Independent Study

What are the best parts of Independent Study? Talk about your specific project a little bit.

"The best part of Independent Study is exploring an area of interest in great depth. It is a unique opportunity to make discoveries outside the school curriculum in a topic that is of interest to you.

I’ve been working at a university research lab on molecular biology and neuroscience. My work is largely self-directed and research based. I enjoy setting my own pace and connecting with mentors for guidance.

There is a great emphasis on learning and expanding on new skills. I’ve also learned how to present my work to peers with varying amounts of knowledge on the subject."

Why should AHS students take Independent Study?

"Independent Study is a block where students can explore intellectual interests that are not necessarily presented in the school curriculum.

I encourage AHS students to take Independent Study because it is a fantastic opportunity to challenge themselves in self-directed growth or dive deep into a subject that they want to learn more about."

In what ways has Independent Study helped you grow?

"Independent Study has helped me grow in many ways. For instance, it has taught me how to better manage my time, hone my research skills, and communicate my work to a broad and mixed audience. My Independent Study project is research based and I have learned how to connect with labs and mentors at UVA and other institutions."

What are the best parts of Independent Study? Talk about your specific project a little bit.

The best parts of taking an independent study are being able to do your work on your own time and the flexibility of the topics you study. My independent study is on Architectural styles, design, and AutoCAD. I learned how to use the architectural AutoCAD program Revit to create projects. I also work on improving my drawing skills to prepare for college architectural drawing classes. 

In what ways has Independent Study helped you grow?

Taking an independent study is a great way to study topics you wouldn't necessarily find in a class, while also getting credit for it. It's helped me grow by teaching me self reliance and by incorporating my own interests into schoolwork. I highly recommend taking an independent study to have a unique class experience you can make into your own.