Overall, this semester I enjoyed AP English. I for sure didn't enjoy everything we did, but I thought the workload was appropriate (not overwhelming like some AP classes are) and overall I liked it.
Things I liked:
I know you all will judge me for this, but I liked Hamlet. It's not the easiest to read, but the story is exciting and I like Shakespeare's writing most of the time.
I liked some of the short stories. Some of them were terrifying and confusing and strange, but I liked some of them.
I loved the Importance of Being Earnest. I'm not totally sure what we were supposed to learn from it, but still.
Things I didn't like so much:
I was frustrated with the difference in time span to read the Independent Reading Books. I felt like we had foreeever to read the first one, and then the second one we didn't have as long, and the third one was kind of crammed in at the last minute. I enjoyed my books, which surprised me because I haven't read too many literary fiction books I liked, but I felt like if there had been one every six weeks instead of the random time frame we used it would have been better.
I didn't like the in-class discussions. I didn't think they were very productive because almost no one talked. I liked the teacher-led discussions because I felt like we actually learned something, but the DI's and the "discussion groups" weren't as helpful to me.
Things I hope change next semester:
I like the idea for our second-semester novel choices. I think it's better that we know what the books are about and are interested in learning from them. I ordered mine on Amazon last night, so they should be coming in soon. :)
I hope we work on essays more without actually writing them. I still don't feel like I know exactly what they're looking for on these timed essays, but writing an entire essay doesn't help me, I just get bad grades on them every time.
As a side note, here are the books I'm reading next semester. I haven't read any of them, but they're all popular new-release novels that have gotten really good reviews, so feel free to check them out and tell me what you think!
Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver:
This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz:
The Round House by Louise Erdrich:
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Senior Year
Since we haven't done much this week besides watching movies and plays, I thought I'd reflect on Senior Year.
I had a lot of expectations about this year. I thought I would have a light, easy schedule. I thought I would have a ton of free time. I thought I would be all nostalgic about having a lot of "lasts". My last first day of school, my last volleyball season, the last time I'll see some of my friends.
Senior year has been amazing so far and it has flown by, but I was very wrong about how it would feel.
Although my school schedule is pretty easy, finishing up my research project and turning in ten college applications plus scholarship and honors supplements has made this semester just as stressful as if I had five AP classes like last year.
Also, I have had almost no free time. I don't have homework constantly, but between house work, tutoring, and college stuff I don't even have time to sleep, which is why I have basically become a professional nap-taker.
I just sang my last winter choir concert at the Singletary Center, and it didn't even occur to me until now that it was the last time. Senior year is full of these moments; next week I'll turn in my last set of research hours. It hasn't even hit yet. All these "lasts" are happening, but they aren't as big of a deal as I thought they would be.
One thing that I am SO glad actually did happen senior year; I went on a college visit and knew that was where I was supposed to be. I had always heard that one school would feel better than all the others, but hadn't felt strongly about anywhere yet. After a dozen college visits over the last two years, I thought I was going to have to just close my eyes and point at the page to find my future home. However, after visiting the University of Florida, I was so happy to have finally found a school I could see myself at. I loved it. I won't find out if I've gotten in until February, but I'm excited for next year either way (I got into UK today, so at the very least I'll be attending college next year). I'll miss high school and definitely all my friends, but I can't wait for the next part of my life to start.
www.ufl.edu
:)
I had a lot of expectations about this year. I thought I would have a light, easy schedule. I thought I would have a ton of free time. I thought I would be all nostalgic about having a lot of "lasts". My last first day of school, my last volleyball season, the last time I'll see some of my friends.
Senior year has been amazing so far and it has flown by, but I was very wrong about how it would feel.
Although my school schedule is pretty easy, finishing up my research project and turning in ten college applications plus scholarship and honors supplements has made this semester just as stressful as if I had five AP classes like last year.
Also, I have had almost no free time. I don't have homework constantly, but between house work, tutoring, and college stuff I don't even have time to sleep, which is why I have basically become a professional nap-taker.
I just sang my last winter choir concert at the Singletary Center, and it didn't even occur to me until now that it was the last time. Senior year is full of these moments; next week I'll turn in my last set of research hours. It hasn't even hit yet. All these "lasts" are happening, but they aren't as big of a deal as I thought they would be.
One thing that I am SO glad actually did happen senior year; I went on a college visit and knew that was where I was supposed to be. I had always heard that one school would feel better than all the others, but hadn't felt strongly about anywhere yet. After a dozen college visits over the last two years, I thought I was going to have to just close my eyes and point at the page to find my future home. However, after visiting the University of Florida, I was so happy to have finally found a school I could see myself at. I loved it. I won't find out if I've gotten in until February, but I'm excited for next year either way (I got into UK today, so at the very least I'll be attending college next year). I'll miss high school and definitely all my friends, but I can't wait for the next part of my life to start.
www.ufl.edu
:)
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