Journal #1
The first week of my senior year has gone by and so far it’s been great. It’s going by smoothly and hopefully it continues to be that way. I feel nervous and excited at the same time. It can be overwhelming knowing it's my last year but I'm trying my hardest to not fall behind. This year I'm focusing on doing level four's and meeting every deadline. Procrastination is not an option. In the past years I had the mentality of just turning in work to get by and pass with just a level three but my perception is differently now. I’m going to give it my all to get better grades. Based off experiences I know I’ve changed a lot from freshman year to now, the way I think, the way I act even the friends I hang out with. The older you get you realize what priorities are really important. Change is good, I think I changed for the better. I'm also trying as much as I can to stay involved in school events because multiple people have told me that senior year goes by quickly. Luckily I'm in leadership and ASB brings a lot of opportunities to participate in events. Leadership is my favorite class, not only do I grow closer to more peers but you learn new skills that you will use after high school. Overall the classes I’m taking this year are psychology, office aid, AP spanish language, leadership, econ, geometry and 12A english. I believe senior year is going to be challenging but I’m beyond determined, especially because I know I'm far behind in math. I know I’ll finish geometry but I won’t have enough time to take algebra two. Algebra two is a requirement on a university track. Due to being in geometry still, I can't take chemistry. The requirements to be in chemistry is to finish biology and geometry. Although I'm not going to be able to finish algebra 2 in high school, I am planning on taking summer classes so I can apply to Fresno State. Hoping they will accept me but if not I’m planning to attend the Community College Of The Sequoia’s and finish my first two years there and transfer. Attending a community college is cheaper.The first two years come out less than doing the first two years at Fresno but i want to finish the summer classes to have at least the option. Working on my website for my senior project is exciting. It prepares me for my exit interview but also talking about what I need to finish is like keeping tabs for myself. Writing my journals are like reminders of what my goals are. It’s very surreal knowing that you’ll be graduating soon but what I’m really looking forward this year is finally saying I made it and that all my hard work was worth it at the end. Future goals are to finish my college education receive my title and be successful in life. |
Journal #2
A lot has changed since my last journal. My last journal I had a goal for this year and it has drastically been altered. I am no longer going to attend Fresno State not because I don't want to but because I’m not able to. When applying for Fresno State it didn't allow me to put in Algebra 2 in my senior year second semester. So I now have steered my perspective into a different goal. My goal now is to attend a community college possibly Fresno city or COS. Do my general education and then transfer either to Fresno State or San Diego. Depending what career I decide. My first option is forensic psychiatry or a real estate broker. It’s very overwhelming trying to decide what career I want to go into and also having to stay focused on my current goals in high school. I want to to do level four’s and get higher grades. I am really trying my best. It’s just there's moments where I feel like everything is caving in on me. Coping with it the best I can. I know these little challenges I see huge now aren't going to be little compared to the future challenges but I just have to believe in myself. On a good note math is going very well. I will finish geometry before second semester. Even though I can not attend any CSU’s with my initial plan, I’m still going to try to finish Algebra 2 in second semester. My other classes have been neutral but if I slack off just a bit I know it can cause major damage knowing I have very limited time. I now can relate to the former seniors about senior year going lightening fast. The only difficulty I had was figuring out what to Job shadow but I’ve thought things clearly and since it's very difficult to shadow forensic psychiatry I’m going to shadow a real estate broker. The steps I have been taking for my post graduation status was figuring out how to fall through with my Plan B. I’m still going to register to take chemistry my second semester after school at a community college to get it over with. I want to graduate with all requirements so I won't have to worry about it in community college. I really appreciate all my friends helping through it all, providing important deadlines and important information for college preparations. My teachers have been very helpful by staying after school and donating their time to us even though they don't have to. I could use all the help I can get because I just want to finish everything already. My second semester goal besides my main goal is to finish all my classes early so that if anything is left out or I want to get more level four’s in I have time to do them rather than being in a situation where I don't have enough time at the end. |
Journal #3
Winter break was fantastic, I wish it was longer, seemed a bit short. For Christmas Eve we didn't leave town. We usually do, but my uncle and my family take turns every year and this year it was our turn to have christmas in our home. The first half of the day I went over to my boyfriend's grandmother’s house. Plenty of food and games. The second half we both went back to my house and waited until twelve to open gifts. The next morning my cousins and sisters were still at my house so we all decided to watch a few movies and then go ice skating. The ice rink was located downtown visalia, very small place but fun. The next few days I spent doing homework until New Year’s Eve. New Year’s Eve my mom, my younger sister and I went to visit my second oldest sibling in Anaheim. We spent it there with a nice dinner and a few movies until the count down of a new year. The following day we went to farrell's ice cream parlor, my favorite ice cream/ restaurant so far. It's such an amazing place, very welcoming location to eat with your family. The following week I spent at home catching up on homework and spending quality time with my family. Coming back and realizing that my first semester is almost over i've noticed that I’ve done pretty good but not my best. I regret not doing more level four’s in my classes on the other hand what I loved about this semester is that It wasn't hard as I thought it would be, I now know that I just need to do my projects and homework the same day that they’re assigned. I know that the work was easy because I did a whole module in english in one day. Reality has hit me pretty hard especially in the math area. My future could have been in a different direction if I would have finished Geometry last year. One of my biggest regrets but now I just need to cope with it. Right now what I do need to finish is my level four’s in AP spanish and alter a few things on a english. Econ I need to put in a few projects and be done with this semester and get ready for the next. I believe my second semester will go even smoother than my first because I will be done with math and have 2 open periods which will let me be able to do extra work for other classes. My main focus will be AP spanish next semester and finish off strong. I have already applied to COS and Fresno city so now what I need to worry about is Fafsa. Lately I’ve been putting in applications to jobs but not getting much luck due to not having experience. I’m still going to keep on trying because I’m at a point where I don't want to ask for money from my parents anymore. I think I’ll have more possibility once summer comes around. |
Journal #4
Graduation seems to be around the corner and instead of being scared, I am excited! The reason why I'm so stoked is because my next chapter of life is next and I’m nervous to experience a new environment. Also it hasn't really hit that I’m graduating. Receiving my senior exit interview date did make me wake up a bit and notice that this is getting surreal. As of right in regards to post graduation I’m looking for a job so I can start saving up money. On the side I’m keeping up with homework and my classes. Days seem to go slow but when teachers tell us we only have a certain amount of classes left I realize time is actually going by fast. What I’m planning on doing after I graduate I’m planning on moving to Fresno to attend Fresno city community college. I’d be moving in with my second oldest sister and her husband. It’d be temporary until I get my general education finished and I’ll transfer to Fresno State and live with friends or on my own. I have already applied to attend Fresno City and I recently finished my FAFSA. In between homework and daily routines I try to apply as many scholarships as I can. They do consume a lot of time but it’ll be economically beneficial for me at the end. I don't have much to do as in behind pace tasks. My prediction based off my class schedule this semester is I will graduate smoothly without much to worry about. Having two TA periods helps me have those two periods to catch up on any assignments or any scholarships available to me. Including leadership, mrs. gonzales is very understanding and provides us free work periods to catch up anything we need. Procrastination shouldn't be an excuse at all this semester because I have a lot of opportunities to finish work at school or after school. What I look forward the most right now is Grad Night, senior sunset and graduation. Today slips were handed out to all seniors informing how much to deposit for the Grad Night tickets. The scary part is that there's only one hundred and fifty spots open and its first come first serve. I’m planning on going during lunch to receive the money so I can get a for sure spot to go. Lately I've been really grateful for my teachers and peers for helping out by staying after school to help with college applications and peers keeping us updated for important deadlines. Also very grateful for the spectacular help the counselors have provided. Especially when it comes to scholarships. I’m really happy how I’m not really stressing about math anymore. I know this semester will go smoothly. Looking back and remembering how my freshman year I would wish I was a senior already and felt that 2016 was so far, but now I’m literally months away from leaving high school. I’m honestly going to miss lindsay high school and all their staff. Once a cardinal always a cardinal! |