Due Wednesday, May 1
Okay seniors, you are really in the heat of the home stretch now. You can not only see, but feel and taste the light at the end of your mandatory schooling years.... It's sort of like "heartbreak hill," a really steep 3/4 mile long hill in the last mile of the Boston Marathon. It's really hard to keep plugging away, stay focused on the tasks at hand, and finish with the same energy you started with, but if you give up now, all those plans for celebration, all those college acceptances, everything, will vanish. So, how do you remain focused? What are your tricks to keep you "eyes on the prize?"
I never thought I’d be saying this, but my main source of motivation to stay focused is keeping in mind that I’ve only got a month left until I can finally detach myself from TASOK. TASOK is my home and pretty much the air I’ve been breathing for the past 14 years, hence it’s been too long and I need to explore other new horizons and learn new things.
ReplyDeleteSo this is the last stretch, it’s May! It’s really hard to stay focused now that I’ve gotten into the college of my choice, but knowing that AP exams, my last high school swim meet, and prom are huge upcoming events that I have to study, train, and plan for, I’ve got to prioritize the next few weeks.
I really can’t picture myself being at TASOK for another year. I’m done. Everyday when I come home from school I get asked the question “how was your day at school, did you learn anything new?” I pause and think to myself “Did I really learn anything? No, not really.” TASOK has given me unlimited advantages to boost my EQ, but not so much my IQ. So, another aspect that adds on to my steps to reaching “the prize,” is being able to sit in a classroom environment and acquire a great deal of knowledge in the field I want to study.
TASOK’s air is starting to be intoxicating and if I’m here any longer, there’s a high possibility that I’ll suffocate, a little harshly phrased but true. God forbid, if something halts my academic career and stops me from graduating… I’ll leave it at that.
Not so harsh to be feeling a bit strangled at this point. Most everyone gets this way in one form or another at the point you are at: thus, "senioritis." Keep pushing and this month will be a flash.
DeleteYou know that feeling you get when you’ve almost completed a 1500 word paper or a huge puzzle piece that’s taken you what feels like forever, and you’re told to restart it because you messed up somewhere along the way? Yep, I can't afford to feel that way. One more year at TASOK? 180 more days of school in Kinshasa? No no, I don't think I can do it. I’ve reached a point in life where I’m done. I physically and mentally wouldn't be able to do it all over again. So I guess that’s my motivation. I have one more month left, and I can't let my negligence or laziness screw that up for me.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I haven’t made a decision on where I am going to study next year, mainly because my dad imagines a different path and career for me than the one I wish to follow and that puts a lot of pressure on me. I honestly don’t know where I might end up, and so the thought of that pushes me to work hard and maintain my grades.
I haven’t felt this motivated since December, haven’t felt this determined to complete all my assignments, and that’s probably because it’s finally hit me that I don't have much time left. Since December, my life has been a lot of partying and partying and partying, and although I’ve managed to keep up with my schoolwork, I haven’t given my school life as much attention as I should have. It is only now that I’ve realized that I have one more pull till the finish line. 15 more days and I'll be done with my one and only AP exam this year and one more month till I’m ready to start a new journey, make new friends, and experience living in another country other than Congo. All I have to do is pull my act together, for just ONE more month, ONE final month, and in the end, it’ll all be worth it.
This final, final push you are giving yourself shows. Also, just imagine how completely free you will feel when you have absolutely nothing on your plate: for the first time in your life. No summer work, no responsibilities to anyone until you begin a whole new chapter next fall.
DeleteI CAN SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL! I’M ALMOST THERE! Honestly, it has been extremely hard fighting my laziness. Every day, I come home after soccer practice and I tell myself “Alright Jenn, take a quick shower and then you need to study until 10pm so that you can get enough sleep.” Can anyone guess what I end up doing? I finish taking my shower at around 5:30pm. I sit at my desk, place my Biology 5 Steps to a 5 book in front of me, turn to the Human Physiology chapter, stare at the title, take a deep breath, place my head on my book, and fall asleep. At around 3am, I wake up, look at the clock, start getting extremely annoyed with myself (No really, I get super angry!), and just fall back asleep. Story of my life.
ReplyDeleteAt this point, I can’t afford to let this happen anymore. My only motivation is that we are a month away from graduation. This being said, I want to finish my senior year on a good note. I don’t want these straight A’s to go to waste and I don’t want to destroy my image because of feeling “tired” and “lazy”. Every time I feel like falling asleep, I always remind myself that this is the last AP exam that I will have to take so I might as well study my butt off and do my best. Also, I will be missing 4 days of studying because of the soccer trip to South Africa. I can’t afford to let time go to waste. Overall, my main motivation is that the year has almost come to an end; it’s really time for me to prove that I can truly work hard, fight any obstacle, and be the best that I can be. I’m not ready to back out and let exhaustion take over. I’m a fighter.
Fight the good fight. BTW: you don't play till Saturday, and you have four hours on a plane each way. You can SO study on the trip (if you think you should). Enjoy. Soon you will be free.
Delete“Holding onto something just gets harder as time passes.” Whoever said these lines was absolutely right. I just can’t believe that the all the motivation I had of the beginning of this year did not even last for 6 months. Before we left for Christmas break I had become so lazy and senioritis caught me really bad. I JUST CAN’T WAIT FOR THESE 22 DAYS OF SCHOOL TO END AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
ReplyDeleteI have the same story as many of the other seniors. I come back from school at 3:45 have a shower, eat lunch, watch cricket for a while and decide to do tons of pending homework but I don’t even get half of it done. Later I go to mosque and on my way back home I decide that I’ll eat dinner and sit down and study hardcore for the AP exam which is in less than a week but unfortunately I fall asleep. But now I totally cannot let senioritis take over. I keep on telling myself “Falak just less than a month left to school you got to keep up with it and you won’t even realise” I have slacked off with so much school work and haven’t paid much attention this semester. The fear of dropping from As to Bs & Cs encourages me to work hard and give extra effort and time to study for the AP exam. It’s my last and only AP exam so I really need to do well and prove myself. The only thing that keeps me going is that I have only a few more days left and that will be THE END of Tasok, Congo, 17 years of my life spent here. I want to leave with good memories and not such that taunt me in the future. I want to go away from Congo, not that I hate it but I want to break out of this 17 years shelter and look over to something more exciting and worthwhile. I know it’s only 22 days left to school but as those 22 days will be gone I’ll look back and be like WOW I’m done and didn’t even realise how four long years of high school are done.
Even with the stresses of assignments up to the very end, I can guarantee that you will have very mixed feelings about leaving TASOK and Congo - either as we get closer day-by-day, or right after you realize it's all a part of your past, not your present. At any rate, keep up the steam and enjoy your last few days.
ReplyDeleteFinally we are going to be done with school and move on to university. All that freedom is just a month away I am just so excited. All this would be nice to have if I graduate. These two weeks are the most crucial for me, because I have to turn in so many things for every class but most of it is for English. If I don’t turn all the work in I would not earn the English credit that is required to graduate, and that would mean I will have to redo twelfth grade; which I am not ready to do. It’s like starting a mission in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (PlayStation 3 game) and getting to the end of the mission at that point any mistake can get me killed in the game which means I would have to start the mission all over again that will take a lot of time. In this case if I don’t pass I would have to stay back a year and earn the credit. There are many things that make me stay on task. One thing that keeps me on task would the thought of being a new place; where I would meet new people and learn new things. That is the top reason for which I stay on task. This came to mind like two weeks ago while I just realized that my grades are low and I have to work in order to graduate and go to university. I also just tell my self only a few more days left and I will be free of everything.
ReplyDeleteThe important fear here is remembering this stressful focus: it's not positive. Moral: keep up with assignments throughout future classes.
DeleteSophomore year is a year that I will never forget. This was the year where my GPA went down from a 4.0 to a 3.93. Just because of that ‘B’ in French I’m not class valedictorian. However, I’m over the regret and what is actually still keeping me motivated to work is keeping that 3.93 GPA of mine. Anything less than that would shatter me. Also I’m one of the biggest procrastinators in our class (can be confirmed by classmates). I cannot work until I’m under the pressure of a deadline. That is how it has always worked for me. Though what amazes my friends is that I always end up getting my work done and rather getting a better grade than them. As Jen always says, “Shreya, you’re such a procrastinator. I really don’t understand how you get all your work done and on top of that you get all A’s.” I know that has to stop once I’m in college or maybe not. Though, right now my only motivation to work is so I can maintain my GPA and graduate with a high-honor roll. Also I have always been a procrastinator but I always get my work done.
ReplyDeleteAnd this never stresses you out? Seems better to "just get it done" so you can relax and enjoy.
DeleteRemaining focused is the most important thing in my academic life. Yes, I am very excited to graduate, to go out party and to finish the blog posts but I have to stick to the things I need to do right know which are the last SAT, African studies homework, TOEFL , the blog posts etc. To be honest, I am sick and tired of all the works I am required to do for the school. Most of the people are done with their college stuffs but at least Shreya, Lucky and I are not. I have so much work to do which are due tomorrow, next week, next month and next year - How do I remain focused? Easy, I think of what I want to do in the future. Every moment I have to make a decision between do I want to be happy right now and do I want to be happy in the future. Guess what I choose – the future. I think of KBS, the Korean Broadcasting System, every time I want to give up what I have to do. (I have actually written “KBS” down on a piece of paper and stuck that on my desk) I think of universities and I think of where I stand compared to all the other Koreans. In this way, I make myself sit and work. Remaining focused? It’s not easy but it’s not that hard either.
ReplyDeleteLove your positive "eye on the prize" KBS reminder. You will get where you want to be...
DeleteIt is just a few days away I think I can actually see it. I am finally going to graduate, get done with the school life. Holding on is the hardest thing for me right now. The end of high school being a month away from right now is killing my motivation and energy. I have a hard time getting my work done because as slow as these days are going I feel like I’m already at the end and it kills me still having work to do and hand in. The end approaching would not be a motivation but more like a burden because its not like I am being motivated it’s more like the approach is some sort of obligation which I have no choice but to do. So I cannot say, I have a strategy because it is more of a drag along than an actual strategy. At the beginning of the year, I thought it would not happen to me, getting lazy with assignments and stuff but getting them done is harder and harder. My grades have reflected the laziness but I managed to pull them up to point A. I am also going to blame my college acceptances, because they make me feel like school is OVER, and that hammered my motivation. But I read a couple a posts and guys I might actually use your techniques and use the same motivations, so thanks guys. See you guys at the end.
ReplyDeleteSo close now. Remember, you college accepted you conditionally. If you don't have the same grades they accepted you for in March at the end in June, they can still turn you down. How's that for motivation?
DeleteOkay this is it I cannot take it anymore now I am literally tired of TASOK I want to get out of here. I want to get out of this country I can’t stay here any longer. This is how I feel. This is really how I feel right now. The only thing that keeps me going is as others said I am not willing to spend a whole year again at TASOK when already am so close to my goal am going to graduate in 2 WEEKS! That is the only thing that keeps me motivated. I am almost there and because of some foolish mistake I do not want to fail in succeeding my goal NO, I will not be able to take it. I have had so much going in my life this month assignments, studying for AP, senioritis, graduation ahhhh.. It is too much but here I am writing my blog post trying to complete my assignments because I want to be among-st those seniors who on June 5th would be GRADUATING.
ReplyDeleteGood plan. 1 more week now.
DeleteI thought I was the type that would never give up and would always keep myself motivated to do school work, but I found out after 1st semester that I was the complete opposite. I have always had that lethargic characteristic, but after being accepted to college it just worsened. I admit that I am lazy, but I do get the work done. I don’t really give myself incentives for working because I know education is important. What I mean is that I dislike having to do all the boring schoolwork, but I know for a fact that the “boring schoolwork” will help me in the future, so I continue to study and work. I also want to maintain good grades to show my father what I am capable of.
ReplyDeleteThis summer I plan to open up a business with the help of my older brother and funding from my father. This plan of mine will not happen if my father thinks I am a moron, so I must perform well. Most of all I want to leave The American School of Kinshasa on a good note. I want the teachers and students to see that I didn’t just forget about school once I got accepted to university. Additionally, it is also nice to be able to say that I graduated with a high Grade Point Average. The correct word for my motivation is reputation. I am the type that will do whatever it takes to keep my name clean and positive.
This shows very clearly in the way you handle yourself every day. What kind of business? Where?
DeleteSchool is not my priority, but that is also the reason I am still in this “race to the end.” Anyone would admit the importance of keeping a level head during busy parts of life. For me, keeping God at the top of my priorities is what keeps my head level, but He not only causes me to “race to the finish,” he also helps me with each step there. I get distracted so easily, I can hardly concentrate on anything when I have something else on my mind, and I have had a lot on my mind recently. But when I remember that the only thing I actually have to worry about is living for Christ my mind becomes calm.
ReplyDeleteI do not manage my time very well, I procrastinate, I am extremely lazy when it comes school work, and with this yeah coming to a close I am really starting to not care about any of my classes anymore. Keeping my mind on God allows me to see the bigger picture, which helps me understand what I need to be doing with these few, short, important months of my life. If my priorities were different I would not be here still.
Keeping the big picture, when you can find it, always helps. Glad yours is such a central part of your life.
DeleteIt has been hardest last few weeks of my life, everything that could possibly go wrong has or is yet to go wrong, I might not even graduate. I’m trying so hard to keep up as well keep my eyes on the prize but, I don’t know I just can’t seem to be getting there. It’s the last few weeks of school but it feels like the last few weeks of my life, there is just too much to take care of. I wish I could lie and say im going to keep on pushing until the end but my spirit has already given up.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I see the principal, I just hear him say you will not graduate, it’s like everyone has already lost hope in me, so what is the point of me being hopeful? I’m just tired physically, mentally and spiritually of school, I just want to go home. I do not know if I feel this way because I feel home sick or im just tired of not having any family around. Sometimes all I need is a hug to get me back on track and some words of encouragement and then.
I just simply miss my mother, I have not seen here in forever and talking to her on the phone just isn’t the same anymore. I am just holding on to the fact that after school is over I’m going to see her until we get annoyed of each other again, which is least likely to happen. Going to see some old friends and have a six-month break until university starts so I have time to do whatever I want which makes me supper excited, I’m so looking forward to that. Therefore, after all is said and done and I maybe walk down that isle, I will see everyone.
Pre-graduation "jitters" is a very stressful time in so many ways. Knowing that the life you have know for 18 years: being a student, being under your parent's care (both financial and emotional), being sheltered by teachers and other adults - is over the minute you cross that stage is terrifying. You will, in the course of an hour or so ceremony, be a full-fledged adult. Myself and many of my friends went home to find our bags packed, sitting by the door. "You're an adult, now. Go get a job and take care of yoursef." while welcome words, are scary. It's natural to fear, be tired, be excited, all at the same time. You will make it, whatever you choose to do.
DeleteWith graduation approaching at 100km/hr, holding on is becoming harder and harder. My motivated will has just faded away and flushed down the toilet, like a dead fish. Luckily this is my last week with academics. Yay! I managed it, and it is miraculous. I am not a great example to follow I must say. All along this year I did not manage my time as well as I wanted to. I had an overload of college papers, and forms to fill in to send out, and tight deadlines I had to respect. I had to put aside schoolwork to handle my college homework. Above all that work , I had my SATs and the TOEFL test to do, and I cannot say that my counselor helped a lot in reducing my stress; she reminded me, everyday of all the work I had to give in and their importance. Then last came my school works, since for those I could give them back at the end quarter I was a little more serene about them. Number of the times I had to go see the teachers about my work and there late dues, I even know Kumu’s class by heart now.
ReplyDeleteSo this part of my will be more of an advice. Handle your time efficiently and at its best. Make a schedule, because if you do not,you end up in my situation, meaning a whole box of homework to give back. Honestly, the only thing that made me hold on that long is the idea of being definitely done with high school after this year. It would be very discouraging and I would probably drop out of schooling if I had to re-do this year. That should be everyone’s main motivation, GRADUATING. It has proved itself to be efficient cause I made it alive.