Reflection Essay

When I first got accepted into Stuyvesant High School, I heard countless of rumors stating: “Oh the workload is terrible”, “The competition is so fierce” or “Out of schoolwork, extracurriculars, or sleep: you can only pick two.” I found it hard to let it faze me, since I graduated from one of the most prestigious middle schools. However, the rumors transformed into reality when I stepped into Mr. Nieves’ Freshman Composition Class. The workload at the beginning of the year was brutal, coupled with assignments from other core classes that seem unaware of the workload of other teachers. Reading assignments were a regular, and there were journal entries and occasional quizzes to keep us in line. What made it bearable was the friends I made in that class; everyone had their own opinion about the topic we were talking about, and listening to other perspectives really broadened my horizon and enriched my learning experience in Stuy. Another thing that this class has taught me is the importance of time management, a skill that I will carry on for the rest of my high school career and life. When I choose to sign up for Mr. Nieves’ AP American Literature class in my Junior Year, I was hoping to relive the discussion-based lesson plans and meet more outstanding peers. I was not disappointed, to say the least, reflecting through all the experiences at the end of the course. The lesson plans he laid out for us were an interesting mix between small lectures and class output, and what I

I slowly grew accustomed to this sport’s physical demand, but I was still one of the slower JV runners on the team despite all my efforts. I was the athlete who didn’t cut the turns during cool-down after a race. I was the athlete who ran races even if she had an injury. And I was the athlete who always went the literal AND figurative extra mile to improve... but always got

Throughout my freshman year of high school, I had a difficult transition from middle school. I attended a school that offered minimal assistance to incoming freshmen, and I became unmotivated due to the environment that surrounded me. My lack of motivation was fortified by the discouragement that came from teachers as they too, did not provide a strong backbone for students to get help from. My self-esteem lowered as I thought that the difficulty experienced in my classes was something that would remain. With no one to help me, I struggled to do my homework and allowed for failure to define me. Slowly, I stopped caring and gained comfort in receiving "C's" on my report cards and believed that the effort I put in was up to my capability. I realized I was wrong when my parents decided to move so that I could attend a high school that offers as much help as needed. Now, I am constantly motivated and with the help of my peers and teachers I developed great studying skills and can reach out to them when I need them. I knew deep down freshman year, that the effort I was putting in was nothing like me, yet it took me time to realize the importance of education. I am now a student who never gives up and during times of struggle, always seems to find a way of getting through academic difficulties.

Going from a normal public school where the rules aren't that enforced to charter school where the rules are strict was a big change for me. I did not agree with having to stay after school for unfinished homework, or writing a sentence 25 times for a consequence. I went from a school

During the course first semester of freshman year in English 101, I have learned multiple foundations when it comes to writing. When I first entered college, the only knowledge when it comes to writing was the basic of gathering a bunch of information on a piece of paper. Knowing that writing wasn’t my strongest suit throughout my academic career, it was challenging for me. Going through my first college class, which was English 101, I realized that writing is more than just putting words on paper. I have learned the purpose of writing and the structure to make a solid concrete essay such as to create the thesis statement to acknowledge what the reader is going to read and a technique to help edit and limit word, together with discovering a connection with myself in writing.

When I write, I believe one of my strengths is that I am able to generate logical perspectives and strong conclusions. I am able to analyze the literature and relate to it in many different ways. In the compare and contrast essay I wrote, "Oliver conveys a tone of remembrance by juxtaposing 'the old burn-dump this waste place' and 'this secret garden'". I am able to apply literary terms and analyze how the author uses them to enhance their writing. In the same essay, I stated, "By using short, concise sentences, Oliver is more direct in her delivery and showing her lamentations for what has happened to the earth around her". I am able to analyze what the author is doing and the effect that it has on the reader.

Here I will discuss how I felt trying to fit into a new school district and what actions were taken by the Administration. When Catholic School did not work out my parents once again found another school. I transferred to the Brecksville Broadview Heights School District. While outwardly things appeared better, they were not. A myriad of tests, followed by discussions with my parents led to yet another solution; placement in a small group setting for English, Math, and Reading. Perhaps, I was unable to learn in a regular classroom setting. Perhaps, a slower paced setting was needed. The new school appeared to be the perfect fit. The teachers appeared friendly. My parents were assured that the district would help me achieve my

Between the summers of 2012 and 2016, I volunteered at the bible school offered by my church. The general goal for leaders was to work with elementary school children and lead discussions and assist the children in learning more about our religion. However, my personal goals were to make connections with my students, maintain a positive attitude, and gain communication skills. The group of students each leader works with alternates each summer, proving it to be difficult to create a relationship with my students; but in 2016, I met a child who despite his own difficulties, always remained positive and was grateful for every opportunity he received. I noticed a change in my attitude that summer, I had become both more positive and gracious. I was a role model and confidant for the student, despite our relationship only lasting the summer. In return for my healthy influence, my student taught me that there is a silver lining in everything and everyone deserves to be happy, regardless of their living situation. By reaching my goal of making a connection with a student, I was able to simultaneously achieve my goal of positivity, ultimately improving my leadership. Due to my work in the program, I became more confident and gradually built up my communication skills that helped me become an effective leader. The adults who ran the program recognized my hard work and dedication to the program and would praise my leadership and compassion. To know that my leadership was making a

At the start of interviewing my father, Henry, about maturing into adulthood while in college, he sat down wearing his usual thick glasses, blue starched polo shirt, fresh boot-cut jeans, and bright facial expression; he wanted to share his past with his son in hopes of teaching me lessons from his experiences. When I asked questions, he, as always, answered with much confidence. I soon came to realize that this trait was caused by his college days where he obtained self-reliance. To understand his journey, we must observe the phases that took him to his current state.

What motivated you to do your volunteer work? How did you come up with the idea for your activity? Who or what inspired you to get involved? How did your volunteer activity begin? Why did you feel it was important?

For three years as a student at Maple High School, I approached the English course with excitement and joy. It is after all my favourite course, and I do wish to pursue it at a university level because of the experience and knowledge it provides to students like myself. Not only did the course help to develop my strengths, but it also forced me to focus on weaknesses which I originally thought were avoidable.

I learned a lot in my life like math, history, fitness, health, etc. Though I always had one curriculum that catch my interest than others. That subject would be english as the one that caught my eye as one might say. I was always fansticated with the certain techniques and skills you can learn from it. The expressiveness that people can learn from that subject and put what they learn into something big like for example writing an play, movie, skits, etc is truly something special. So as young adult I find myself willing to learn these intrestic skills that many talented writers have master and I have belief that my techniques will be sharpen to mastery. In english 102 I can proudly say that those beliefs did happen as the class went further through days and weeks so did my progression as a researcher and writer that in factly impact my future career. I own to the teacher and support programs in the school that provided me this which I couldn’t thrive without.

I have learned a great deal of materials in Dr. Wise AAPS. class, we readied the county and wrote reflections about topics pertaining to literature, technology, and literacies. This allowed me to become a better critical thinker because her course requires us to analyze and reflect on yourself as individuals more than just giving a brief summary on our paper .After taking this course for about 6 months, I have realized that it had made a significant change in my life that i need as a african american man. When I am attending in classes such as political science or nutrition, not only am I understanding the readings better than before but I am also analyzing the information, forming my own thoughts (at times I even present my ideas to the members in class), and incorporating ideas from the past to increase the literacy towards the topic that I would’ve given up in the past. I value the qualities the AAPS course gifts to the students because it has improved me as a student, learner, and as an active member in the society we live in today.

At a young age I was taught that weakness was not something to be seen. Mistakes were not to be addressed, simply ignored and moved on from. As I grew up the idea of hold my emotions inside began to do more harm than good. Through years of growing up and developing, I fell into a hole that happens to run in my family: mental illness. My classmates made jokes, and society had made it seem like it was wrong to struggle, so I refused to say anything to anyone. This was the beginning of a downward spiral.

Happiness, enjoyment, ecstasy, these sense of feeling people always talk about, which lingering around my ears ever since I was a little kid, gets me tired from even giving a try to dig in and to truly understand what it means to be happy, to enjoy, and live in ecstasy. But there is one moment, the moment which crumbles my thought, has impacted me deeply that makes me wonder: Why do people wish for happiness, isn’t happiness expressed through our laughters and on our smiling face? If not, then what is that authentic and permanent happiness we can get? This all starts from the last parent meeting at the end of my elementary school life, which influences my attitude, my personality, and my plans for the future that is close at hand.