To Do List

I have a lot to do. But I'm motivated to do it.

1. I need to make flashcards for vocab words for SAT Prep Class (I got a 2025 on my diagnostic test!!! And a 10 out of 10 on my essay!!!!!!) I feel like this is REALLY important for me to do well, because my GPA is less competitive than some... I REALLY want to go to Harvey Mudd, which is REALLY hard to get into (It's a bit easier for me, since I'm a girl whose parents didn't go to college, but still.) I feel that a VERY high SAT score will make me more competitive (at least ALMOST in league with other people who will apply there. And ALMOST in league with all my asian friends). I am taking the SAT on March 14th, and I STILL NEED TO SIGN UP FOR IT (I can't forget. That would be bad.)

2. I need to make sure that every homework assignment gets DONE. I ended up finishing the semester with 2 A's (in the classes I don't have homework in, big surprise) and 4 B's (although my Physics grade DID get bumped up to an A, bringing my end of semester GPA to 3.83. Fine, fine, 3 A's, 3 B's.) But in EVERY CLASS, I got an A on my final! Content is not my problem in any of my classes (at least, I've proven that I can memorize in time for an exam and kinda learn the material for real later). My problem is work habits. If I had done every homework assignment in math, I would have had an A, because that would have given me at LEAST three extra percent--enough to get my grade up to an A. Homework has KILLED me this entire sememster, so I'm going to make a tremendous effort to get it all done. (It's funny because I still have homework to do and I'm writing this... Guess this lesson is slow in coming)

3. I need to get my permit and learn how to drive. If I get my permit this month I could have my license by the end of this summer. I did my part on this one--I finished driver's ed in NOVEMBER. But despite my pestering, behind the wheel classes STILL have not been paid for. Therefore, I can't get my permit. (Hopefully, this will be set right tomrrow). It's an embarassment for me to still not be driving, when I could have started over a year and a half ago. The time has come. It can't wait any longer. My mom and dad are seriously considering buying another car and next year letting my brother and I drive ourselves to school (provided I get my license, of course). My scheduling plans are evolving rapidly (I'm thinking of taking two off rolls and having a night school class) and this could require me to be able to drive myself. It would just be SO much easier! I can't be dependent on my parents forever, and it would be prudent for me to start relying on myself for transportation SOONER rather than later.

4. I have to investigate my potential classes for next ear by talking to the teahers who teach the courses I want to take. That means AP Physics (COB, who I already know and love), AP Lit (Graber, who I know is amazing), AP Gov (Flanagan--I need to hear about the course work for this class), AP Calc A/B (there's no opting out of this class, I just need to hear what I'm in for), and possibly AP Spanish (I DEFINITELY need to explore some alternatives with community college). And maybe I'll go in and talk to my councilor. I think she likes me. :)

5. I need to take the computer literacy test to avoid having to take Intro To Computers in summer school.

6. I need to memorize my lines for The Glass Menagerie. I'm almost done, about 80% of my lines I've got down pat. Work, work, work...

7. I need to write the essays for the application to Harvey Mudd's Spring FAST program. The program is completely free and offered to juniors in order to become familiar with the campus, the programs, the classes, the admissions process, etc. But I DO have to fill out the application, and a part of the application is two personal essays, reminiscent of actual college applications. In trying to think about what I'm going to write, I've been trying to figure out, "Who am I? What are specific personality traits that colleges should know about me (and that will help me get into the schools I want)?" The reason why I'm allowing myself to write this right now, instead of say, finishing homework, taking a shower, or going to bed (all of which I'll have to do shortly), is because I need to give myself a chance to let some writing just come out and see what I want to focus on in my essays. Writing my essays for this application WILL benefit me in the long run, I think, because it will allow me to practice for the REAL THING--that is, college applications. What have I discovered about myself lately? I can set goals for myself. I am lazu when it comes to doing work that I find dull. I'm WAY smarter than I give myeslf credit for. I tell myself very often that I'm being unrealistic (I have yet to determine whether or not this frequent judgement is unfounded or accurate). I'm logical and rational. I don't take big things, like life, for granted. I'm hardworking. I'm vain. And I have a great capacity for love. I'm still struggling with a few concepts, though, still trying to iron out the kinks in my personality. I have to keep telling myself that I'm more than just a number, a test score, a GPA. I can't afford to slack off right now, because my choices TODAY will affect the next 5 or more years of my life. Sometimes things DO work out, however unrealistic the outcome might seem at first glance. And ultimately, I shouldn't worry too much, because I really DO have things going pretty well for me right now.