics. Sure I may not be top 10 in my junior class, but academically I am still extremely proud with myself when it comes to school. Yes sometimes I don’t do well on a test, or didn’t understand the point of a project fully, but after each day I look back at all the hard work I put into my school work, and am proud of myself and hope to continue and build on it each day. Outside of school I challenge myself in my gym to work extra hard each night, to get myself prepared for competitions. Doing gymnastics for almost 15 years now I am proud of where I am physically and how I love working out and training each day.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love how positive and motivated you are. I really admire that. I think that having those qualities will really help you this year. Try your best to keep that attitude even when the stress of school and lack of sleep seem to be winning, and you'll be fine.
DeleteWow, your response hit it right through the bull shot; I couldn’t have agreed anymore. Even though I don’t know you that well, I can tell that you’re one of few. I can’t believe you have dedicated your life to gymnastics and haven’t quit. I also understand how frustrating it is to be a cliff hanger on the top ten list and being the cliff hanger is great! It lets us work harder and lets us know that success is around the corner. Giving up is not a choice.
DeleteCan I just say how amazed I am by all the people who do sports and other activities on top of school? Your schedule sounds absolutely grueling to go through just about every day but you stay really positive and motivated despite all this. 'Live life to the fullest' is a really good philosophy to have, I think. Doing what makes yourself happy and just enjoying your days is really important in staying motivated in school. Whenever you get bogged down by work, people should remember to take some time for themselves and just do what they enjoy when they can. I hope everyone can make it through this year with their positive thoughts and spirit intact...
DeleteThree to four hours of gymnastics four to six times a week! When do you find the time to blink? People like you who are involved in such time consuming activities make me feel like a fool when I complain about spending 90 minutes on the same homework assignment. As long as you manage your time appropriately, you shall go very far in life. Just like Paige stated, if things get to be too overwhelming, take time for yourself. At the end of the day, you are one of the most important people in your life. Please, keep up the great work in the gym and in the classroom.
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DeleteEver since we first met (oh so long ago) I have admired you. You are and always have been one of the most dedicated hard working people that I know, and I look up to you greatly for that. Whenever I'm feeling like school and sports is too much to handle, I know I can look to you. Since the time we were four you have had your goals set, and I can't wait to watch you go own and achieve them the same way you always have.
DeleteGabbie, David, Paige, and Jasmine, each of your replies really means a lot to me! I don't want to make it sound like I have it harder when it comes to time than everyone else, I'm just saying it does get rough sometimes, but hearing you all with your replies really shows support! And if you can tell I love being a positive person, all of you are going to do amazing this year! I know it'll get rough but we will all get through this together!
DeleteAnd Bryanna, we have been together through school since pre-school. Having you by my side all this time as been truly amazing and I am so thankful to have your support each day. This really means a lot to me! I know it'll get rough sometimes but remember don't quit. Keep reaching for your goals and I as well cant wait to see you achieve in everything you have worked for!
DeleteMichaela, I am right there with you! If I’m not doing homework, I’m dancing or trying to get in as much sleep as I can. I can completely relate to everything your saying, and yes, it is hard but that’s not stopping you of course. People like us that are dedicated to our sport as well as school are learning important qualities that we may need later on in life. We are learning to manage our time wisely and know where our limits are. Those that aren’t involved in sports are lucky but also not as lucky because when we get to college we will be able to manage our time better and stay organized. So even if it may seem like a lot, with gymnastics and school, you have to realize all the benefits your getting from it. Colleges like well-rounded students that not only get excellent grades but also participate in a full time sport. So right now you are in a great position, so never give up even if the work gets really tough, because it’s all worth it in the end.
DeleteAt this point there is no turning back, only moving forward, but even though I’m fully aware of that, my inner being still asks me, “Want to take a step back?” It takes up a majority of my strength to say no and ignoring my inner self sometimes proves to be a good choice, but there are moments where it’s not. I learned that in the worst of ways last year as a sorry sophomore. Freshman year the sport Crew, became my passion. I fell in love with the rigorous training of the winter and the hardcore, competitive races in the spring. This was the only thing that brought me to hell and back. It made me feel very much alive and useful. Of course, the following year I was ecstatic for my second season. The one necessary thing I lacked through all that excitement was a firmer confidence in me and in my school work. So the minute my struggling felt unbearable with juggling a sport and harder school work, I made the toughest decision of my life so far. Going back a few steps where there was no crew, just school and I regret it every day. I didn’t do academically better and mentally I was going crazy. The embarrassment, shame, guilt, and heartbreak still linger from when I realized I should’ve pushed through instead of running away. Now its junior year and I will be in ultimate work mode of glossing up my grades for college while at the same time making an even better self. With my freshly built confidence I will hop the freight train called AP Lang and I expect it to be hard otherwise I won’t learn to become a better writer. Also crew will be part of my life again and no matter what I will not give up through my hardships. Hopefully by the end of the year I will have molded myself into an extraordinary writer and my only is forgetting happiness and not being able to move on. With the support of my family and amazing friends this could be that year where I surprise not only them, but myself too. As of right now ‘Back in Black’ by AC/DC will be blaring in my head as I begin another level in life.
ReplyDeleteThat's surprisingly helpful to me. I'll keep that in mind whenever tennis drives me crazy, which is pretty often. I love it more than anything, but it does seriously get in the way sometimes. There's only so much we're physically capable of doing. But don't blame yourself for quitting last year- it seriously is difficult and it was a respectable decision to make. I have the utmost faith in you, but please try not to spread yourself too thin. Nice metaphors and reference too. Makes it much more interesting to read, and paints a pretty good picture of how you're feeling. Anyway, I'm sure you'll do great, so good luck in everything in advance.
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ReplyDeleteThis year is definitely going to be difficult, and I will definitely need to work on my time management, but I promised myself that I will not give up. It’s going to take a lot of work, but I’m hoping to bump up my class rank. If that requires me to run on three to four of sleep hours later this year, I guess I’ll just have to deal with it and consume a lot of vitamin C. I probably won’t have much time to work out, but it’s not like that was ever relevant. Luckily, I’m pretty content with my physical appearance because I was graced with a fairly high metabolism. However, my social life might be at stake this year, but I’m not too concerned about that either. I enjoy having acquaintances and a small group of close friends, and by a small group, I mean three or four.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I don’t want it to be true, I probably won’t talk to any of you after high school with maybe a few exceptions. I’m not very good with staying in touch with people who are far away if they aren’t in my small group of close friends. You may not see a point in this after what I just said, but I do want to get to know all of you through Lang and these blogs. I have come to find that you can learn a lot from people even though you don’t wish to develop lasting friendships with them. Sometimes, you can learn a very useful life lesson from a complete stranger on the metro.
I’ll admit it. I am terrified of junior year. A week before school started, it hit me. I am 16 years old, I’m driving, and I only have two years left of high school. This is going to be the most stress filled year of high school. I’ve been dreading school not only because of the stress of four advanced placement classes but also the stress of learning how to get by without my friends who have graduated. Technically, I can still talk to them because of technology, but they aren’t here to comfort me in person. Text messages don’t always have the same effect of a hug.
I think I’ve been a bit too dependent on others. Learning from others and learning about others is a fantastic thing, but there comes a point where a person needs to draw the line; I definitely passed that line. I was always under the impression that you were supposed to find out who you are in high school and what you want to be when you grow up, but I still feel like I have a lot to figure out. Maybe this year, I’ll find out if I really want to go into something English related. Or maybe I’ll decide that I want to pursue my childhood dream of becoming Britney Spears. If that does happen, the stress of school must have driven me insane. Please slap me if it does. I’m hoping that through all of the stress crying throughout this school year I will find myself through the challenges I will have to face in Lang and in life. So I guess it is time, now. It’s time for me to woman up to the “toughest, most demanding year of high school.”
I admire your dedicataion and how involved you are in Oakcrest. I would honestly love to learn how you do it all! I have trouble balancing my studies and sports and i feel as though you could help me with that!
DeleteTime management is definitely my worst enemy. And I agree that it will take a lot of effort to accomplish, especially when you participate in activities and then have school work too. I also admire how honest you were in explaining the dependency you had on others and that you realized you passed the line. Most people tend not to own up to things like that in fear of hurting their pride and you’re setting a great example for others.
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DeleteGabbie you are right life goes by too fast. People come and go in life but true friends will always be with you. Sometimes your best friend right now won’t be your best friend in the future, but that is fine. But that the point of growing up is to expands your horizon and discovers who you really are. Gabby I have know you since we met in freshman year in health class and you were a really happy, cheerful, and friendly person and you still are. You have always made new friends each year and you will never be lonely in life for as long as you live. I know when the going get tough you don’t back down and this is no exception. With hard work and determination you will be in the top ten and get a five on any AP exam. I moved from so I know what it is like to lost many friends but that how I discover that I can be great in school if I actually try. So what I am trying to say is that you will be amazing in this class and very successful in life.
DeleteI was hit with the same feeling of growing up to fast as I was writing this blog. I don’t know why but I can’t stop reflecting on it and reminding myself that I am a junior. I also know what you mean with having college friends. We have hectic schedules and so do they which makes making time for personal connection difficult. The only thing that I can think of to help me get through this year is to think of it as an adventure. We know where we are but not where we’re going and the great part is we don’t have to. You’re a genuinely wonderful person and you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Don’t lose heart and be yourself. That is what will make the difference.
DeleteI'm so glad I'm not the only one who has no idea who they are. People tell me to describe myself and I'm left at a blank. I have no idea who I am or what I want to do with my life after high school. I have so many options open but it's a blessing and a curse. Junior year is important and hopefully everyone finds out what they want to do.
DeleteDom, it is really difficult to do everything. I really don't know how I've been doing this or how I'm going to do it this year. You should make a schedule. Dedicate a certain amount of time for each subject after your practice or game. For Lang, Bunje will help you sort out your Lang calendar if you ask. She can help you to manage your time wisely so that you don't do things last minute resulting in having only two hours of sleep.
DeleteSotiria, honestly, I was a little bit scared of how people would react to that. I kind of felt like someone would silently judge me. I'm working on being apathetic towards rude comments, but for now, I'm very relieved to know that you find that to be admirable, so thank you. :)
Michael, that means a lot to me, and you are right. I can do this. I can handle this seemingly unbeatable challenge just like I beat Browser in that one level of super Mario when I was 6. I really want to be in the top 10, but I'm I don't really want my senior picture to stare at everyone walking down the B corridor. It's just a little bit creepy...
Franny, you are completely right. This year will be an adventure. Every adventure has it's ups and downs, but as long as you find a path that works for you, you'll find happiness. I think that feeling like life is moving too fast is a very common feeling. I saw a couple of people post about that actually.
Dan, I had to do this art project last week, and I had to answer a bunch of questions about myself like a phrase that describes me, three words that describe me, etc. it was terrible. I was completely stumped. Eventually I just wrote stuff down because I had to. I know I want to go to college after high school, but I also want to travel. I loved going to France over the summer, and I am dying to go on another trip before I leave for college.
From what everyone has told me, including teachers, substitutes and students, it seems like high school is all about junior year. I’m a person who likes to challenge themselves academically but I can also be easily overwhelmed so this year should be quite interesting to say the least. The thing that really astonishes me is that I am a junior. Holy cow. I remember my first high school cross country practice over the summer. I walked up shyly to the picnic table surrounded by talkative, non-physically-awkward people. I sat and listened to the new juniors and heard wonderful stories of adventures with friends over the summers with hilariously dangerous stuff I would never be able to do (that at the time being driving around aimlessly). I heard rants about boyfriends and typical high school conversations. I remember meeting my soon to be best friends who were more than 2 years older than me. I’m sure if my life were to be depicted in a cartoon I would be this little twig with huge, glistening eyes as I observed what I would be like in two years. It actually freaks me out that I am them, in a sense. To the freshman I am that non-physically-awkward girl (hopefully), I am that smart person that has taken college level classes. I know where the gym is and how to cut classes and how to get through the hallways without being trampled over. I am that role model. I mean for me, this year is a big deal. This is where I prove myself. I have no expectations, and I never did. I just try my best at everything. What really is my motivation are the people I looked up to during my freshman year who have since become my college friends. I’m so excited to be this role model and the best human I can be. I took lang, honestly because I heard Bunje was an amazing person and my older friends told me I would learn a lot from her as a person and lang as a class. I wish I could only take this class so I can put all my effort and time into it because I love deep thoughts and tear jerking essays and just the whole essence of the class. It’s a class of my dreams. Alright, that maybe a little over board, but obviously I’m very excited. I want junior to really be the icing on the cake. My freshman and sophomore year I was the cake batter in the oven baking and forming into a shape. This year is all about decorating my deeply rooted self with knowledge and memories. Senior is all about the cake being for sale. How well are you decorated? Which college is going to purchase you? That’s next year, so as of right now I am going to exit junior year as the most tasty and ascetically pleasing cake.
ReplyDeleteI couldn’t help but smile the whole time while I was reading your blog post (especially the last part where you compared yourself to cake). You’re self confidence is admirable and I wish I could say I felt as comfortable with myself as you do now. The way you come into junior year with no expectations is different; but a good different. I’ve read numerous blog posts about people wanting to get a five on the AP exam or passing this class, but here you are, just aiming for your best. You haven’t set a limit for yourself, but in a sense, you have. Your post made me realize two things: 1.) I should always aim for my best; even if sometimes I don’t end up triumphant, and 2.) To enjoy my junior year. We’ve all clearly established that this year will be the most difficult and most stressful year, but we can also make it one of our best years too.
DeleteDanielle, your response is making me crack up. I still remember the day I entered Oakcrest as a chubby and dumb freshman. I expected the four years of high school to be slow and painful, and I was so wrong. The past two years of high school have been a blink of an eye. The metaphor you use to compare your junior year is amazing. To answer your questions, I don’t think my cake is decorated as others and I’m currently working on it. As a hard working student, I will do my best to accomplish my goals and to decorate my cake as best as possible.
DeleteAs I read your post it brought me back to all that we’ve been through so far. I remember the first day of freshman year and how excited and naïve we were. We had no choice but to look up to the upper classmen. Now we’re the ones that the freshmen are looking up to and frankly that thought is what scares me. We’re the ones that are making the difference and leaving an impact. We know the loops and we know what’s expected of us but when did we get to that point? The time is going so fast and that’s why I like your comparison to the cake. I like the idea of decorating this year and making it something beautiful. We’ll have challenges but by doing the best we can and succeeding will make it all worth it.
DeleteIt really is so strange that we're upperclassmen... you're right when you say we are technically rolemodels of the school now. One more responsibility placed upon us, huh? The young innocent freshman I was is long gone, and here I am sitting here a disillusioned junior who is probably in for the worst year yet. But I think it's really admirable how you've decided to do your best so that you can be a rolemodel for the sophomores and freshman in the school- I hope you can succeed in that! (And I loved the cake analogy. It's just too bad colleges don't actually pay for us because we have to pay them instead.)
DeleteAfter reading your post, I felt like I had to reply to it. One reason might be that we have the same name. Another reason might be that I love your comparison to cake but those sure aren’t the real reasons why. Reading your post just sent a series of flashbacks into my head. I remember the first day I walked into tennis practice when I was just a freshman who had no clue how to talk to the upperclassmen and was scared to just talk to them. Yet, the upperclassmen helped me get better at the sport and now it’s us that are looked up to. It’s sometimes scary for me to think that two years have already gone by and now we’re the ones that are tasked to guide the underclassmen and show them that we’re high school kids, just like them. I hope that you become the role model that you want to be and that be pleased with the cake that you have decorated by the end of this year.
DeleteEasily one of the best metaphors I've ever heard. Well done, Scar!
DeletePart 1
ReplyDeleteThe supposed difficulty of junior year to me has always resembled Greek mythology. How so you might ask? Well, I once believed that all of the stories I heard about Lang were hyperbolized and that junior year in itself was overly glorified. How can you believe things such as “You’ll stay up until 3AM doing homework!” when up until this point, many of us underclassmen had been able to balance school, sports, and sleep without much trouble. The popular consensus among upperclassmen always seemed to be a poorly composed argumentum ad populum that lends it existence only to the natural sensationalist tendencies that most people, especially teenagers, have. Then again, how could all of these vetted and intelligent AP students be wrong? And now, as you can imagine, I feel like a massive jerk for having ever doubted them in the first place. I still do not believe it will be as disastrous as it has been rumored, but I am definitely starting to come around to the idea that it will be more difficult than our underclassman years. As of right now, my predictions for junior year consist of moderately difficult work and long nights trying to finish it all. I have images of empty soda cans and pizza boxes scattered around while I pound on the keyboard of my laptop. I will do this while cursing my teachers for rather undermining the hard work I am putting in or for expecting too much out of me; it’s never a happy medium. Why? Because we are AP students, and AP students are never satisfied. That is why the number one thing I want to get out of AP Lang and my other four AP classes is a sense of accomplishment. AP students are systematically controlled simply by being labelled as “smart.” This bothers me because AP students do not often feel smart because they believe everything they are taught is trivial or just nonsense. As a result they do not feel like they are really learning. This is ironic because they are, in fact, smart because they were able to see through what was not real and recognize what was real. Sadly, this reality only broke our spirits. Consequently, many of us did not work as hard as we probably should have, but how could you blame us? AP Government had very little to do with the American governing process, and it had more to do with conspiracy theories about how power is an illusion. It was only relevant because it was placed into the context of the American government, but it’s not like most people cannot figure out that people who appoint themselves above other people really have no material justification for doing so. AP Statistics taught us how to read a chart when in fact the actual math behind Statistics involves integrating a Gossian curve. This in itself sounds like a husk, but that’s good! AP kids deserve a husk. So the fact that AP Lang is very work intensive is somewhat exciting. Ultimately, what I expect of Lang is to learn as much as I can and actually feel proud of myself for carrying my efforts out to the very end regardless of the grade I get on my report card or AP exam. My fears for junior year basically come down to feeling like I did nothing that advanced my education and development as young person. This is certainly the way I felt after my first two years at Oakcrest. I did my job so why couldn’t the educational system do its job? You can pretty much deduce that I am not satisfied with where I am academically.
Part 2
ReplyDeleteI am not particularly happy about my social or physical situations either, but I do think I lead a fantastic life. Why the contradiction? I contradict myself because I am a pessimist. But I am a functioning pessimist. I recognize what is real and if something happens to be good, I call it good. The catch is that most of life I just perceive to be disappointing. And if you have the audacity to tell me I am wrong for feeling that way, you are completely misguided. Not to compare myself to these great people, but functioning pessimists include Jimmy Carter, Woody Allen, and George Carlin. That is quite a collection, right? My point is that their low self and worldly senses of value motivated their successes, and I feel that is also what motivates me. In fact, it might be just how I survive junior year.
David, you are such a hard working student. Whenever I need extra help with something I know I can turn to you, and I appreciate that. I'm sure you taking not 3, or 4 but 5 AP classes that its going to be a rough year with work, but I know you can get through it! Whenever you're stressed, step back and take a deep breath and remember how it'll all be worth it. Keep up the great work, I'm so proud of everything you have accomplished.
DeleteI loved the last bit about the functioning pessimist, if only for the truth in it. Obviously, I agree with a great deal of what you said, mainly because a lot the ideas you stated (along with a lot of the ideas I stated in my blog post) are a product of our numerous conversations (and raging). However, I don't think you're giving Oakcrest, your teachers, or yourself enough credit. "My fears for junior year basically come down to feeling like I did nothing that advanced my education and development as young person. This is certainly the way I felt after my first two years at Oakcrest. " You've learned a lot more than you realize. I say this with the authority of an outside observer.
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DeleteThanks Michaela! Neil, thank you for stealing my Latin phrase. Anyway, you somehow implanted the idea in my head that AP classes were purposely constructed by Oakcrest so that students would be dissatisfied, seek out the truth, and ultimately teach themselves. If that's what you are somehow implying, then I must rethink my whole high school career. I must be wearing orthopedic shoes because I stand corrected.
DeleteFirst of all, best pun of the day award^. Actually, that's exactly what I was implying. Kind of like how we had no concept of what a p-value was obtained, yet we used it 12 million times, until we eventually figured it out? Yeah, for motivated students, I guess that is what they are hoping for... that somehow the gaping holes in the AP curriculum inspire us to investigate. Although, I can't believe Oakcrest itself engineered it, as much as just aided it. I think the source of it is the Collegeboard. Maybe they hired Glenn Beck?
DeleteGreat point bud! Thanks for clarifying. However, I still would just wish it was more hands on. It would help in fending off indifference (especially as described in Paige's post). But I think Glenn Beck wouldn't contribute much to the College Board. First off, that implies Glenn Beck knows things. Second, AP resembles a national curriculum which is clearly a plot perpetrated by our Marxist president... oh wait. Again with the orthopedic shoes! Glenn Beck wrote the AP Gov curriculum. It makes sense now!
DeleteCareful Dave, the NSA and their Satanic Class Warfare Drones are watching. It's not safe to mention the Anointed One without first paying homage. Perhaps the indifference is a way the Collegeboard keeps people from getting better grades on the AP test. After all, it's not like they really want you to pass the test. (Then they'd have to readjust the curve). That would violate the tenets of our capitalistic education. If the Collegeboard's main objective were to increase AP students' knowledge of the subject as a collective, that would be socialism and as our Chemistry teacher said two days ago, Socialism has failed in every place it's been tried. But it's ok -- our freedom will be protected, because apparently Glenn Beck is writing AP curriculums.
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DeleteAh. This is all true. I love how all conversations perpetuated by English class result in a bashing of corporations. The fact that I did not originally make this connection makes me question my capabilities as an APer.
DeleteAs far as the English class discussion ---> Capitalism bashing relation, blame our Editorials Freshman year and that Transcendentalist chapter last year. On that note, I'm going to go to bed. I have to drive early tomorrow morning and I'm so sleep deprived that I'll probably cause an accident. So, if I'm still alive tomorrow and in stable condition, I'll talk to you later.
DeleteWell, this will win awards for one of the most enlightening conversations ever. For that, gentlemen, I thank you.
DeleteGlenn Beck bashers?? I've never been more proud or more hopeful for the state of society. <3
While most kids will be looking for academic excellence and the attention of colleges, I am in search of myself. That is what I expect to get out of junior year. I know I won’t find my whole self, people spend their whole lives searching, I just want to find a path so I can get started in the right direction. Junior year is a rough year academically I know, but I’ve made it this far, I’m confident I can make it further. As for my expectations for Lang, I have many. As students we are being held to a much higher standard than we have been held to before but I see that as a two way street. If a teacher is going to expect a lot out of me, I expect that teacher to know how to shape me into the student that I need to be (no pressure). Because of that expectation I also expect to have my knowledge expanded and my abilities to be put to the test. I expect this class to be rough and I wouldn’t have it any other way, I would be bored if school was easy. I would talk about my other classes but frankly this is my main class this year and everything else is just sort of there. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared of this year though. I know it is going to put a beating on me and I’m not sure if I’ll make it through but whether I come out of this year a new person or a pile a broken bits on the floor, I will have learned something though I would prefer the former. This next part seems a bit personal but what the heck, truthfully I am not where I want to be in any aspect of myself. Any of my friends can tell you mentally I’m all over the place; you can just look at me and tell I’m not exactly a model of physicality, academically I constantly underperform but that is sort of on purpose, and socially I’m not exactly sure where I am. But this isn’t exactly the worst situation to be in, there isn’t really anywhere to go but up so that’s comforting. Why I am such a model of imperfection I am not sure but I wouldn’t have it any other way. So I guess in reality I am where I want to be in all of the places I have mentioned. Maybe I’m not the spitting image of Hercules but frankly my peers, I don’t give a damn. Maybe I haven’t been the best student in past years but I gained a work ethic over the summer and that will probably help a ton, and I may not exactly fit in any specific space on the social ladder but that just gives me the freedom to be whoever I want to be and that’s far better than trying to fit in anywhere. Life is a roller coasters of loops, twists, turns, ups, and downs, and I’m looking forward to everything junior year has in store for me even if I may not be ready for all of it.
ReplyDeleteWith insight from our friendship, I can surely tell you that you will come out of this year with the most beautifully tainted soul.I cant wait for you to find the right path and i truly hope that this class guides you to self-exploration and may be a guide to doing you, happily. Personally, I'm so excited for you this year. -lots of love Danielle
DeleteVincent, you are exactly right being you is way better than trying to fit in anywhere else. Sure this year may be rough, but you are going to go up from here. I know you can achieve anything you set your heart too. Keep your head held high with a positive mind! I as well really hope this year/class helps guide you to finding more of yourself. You are an amazing person and don't ever forget that!
DeleteMaybe I'm silly for this, but I have admired your way of being for almost a year now. I love that you can be whoever you want to be because you don't exactly fit in on the social ladder. I started out wanting the complete opposite until I realized that it wasn't for me. I enjoy not fitting into a specific group because what fun is that? No fun. That is what it is. You get all of this unwanted stress just to feel like you belong even though you know deep down that you don't. My goal this year is the same as yours. I want to find myself or maybe even just a path to an open door. I'll take what I can get.
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DeleteVincent, you are who you are, and never stop being who you are. You are something that can only be described as "Vincent", something that I've admired for a long, long time. Your freedom and spirit are things that people will spend their entire lives chasing, but will never achieve. With the exception of my parents, you're the person I've known the longest, which is why I can faithfully say you have what it takes to get through this class -- not only get through, but thrive! It's all a matter of your drive and after seeing your new found motivation, I know you'll be fine. Plus you're in my classes now! HURRRAY!
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DeleteAs I have gone through each year of school, I’ve been faced with new challenges. Each year the work is more rigorous and demanding and time management becomes more difficult. That being said, the pattern has continued into junior year and this has definitely been the most challenging year yet. I am pressed on all sides trying to balance homework and sports. However, aside from the lack of sleep, this year seems promising. I enjoy a challenge and having things to do each day. Don’t get me wrong, Lang is not the only thing that I want to fill my schedule with this year (sorry Bunje), but I am excited for the class. I enjoy learning and applying new skills and I expect that is what we will be doing this year. I expect of myself to work beyond my breaking point and achieve every obstacle I face, whether it’s in academics or some other aspect of high school. This year in Lang I hope to get the information I need to succeed, not only on the AP exam, but in the future as well. Out of this school year, I don’t know what to expect because each experience I will have this year will be a new one. However, my ambition is to look back at this year and feel satisfied in my work and in myself. I don’t fear Lang this year because I know what it will require of me. Any negative emotion I feel towards this class, whether distraught over a bad grade or stressed due to the work load, I want to use it as a driving force to keep me moving forward. As far as 11th grade goes, I fear that it will pass to quickly and I will miss out on a portion of the time we have left as “kids.” I am not where I want to be in any area because I believe there is always room for improvement. Even if we are successful we can still continue to keep growing and excelling. If we didn’t than humans would be at a standstill. However, despite our imperfection we can be exceptional at what we do and enjoy doing it. I am looking forward to this year with everyone.
ReplyDeleteI loved what you said about not fearing Lang because you know what it will take from you to succeed. I could not have said it any better. We all came into this class with a general idea of what it would entail, and we are all capable of being successful. We shouldn't fear the class, but fear instead that we will not put our best foot forward. I'm definitely afraid of how fast this year will go, I can't believe that we are already juniors. But I'm sure that we will all make the most of it and be able to look back with pride one day.
DeleteFrancesca, I love the fact that you dont fear this class. You want to work hard and overcome anything that is thrown your way. I feel the same way. This year is going to be filled with challenges but we as AP Lang students will be able to fight threw it all. We as students will grow and learn with every day we come into these Oakcrest hallways. And Junior year will teach us things we will take with us for the rest of our lives.
DeleteI love your positive insight on this class and junior year in general. Although juggling so many things at once will be a big challenge, it's good to stay motivated about learning in order to overcome the exhaustion that will come our way. I like how you focus more on what knowledge you would like to gain rather than what negative situations you are expecting to come across. Staying eager to learn is what will distract you from the stress. It's good to enjoy being educated because the hatred we have all procured from heavy workloads is what can start to bring us down. I hope to be just as motivated about this year as you are.
DeleteYou are so motivational and inspiring. You blog inspired me to never lose hope and keep fighting through all of the challeges until you overcome them. You're always so positive, and smiling.
DeleteI was told that colleges will start to look at me during my junior year. My response, “Let them look; I have nothing to hide except for my birthmark.” I feel as though my junior year is going to be stressful if I make it stressful. When I was younger I saw myself as Jasmine Patterson the student and only Jasmine Patterson the student. Now that I am older, I have come to the realization that I’m not just a student; I’m Jasmine Patterson the human being. By learning my true identity, I have learned that I have a life and that school is merely a part of it.
ReplyDeleteDuring this 180 day period, I expect to grow as a person. I expect to realize that I chose to take these AP classes and that I must deal with the work load accordingly, and I expect to see what I am truly made of. When it comes to academics, I want nothing lower than a “B” in all of my classes. Due to the fact that I have a plethora of respect for every single English class that I have ever taken, my expectations are set rather high for my AP English Language and Composition class. In my eyes, if you can properly manipulate the English language, you hold great power in this world. I fear only two things about the eleventh grade. The first fear is failing and the second fear is having my junior year wind up like my sophomore year.
At the moment, I feel secure with my academics. If there is a subject that needs to be improved, I shall improve it. There is always room for improvement, not for error. Conversation is only a hassle if I don’t really know you. Once I do get to know you, I’ll have the most aberrant conversations with you about anything and everything. Physically speaking, I am in no shape what-so-ever and my feet are too long and too narrow. Over the years, I have found that having large feet is not the end of the world. Although finding cute shoes to fit a size ten foot is like pulling teeth, these same feet always take me one step closer to achieving my goals.
If this year is supposed to be the toughest year of high school, then so be it. Life isn’t supposed to be easy; if it is, you’re doing it wrong. You are going to struggle before things will start to pick up. In the moments where you feel as though nothing is going to get better, please remember that “for every dark night, there’s a brighter day” (Tupac Shakur). For some of us, junior year will be our “dark night.” Take a look at yourself fifteen years down the road as you are working in your dream job; that is your “brighter day”. When colleges start to look at me, they will not see what I see. They will not see Jasmine Patterson the human being. Instead, they will see what I once saw. They will see Jasmine Patterson the student and only Jasmine Patterson the student.
I love how motivated you are for the upcoming year. You have that fearless attitude that I wish to possess. Staying true to yourself and keeping a bright outlook on the future is one of the keys to success. Keep up your attitude and you'll definitely achieve all of your goals. Also, I adore your metaphors and they surprisingly enlightened me. There need to be more people with the same mindset as you because that is what will inspire others to "keep calm and carry on" even when things get too tough to handle.
DeleteJasmine, we've known each other a long time now and I'm pretty sure we've got our mutual love for one another established and all- as awkwardly as I may have just phrased that. But sometimes when I read things like this I'm just refreshed by thoughts of how much I adore you. Again, as weird as that may sound. You don't let things bother you, and you say things how they are, and that's something I admire. School really is just one piece of what we do, and I thank you for the reminder. Plus, the foot metaphor was nice. I don't think I could really accept this kind of response from anyone that wasn't you actually. So I'm actually going to try and channel this kind of energy from you if you don't mind. So thanks for that too.
DeleteFrom the time of my very first meeting with my guidance counselor freshman year, I knew that junior year was going to be the most crucial time of my entire high school career. Junior year is the real deal, the time when I can look back on my prior years of school and finally be able to say that all of those sleepless nights of doing homework were really worth something. Every class I have ever taken, any club I’ve ever become involved in, any award I was ever presented with, now is the time when that value comes to life. I knew from the minute I walked into AP Lang on the first day that this year would be no joke. Of course, my history of honors classes has given me the tools to succeed academically, along with my undying desire to achieve straight A’s on every report card I have ever received. But I have come to terms with the fact that junior year will differ immensely in that I will no longer have the ability to lean sonly on my intelligence, hard work and dedication will be key to my achievement. Even after one week of three AP classes, I am utterly drained, both physically and mentally. My demanding schedule of school and soccer leaves minimal time for home work to be done before I can no longer hold my eyes open. Junior year will undoubtedly entail late night studying and last minute touches to projects. But I have been preparing for this, and I am excited to accept the challenge. AP Lang is still very daunting, failure is one thing that has never been an option for me, and it seems that it may be very challenging to avoid it all year. But I know that in the end I will be better for it, and I think I speak for everyone in AP Lang when I say that we are all here for a purpose, and because we all retain the ability to be successful in this class. I believe that Lang will provide me with multiple positive attributes, such as organization, time management, and an overall improvement in my reading and writing skills. Since the day I was placed in advanced language arts in second grade, my parents have pushed me to take the hardest classes at my disposal, and have always pressed me to be my absolute best. That was the start of it all, the ground work has been laid, all for the greater purpose of one day graduating from Oakcrest High School and going to college. That is the ultimate goal, and up to this point in my life I have achieved every goal I previously set for myself, and I am confident in my ability to do well again this year.
ReplyDeleteBryanna, I have known you since we were two years old and I always looked at you as a strong, hard working student and I am so proud of you for that. Adding soccer to your school schedule I can imagine is rough, but as long as you keep up with the motivation that you have I know you're going to do great! Love you girl!
DeleteIt’s only been about two weeks into the school year, but I already know that my junior year is going to be one long and tough year. I came into this school year knowing it was going to be hard, but I never expected it to be so mentally and physically draining. People have told me that my junior year is going to be my toughest and most important year. Yet, that didn’t stop me from joining a sport and taking on AP classes. We all have heard people say that AP Lang is going to be a hard class with a lot of work, but that didn’t stop us from taking this class. The fact that half of the people that take this class are actually student athletes amuses me. We all took on the challenge no matter what past students have said about this class. I’ve always had high expectations set for me and it just led me to having high expectations for myself. English has always been one of my weakest subjects, but that didn’t stop me from taking this class and setting high expectations for myself. However, I do hope that I come out of this class as better writer and reader. I will gladly do all the work that will be given to us because in the end, I know that it’s for our benefit. I am so scared of giving it my all and yet, not fulfilling the goals that I’ve made for myself. I wish that I could say that I’m content with where I am academically, socially and physically, but I can’t. I always feel like I could be better. Whenever I feel “comfortable” about something, someone always tells me to get out of my comfort zone and strive for something harder. Don’t ever be content with where you are because you might just regret not pushing yourself more. This year might be a challenge, but it’s not something I plan to back down on. I’ll take on this school year day by day and hope each day is better than the one before it.
ReplyDeleteI have feared for my junior year ever since the middle of sophomore year. I spent my summer fearing for the heavy workload that was about to come my way in only a couple months. Now that death year has finally started, I have no choice but to face it. These first 2 weeks of school have already put me under a handful of stress and exhaustion. I can’t say that I wasn’t expecting to be worn out by school but I’m still trying to get into good studying habits. Once I figure out how to improve my time management, I think I will be able to approach school work more confidently and efficiently. My stress levels are generally higher than they should be but at this point they are off the charts. What’s not to be stressed about? I have to sacrifice both my physical and mental health in order to balance AP school work, sports, activities, and a job. Aside from that, I must make sure my grades on my report cards and my standardized tests are top notch or else my future plans for college will plummet. I fear the idea of upsetting both myself and the ones close to me that have such high academic expectations. Surviving this year is going to be tough but I just need to keep my positivity high and my anxiety levels low. I am hoping that I can learn how to stay more calm and more confident. I’m not going to set straightforward goals for myself because that will lead me to stressing out even more. I just need to learn how to work to the best of my ability and accept the outcome whether it be better or worse than I expected. Out of all the things I can achieve in a school year, I just want to achieve happiness and pride in what I accomplish. I also hope to acquire knowledge that I will find useful in the future whether it be something beneficial to my formal education or to my life in general. More specifically, I am eager to improve my reading and writing skills by taking AP Lang. I would love to gain a better appreciation for different styles of writing whether it be something I read or something I write myself. Since it is just the beginning of the year, I guess I am fairly content with myself in academic, social, and physical terms. I have not collapsed of exhaustion yet so I am handling everything better than I previously expected. Although I’m still not quite sure with how I will handle the rest of the year, I am ready to risk my physical and emotional health for the sake of successfully achieving anything that comes my way. I am not one to quit so easily and even though I will be in the state of fear and stress throughout the majority of this year, I am still ready to tackle any obstacle that may come my way. Although there are many negative memories that will come out of this year, I hope to outweigh them with positive ones. Ten years from now, I want to be able to look back at my high school years with a smile on my face.
ReplyDeleteYou don’t have to face the so called “death year,” you could just drop out of your harder classes if you really wanted to avoid it, but I know that’s not an option for you. There will be no sense of reward at the end of the year when you get A’s in your regular classes, but you know you could have taken on the more challenging ones. I know exactly how it feels to be scared of disappointing those close to you. One thing that seems to keep me motivated is the fear of disappointing someone. This just might be the year where I learn to just accept the result whether it is good or bad, even if I might be disappointing someone. I need to accept the outcome when I know I tried my best. I like your mindset and how you’re willing to risk anything in order to achieve the obstacles that come towards you, but hey, “No pain, no gain,” right?
DeleteYes death year has begun but I'd rather face it head on and with a challenge than just take it easy like a coward. Another thing is right now I only have to deal with school and marching band if I had a job too I think I would fall out in exhaustion so Emily I write to you in awe. If it were me having to deal with all that I'd pass out on the floor and just call it a day. I also think that although this year won't be all daisies and sunshine in ten years the only thing on your face could be a smile. Because by doing the best you can and never giving up you couldn't be anything else but happy.
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ReplyDeletePart 1:
“Junior year is the most important year.” – The statement that greeted every junior at Oakcrest two days ago. No pressure? This opening line at the guidance assembly is yet another iteration of the single most common advisory that I have been harangued with since freshman year. The question stands: is junior year as crucial as I’ve been told or is all this fuss just argumentum ad populum? From a college admissions point, I can certainly understand why it is so important – namely because it is the most up to date information a college can have on my performance during a full academic year. It remains the apex of course difficulty on my transcript. It’s the year of the standardized test – the PSAT, SAT I, SAT II, AP exams, and whatever else the Collegeboard can dream up. It’s the year for scholarship applications and essays, because college isn’t going to pay for itself (Unless our government decides to make college more affordable -- a chimerical notion indeed). It’s a year of increased responsibility and tests of leadership, specifically in my activities, clubs, and sports. It’s a year of competition, as I’m certain I’ll be expected to represent Oakcrest in a plethora of different venues. Most importantly, it’s a year of discovery; I want to find out who am I this year. In the interest of retaining of my sanity, I’ll end the list at that. This year will be difficult; it will be stressful, but regardless of my sentiments, it’s here. All I can really do is give it my best shot and hope it is good enough.
The benefits I hope to reap from my struggles in this class are enormous. Lang is the class that I’ve really needed -- a class that will push my writing and reading skills to the next level. Lang is the class (I’m praying) that will let me look at an application essay next year and scoff. When I entered high school, I was hoping that as I matured, my intellect, and thus my writing skills would just naturally improve. To a certain degree, that has proven true. I am a better writer than I was four years ago, but I haven’t reached that higher echelon that I’ve constantly been gunning for. I can’t explicitly describe what that level is, but I will know I’ve reached it if I do. As I’ve read from scholar and scholar and scholar, writing is a skill that can be taught. So I’ve convinced myself that in order to reach that level, I don’t have to be smarter, just taught well. Lang, from what I’ve been told, will be the catalyst for that.
Also, the degree of self-exploration that Lang implies is very attractive. I want to find myself. I’ve always been scared to delve into my own mind and personality (possibly because of the demons I might find) but this course will give me the push I need to really explore myself. The fear of deep introspection is one of the most unnerving fears I have of Lang. Like everyone else, the workload scares me too. As all the Lang alumni can attest to, “Lang teaches you how to sleep anywhere, in any position” -- so that’s an interesting skill. But, like with most of my fears of Lang, I’ll get over it. Having a great amount of contact with Langers last year exposed me to a great deal of the complaints; I was almost to the point where I was afraid to take the course, my reasoning being that I could achieve so many other things with the time saved. But, at the end of the year all those same grumblers and complainers said it would be crazy if I didn’t take Lang. The wonderful things they said about Ms. Bunje and the class inevitably moved me to take it and to be happy that I took it. Any class that can put students through the atrocities divulged to me and still get rave reviews must be something worth taking. Plus, I just can’t take CP English. No.
I feel the same way about your last section. I was close with a lot of people who have graduated that took Bunje's class and let's be honest- they weren't happy campers through the school year. But, in the end, they were so thankful and appreciate that they took it. That's why I'm taking it, because I know that I'll get something out of it.
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ReplyDeleteMy biggest fear of this junior year will be that I don’t accomplish what I need to accomplish. I am not afraid of failure. I am afraid of disappointment, or rather, lack of success. It’s a fear that the investments I make will yield no return. Usually, these investments are in the form of self-improvement. I’d like to say 65% of my time is spent on some form of self-improvement. Sleep has the second highest market share at 18%, but I expect that to drop. This concept is typical of AP students, so I don’t find it too strange to say I’m not where I want to be academically or physically. That’s not to say I haven’t had success or I’m discontented with where I am. I just want to be better – a drive that I think many of my fellow Langers share. I want to increase my GPA. As long as it can go up, I guess I’ll always want that. I want to push myself to do better on those notorious standardized tests. I want to be able to compete with kids on the national level at a higher level than I already do. As a Cross Country runner and Golfer, I can never be satisfied with my physical condition. The only fast is faster. The only far is farther. Socially, I’m not concerned, but only because I’m a sociopath. With 5 AP classes, it’s not like I was going to have much of a social life anyway. On that note, I end my first AP Lang blog post and cautiously welcome all the challenges to come.
I challenge you to a Pokemon battle
DeleteChallenge accepted.
DeleteI absolutely believe that junior year is hardest year of high school overall. Well for one I’ve heard that colleges look solely on your junior year grades, not to say they won’t look at the other grades as well though. But now that we know that colleges are looking at our junior year grades us ap students are of course going to take the hardest classes in the school our junior year. Even though this year is the hardest year I do believe that you learn the most your junior year. I came into junior year knowing that the workload would be too hard to handle for myself but I’m always up for a challenge. I don’t really have any friends so I didn’t really have any preconceived knowledge of this year. I have heard that ap Lang is probably the hardest class that Oakcrest offers. With this class, I’m hoping to get a better understanding of how to write good papers. I know that I will need these skills that I learn in Lang, later on in life and in college so; taking this class will definitely help me in the future. I fear that this class will be too much work for me especially with having dance every day after school. But I can’t complain because I’m the one that signed up for this class. My parents could honestly care less what classes I take. I am scared that I will miss out on a lot of my valuable sleep (like tonight) but again, I signed up for this class so I have to be willing to deal with the consequences. I am, at this moment exactly where I want to be academically, I am in the top ten of my class. Since freshman year all I’ve wanted to accomplish is being in the top ten of my class and this year I have finally done it. I think it is going to be very hard to maintain this honor until my senior year but I am really striving for it. Another goal I have for this year is to get straight A’s in all my classes. I do realize again that this is very difficult but I do believe I can do it. You can do anything you set your mind to, right? Am I socially where I want to be? Sure I am, I believe that all you really need in your life is yourself. Physically, I am where I want to be because I know that if you don’t love yourself you can’t love anything else. So in conclusion I am looking forward to a great year, and I can’t wait to find out all the new things I’m going to learn about.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand and agree with you Kass. Lang is going to be very tough this year but I know if we stay postive through the good and bad, were going to have a great year!
DeleteEver since I walked into the big grey doors of Oakcrest High School I was told junior year was by far going to be the hardest year of high school. They told me that I should take the hardest classes because it would look good for my transcripts, and they also told me that my college career basically depended on my junior year. Excited but overwhelmed, I am setting high goals for myself this year, and can’t wait to succeed in everything that I do. I am already physically and emotionally drained from school, especially AP Lang. Coming into this class, I asked everyone’s opinions on their experience in the class. Some said it was easy but tons of work, and others said it was torturous and that I would be up all night with never ending piles of work. Being the negative nancy that I am, I prepared myself for the worst. I begged my mom all summer to switch me into the honors class. I said things to her like “you compare me to all of my sisters, and I am not as smart as them.” She always simply responded, “I have faith in you, and you will be fine.” The only things that ran through my mind were no sleep, overloading piles of homework, and procrastination. The three do not mix well at all. As my moms words “I have faith in you, and you will be fine” words ran through my head on the night before school, I decided to turn over a new leaf. I decided that the old procrastinator, no work ethic, and winging tests Logan was out the window and I was going to start with a clean slate this school year. I am ready to take on the challenges of lang, and the challenges I will struggle with my junior year, especially being a student-athlete. I play 3 varsity level sports year-round at Oakcrest. Everyone says that I’ll never be able to handle lang and all of my sports, but I’m ready to prove them wrong. I’m setting new goals this year. Everyone that underestimated me is going to be shocked, and I’m going to pat myself on the back in June when I can finally say “I did it.”
ReplyDeleteJunior year is going to be difficult none the least, but that is going to push me harder then ever. I’m forgetting what everyone says about lang because everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and mine is way different then others.
Besides lang, 11th grade is going to be filled with many adventures. I turn 17 in less then a month and will have my license. I feel my social life will stay the same because I have the very best friends and I know their by my side forever.
I’m basically scared for everything in this class, but I’m hoping for a good ap and sat score by the end of the year. With the help of my classmates, and teacher, I’m going to achieve that, and I’m so ready.
So unlike me, you have had preconceived information about Lang and junior year in general. Don’t listen to what others say about this class and junior year because everyone is different. Something that may have been hard to someone else may be really simple for you and vice versa. So don’t let what others say influence your decisions, because that will only bring you down. Also I think it’s great that you are excited about this school year and have decided to change the way you used to be when you just winged tests. Don’t let the spark that you have for doing well in school burn out in a couple weeks; prove to yourself that you can do it.
DeleteMy only expectations for this class are based off of the only experiences it’s given me thus far – a little less sleep and a little more headache. That’s putting lightly, but to be honest Lang just makes me nervous more than anything. Apparently I’m the only person that was never told of its terrors, so I still don’t really know what I’m getting into. Everyone gives “The Look” when they ask about whether I decided to take this class or not, and I just don’t know what to make of it. It’s just started, and I’m pretty sure it’ll only get worse, but the point is I think for now I’m okay. Mostly. That doesn’t mean I’m not ridiculously stressed and worried about junior year though. I literally can only think about one thing at a time, which is whatever seems to be the most immediate threat to my failure as a student. I don’t think about anything except what’s due the next day, and as a result I procrastinate (and finish things on time) with a skill level most can only admire. Not that that’s anything to be proud of. That and the fact that I happen to play a very demanding sport, along with clubs and all, has led to my grades all being directly proportionate to how much sleep I’m willing to give up on an average night, for at least the past few years.. But never has it been this bad. I’ve already pulled about 3 all-nighters, and because of that I’ve been spending chunks of free time just sitting around and being kind of fried, staring at the ceiling and worrying. It’s hard to explain how I sometimes feel that basically everything in my universe is going to implode based on the tiny daily decisions I make, about how much time I can afford to spend going to practice more, or reading a textbook – or pretty much anything. This fruitless worrying is part of my nature, but by now I’ve just kind of accepted it. So yes, academically I’m pretty dissatisfied but alright. Same goes with physically and socially. That’s basically how I can sum up my feelings on everything, so I guess that kind of says something in itself.
ReplyDeleteThere’s just always so many possible reasons to worry, whether it’s school, or money, or the future, or those around me that I just can’t help myself. And while this may all seem incredibly off-topic it can’t help but jump to the front of my mind when the importance of junior year and thoughts of college come up. The stuff we go through is ridiculous. Despite all that I’m hopeful I’ll get through this year in one piece and end up with the sense of having done something good for myself. And even if I happen to fail every AP exam, and drop in ranking, and get more than one off-limits B, at least I should be able to say I survived.
Taty, I know what you mean school has only just started and my hours per sleep a night has already dropped considerably. At some point when I'm up at three am and still doing homework I'll know what a dangerous thing procrastination is and I'll finally do work within an appropriate amount of time. Until then I'll continue coming to school with three bags the two under my eyes and the one that actually contains books. But in the end like you if I make it out of this year alive I'll consider it a win.
Deletehi, last year came with excitment and life challenging issues. I have not really schooled in America for a long time since I came to school in the middle of the school year. Believe me when I tell you is not being easy,when I say this people begin to think is about the feeling of loneliness and I agree but a transformation that big can never be forgotten at the expense of time. sophmore year was so frustrating because everything looked new. As emotional as it may be, as the educational system in Africa is different from America, I had to learn vigrously . I'm short of words because I did not even no the history but I made up my mind I would study and knowing that "is only in the dictionary that success comes before work." I went into regular history and got recommended for honors, successfully passed honors and currently taking Ap. Furthermore, People really and still ask me why I'm even taking Ap English Lang. but is called determination. Expectations are set high this year for me because I know and hope you guys get to travel and live outside this country. I'm hoping to put the critise to shame, understand Bunje and most important learn more from her and pass her class, hoping to understand and work cordially with my classmates. Generally, hoping that I did not just take 4 Ap classes but passed it proudly.yeah sports, currently playing soccer and will be starting truck in the spring hopefully trying to win some medals. so far it my seem tough but as the slogan in front of the main offfice goes," I'm who I choose to be." ( Hahahahahaha) I just love quotes is like my pillow, I know as it rains always so shall the sun came out and victory shall be first name and Conquerer shall be the last.....
ReplyDeleteStav, I'm not sure if we have met but I'm pretty sure you're in my history class. Hearing your story is really cool. It has to be so hard to change from the educational system in Africa to America and on top of that you said your taking 4 AP classes! I give you so much credit! As I tell myself it might get really hard, but you just have to take a deep breath sometimes and know its going to be okay! I hope you do really well this year and enjoy Oakcrest!
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Stav, that is seriously amazing to here. Is it weird that I find myself already looking up to you as inspiration? I complain about not being able to get around here or accomplish things but I've lived here for the past 16 years! You're a true inspiration and reading that you're taking four AP classes is outstanding. Trust me, you're going to be fine.
DeleteStav I really admire you because coming to a new country I wouldn't even consider taking an AP class let alone one of the hardest ones. When you talk about how hard it was coming here I can only imagine and I don't think I could ever overcome that loneliness you felt upon coming here. But you came you saw and you conquered and that makes you beyond admiration in my book.
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I still remember walking into the scary gloomy halls of Oakcrest high school the first day of my freshman year. Staring up at all 6 foot boys and getting lost walking in circles trying to find my classes. If I may say so myself, I have definitely come a long way. I’ve reached junior year, through a number of hardships, but I’m here- and I’m ready for it. I do believe this will be the hardest year of my educational career. Only for the fact that it is going to be a big factor of where I’m going to spend my four years of college at-no pressure. But this is going to be the most challenging year of all. I’m going to have to scream at my body for it telling me to go to sleep. I’ve already shut my phone off every single night when I come home. I need 100% silence and focus to be where I want to be. I want this year to be a year where I change. I know I can, as a matter of fact. The past 16 years I have been following in my brothers foot steps, but not quite. I haven’t lived up to my mother’s expectations of me to be where he was through schooling. I have always been the “dumber” of the two. Now that he’s off in college, it’s time for me to step up my game and make my mom proud. The only way I can do that is to get good grades. The number one thing I’m expecting to get out of this class by the end of the year is to open up to people, (or the 12 people in our class because that sounds much better to me.) I am very closed off because I feel like I don’t exactly fit in with my classes. Already being with a small group of kids I can feel like I’m going to try my hardest to achieve that goal. My fears about 11th grade is simple, but a big one- to not disappoint my mom. She’s my best friend and my hero. I’ve disappointed her too many times and I don’t want to slip up this year for her to ever be disappointed in me again. Moving on to where I’m at- the bottom. (Started from the bottom now we here.) All I’m scared about is falling behind. I failed chemistry for the year last year and had to quit two seasons of sports because I was getting tutored for two hours daily immediately after school. Still failing was the biggest slap in the face. I’m trying my hardest, all I want is to be good enough. I know I can do it, a positive mindset will keep me in check throughout the year.
ReplyDeleteMy dear Langers,
ReplyDeleteNice job, collectively, on your first blog responses.
While reading your comments I was struck by one continuous and overarching impression--this is a group of thinkers.
I find so much more value in that than I do a group of "smart kids." First of all, that concept is largely unquantifiable, and secondly it carries with it no real meaning anyway. What is smart? Isn't it subjective? (you don't have to answer these questions--I'm simply musing "aloud").
In an effort to provide an outsider's perspective I can tell you only this--you WILL succeed in this class if you are willing to open your mind to the various possibilities that the word implies. If you measure it by numbers, which I understand is the traditional method, you may not always see it. At least not right away. However, if you choose to measure it, instead, by the way you see the world and your place in it--I believe you will be in for a pleasant surprise.
Do not take this to mean you will always feel as though you were skipping down gumdrop lane with a pocketful of sunshine to feed the unicorns--you most assuredly will NOT (because, frankly, that's a creepy image anyway).
But, keep fighting the good fight and know that I will fight with you.
Onward and upward!
In my opinion junior year is the hardest because it’s the first year you feel like you have the colleges breathing down your throat and examining every nook and cranny that is your academic career. So that’s when the pressure really starts to kick in sure once you get to high school everything changes but you never really feel it until your Junior year. That’s when every test you take is scrutinized and every class you take matters the most. So in all honesty I’m expecting this year to be rough while in other years I’ve wanted to bang my head against the wall in frustration this year I’m expecting to take a few walls out. But I’m welcoming the frustration and even more so the hard work which is exactly why I’m taking Lang and the three other AP classes I’m taking. So when people find out that I’m taking four AP classes and look at me like I have three heads I fully expect that because I figure I am crazy for wanting to do this much work. The problem with all the classes I’m taking and the hard work is the fact that any point I could crack like the china in the cabinet your mom takes so much care of. At some point I might wake up and realize the work is getting to me and have to admit failure. I think that’s an AP kid’s biggest fear failure is scary whether it’s on the AP test, or a class, or even just one single assignment because when you step up and take a class like this people look at you and you see in that look that they think you’re so brave or maybe just a little crazy. Then to have to admit failure I could just picture that look fading and it scares me to death. But I’ll keep pushing and trying because ultimately I want to be in the top 10 right now at 15 I’m happy but that’s the goal. I’ve never been there before because I let the smallest things get to me like a teacher I don’t like or a class I just don’t understand but this year I’m not going to give up without a fight and I might not get there but I’d be damned if I don’t try.
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