Finals week

Finals week seems to come up way too fast, even though we expect every year. It's not like it's a surprise that we are going to have finals, it's just that, personally, I never realise how little time we have between the beginning of last quarter and finals week. This year it seems like I have a million times more work than any of my previous years. For some classes I have final projects and final tests due within days of one another. Will all of this work to do it's hard to fit in time for the one test I know I absolutely need to study for: chemistry. Currently I have completed two of five review packets. which isn't a good sign. I really need to sit down and look at what I do and do not understand because currently I am just completing the packets to say I have them done. Thankfully, most of the classes that I had projects for I've handed in the projects, and now that Stats is finish I'm going to use that block as a study hall. Maybe I'll finally have some time to study for chemistry so I don't wing it on the test... I am confident that I'll do well though, which is a good sign!

Writing

The writing process is different for everyone. At school you learn to brainstorm, draft, revise, and proofread, but everyone has their own variations of the writing process. I spend little time actually writing down my ideas. Ideas just randomly pop into my head and then I start writing with that idea. That's what starts the brainstorming process for me. I can't just think about what I want to write, I have to start with something random and go from there. Ultimately I settle on something I like. Drafting your piece comes after you've brainstormed. Some people go through multiple drafts, writing and rewriting sections until they find them perfect. Unless I really don't like what I've written, my final draft is extremely similar to my original draft. Then there is the revision process. I would consider this the most important step. It doesn't really matter what you are writing about, if it is full of flaws and broken sentences- no one will want to read it. Even if you had this genius idea about something, your point becomes lost in the shadows of your bad grammar and incoherent paragraphs. Lastly, you proofread your paper. This is basically the final look at what you have written. After I revise my essay, I'm usually finished looking at it. However, there are times when proofreading in beneficial. For example, if you told yourself to make a certain revision and then you didn't, you could catch it while proofreading. That's basically an overview of the writing process.

11th grade...

11th grade sure has been a strange experience. Although we're all older and more is expected of us, it seems like the work load has been considerably less this year. I've had much more time outside of school, and I've been able to work on the weekends with no problem. Teachers expected a higher standard of work though. This threw me off a little bit, but I soon became used to completing my work the way it was expected.

I think my study/work habits have become really poor. If I had to give any advice to incoming students, it would be DON'T start the year with poor work habits. Then once you start really having homework and projects, it'll be terrible to start better work habits. You'll feel overloaded. Other than that though, 11th grade is an enjoyable year. I filled my schedule this year, and it wasn't that hard to handle.

Being a senior next year

I can't believe that I've already made it through so many years of my life. I remember when I was in sixth grade, I was really angry at my mom for not letting go to my friends house. I wanted to have more freedom, to be on my own. Then I could do whatever I wanted. I told myself
"Danica tomorrow you will graduate highschool and you will be happy"
It's funny thinking about how I told myself that. Today is that tomorrow and I am so close to the future that my sixth grade self was talking about. I am so happy to have made it this far. But it's a little sad how time has gone by so fast. I have experienced so much in what seems like just one day. How amazing is that?

Spring/Summer

Spring can bring so many wonderful things to the world. The ground begins to thaw and you can watch as new trees and grass make their way to the surface. The sun begins to shine for longer, and the solemn mood of the last few winter weeks begin to fade. It's hard not to be happy when Spring comes around.
For the past two weeks there were some birds that were spending an increasing amount of time in our yard. We watched them pick at the leftover leaves from last fall, and the twigs that had fallen from winter storms. They were building themselves a house in our backyard. The two chose what they thoughts was the perfect spot- underneath a bush next to a tree. Unfortunately, their perfect spot was right next to the perfect spot of our neighbors cat. The birds and their babies did not experience the happiness of spring.
But it's okay because summer is almost here and better things should come.