Listen Up

A Sampling of the AP English Course (and need I mention- no school?!)

            Happy Nor’easter! Yes, due to the weather, we had a day off. It was great. I went out with some friends and took some time to relax. I was truly relieved that we had no school- along with five other students in my grade, I was supposed to go to West Point Military Aacademy for a leadership conference. I was really looking forward to the event, but the inclement weather would not have made it as exciting. Hopefully, the conference will be rescheduled.

            As for school work, there isn’t much to do today (surprise surprise?). Last night, I tackled a four-page history report on the Industrial Revolution, a four-page English essay on Herman Melville’s Benito Cereno, a practice AP chemistry multiple choice test, some typical math work, all amid a jog through the streets of my neighborhood, some time spent with the family, and some extramural journalism work to tend to (phew!). What a relief it is to be done with all of that.

            I haven’t posted any samples of my work yet, so I’m going to take the opportunity to do that now.

            Here is my AP English teacher’s website. I’m truly impressed by it- she has posted dozens of helpful websites ranging from definitions of hundreds of rhetorical devices, to dozens of links on American classics such as Huck Finn, to the historical context of racism, to the format of the AP exam, to MLA formatting information, and much more. I’d definitely say it’s worth it to check out this link:

http://www.tenafly.k12.nj.us/%7Elhaslach/ap_juniors.htm

            If you’d like to see the assignment for the essay that I just completed, click on the link that says, “Melville at Home Essay”. Here's the link for that:

http://www.tenafly.k12.nj.us/%7Elhaslach/Benito%20Cereno%20Final%20Essay.doc

^this is really helpful for any parents who are contemplating whether their children should take AP Lang/Comp in their junior year of high school!

The Beat Goes On

Tonight, I attended an event at my school called, “Battle of the Bands.” In simplest terms, several bands play for a large crowd of students; the bands are then rated by a panel of judges on a variety of areas, and a winning band is proclaimed champion. I’m not truly into that type of music, but I went to watch one of my best guy friends perform- he was great. Long story short, I still don’t know the winner is- why? Along with several of my other friends, I had to leave the concert early. Tomorrow, I am taking the ACT’s (a standardized test that is becoming increasingly equated with the SAT’s in the cutthroat college admissions process). And, here I sit in my room, wondering what I am missing out on. While the drums continue to mark the beat of the bands’ music, the ACT book lying on my desk initiates its own beat- the fast, apprehensive beating of my heart. Alas, I am missing out on one of my dearest friend’s performances because of a test that will ostensibly make a tremendous impact on my life. I am concerned that life has become so centralized around exams, college admissions, and other such arbitrary notions, that we teenagers fail to see what lies beyond that. Why has April 13^th acquired the label, “ACT Eve,” in place of the traditional “Friday the 13^th?” When did this drastic transition come about? Is there any hope for a return to phobias of black cats and walking under ladders? Phobias they may be, but they are nonetheless reminiscent of more jovial and stress-free days.

Take this to heart

           Parents, the advice I am providing here may sound inane and farfetched. Nonetheless, take it into deep consideration, because it is bound to have a profound effect on your parenting perspective: trust your teens. Last night, I went to a party with several of my friends. And, in accordance with popular belief, the event consisted of drinks and the like. I myself have never taken part in this scene; after all, is a person’s only means of enjoyment indulging in intoxicated drinks? Of course not!! Personally, I think drinking is stupid, physically detrimental, and an insidious notion that is too often embraced in the teenage years. It comes as no surprise, then, that at these parties, I am merely a bystander, still having fun in the company of others who also do not care for making fools of themselves. Yet, as I’ve attended many of these parties, I’ve come to a very comforting conclusion: more and more teenagers are coming to advocate the same beliefs that I do; that is, getting intoxicated is idiotic.

            I first had this epiphany at a party on New Year’s. New Year’s is the hallmark of all partying, a time when parents worry most that their teens are making foolish decisions. At the party that I was at, an older teen approached a group of girls, asking them what they wanted to drink. They all looked at each other, and then replied that they did not want anything. He hastily went on to pressure them, nearly insisting that they drink something. Yet, steadfastly refusing, they quickly walked away. At that moment, I wanted to applaud these girls for adhering to their principles, for defying the common image of teenage years. And, I’ve come to witness (and personally experience) these same situations more and more.

            Parents, it is important to realize that many teens ARE making responsible decisions, and many are NOT making the foolish decisions that have been so wrongfully assumed. Perhaps, such anti-drug programs as DARE and television programs denouncing partying have had this positive effect on teens. Or, perhaps peers are instilling these beneficial concepts in their friends’ minds. Or, perhaps, dare I say, parent admonishing against drinking is finally being taken to heart?

Accepted/Rejected

            Last Thursday, most of my peers found out if their years of laboring paid off.  The Ivy League admission results arrived to the joy or chagrin of numerous students.   Friday: seniors either wore a look of disappointment or one of immense joy. 

            For overachievers, success is determined by accomplishments.  In a school full of overachievers, college rejections must have taken a toll on their egos.  But, I ask, why let a board of unknown people affect us emotionally?  Don’t we have the confidence to not let someone else dictate our self worth?

            The truth is many of my peers have been defined by their activities and awards for so long that they do not even know who they’d be without them.  Hopefully college will offer an opportunity for us to mature and gain greater self awareness. 

            It has been a week since students heard from their dream schools.  The mood has changed drastically.  Seniors now don’t care if they’re going to their first choice or their tenth choice college; they’re excited to go.

At the starting blocks

Track began nearly a month ago from today, and thus far, it’s been a great experience. In addition to cultivating my skills as an athlete, I’ve had more time to socialize with many of my friends who belong to the track team, a benefit that I do not experience amid strenuous seven-hour school days. That is not to say, however, that committing my myself to a team sport does not come with its downfalls; I have certainly felt the mounting pressures of impending AP exams looming over my head, as well as an increasing build-up of end-of-the-quarter testing. Returning home at 6:00 pm on a daily basis is certainly a challenge, as I have forgone several hours of valuable studying time for the sake of my dedication to the track team. Yet, if any students are having any doubts about joining a team sport, my advice is: join the sport. Whether a student is just a beginner, mediocre, or all-state athlete, I believe that sports are tailored for all people. First, there are the undeniable health benefits: getting fit is inevitable- all of us, regardless of what running event we are doing, run a minimum of around one to two miles a day. Of course, many of us runners get what is called “runner’s high,” or, in accord with a more scientific explanation- a rush of endorphins. And, spending time with friends on warm, beautiful Spring days is certainly a perk. Lastly, there exists a terrific opportunity to hone one's leadership skills: track and field requires intense desire and motivation, two attributes that are required in any team captain.Track and field, among all other sports, is a great way to engage in school activity. What is better, after all, than being fit in body and mind?

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.