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The End of an Era

Yesterday marked the end of an era.

No, this was not an era of wartime, the coming of a religion, or an epidemic. This was not the conventional historical era we will see in history textbooks in years to come. Rather, it was the end of all testing for Advanced Placement US History, or as we students have dubbed it- APUSH.

This course has been by far the most demanding one I have undertaken in my high school career. Since September, we have had weekly tests on 120+ pages of oftentimes utterly obscure material. Yesterday was the final test in congruence with our two history textbooks- we still must prepare for the climactic College Board Exam, yet we have quite a reprieve before then. For now, I am simply basking in the glory of several weeks in the absence of all-nighters.

The class itself seems uninhibited by convention- we transcend decades at a time, one week delving into Johnson’s Great Society, the next examining the facets of Reaganomics. At the beginning of the year, each of us was assigned a president whom we have been researching throughout the year. Each month, in conjunction with the tests, we report on an assigned topic, i.e. impact on the

US

, relationship with Congress, etc. The culmination of our reports will be marked by a final term paper. We have engaged in such projects as debates on the American Revolution and mock congressional court hearings on the Industrial Revolution. It’s rigorous. It’s exciting.

Parents- as a forewarning, this class is perhaps the most challenging course your child will ever take. Students have returned to visit our school from some of the most prestigious universities, still adhering to the notion that they have yet to have enrolled in as taxing a course as this one. All-nighters are agonizing, but nonetheless inevitable. Yet, as I now reflect on the course, I am simply elated that I tenaciously maneuvered myself through this seemingly arbitrary class- I have learned more in this class than I have in several years combined (we compact 2 years of curriculum work into nine months), and I have truly cultivated my work ethic.

To take or not to take?

Having gone through the process, I'd say: go for it!

The Excitement of Driving

In our teenage lives, getting one’s license is a major milestone.  Everyone looks forward the freedom driving provides.  No longer do we need to depend on our parents to keep our social lives afloat.  It is one of those moments when we actually feel like adults and not overgrown children. 

            This is also one of the first opportunities when teenagers have responsibility that is applicable in the “real world”.  Driving is a skill that we actually will use regularly (unlike some of those other subjects we learn in school).

            Once I passed my driving test, I thought, “yes, freedom!”.  However, my parents did not have the same idea.  They believed that passing my driving test in a closed course at 25 mph did not qualify me to handle route 4.  Therefore, I took every opportunity to demonstrate to my parents that I was qualified to be licensed.   

       Finally, my parents allowed me to drive on my own.  At the beginning, it was such a rush, being in such control.  Now, four months later, it’s no longer thrilling, just a convenience. 

Looming School Work

         As I’m sitting here, trying to study for IB Math, it hit me: all of over work comes in waves.  Although two weeks ago I barely had anything immediately due, now I’m swamped with assignments. 

            This caused me to think Is this how the real world is?  Is life either very intense or very dull? 

            Yet, in high school, even when I have no work due for a while, I still feel like I should be proactive.  There always seems to be some assignment looming.  This nervousness causes me to feel guilty about putting off any assignment, no matter when I need to turn it in.

            This very long term work is like a chain, never letting me be free.  I suppose this is what the “real world” is like.  There is always something more to be done, but one must know when to put it aside and “let go” even for just a few hours. 

   

The BA Paradox

As I was relaxing with my friends in between classes, I realized that my college nervousness was not just my feeling.  No matter how qualified the students are, they share the same anxieties.

            For instance, two of my friends and I discussed college with today had the same fears I did, about not getting in.  I was especially surprised by the uncertainty one of them expressed.  My friend has extremely high SAT scores, high grades, participates amazing extracurricular activities and is an accomplished musician.  If this student cannot get in, who can? 

            In my school, Bergen Academies, many students are unconfident about their positions academically.  Almost all of us feel that someone better is out there, who will take our places at schools we wish to attend.  It is ironic that at a school designated as a Public Elite, even top students feel poorly about their academic stances.  Maybe it is just because we’re seventeen years old that our worries are amplified.  Hopefully, these uncertainties will ebb with age.

College Visits: The Necessary Hassle

Last week, students from all over the area had a full week off for Presidents' Week.  Usually, this week entails skiing, sunbathing or just relaxing at home.  However, for us juniors, this week was about college visiting.   

      Hundreds, maybe thousands, of us high school juniors were accompanied by our entourages of parents and (unfortunate) siblings.  We hiked the steep hills, braced city traffic and/or drove hundreds of miles to see where we want to be in 1 ½ years. 

            Initially, we confuse our reactions to the stately buildings with our opinion of the college.  Depending on the reactions of the students, we feel either right at home or extremely intimidated. 

            Then, we attend the information session.  As the admissions officer runs through all elements the admissions committee takes into account, many of us begin to panic in our minds.  We think to ourselves “I should have worked harder in that class”, “I need to study more the SATs” and “I should have done more extracurricular activities”. 

            However, once we begin our tour, the fear subsides.  This glimpse into the college experience seduces us.  The science labs, fitness centers, Greek life, research opportunities, study abroad programs and internships are all so intriguing.  The independence seems endless and enthralling.

            Living away from home is both exciting and nerve racking.  College visiting is just one of the many steps we need to take to find our perfect place.  Although the visiting may seem irritating, it is necessary to experience the college atmosphere.