Junior Year 2022-2023 Reflection

I thoroughly enjoyed this school year and confidently claim that it has been my favorite school year of my life so far. Though boring at times, I think it has left an overall positive imprint on me that I will always have. I have a more positive and problem solving brain due to my dedication to academics this year. This AP Physics class has helped me especially with this quality. Constantly working with my team and friend group, be it a project, an in-class lab, or even just homework that we help each other with, I have grown in my ability to work in a team with others. I had before, often found it difficult to work in teams because I tend to become bossy or controlling, but this class has humbled that part of me and I have come to realize how helpful hard-working classmates can be.

Even though this has been by far the most difficult class that I have ever taken, I have always been motivated to keep trying because I truly enjoy the problem-solving subject matter. I could have easily given up by the end and realized I wasn't cut out for this work as I saw my classmates rise so far above my level of understanding. I never gave up though. I kept trying and even though I thought my classmates and even my friends saw me as slow and behind on the uptake, I kept going for my sake so that I could truly saw that I took AP Physics in high school and passed. Maybe I have not passed the exam, but I might not even go into studying physics so what does it matter anyways.

This class has improved my critical thinking, communication, collaboration, conscientious learner, character, and cultural competency:

My brain will always try to understand the world around me through a physics lens. I will be trying to discern every detail and fit it into the puzzle that is my mind using critical thinking.

My communication skills within a professional environment will be improved because I am now more able to convey my ideas to my class and teammates concisely and with confidence.

I am more able to collaborate effectively with my team with new resources that I have gained from this class such as brainstorming using a single google doc or slide show that everyone can compile their ideas onto.

This class requires a sufficiently conscientious learner, which I learned the hard way. I was not a successful time manager at the beginning of the year, and I had barely any studying skills. I learned that a class as rigorous as this one was required a self-sufficient student to be able to organize their time and resources.

I gained a stronger character throughout this year because this class challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and try to express myself in new ways, building my character.

Finally, I gained a heightened sense of cultural competency as I got to work with so many teammates of different ethnicities and perspectives on life. I got to learn more about myself and my perspective through the eyes of others.

This AP Physics class has helped me to grow in so many ways, and I am so grateful that I took it, and so proud of myself for sticking with it throughout the ups and downs. I have so many people to thank for helping to push me and keep me stable throughout the reoughest times. One of them is Mr. Willaims, probably the best teacher I have ever had. He knows what students need, and pushed me to try my hardest and think outside the box. My friends who are in that class also helped me even though I think most of them are above my level. They never made me feel incompetent or ashamed of who I am. My parents are also to thank as even though I don't think I passed my exam that they paid for, they are still proud of me.