Personal Narrative: My Developing Education During Freshman Year

Sophomore year was an especially hard year for me. It was my second year at Wahlert High School and because I was the new kid the beginning of freshman year, I still felt like the new girl. Plus, I was trying to maintain my social life, play volleyball, participate in band, choir and show choir, act in plays, and manage school and homework.

During my freshman year of high school I struggled in many areas of my life including personal, social, and academic. I was in an emotionally abusive relationship, struggling with my self-esteem, and fighting to keep my grades above c 's. Since then I have grown, learned from my experiences and it can all be seen through my transcripts and the friend group I now surround myself with.

If someone were to ask me what I learned in high school, I could say a lot of things. I could talk about my Lifespan Development class and how I learned a lot about babies and prenatal care, and how much it helped me when my sister got pregnant and had questions that I always knew the answer to. I could talk about how much it helped me to learn how to multiply percentages in Algebra, because now when I go grocery shopping, I can add tax and know exactly how much money I’m spending before I even get to the register. I could even talk about how after taking a field trip with my Family Studies class, I realized that I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. These are some of the things I learned in high school that prepared me for life or my next step in education. But if you were to ask me if the writing instruction I received in high school was effective in helping me prepare for the next step in my life, the answer would be no. The writing instruction I received in high school did not adequately prepare me for college.

My education that I have received from the Wausau School District has set me apart as a student because of the great opportunities that are presented to the students and the faculty in the educational system. A large variety of classes are offered in different core areas throughout the schools which gives the ordinary student the chance to experience other areas and interests. I used this to my advantage, when deciding what type of field that I was going into after college. I took a Young Adult Medicine (YAM) class sophomore year to see if I was interested in the medical field and where in this area I was drawn to work in after high school. The Wausau School District has also prepared me for my future college studies and career by challenging

By the time I graduate high school, I will already have my college associate degree that I will have earned through my hard work and dedication. Even though I went through a lot at such a young age, it has shaped me in every possible way. I was exposed to a whole different language and culture, but I was able to succeed through my strong desire of success and dedication. I am thankful for every challenge that I had to go through because if it was not for them, I would not be the person I am

Teachers are constantly working to prepare us for the next level. One time in school when my growth thrived was my first few days of high school. In these days, I was able to realize how far I’ve come and what it’s going to take to be successful in the school. From the start, I made the decision that I wanted to do my very best in high school to help my future. Ever since I’ve made this decision, I’ve grown into a hard working, knowledgeable person.

My English grade went up from 1s and 2s. My overall grade went up to a 2.5. Additionally, in my school, we have a class called Crew. It’s one teacher with fifteen kids or less, and she helps us with the grades and communicate with the group so that you became comfortable in the group, and she was my crew leader. Looking back, I realized that if i had started high school with the same mentality that I ended it with, I would be more successful now and have much more options for my future.

Through the years I was able to develop into a motivated individual. As I found myself feeling more compassionate towards other people, the less I cared how they viewed me. I learned to love school. I started to make friends became an active student in the school community. Confidence is the key to academic success.

Freshman year, what an awkward time in my life coming out of middle school with my poor grades I promised myself and my parents I was going to succeed while in high school. Did I though? My grades for sure improved but I still was not putting in as much effort as I should have been. I struggled to be able to communicate with all these new faces and in a completely new school but even outside of school struggled to talk to new people.

I have changed in high school the way that in middle school I really don’t like to be involved in any sports or even in student council, from last year I really don’t like any of those things, but now in high school is different. Now in high school I liked to be involved in something for example: sports. In high school is different because the way people changed. I remember when I was in middle school I just care about doing homework and don’t check about my grades, but now in high school I care about my grades and that I’m passing all my classes with a good grade. In middle school they give you an extra work to pass the class, but in high school they just give you the work and that’s it, they don’t give you an extra work to pass the class.

High school has impacted my life in so many ways. High School taught me so many things, from personal relationships to creating a relationship with my education. As a freshman, I made a huge amount of mistakes and I regret doing foolish things, but I’ve realized, I was only maturing into the young adult I am today. Freshman year, I was out of focus and I was only trying to find myself. I would also prioritize other things and ignore my parent’s advice, where they would tell me to focus in school and give it my full attention.

I learned that any barrier you face there is always an option to overcome it and be successful. I can grow by working my hardest on my school work and never giving up, even when things get hard. I also learned that time management is a very great skill to obtain at this time in my life, because college courses take time, effort, and lots of patience. I must give myself time to prepare for class work and especially exams. Having a schedule for my school work and my personal life is the best choice to help me stay on track.

As high school went on, the workload grew, but I also grew, so I was perfectly capable of keeping up with the work. This type of growth came rather easy to me. It was important for me to have one thing I could be confident with through all of the drama and chaos in my life. Growing in my community was not challenging thanks to the Live Algoma movement. Our community itself has experienced so much growth over the past four years, which allowed many students, including me, to grow in their community involvement as well.

1.) I would have done a few things differently during Freshman year. I wish that I would’ve got all A’s this year. I would of studied more for my harder classes. I wish that I wouldn 't procrastinate in some of my harder classes. I also would’ve been more outgoing to try new sports/activities.

I check my watch as I race to catch my first ever Austin Metro bus home. My