What worked in FLEX?
For me, Flex worked because it was very student-led, and that is something that I would say I'm pretty good at, so it was definitely a smooth process for me. I also think that because it was student-led, I could also hold myself accountable more because if I didn't do my work, it was completely my fault.
What did not work in FLEX?
At some points, when my other classes got really intense, Flex felt as though it was a very extra thing for me to do, and I think at some point it's stressed me out a lot. But I also believe it's a very easy thing to remedy, and it's mostly my fault for not treating it as I should have been.
What could I have done differently to make FLEX more successful?
The best thing that I could have done was to do my work ahead of time, so I was on track and could focus on my other school work without having to worry about flex.
What could my team (Thielen) have done differently to make FLEX more successful?
I think that due dates could possibly be helpful, and maybe more meetings.
Would you recommend FLEX to others? Why or why not?
I would definitely recommend Flex to others because it's a great way to not only explore what you want to do but also figure out the way you work best.
What did I learn about myself as a learner?
I love doing student-driven work, but I need to set more intense due dates for myself and complete the work well in advance.
What did I learn about myself as a human being?
I learned way more about my preferences, especially when doing the college search I really had to think about what I wanted as a person.
Join at least one club or sport you're genuinely interested in.
I was involved in Peace Jam, and it gave me experiences outside the classroom that helped me grow and meet new people. I also was apart of the tennis team and it was a great experience. It also looks great on college applications!
Take challenging classes, but don't feel pressured to do everything.
I took a bunch of honors and duel enrolment classes. Those classes made me learn a lot while still being able to balance other things. AP classes can be great, but they're not the only way to show you're a strong student. One of the bigest things I tried to do was honner myself and know when things would just be too much.
Stay organized from freshman year onward.
Keeping track of assignments, grades, and deadlines early makes high school much less stressful. Even though junior and seinor year seems like a ways away it isnt. Keep a good GPA because it's much easier already starting with a good base.
Build good relationships with your teachers.
They can help you academically and may eventually write recommendation letters for college applications.
Start looking into colleges before senior year.
Knowing what schools require can help you make better decisions about classes and activities.
Don't compare your path to everyone else's.
My high school path was very different from others and its easy to see how you are different. But the most important thing is to make things work for you.
Enjoy high school while planning for the future.
It's important to think about college, but don't spend all four years worrying about it. The process is extremely overwhelming and stressful so don't rush to do it.