Official Start Time: 4:00 p.m.
Date: 6/13/09
Official End Time: 5:00 p.m.
Summer didn’t exactly start the moment I finished my chemistry exam. I actually had the ACT test the next day and I decided to study for the first time in my life.
The ACT test is basically like the SATs accept more organized, random, and rigorous. There’s a math, english, science, reading, and writing section that basically encompass 5 hours of my life. Practicing for the exam really did help and I only wish I did more studying.
The only thing that sucked about the exam was that I had to go all the way out to Hartford to take it. I did have a ride but it took forever and ended up being an exhausting day.
So, now sumer is officially in session and it’s time I get some rest. I have all summer to work, might as well take a personal day.
Sincerely, Hector Guzman
Official Start Time: 2:00 p.m.
Date: 6/12/09
Official End Time: 3:00 p.m.
Today was my last day of finals, which means . . . . school is over!
I’m so happy to be done with school. I can finally sleep late and do the things I want to do. I can’t wait.
So to fill you in, today I took my chemisty final. It was a definant change in pace. There were a lot of question I wish I knew the formula for and there were parts of the test I swore I couldn’t figure out if I had a thousand years to work on it.
Out of 125 questions, I think I got a good 70% right. I do however have 7 extra credit points going to the exam so no matter what I can at least get a 7. After all the mutiple choice there were open ended questions that made you apply didn’t formulas and processes. That’s were the exam got hard but I was given some leeway as I could do an extra question and have it be graded out of 10 rather than 9.
The question basically asked you what was your favorite part of the course and what kind of advise you would give him for next year’s students. Through that question I told Mr. Reed (my chemistry teacher) about the transformation I had undergone thanks to his course and how it taught me that only with hard work can you succeed. I’ll see Mr.Reed next year in AP Environmental Science and I plan to really make him proud with my level of commitment and determination to do well in the course.
As for the summer, the world is my oyster and I must take whole of everyday that I can. I’ll keep you posted.
Sincerely, Hector Guzman
Official Start Time: 10:00 p.m.
Date: 6/11/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.
Today was my second day of finals and it was definitly a nice change in pace in comparison to my first day of finals.
Today I took my pre-calculus and spanish finals. My pre-calculus final was divided into two parts: her part and the states part. On her (Mrs. Kollchaku) part, I did pretty well seeing as she gave us the answer to each question. If anyone failed her final it was because they were drunk and didn’t care.
In a serious tone, I really do have a lot of respect for Mrs. Kollchaku. Since the day I met her, I knew she met business. Mrs. Kollchaku is one of those teachers who cares more about her students comprehending the subject then passing it. She works hard to give us the best material and always makes fun of us when we’re not paying attention: that she’s teaching the blocks on the wall and not humans. I’ll be taking her next year for AP Calculus BC and I’m sure I’ll be able to pass the course with such a great teacher and role model.
Next, I took my Spanish final and it was soooo easy. Granted I know Spanish, but it couldn’t have been any easier. It was however ridiculously long. I swear there were more than 400 questions! I eventually did finish and started talking to Mrs. Perugini about next year and if I could take the AP Spanish exam next year. I was happy to find out that I would not only be able to take the exam but that I would be taking Mrs. Perugini again next year.
I met Mrs. Perugini at the beginning of this year and since that day I’ve realized that not all teachers are robots. There are those who really care about their students, work extra hours, and cry when they see students being abused and mistreated by the color of their skin or creed and not by their misdeeds. Perugini is probably the most straight up teacher you will ever meet. She would threaten to punch me if I didn’t sit down. What teacher do you know is crazy enough to do that.
Today was a good day and tomorrow will be my last day of school. Wish me luck.
Sincerely, Hector Guzman
Official Start Time: 10:00 p.m.
Date: 6/10/09
Official End Time: 11:00 p.m.
Today was the first day of finals and I’m a little shaky. It didn’t go bad but I wish I did better. I guess I’ll have to wait till report cards come to be sure.
So period 1 I had my culinary arts final and that was bad. I couldn’t remember certain parts of the exam and feared that it would cost me too many points. In no way do I think I failed but I really need a 90 or higher if I want to keep my standards up.
Period 2 I had Walker (I’m sorry Ms. Walker) and we had to present our final projects as our final. For Ms. Walker’s class, I wanted to re-write the 1st marking period syllabus so that it would give students more help in developing their writing skills. However, I guess that pissed Ms. Walker off seeing as I basically told her she did a shitty job (and I don’t take it back). In the end, I was stuck with creating a manual/presentation/guide as to how to write an essay for the AP Exam.
My presentation wasn’t bad but seeing as I only had 8 minutes I didn’t have much time to go into as much detail as I would have intended and basically had to rush through the whole presentation. Ms. Walker only had a few things to say after I finished and I really didn’t care because I already knew my grade wasn’t gonna be spectacular.
After everyone finished presenting we got back our grades and you could see the shock on people’s faces. For instance, one student brought Ms. Walker cake and basically devoted her presentation to Ms. Walker’s greatness and still got an 80. I lost points on things that weren’t even part of the presentation. Somehow doing my rubric properly and on time makes cost me 5 points since apparently it was done at 5:00 a.m. (wtf)
Anyways, most of the guys got 80s and were robbed of points that weren’t even on the rubric. After a while it basically got to the point where why did she even make us create the rubrics when she wasn’t even gonna use them to grade us. I did however notice that the students who did very well were the presentations she could show to new coming students for the AP English Language and Composition course. I doubt anyone will want to do it knowing Walker (yeah I said it) is teaching it.
GOD!
Sincerely, Hector Guzman
Official Start Time: 1:45 p.m.
Date: 6/9/09
Official End Time: 2:00 a.m.
So its getting close to the end of the year and course selection is really eating away at everyone. Classes are filling up and if you’re not careful, you could be screwed out of the course you wanted.
I myself had to struggle with getting the courses I wanted but in the end I was victorious. My schedule for next year will be pretty steep but I know that all that work will pay off. Basically, I’ll be taking AP Psychology, AP English, AP Calculus BC, AP Environmental Science, UConn Modern European History, Ace Spanish 2, and ISSP.
As you can tell, I’ll be taking 4 AP courses and the reason I’m doing it because they count for more credit and they’re really the best courses to take when it comes to getting ready for college. I also might be taking the AP Spanish Exam if things work out, but I won’t really have to do much studying. Additionally, I’ll be taking UConn Modern European History and ISSP. UConn Modern European history might present an issues if I lose focus while ISSp will give me an outlet to express all the knowledge from the hundreds of pages I will have read.
In the end, I’ve come to the conclusion that if I want to succeed I need to put my best foot forward and dedicate as much time as possible to each course, learning to love the course and the drive I’ll need to excel.
Sincerely, Hector Guzman
Official Start Time: 1:40 a.m.
Date: 6/8/09
Official End Time: 2:00 a.m.
Finals are around the corner but right now I’m a bit distracted. Between school, the site, and Jassica, I’m find it hard to focus.
There’s so much I want to do but I’m having trouble getting it out. I want to add a bunch of new stuff to the site while I want to work on some independent projects. Since working on the site, I’ve discovered a lot of cool resources online and at the same time have learned how to apply them in a proactive way.
This summer I plan to take the world by storm and really take a shot at all these ideas. Hopefully they made some sense.
Sincerely, Hector Guzman
