Discuss the subjects with which you had difficulty. What factors do you believe contributed to your difficulties? How have you dealt with them so they will not cause problems for you again? In what areas have you experienced the greatest improvement? What problem areas remain?
PLEASE BE BRUTALLY HONEST !!
My first semester in high school and already I got a D. I could not believe my eyes as the tears started to well up. I knew I was not a class A mathematician but a D?! As much homework assignments as I turned in, as many times I went to the board and I all I had to show for it was "less than satisfactory". I sat quietly in my seat and waited till after class to speak with Ms. Mackinson- my favorite teacher. As the class filed out, I went to her and just started crying. I could not speak and like the calm, understanding person she is, she just quietly waited for me to be done. I handed her my report card, pointed to the D, and looked at her face as I wondered how my favorite teacher could allow me to receive a D. "You know I did not give you this grade right? This is what you earned." I heard this many times before, but when she said "You must work for what you believe you deserve", that automatically caught my attention and for some reason, I was not mad at her anymore. Favoritism has no place when it comes to the real world- and that was my first real lesson learned in Algebra I, and to think- it was not even a psychology course!
Ever since that day, I had a newfound motivation. I learned how to study for a math course and gave up all my free time for this class. I bought an algebra help book, went to tutoring during lunch, and actually studied. This D was a rude awakening for me because though it was a negative blimp in my life, many positive things came out of it. For example, I was able to help out other students who were struggling and gained some noteworthy studying techniques. It was difficult at first because I had no idea how to study with numbers but that was an obstacle I overcame. I left her class with a B and though it was not what I wanted it, I worked extremely hard for it and was proud nonetheless. I am still not string when it comes to graphs but throughout my high school years I have learned not to be afraid to ask for help.
Keyboard was also another subject that I had difficulty in. I picked this class because I thought I was "musically gifted" since I played the violin all throughout the third grade until the fifth, and was a key soloist in my middle school's choir. And I was correct for a while. I excelled in reading the notes, I was able to play the easy songs like "Twinkle twinkle little star", and my keyboard teacher saw that which is why I was promoted to keyboard II after the first semester; but I was in for the shock of my life. The students in this class were playing like professionals and could name legendary composers like Mozart, Schumann, Bach, Chopin and modern day composers like Valdes (one would have thought this was AP keyboard!). I was in way over my head but refused to let Mr. Wells down. Once again, I had to take the extra step and purchase a keyboard in order to rehearse at home. Let's just say I was not the star pupil but I learned a lot in this setting. Because of this class, I was able to expand my musical knowledge and DON'T KNOW HOW TO END IT...
PLEASE BE BRUTALLY HONEST :)
