It is hard to believe that it has already
been a full school year since September. It still feels like March, except
hotter. The entire year has gone by so fast. But in eighth period AP English
the time moved slowly. Having it directly after gym was also a low point.
However, I learned a lot in the class over all. My way of writing- what I now
know is known as prose- has changed dramatically throughout the year. When I
began the course I had little talent in writing. My first free response
question was poor and I received a four. This inspired me to work harder
towards getting higher grades and at the end of the third quarter I had gone up
two levels. I received a six on my research paper. Over the year my prose has
improved vastly along with my usage of vocabulary and phrases. I have learned
how to double check my sentences in an attempt to become positive that they
sound right and make sense. I enjoyed most of the course work. It was not as
difficult as what I was expecting but it still had a high level of difficulty.
Many of the essays I spent quite a bit of time on and some of the projects were
time intensive. The class did not however load me up with so much work that all
I could ever do was work on a project. The class’ course load is less intense
than my expectation and was very focused on reading and writing. Much of what
we read was nonfiction or essays. The projects that we did were interesting and
I enjoyed many of the Socratic Seminars. However putting together our own was
rather difficult, especially since mine was not on my topic. There is
definitely a lot of work in the class but it is not unbearable. Also, I can
almost guarantee that anyone taking Ms. Fogarty’s class has and will improve in
their writing. I am very pleased with the way my writing improved over the year
and I am grateful that I know how my writing compares to college expectations.
I definitely feel like I am more prepared both for next year when I take AP
Literature and for any future college courses. I feel like my writing has gone
from a lower high school level to at least something written by a college
student who doesn’t perform as well in the language arts. While I am glad the
year is ending I am also in awe of how far I have come and I am thankful to Ms.
Fogarty for helping me learn how to write well and sophisticatedly. To anyone
taking this class I say good luck. As advice whatever you do make sure you do
all of your work to the best of your ability and don’t feel too bad if you
don’t succeed at first. The course is designed to help you improve and you will
get better as the year goes on. Also, whatever you do, do not let yourself fall
behind in the course. It is a very good idea to make sure all of your course
work is balanced and that you don’t slack off when you have work to do. I am
happy to finally say I have made through my junior year and that I have made
through AP English. When I began it was my worst nightmare, but I am happy and
proud that I have seen it through and it was for the better. I have found a
certain confidence in my writing and I hope I continue to improve.
You really have a way of getting your point across in the least amount of words possible. I respect that and I wish that I had the same ability. You mentioned in your blog the same things that almost everyone else has (myself included) and that is that AP Language is had but it's not too hard. I understand the desire to work harder at achieving a high score on the essays, especially after receiving a pretty poor one the first time (I got a three on my very first AP prompt in this class- I wanted to cry). I've never really had much of a chance to see your writing but I'm sure it improved. It's impossible for it to not have improved over the course of nine months with Miss Fogarty. Something that I realized rather recently is that my writing will never be absolutely perfect, but neither will anyone else’s. If anyone’s work was perfect, then there wouldn’t be any need for an education system. Once I accepted that, I found it easier to take the time to improve my writing, not perfect it, but make it better. I think you’ve learned the same thing and on that, I congratulate you.
ReplyDeleteI think the best advice is "whatever you do, do not let yourself fall behind in the course." Your reflection was short and sweet, yet very relatable. Many of us, including myself received low scores in the beginning, I agree that it was a major realization to make us push for a higher standard and grade. The assignments did have a good amount of difficult, if it was any easier then I think we would not have been prepared enough. There were times where I felt like giving up in this class, but I think that that is what made me a stronger writer. The balance between time and deadlines is essential, I just wish I had that balance. I am happy we can finally say "Goodbye to A.P Language!" the sweat and tears were worth it because in the end we all learned even more than what was expected.
ReplyDeleteI do feel the same way. In the beginning I was not sure of what I was getting myself into nor what was considered the "right way to do it". Looking back I do wish I could of done better as well as how to balance time and due dates ( because they always do get you) but at last I can finally as farewell and until never!!
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