End of the Year Ambivalence

Senior service is a hard decision for many students.
For me, I feel it is the hardest.
Though I do want to experience new fields to volunteer,
I feel this choice may not be the smartest.

The last month of school is indeed something sweet.
But why pass up an option so hard to beat?

I would help at a nursing home,
and hopefully be of great assistance.
Although I would have to pass up being with my friends,
my true joy in helping people, has remained consistent.

After considering all the factors,
I decided on doing senior service.
This is a good opportunity for me.
I found that this is driven with a great purpose.

Clearly this decision took much thinking and dilligence
But this is just my end of the year ambivalence.

"Another Day of Learning"

 

For all Academy students in NMHS,
February 8th was the day to present.
We had to give a lesson we took,
in the audiorium, for a one-day event.

Public speaking was not my "cup of tea."
But eventually I must conquer my fear, gaurunteed.
I took this opportunity to accomplish two tasks:
to learn about my topic, and to surmount my fear with wings.

With an "opencourseware" at MIT,
I chose the topic of muscle growth.
My partner wanted to put in prezi form,
but this type of presentation I loathed.

As the day arrived, I felt very confident.
I put immense work into my project.
While presenting I felt no pressure.
My hard work on my prezi, had a powerful effect.

I had learned that moment that determination is the key.
If you push yourself to new limits, I'm sure you would agree.

"The Struggle of an AP Chem Student"

The last week of January is dedicated to midterm testing.
Never have I worried about midterms, but this time I'm surely stressing.
It is AP chemistry that consumes my thoughts.
There are so many topics I feel were not taught.

For weeks, I would study very hard late until midnight.
I would not stop until I understood one part just right.
I practiced for the AP chem midterm step by step.
This was my cornerstone method to properly test prep.

AP biology and calculus wasn't worrysome for me .
But chemistry was a hurdle; everyone in my class would agree.
I would not stop, until I recieved above an 80 on the practice test.
Thus far, I was only scoring barely above a 60, at best

Chemistry consumed my mind, day and night.
I kept working, until a "B" was in sight.
There was no time for T.V, no time for the internet.
This midterm is more important, and I began to fret.

Until finally I took my last full practice test that was assigned.
"At last!" My heart jumped, for I then noticed I scored an 89!

"Detention or Lab?"

[19] My alarm clock rings at 7:30, on a morning that looked very drab.
[15] I jump out of bed, hoping to not be late to the high school.
[19] I must not get lunch detention today because I have Biology Lab.
[15] I have to skip breakfast, breaking one of my cardinal rules.

[10] I am clearly not used to this routine.
[14] While showering quickly, I realize I am rarely ever late.
[10] I throw on a few clothes and my blue jeans.
[14] By the time I leave my house, it is 7:38.

[14] I have 12 minutes left to make it on time to homeroom.
[14] Traffic is moderate, but I am catching all red lights.
[14] Driving safely but quickly, I pass the cars as I zoom.
[14] I reach the street to park on, slowly escaping my plight.
 
[17] I ran swiftly into the building, and went quickly up the long stairs.
[17] I disregard my locker, and go into class with all that I had.
[17] I looked at the clock, and then at my teacher, who gave me a long stare.
[17] "Your fine," she said, as I exhaled and began to feel relieved and glad.

"RU Ready For This Poem?"

[16] As October ends, so does the college application process.
[16] I completed my transcript-release forms, and submitted them in.
[16] But now the painful thought of rejection had caused me great distress.
[16] My mind could not be at ease, it was always in a violent spin.

[14] "It will take about two weeks," My guidance counselor said.
[14] But she did not realize how much these "two weeks," I would dread.
[18] I tried to read a few books, to alleviate the worries in my head.
[18] Yet, my plentiful reading could not put my heartaches sound asleep in bed.

[16] "Alas," I thought to myself, as from my room I gazed at the stars.
[16] But a glimmer of hope arose, upon looking at my guitar.
[15] Playing acoustic guitar, yet again, shall come to my aid
[15] Whilst practicing, a joyous mood was inevitably made.

[15] The early November days now pass me by gracefully quick.
[15] I have found many songs I desire to learn how to play.
[9] But I do not know which songs to pick.
[22] I narrow my choices down to certain selections from Hillsong United and The Fray.
[22] Regardless, I have found any type of music, to easily have my worries allayed.

[19] The two week duration hurried by, but I hardly paid any attention.
[18] Nevertheless, I was still eager to find out if I was admitted.
[19] I finished my homework, and went upstairs to my bedroom feeling no tension.
[18] I was longing to finally have all my anxieties acquitted.

[17] I sit with my laptop at my wooden table, awaiting the news,
[19] hoping my email of admission to Rutgers University comes soon.
[17] My inbox reads "1 New Message," and I fearfully await my plight.
[19] But I see a "Congratulations!" and continue reading to my delight.

"The Quest to Win Spirit Week"

[18] As October rolls around, spirit week is the topic of discussion.
[18] To lose as a senior would come many terrible repercussions.

[14] The grand spirit-filled week started off with pajama day.
[16] The seniors took the lead easily and were ahead in the race.
[14] But the second day, the "freshmen success" did not delay.
[16] The seniors unfortunately had to settle for second place.

[16] However, to my joy, we won Wednesday's and Thursday's events.
[16] On Wednesday, everybody dressed up as cowboys and cowgirls.
[16] Our victory made the underclassmen begin to lament.
[16] Thursday, the seniors looked professional and looked as great as pearls.
[16] At last, our success for the week was beginning to unfurl.

[18] When the seniors felt comfortable, the hallway judging still brought us down.
[18] Somehow the freshmen beat us, because they too wanted the trophy and crown.
[19] Tension between each grade had quickly risen when the final day came about.
[19] Everyone dressed in their class color and cheered for the events with a loud shout.

[14] When the class dance and races finished, the crowd grew anxious.
[14] Every grade fighting to win made them appear contentious .
[18] All eyes were on the MC who then began to read the final standings.
[18] The seniors were declared winners, and rushed the floor as we had been planning.

[21] The feeling of winning could not be explained by any word in the dictionary.
[21] A hard-fought, school-spirited victory that will always remain in my memory.

"When I felt no chemistry, with AP Chemistry"

[24] It all began on September 5th, 2012, when my hope for a "fun" senior year was crushed.

[19] After I sat in my AP Chemistry class, I realized what I had done.

[24] Wallowing in my bad decision to enroll in chem, I thought never could this battle be won.

[19] The first week of class, we reviewed how to balance metathesis equations.

[24] We were told to go home, read, and learn it ourselves, as if we were AP Chemistry mavens.

[22] As I opened my AP Chem book that evening, I had to face my first senior struggle.

[22] The thought of a test within 2 days, made me want to shed enough tears to form a puddle.

[22] Magnesium hydroxide plus hydrochloric acid yields... Well, here comes the frustration.

[22] "But I could simply drop the class, and take something easier," I thought. Oh the temptation!

[19] "No!" My heart responded. I must work hard, and study well. There may yet be hope,

[19] if I do well on my first test, and set a good base. I will not give up, nope!

 

 [12] For the next two days, chemistry consumed my mind.

[12] I studied all night, just so I won't be behind.

[14] The daunting test, intimidatingly awaited me.

[14] But if I studied hard, I will conquer it- guaranteed.

 

 [11] "Tick-tock," the clock sounded. Time was running out.

[19] As "Test day" arrived, I was led into a state of utter resignation.

[11] I studied all that I could, there was no need to be upset and pout.

[19] I thought, "Just focus on the test and think hard, for the entire duration"

[18] The bell sounded and I quietly handed in my test, feeling afraid.

[17] Immediately after school I anxiously went to see my score.

[18] I instantly noticed a red, sloppily-written, numerical grade.

[17] But my eyes focused, my vision cleared, and therein lied a "94."


[14] My worrisome heart rate settled, and I began to cheer.

[14] Ah yes, this is certainly going to be a good year.