This school year (2013-2014) is my first official year in the international baccalaureate program. The courses I am currently taking are rigorous courses. However, because my school goes by block schedule, I only have four classes per term. Since I don't necessarily have a lot of free time, when I get home from school I've learned not to procrastinate, and to prioritize. Each night I would say that I typically spend about an hour on homework for each class, excluding my PE course. Personally, I think the most difficult class for me is actually IB Spanish. The sole reason being that learning a new language is difficult. IB English, history, art, math and biology are easy for me. I especially like my IB Biology and IB Art classes because I enjoy utilizing my creativity and also because I've had an interest in biology and medicine since I was in the third grade. Also, both classes involve a lot of hands on interaction. My classes and the homework I have typically fit in with the rest of my day pretty smoothly. I usually come home from school, start my homework for about an hour or so, then I go to basketball practice. Once I return from practice, I finish any left over homework that I have. Over the years I have learned to balance school and extracurricular activities pretty well. Prompt # 3 Achieving the Student of the Year award for my Analysis of Functions class, my sophomore year, greatly affected me. Getting this award affected me because it really opened my eyes to the fact, that as long I put my mind to anything, and stay focused and determined I can achieve it. At this point, maintaining my grades, was something that had begun to come easy to me. However, when we had the academic awards ceremony, my sophomore year in Florida, when they called my name for the student of the year award for math, it was one of the greatest feelings. Admittedly, math has never been my strong suit. Unlike some people who could understand it with a snap of their fingers, no additional information necessary, I needed to break it down. I take it down to the simplest element and then I work from there. I personally think that this is what makes this experience so important to me.
On stage, I anticipated third place, but was once again stunned when I placed second. This whole experience was life changing. Working for the National FFA Convention, I developed a work ethic to stick to something, and to do my best, even if it seems impossible. I also gained communication skills, and the ability to work outside my comfort zone. Even now it is hard for me to interact with others, but this accomplishment taught me that I can do hard things and I can communicate effectively. I learned how to perform research and express my findings. This experience was also very valuable for it directed me to my career path. It opened up doors as to my abilities, and gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams without fear. It taught me that failures happen, but enduring effort will turn failure into success. In my interviews, I learned that complete honesty is far better than false cover-ups. I became the person I am now because I was blessed with the experience. This project for some may be seen as a great award, but for me it's an invaluable occurrence which had more life skills and experience than a piece of paper can ever
Since my first report card, I have always taken pride in having high grades. It was not until freshman year in high school that I started to receive undesirable grades by my standards. While most students would not mind having my report card, those few letters had deteriorated my emotional state because I felt as if I was no longer part of the intellectuals.
I have a great affection for math. I enjoy math, since it is challenging and requires a lot of thinking. There are always multiple ways to solve any type of math problems, and I always get a feeling of accomplishment when I find the correct solution. In sixth grade, when I first heard of the Math Club, I immediately registered. The teacher told me that I was the only one and she needed more members or the club would have to be cancelled. Worried, I recruited about ten of my friends to join the Math Club. Hence, she named me as the team leader. Participants in the Math Club competed in multiple math competitions. I was chosen one of the ten students that represented my school at the Torrance Regional Middle School Math Competition. That year, I received a certificate for the highest point total for the Math Olympiads competition at my school. In addition, I placed third in the AMC 8 and my score was among the top five percent of all participants. Participating in math competitions has given me the challenges that I am always looking for, taught me good study habits, and how to handle pressure.
It challenged me more than usual. Even though I love math, my teacher challenged me to be better at it. But while I was in a specialized high school in DC, I thought everything would be very easy. It became more difficult because it felt like I was behind in the learning process. But managing my positions and school was very hard. I tend to take sports more seriously than academics. Once I transferred schools, it became more difficult because it felt like I was behind in the learning process. By the end of my sophomore year, I was learning that my GPA is very big. I admit. I messed up but now that I know, I do not play around and I take my work very seriously. I found this through my teachers and guidance
Many of my peers from grade school went on to four year universities with honors and scholarships. For myself graduating high school was the highest achievement thus far. I was not the most outstanding student during those years. I was insubordinate towards my educators and refused correction. I was known as a class clown and trouble maker. Unfourtantly mentally I did not consider myself to be a difficult individual, but special. I am
I was told that being recognized by the school board was a great accomplishment for the school; it enabled the school to receive more funding for repairs, and clubs, etcetera. Competing was not only amazing for myself, but it helped those around me as well, and I couldn’t have asked for a better senior year. Russell Mark once said, “Competing at the highest level is the greatest test of one's character.” That being said, I do agree with his quote; people do show that there is a different side of themselves when
Once I started getting better in math I started getting better in other subjects. I think my hard work was shown because when I went to River Bend I was placed in classes with people I considered smart. The classes were a bit challenging but I did well. The second year I was at River Bend I moved up even farther in my academics and then I was the “smart” person. People would come to me if they had questions, and I liked being the one to help them.
Every day I remember a phrase my mother tells me, “Academics come first.” I have taken this advice to heart by not only putting them first, but also by choosing to pursue an extremely rigorous academic program. Entering high school was a very drastic change for me, I knew that I chose very rigorous courses by participating in the pre-IB program. However, I was able to adapt to the workload very well. I quickly learned time-management skills that I had not needed in middle school. Due to my excellent time-management skills, I am able to participate in extracurricular activities that I enjoy being a part of while being able to handle the demands of my challenging academic schedule. Another key to my success is my organizational skills. Having these two strong aspects together, I always turn my assignments in on time, and I am very well prepared for tests and quizzes. Also crucial to my success is my drive to regularly opt for the most challenging classes. For example, in ninth grade, I took macroeconomics for a quarter as
I have often wondered what it would be like to experience the freedom of choosing my own class schedule. This has to be infinitely more stimulating and enjoyable. I am also aware that college will be significantly more challenging, but I have always found it easier to study for a class that interests me. I am willing to accept the fact that as long as I am in school, there will be required courses which may not engender excitement or enthusiasm; however, success should not be as difficult to achieve due to the maturity that is developing during this last year of high school. In addition, I have gained an understanding of the benefit of being well rounded. There is value in all classes taken. It helps to know that even my least favorite subject will contribute to the ultimate goal of personal and career development.
Last year was the most difficult year for math for me. I never understood what we were doing. Everyday was a massive struggle. I never made above a C on a test. It was extremely frustrating. I dreaded going to math everyday.
"Tiger got to hunt, bird got to fly; Man got to sit and wonder, 'Why, why, why?' Tiger got to sleep, bird got to land; Man got to tell himself he understand." (Vonnegut).
After my first semester I was invited to join the honors program which made me feel so much more positive about my performance and my ability to succeed in life. Being part of the honors program has opened various opportunities such as being able to enroll in classes that I am more interested in and I can be more engaged in. My experience in my school district impacted me because I feel more motivated to put effort into my
My enthusiasm and the strongly committed teachers I have encountered in my life have attributed to my success in math and science. Prior to going onto ninth grade, my Math classes dating back from middle school were never mentally straining. Math appealed to me because in eighth grade, my math teacher, Dr. Christopher, would encourage her class by recognizing our achievements with small rewards such as candies and ice cream passes during lunch. Her actions sparked my interest in math. I have a natural regard for math and science. By breaking down math problems step by step, I can better understand them. ...
My senior year of high school I decided to dedicate my self to school work. All I did was take school a little more seriously and pay attention. Before you know it I had made the honor roll for the first time and continue to make it the rest of the year. Finally the extra work was reflecting in my grades. My parents were glad to see that my education had some meaning.
So it began. Ever since the first day of freshman year, I put forth all my energy towards academics: I payed attention in every class, asked questions if I didn’t understand anything, took notes regardless if the information was or trivial or not, and studied rigorously until late in the night. To my amazement, my hard work payed off extremely well and yielded well above passing grades and a prideful place in the top