I started out each year relatively strong, usually maintaining a 3.0 GPA through the first progress report, but by the end of the first semester, laziness would plague my brain. I’d have around thirty missing assignments in some classes, because I actively avoided doing homework by partaking in activities like browsing the Internet or watching movies.
As my junior year comes to an end, I regret not having tried harder in high school. I still remember the tears that ran down my face when my counselor told me I couldn’t go to a four year college.
Students who slacked off early in high school, but still have the opportunity to go to a four year college, should start working hard in order to avoid feeling the same level of disappointment.
Far too many San Marin students, like me, give up on themselves too quickly in regard to academic success. The two main factors that cause students like junior Mohammad Akbari and me to throw in the metaphorical towel are lack of interest and procrastination.
“I regret messing around my freshman year, not thinking it would have a big effect,” said Akbari. “I knew junior year was the most important year of high school–which it is–but the other years add up to your overall GPA.”
Senior Austen Garcia said he yearns for his education at San Marin to be less mundane and repetitive. He also wants the lessons taught at school to be presented as real life examples instead of problems on a worksheet.
“Doing well in high school isn’t that hard; it’s just showing up, doing the work, and putting in the effort, but once you repeat the cycle for a couple years, you don’t want to do it anymore,” Garcia said. “I wish my teachers connected lessons to the real world. Math would be a lot more interesting for me if we actually went outside and looked how people use math in the real world.”
Students like Garcia and me may have to deal with the consequences from a lack of academic grit. I don’t make CSU requirements and therefore can’t go to a four year college; Garcia has to stay in Novato while his friends and classmates go off to four year colleges around the country.
“It sucks to see everyone around you succeed when you’ve already messed up your chances,” Garcia said. “Even though you know they’ve earned their success it still sucks.”
