During my sophomore year, when I received the course registration form for the next school year, I had the biggest decision on my shoulders: should I take four AP courses during my junior year (AP Biology, AP Literature, AP U.S. History and AP Stats) or keep it easy? After all, most classes at that point had been relatively low-stakes, and I often found myself wanting to be challenged more academically.
I remember the skeptical look I got from my dean, Mr. Gary Beasley, when I asked him if I could handle the workload, but honestly, from the start, I knew I was capable. After deciding to take the AP courses, the first thing I did as a student was talk to all the teachers of my new classes. I hadn’t met most of them, so introducing myself ahead of time definitely made things easier once the fall came and the workload came with it. Regardless, my biggest question was “how will I do in this position?” I asked my future teachers. Instead of discouraging me, they recognized the challenge I decided to take on and uplifted me even more. The main qualities they looked for in students were the following: time management, organization and effort.
I cannot stress, nearly a year later, how important these three qualities are. When I started my junior year, I made sure that I always kept my weekends free for myself and my social life. This meant that my weekdays carried more work and longer hours. I managed to find balance, however, by allocating four hours to study every day. By giving myself that relief to look forward to at the end of the week, I was able to save Saturdays and Sundays to do the things that I wanted to do—the things that truly define me like hanging out with friends or sleeping in.
“Weekends reflect who we are out of school and [it’s important for us to] prioritize our own time,” fellow AP student Carlos Bustamante (11) said.
Time management is nothing without organization, though, which is what truly kept me afloat amongst the stress of school this year. Firstly, I ran a strict to-do list on my phone. Throughout the school day, or even when I was absent, I’d list the assignments I have to do and make reminders on due dates. Then, I’d stick to it and finish what I need to do, which is the most important part—always do the things you tell yourself to do; don’t get lazy.
This brings me to my next point: effort. You can’t fake it till you make it. You have to want it. That is why I am academically strong—because I recognize my goals and do what I need to do to achieve them. After all, we are preparing for the lives we want, so why get lazy now? I know life after high school will include a substantial amount of work if I want to succeed, so I am constantly trying to remind myself of this to stay on top of my academics.
“The moment you stop trying is the moment you give up on yourself and your potential, and everything that’s meant to be in your future,” Columbia Heights High School (CHHS) English teacher Ms. Rachel Mann said.
I’m not someone who spends their life studying for tests and exams, but rather someone who has found passion in the things I do, which includes studying and learning. Yes, at times it is stressful when all my classes have tests the same week or when I have to juggle multiple projects or essays, but I’ve structured my life to bring out the best in me, whether it’s school life, social life or work life. It’s possible for you to do the same too, but it does take discipline. Start by asking yourself: what kind of future do you want?
