Advanced Calculus BC: 2020-2021 (Junior)

Math has been my favorite and best subject throughout high school. The purity of logic inside it urges me to keep solving questions step by step. When I find the correct answer, I experience victory brought by my efforts. This process is tremendously prominent in studying Advanced Calculus BC, which encourages me to enjoy Math. Trying to solve my first derivative questions, imagining an x-y axis graph for a car's velocity and time, and calculating a number that a sequence of series converges to are all challenging but necessary processes for me to explore and comprehend this "global language".

In Advanced Calculus BC, there are generally four parts: trigonometry, limits, derivatives and integrals, and series. In the beginning, the systemized studying introduced me to an entirely new dimension of Math. I felt panic for all the equations, especially the unit circle. Fortunately, after my teacher's patient teaching, I became familiar with the calculation. Diving deeper into this field, I discover the relationships between each section. I could utilize knowledge from all chapters to solve one complex question with logical analysis. After I successfully solved several challenging questions, great satisfaction congested my chest. I observed my improvements from the answers. Guided by my teacher, I feel the connections within the subject. These bonds relate my previous knowledge with recent studying, which exhibits an integrated picture of math.

Advanced Music Theory and Composition: 2020-2021 (Junior)

In Advanced Music Theory and Composition, I redefine myself in the music world. For example, a waltz played by a jazz orchestra introduced me to the combination of power and gentleness. The rhythm pulls me into a forest full of my favorite trees with the fragrance where I can submerge and maybe even dance for a second. The music stimulates me to perceive each beat and note that connects to be a complete image based on my interests. As a result, I further realized what I am capable of as a creative individual even I had not heard waltz before. Then, I picked up my dreadful piano skills and developed my skills using notes on five-line papers. I was hoping to create my music pieces. After months of polishing up compositions, I now have several songs expressing my ideas about various topics. One of the songs talks about a flower that memorizes friendship but only grows in fall for a few days. I used the piano as the primary instrument playing the main rhythm. Besides, there are flutes, strings, and bells decorating concords. The music is not impressive, but it successfully demonstrates my yearning for genuine friendships. When my friends listened to music, they praised and said they could imagine a group of friends camping on a mountain and eating BBQ. I feel satisfied for successfully expressing my idea and building connections with others.

Studying basic theoretical knowledge and applying it to composition introduced me to diverse musicians from the past to recent, from west to east. It broadened my view on the relationship between individuals and music. Despite the challenges I've faced learning music, I can create my world filled with plants' aroma and love. I hope to exhibit it to more and more people, demonstrating the power of music.

Why we are alive is a basic question for philosophers. In all religions, including Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, etc., humans are alive for different missions that gods assign. One of the most intriguing religions that I read in class is Hinduism. People are designated to find their true selves. Reincarnation is the only path to moksha, liberation from the circle. I am amazed by the determination of this religion. Hindus abandon their desires and ego to find the true meaning of life. Many religious followers like Hindus rely on spiritual power and seek ultimate answers. This course demonstrates the development of various comprehension for life’s purposes.

Philosophy has tight connections with psychology. Philosophers develop many famous psychological theories. For example, Freud brought up the Oedipus complex and caused many discussions. Even though there is no scientific proof of the idea, Freud led a path on psychoanalysis with his case studies and reasonable inference. Philosophy is the first step stone for all humans to explore thinking. Gradually, the advanced technology testifies speculations, which supports people to understand more about intangible existence.

Lastly, I want to mention justice, an essential principle for society. Even though there is no specific definition, I learn it from this course. I learned to pursue equity based on rules. In Antigone, Creon judges justice based on his laws, which is eligible. Laws protect people from harm, so their confinements need to be accepted so everyone gains a peaceful, orderly life. Based on this comprehension, I follow all kinds of rules in life. I respect the rules for violations of plagiarism to protect originality. I accept every judge on basketball courts because referees are justice according to the rules. These rules are not questionable authorities that I should fight against; instead, they are fences on the path to equity. I learned to recognize others’ morality, so justice is not a fixed scale. In Apology, Plato is accused of deceiving teenagers. From the accusors’ perspectives, Plato has an entirely different belief. He indicates that he receives messages from a god, asking him to find the wisest person. Although people nowadays decide justice based on ethics more often, this famous story points out that recognizing both perspectives is important.

By taking this course, I expect to learn more about different parts of this world in philosophy. It is the origin for people to seek the ultimate truth of life, comprehend thinking, and establish beneficial social standards.

Overall, psychology not only introduces me to the path for a future career but also opens my mind about science from different perspectives. I expect to keep learning this subject and apply my knowledge to improve psychiatry for children in the future.